BY AUSTIN LYNCH

In today's extremely busy, and intensely competitive, car trade you find that almost every manufacturer now tries to fill every possible gap in the market with a new model or new vehicle.

Some will be quite specialised and have a limited 'niche market' appeal (such as convertibles and hot hatches) while others will dictate whether the manufacturer makes money or not.

Possibly one of the most important sectors for any car marquee these days is the family hatchback / saloon and getting this vehicle right is incredibly important - for these vehicles are the big sellers for the company and their success, or failure, will have a massive impact on the firm - such is the volume of sales in this sector.

For years the Ford Mondeo has been one of the big sellers in this sector and the most recent version has the reputation of a car that was easily run and great to drive.

The Mondeo first hit the road in 1993 as the direct replacement for the outgoing Ford stalwart, the Sierra. Four years later, in 1997, Ford gave their new saloon a major facelift.

In the year 2000 the Mark III Mondeo - which was a completely redesigned and re-engineered vehicle - was introduced. This car is now a familiar sight on our roads proving as popular with families as with the lucrative business user market.

Now, new for 2007, Ford has launched a brand new Mondeo, and to find out a bit more about this brand new vehicle we borrowed one from Ford Dealers Monaghan Bros, Lisnaskea and took it for a test drive.

First impressions of this new car are excellent. It has a modern, attractive nose and sleek lines that could make you forget you're looking at a saloon car at all. The package is rounded off with a well designed rear end including attractive rear light clusters.

The people in charge of marketing the new car pulled off an extraordinary coupe recently when the new Mondeo featured in the recent Bond movie 'Casino Royale' starring Daniel Craig. Although Bond ended up in an Aston Martin he drove a Mondeo in the early part of the film.

The good design of the car is continued from the exterior through to the interior where everything is laid out in just the right way. Large clear instruments sit in front of the driver while the newly designed central console - finished in chrome - contains all the usual switch-gear including the radio and electronic air-conditioning.

The model we tested was the Zetec1.8 TDCI (125PS) which, being a diesel, will no doubt be one of the biggest sellers in this county.

Once you settle into the comfortable seats (which on this model were electrically adjustable) and adjust your mirrors (again electric) you realise the driving position is really excellent with a commanding view of the road ahead as well as great all round visibility.

The engine is quiet (for a diesel) and pulls well up through the six speed gearbox. With 125 PS there is plenty of power for a car of this size and the car has the power to overtake with confidence.

The engine responds best when the revs are over 2000 rpm and drivers may find it a little sluggish below this engine speed.

Out on the road the Mondeo, like so many of the new Ford's available today, is a really great driving car. The steering is as positive and reactive as you could hope for and, even with the power steering, the driver has great feel of the road up through the steering wheel.

The steering wheel mounted controls - for the radio, trip computer and, where available, hands free phone - are straightforward to use and have lovely positive, tactile feel about them.

Nothing in this car feels the slightest bit flimsy and all controls have a reassuring feel of quality and good design.

The new Mondeo is equally at home cruising along the main roads or driving along the smaller, bumpy back roads that make up so much of Fermanagh's road network.

The suspension is up to any challenge giving a comfortable ride over even the worst surfaces and pot holes. And when the need arises the brakes are stunning slowing the car from speed to a standstill in seconds without ever feeling like things are about to get out of hand.

But, as we mentioned already, this car is aimed at the business and the family market so how does it meet the criteria of these users.

Well, for the family there is loads of room inside - the back seat is more than capable of carrying three adults (or one or two adults and a child seat if necessary) while the boot is simply cavernous.

This is also good news for the business user who could comfortably take a few colleagues, and all of their luggage, to a meeting or the airport without anyone feeling cramped or stuffed in.

And there is also plenty of room for all the supplies you have to carry from job to job.

The outgoing Mondeo was a good car but it was starting to show its age - both internally and externally. It still did it's job well, and drove well, but there were too many younger competitors running about in sharper suits.

Ford have turned this on its head with a dynamic looking and spacious new car that should be the match of anything in this sector.

And with on-the-road prices starting from well under £16,000 the new Mondeo makes sound business, and family, sense.