FORD is slashing prices of the Mondeo and is reducing the number of trim levels available from seven to five.

As of November, the Mondeo will be available from £19,445 - a cut of £2,500.

Range topping Vignale models are being reduced by £3,000 and now start from £27,545.

Ford says that more than 85 per cent of Mondeos are driven by professionals as a company or lease car, meaning that they pay a "benefit in kind" tax based on the vehicle's on the road price.

To minimise tax liability, the OTR prices of the Mondeo are being reduced by £3,000 on Vignale, £2,500 on Zetec and ST-Line Editions and £2,000 on Titanium Edition.

The cuts translate into savings of up to £720 over three years on a Mondeo ST-Line Edition 2.0 TDCi 150ps, for a 40 per cent tax payer plus £300 on the employer's fleet National Insurance costs.

Lease monthly payments for the Titanium Edition 2.0 TDCi 150ps five door are maintained at £258 over three years.

All five models in the new Mondeo range have navigation with an eight-inch touchscreen, DAB radios, autonomous braking to mitigate or avoid low-speed collisions at under 31mph, front/rear parking sensors and cruise control with speed limiter as standard.

ST-Line models add extra front, rear and side body styling, lowered sports suspension, start button and darkened headliner.

Privacy glass and 19-inch alloys are added on the new ST-Line Edition grade.

Owen Gregory, Ford of Britain fleet director, said: "We know Mondeo customers want their cars to stand out. This has propelled Mondeo drivers from core series to distinctly sporty and luxury-looking models. Making this easier and more affordable takes Mondeo into 2018 in style."