The second-generation Fusion is the most important model Ford will launch at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. And this is because it's the Blue Oval's contender in the popular mid-size class not only in North America, but also in the rest of the world where it will replace the Mondeo.
The outgoing Fusion was the first model to feature Ford’s then-new five-bar grille, which was later adopted by the rest of its U.S. range. Likewise, its successor is the model that introduces the next evolution of Ford's design language previewed by the Frankfurt Motor Show Evos concept.
It is distinguished by the slim headlights and the hexagonal, Aston Martin-like front grille, while the bodywork looks like a sportier, tauter evolution of the European Mondeo.
“The previous Fusion was an easy purchase for a customer to rationalize”, said Chris Hamilton, chief exterior designer. “Our design goal for the new car was to give the mainstream sedan buyer a top-drawer visual experience, adding some emotional appeal to an already sensible choice.”
More important than its looks is what lies underneath. The Fusion/Mondeo has a MacPherson front and multilink rear suspension set-up and an electric-assisted power steering. Ford claims that its road handling is better than the outgoing model’s, while at the same time it promises to be the class leaders in the areas of ride and refinement.
The all-new Fusion will be the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions; while its Mondeo twin will be available with diesel engines as well.
Ford has initially unveiled the engine line-up for the Fusion that includes two turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engines with a displacement of 1.6-liters and 2.0-liters, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four cylinder, plus hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
The 2.5-liter unit produces 170HP and 170lb-ft (230.5 Nm) with a six-speed automatic driving the front wheels.
The 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine produces 179HP and 172 lb-ft (233Nm) of peak torque while returning fuel economy figures of 26 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. It gets a six-speed automatic transmission and features a stop/start system. The 1.6L model is offered only with front-wheel drive.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine churns out 237HP and 250Nm lb-ft (338.9 Nm) and is paired with a six-speed SelectShift auto transmission and will be optionally available with an all-wheel drive system that can send more torque to the rear axle, making it the performance version of the range.
The 1.6L and 2.5L models are offered only with front-wheel drive, while the 2.0L Turbo will be optionally available with an all-wheel drive system that can send more torque to the rear axle, making it the performance version of the range.
The Fusion Hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a new 2.0-liter unit that also operates on the more fuel efficient Atkinson cycle. Furthermore, the first generation’s nickel-metal hydride batteries have been ditched in favor of a new, lighter and more powerful lithium-ion battery pack.
Top speed in electric-only mode has been increased from 47 to 62 mph (75 to 100 km/h while fuel economy is expected to be best in class with 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway, beating the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata by 4/5 mpg and 12/4 mpg in city and highway respectively.
Joining the Hybrid model is the new Energi plug-in hybrid that promises return more than 100 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), which Ford says is at least 8 MPGe better than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe than the projected number for Toyota’s plug-in Prius.
The all-new Fusion/Mondeo will be available with an array of high-tech safety options, like adaptive cruise control, active park assist, lane keeping change and blind spot information systems, as well as the latest version of the SYNC and MyFord Touch infotainment systems.
The 2013 Fusion will go on sale in the U.S. at the end of 2012, while the global market Mondeo will begin arriving in early 2013.
20 Comments:
awd? wagon? if yes, this is my next car.
Looks like Ford Europe has won the day as the prevailing influence on the Fusion/Mondeo.
Ford made the very same decision back in the early 90's with the original Mondeo/Contour, and after that ultimately flopped in the US it's taken them over a decade to grow the balls to try again. This time the US is ready (given the Fiesta and Focus invasion) and the sedan offering is comprehensive.
Anyone still want a '95 Contour?
Anyone else underwhelmed?
...and surely Ford will tip hat to Audi for giving them design direction to follow.
Good to see the new Mondeo makes it to the North America market hidden under the Fusion name. IMO good move by Ford. If the build quality remains as good as the Euro model Ford should have a winner on its hands.
Especially like the Jaguar / Aston Martin-ish front end looks!
Interior is very blah.
Would have been a better car had it been RWD.
Cover the grill and it looks like a Hyundai.
Actually is better, because there is AWD.
The Fiesta and Focus aren't that big of a hit here. The Focus lost out to the Elantra for North American Car of the Year. Very telling.
The Ford Focus handling and ride are far ahead of the Elantra. "car of the year"is a game.
Unfortunately the state of affairs in the world of family sedans is bleak where revealing a slightly above par concept such as the one show here is followed by much debate. Wow a car with aston martin grille for the regular Joe on main street. Although I am not as excited about the Fusion design proposal, I think this car is very translatable to a final product and will rate very well against the likes of the camry, accord or passat (if Ford can release the product in 2012). However, I must agree with the commenters before me that this is not an impressive feat by any measure.
maybe it is time to say--bye--bye Falcon.
no, i like the Falcon..better than the VE
Very nice looking vehicle. Compared to the old Fusion this is light years ahead. This is not a copycat of Hyundai, Aston, Audi,etc.; they are just following current design trends that one can see from many manufacturers.
They're joking right? I actually thought the old (European) Ford Mondeo was fitted with an Aston Martin grille and renamed Fusion for the American market. It just dawned on me this is actually the new (???) Mondeo! The previous Mondeo was never a looker why did they ever think that they should keep it exactly the same? The car is and looks massive in a way that an overweight person does, the proportions are all wrong and despite the efforts to sex it up with some unnecessary generic curves and creases here and there, it looks bloated as if it swallowed a bigger car and its skin has stretched. The lights are too large, making the wheels look too small, the eyebrows over the rear lights look awkward from some angles and there simply is too much metal under the side windows. Big it may be but beautiful it certainly isn't.
Looks nice. Funny, a Ford Fusion in the UK is a tiny looking wagon thingy. Anyway, this looks to line up better with the Accord/Camry/Altima. Wish they brought the Tempo name plate back :)
Update the Taurus to align better with the Maxima and Avalon, so Honda can see the huge pie piece it is missing out on.
The "tiny" moon/sun roof is looking dated. Panoramic would look so much better, instead of a 30 year old standard roof opening.
cover the Ford logo on the steering wheel and it looks like the one in my Hyundai, but the outside is just not quite curved inwards enough.
i was hoping someone would notice and comment about that
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