Like most volume manufacturers, Ford is constantly slipping new versions of existing models into its catalogue. There have been several examples of that recently. For example, the 2.5-litre V6-engined ST 24, most characterful of the Mondeo saloons, now has an estate equivalent.

At #22,520 the new ST 24 estate is the same price as the luxury Ghia X version. Its 16in alloy wheels and low profile tyres show that it is intended to be tighter handling, although both types have the same performance, with a 0-60mph time of about 8.5 seconds and a test track maximum on the high side of 130mph.

While the conversion work to an estate has been neatly done, with good load space, a security blind and a restraining net, you can tell from the supportive, almost bucket-style front seats that this is a car meant to be able to deal with considerable cornering forces.

Coincidentally, I was able to try the test car over part of the Perthshire route which Jackie Stewart and the Ford development team used to hone the original Mondeo's handling and response. The ST 24 estate is firmer than the saloon, and there is obviously some extra weight, noticeable more in the rear-end ''feel'' than in the extra half-second or so the estate takes to reach 60mph.

Its low profile tyres make the ride a little harsher than would be the case with a lower-level Mondeo, but the handling is fine, and the ST 24 estate obviously puts its power down confidently on to

the road.

People who say they never seem to see all that many Pumas on the road tend to forget that the 1.7-litre engine fitted at the little coupe's introduction is a low-volume production job.

There should be more Pumas around from now on, because Ford has started building a model with the 1.4-litre engine which has proved such a success in the Fiesta Si. The 1.4 has a much more sporting specification than the 1.25-litre unit fitted to most Fiestas. It is certainly not just a matter of bigger capacity.

Since it was designed in the first place for a 125bhp engine, the Puma has no problem coping with a 90bhp 1.4. In fact, the car's excellent handling and response, best achieved with a light touch on the controls, can perhaps be more enthusiastically taken advantage of with the smaller engine. You can drive it harder without coming close to its comfortable limit, and really enjoy yourself with the neat little short-throw gear lever.

Costing #1500 less than the 1.7, the new small-engined Puma is priced at #13,225 on the road. Its 0-60mph time of just under 11 seconds is about two seconds down on the 1.7, and the test track maximum is around 112mph.

Several revised versions of the Galaxy have appeared for the 1998 model year. The best news on the engine front is that the Galaxy (built at the joint venture Ford/VW factory in Portugal) now comes with VW's highly regarded 110bhp 1.9-litre turbo diesel.

In the top-specification Ghia X at #22,495, although two lower priced models also have it as an option, the latest engine provided noticeably more pulling power than the 88bhp type which is still available. The test car showed once again how precise in its handling a vehicle of this kind can be, and also that, thanks partly to

the long wheelbase, a well set

up MPV offers a supple ride on

poorly surfaced or undulating roads.

The St Louis-built Explorer, the first US Ford in many decades to be produced for this market with right-hand drive, is the company's biggest 4x4 available here. There is just one version on sale, priced at #26,295 with a 206bhp four-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission.

With a 0-60mph time under 11 seconds and plenty of mid range torque, the Explorer is a husky straight line performer. Although Ford has modified the four-wheel drive system for 1998, and worked on ''European-ising'' the handling and overall stability, the suspension design is essentially for American tastes, and there is no point in trying to ear-hole the Explorer though it corners like a

hot hatch.

This is a fine long distance cruiser, though, and well specified for off-road work. There are

several styling and equipment changes, but the Explorer retains its very big load area and, despite the fact that the rear seats feel

low to the floor, plenty of passenger space.