New up market Mondeo launch

The Ford motor company has launched a new stand-alone up market model, which is based on the Mondeo called Vignale.
Vignale Mondeo.Vignale Mondeo.
Vignale Mondeo.

It is being sold at special centres where customers will receive VIP treatment and eventually there will be other Vignale models based on cars in the Ford range starting with the Vignale S-MAX, writes Bryan Longworth.

Vignale – which is pronounced Vin-ya-lay – is named after an Italian car designer and the brand is being sold at 54 flagship Ford Stores in the UK where specially trained Vignale staff will make the purchase of one of their cars “a personalised and rewarding experience”.

The Vignale range, which starts at £29,045 rising to more than £33,000 is available as a saloon and estate and is aimed at premium models from manufacturers such as BMW and Audi along with a range of Vignale designer products including luxury overnight bags, shoulder bags and Italian silk ties plus a handmade silk scarf.

Each model is hand finished by six master crafts people at the state of the art Vignale Centre in Valencia where the cars are produced and are individually tailored to customer specification and subject to 100 additional checks as part of the unique premium customer experience.

The Ford Store will ensure that each Vignale customer will have a dedicated member of staff to ensure a personalised service which includes cars being collected and delivered for servicing plus a 24 hour support service to deal with any problems.

Vignale Mondeo is available with petrol and diesel engines plus a hybrid with four wheel drive availability and on the outside there is exlusive styling including an upper front grille featuring unique Vignale hexagonal design in dark matt metallic finish with a polished aluminium surround.

The seats, which have built-in massaging, are offered in exclusive Vignale leather trim laser cut for high precision with tuxedo stitching and soft touch elements that extend to the instrument panel, centre console, arm rests and door top-rolls.

There are numerous other luxury elements including sound proofing and special alloy wheels that all go to making the Vignale a unique Ford for potential customers who want something different from other models in the Mondeo range.

Roelant de Waard, the boss of Ford in Europe, said: “Ford Vignale is designed for discerning individuals for whom time is the jewel and who demand quality experiences. Vignale ensures personalised service tailored to the customers needs and makes them feel special from the moment they walk in the door”. It will be interesting to see the reaction from potential customers where Vignale models start at well over £4000 above the top Mondeo Titanium.