Ford will launch a sub-120g/km version of the Mondeo in 2011 using the latest version of the Ford-PSA diesel engine, but also believes more drivers will choose automatic transmissions on top models.

The 115bhp TDCi will join the small but growing groups of upper-medium car variants with CO2 emissions below 120g/km.

However, Ford sees a growth opportunity in high-end versions with a stronger take-up of automatic transmission.

While Zetec is has the largest share of Mondeo sales with more than 30%, Ford’s large car product manager Jon Gunn-Smith said the high-specification Titanium series collectively take more than 50%.

PowerShift transmission is the only gearbox offered on the 2.0-litre EcoBoose petrol models, and its modest CO2 penalty compared to a conventional automatic gearbox is expected to boost its share of the model mix.

Gunn-Smith said: “We think more than 20% of Mondeos will be equipped with powershift, which will take us closer to where the premium brands are with their share of automatic transmission.”

To check out the latest Ford car reviews, come to the Fleet News car reviews section.