Ford is developing a Fusion and Mondeo sedan replacement, but it’s not much of a secret thanks to leaked photos. It’s not as if the spy shots left much to the imagination, but it seems Ford is apparently saying to hell with keeping it a secret because new spy shots captured the sedan completely uncovered out testing in Ford’s hometown of Dearborn, Michigan.

The car looks identical to the Chinese version we saw, as the leaked photos revealed several trims with subtle styling differences. The front bumper on the uncovered test car has a simple lower grille opening that doesn’t connect to the headlights, which we have already seen. There are also small variations to the side sills and the rear valance, but these appear to be minor trim differences.

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The new Mondeo/Fusion looks strikingly similar to the Ford Evos crossover that debuted last year, which turns the car into a wagon-like crossover. The Evos is expected to become Europe’s Mondeo and America’s new Fusion, which means the Chinese sedan version spied here is unlikely to arrive in the US. The Evos does have its own distinct front bumper and rear-end design, though the two share a lot, as well.

Powertrain details for the new Ford remain a mystery, but the Mondeo in the spy shots is wearing badging that suggests a 245-horsepower (182-kilowatt) 2.0-liter engine sits under the hood. Ford could cram a variety of powertrains into the model, including hybrid and all-electric, but there’s no concrete evidence for this just yet.

Ford may have abandoned the sedan market in the US by discontinuing the Fusion and the rest of its car lineup, but the company won’t altogether leave that game. Mondeo production is scheduled to end in Europe this March, so there will be a spot open for the new model in Ford’s European lineup, which might receive both the crossover and sedan variants. It’s unlikely we’ll get the Mondeo sedan here.

After several unofficial yet almost fully revealing appearances, the next-generation Ford Mondeo makes its official debut in China. The fifth iteration of the popular sedan, known in the United States as the Ford Fusion until its discontinuation in 2020, premieres at the brand’s new China Design Center in Shanghai. For now, there’s no word about potential availability outside the People’s republic, though.

Ford seems to be especially proud of the design of this new vehicle as the entire press release about the new Mondeo is dedicated to its visual characteristics. It was designed around the automaker’s Progressive Energy in Strength design language, which can also be seen in the Evos and Equator. It is based on the preferences of the local customers and embodies three core principles - "commanding, agile, and responsive."



Indeed, the new Mondeo looks quite aggressive with a bold front end, basically mimicking the front fascia of the Evos. The vehicle takes the shape of an (almost) traditional sedan despite the somewhat sloped roofline, as the boot lid doesn’t seem to be attached to the rear window and there’s no rear wiper. A coast-to-coast LED strip at the front forms a memorable light signature. Sculptured wheel arches and front fenders create a muscular overall appearance when looking from the side.

Probably the most interesting element at the back is the pair of LED taillights with a design that seems to be inspired by the Mustang Mach E, featuring three vertical lines. The diffuser attached to the bumper adds a nice sporty touch, though it’s fair to note the chrome exhaust tips are not attached to the actual pipes. As a side note, the door handles seem to have a Tesla-style pop-out design.

Unfortunately, Ford doesn't provide information about what’s happening under the hood, though the ‘245’ badge at the back suggests there’s a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged gas engine on the front axle. If this is indeed the case, the inline-four develops 245 horsepower (180 kilowatts), likely channeled to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic. The car rides on Ford's C2 platform, shared with the new Lincoln Zephyr for China.

Ford says the new Mondeo will be built by Changan Ford and delivered to Chinese customers in 2022. We can’t tell whether it will be sold exclusively on the Chinese market, but we’ll likely know more very soon. Meanwhile, in Europe, the fourth-generation Mondeo is supposed to go out of production in March this year.

Ford premiered the all-new Mondeo in China about a month ago. Unfortunately for mid-size sedan buyers in the US, it seems that there are no plans to sell the fifth-generation model outside China. Ford even made it official that the car won't make it to Europe per our friends from Motor1.com Germany.

But a few weeks before its premiere, the redesigned Mondeo made a surprise appearance in Michigan. At the time, we said that we shouldn't expect this car to arrive in showrooms since Ford has all but abandoned the sedan market in the US. However, the sedan popped up again with reader Kyle Swensen, snapping photos of it sitting in a car park.
We're thankful for Kyle's submission, and the photos might give us some hints about the car's odds of being offered here. That said, the model appears to be the same one spied back in January. It even has the Chinese badge on the trunk lid like the last set of photos published. However, the sedan is wearing manufacturer plates this time around.
Does this mean the Mondeo is coming to the US? Not necessarily. It wouldn't be the first time a car not destined for the US to wear manufacturer plates. Chances are, it is undergoing evaluation of sorts. It is unknown what kind of testing the Mondeo is going through or its purpose on US soil. Either way, don't get your hopes up for this model joining the North American lineup.

Changan Ford has not released full details of the redesigned Mondeo. However, we know that the car is slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model by 2.48 inches (63 mm) and 0.9 inches (23 mm), respectively. The badges on the car hint that one of the engine options includes a 2.0-liter Ecoboost that's good for 245 horsepower (180 kilowatts). The all-new Mondeo rides on the C2 platform that underpins models such as the Escape, Bronco Sport, and Maverick.