Ford Fusion (North America)

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Ford Fusion
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	2006—present
Assembly	Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Predecessor	Ford Contour Ford Taurus (pre-2008)
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Ford CD3 platform
Engine	2.3 L Duratec 23 I4 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6
Transmission	6-speed Aisin automatic (V6) 5-speed Mazda manual (I4) 5-speed Mazda automatic (I4)
Wheelbase	107.4 in (2728 mm)
Length	190.2 in (4831 mm)
Width	72.2 in (1834 mm)
Height	57.2 in (1453 mm)
Related	Ford Edge Lincoln MKX Lincoln MKZ Lincoln Zephyr Mazda6 Mazda CX-9 Mercury Milan Mazda CX-7
Similar	Chevrolet Malibu Kia Optima Mitsubishi Galant

The North American Ford Fusion (code name CD338) is a mid-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 2006 model year. It is based on the Ford CD3 platform, of which the Mazda 6 is the best known example. The Fusion went on sale in October 2005 as a 2006 model.

The Fusion is manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, where the similar Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ are also built. All three cars are based on the same platform and were launched simultaneously into the market (the MKZ as the Zephyr). Production on the first Fusions began on August 1, 2005.

Ford's advertising campaign for the Fusion in the United States is entitled Life in Drive, while in Canada it is Create a Reaction.

At its launch, the Fusion fit in a line of sedans by Ford (smallest to largest) and EPA size category:^[1]

• Ford Focus(compact)
• Ford Fusion (midsize)
• Ford Taurus (midsize)
• Ford Five Hundred (large sedan)
• Ford Crown Victoria (full-size sedan)

Contents 1 Overview 2 Background on name choice 3 NASCAR 4 Awards and consumer response 5 Reviews 6 Future features and model information 6.1 New features for 2007 6.2 2008 hybrid 6.3 Future coupe version 7 Engines 8 EPA Fuel Economy Information 9 References 10 See also 11 External links

[edit] Overview

With its launch, the Fusion debuted Ford's new three-bar grille design, which is expected to become the company's trademark look for the rest of the decade. Production volume is projected at 160,000-200,000 per year. U.S. sales in 2006 totaled 142,502.

Fusion's competitors are the Chevrolet Malibu (and possibly the larger Impala), Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Galant and Pontiac G6. Car and Driver notes that the car is actually similar in size to the first generation Ford Taurus rather than the Ford Tempo or Ford Contour which occupied the small mid-size slot during those years, an example of car size inflation since the 1980s.

Changes to the CD3 platform from the Mazda6 include stretching it by 30 mm (1.2 in) in width and 55 mm (2.2 in) in length, strengthening it, and modifying the suspension for a more compliant ride. Like the Mazda, the Fusion uses the Mazda-designed 2.3 L Duratec 23 I4 and Ford-designed 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6. All wheel drive is offered for V6 models in 2007.

The Fusion shares some interior parts with the otherwise unrelated European Mondeo, such as part of the console and the seats. Both automatic and manual transmissions are available (the latter only with the I4 engine).

[edit] Background on name choice

The Fusion was originally to be called the Futura, which was last used in North America as the name of a two-door version of the Fairmont. Ford, however, lost a trademark lawsuit to the Pep Boys auto parts store, which has a line of tires under the Futura brand. American trademark law generally considers a name abandoned if the owner does not use it for three calendar years and the long history of the name in the Ford line did not impress the court.

The Futura name is actually still used by Ford Australia as a trim line for the Falcon. Pep Boys does not operate in Australia, thus there was no conflict of trademark in that country.

Another choice of name was Falcon, but that would have caused much confusion with the long-running Australian Ford Falcon. Still, that didn't prevent Ford from duplicating the name of the European Fusion, a supermini based on the Ford Fiesta. Another name considered was "Torino", a popular muscle car and a peer of the also-recently-revived Dodge Charger.

[edit] NASCAR

The Fusion also became the new body shape for Ford automobiles in NASCAR beginning in 2006, replacing the Ford Taurus.^[2] This is the first time that Ford has introduced a new model that went racing in NASCAR at the same time as its launch since the aerodynamically slick Ford Torino in 1968. It debuted at the 2006 Daytona 500, and won its first race a week later in California and will not be replaced for the COT Races that Dodge and Chevrolet will use the Avenger & Impala SS respectively .

[edit] Awards and consumer response

According to Ford, consumer response to the Fusion has exceeded their expectations [2], with 30,000 sold during the first quarter of 2006. The Fusion was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2006. In July 2006, Strategic Vision gave the Fusion its Total Quality Award as the best-quality midsize sedan on the American market. [3]

AutoWeek magazine made a tongue-in-cheek comment that Ford named the new sedan the Fusion only because its grille has a striking resemblance to the Gillette Fusion safety razor.^{[citation needed]} It may also be suggested that Ford drew inspiration from the rear and front styling of the fourth and fifth-generation Honda Prelude, respectively. Regardless, the three-bar grille, which includes two matching bars below the bumper/fascia and is thus a five-bar design, was first seen on a concept car called the Ford 427, unveiled in 2003 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

An article reflecting on the retirement of the Taurus however noted that whatever its faults, Ford did sell a large volume of them, and at time production ended, the Taurus was still outselling the smaller Fusion and larger Ford Five Hundred combined, thanks to Taurus' large fleet sales. In the first half of 2006, approximately 81% of Fusion sales were retail (as opposed to fleet).[4] This sales mix has contributed, in part, to the Fusion's relatively high residual value compared to the Taurus. [5]

[edit] Reviews

• In a December 2005 test, Car and Driver ranked the Fusion just below the first-place Honda Accord, edging out the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata by only a few points. "The Verdict: Not your father's Taurus"^[3]

• Consumer Reports has also given positive reviews to the Fusion, as it had to the previous Taurus. The magazine said it was "unexpectedly impressed" with its handling and ride, which it said was comparable to European models. In addition, CR pointed out that in its yearly car survey, where readers reply to questions about their cars, the Fusion stood out as having high reliability levels--an exceptional result for a first-year car.

• Ford Fusion ranked highest among Midsize cars in the JD Power APEAL study for 2006.

• In December 2006, Ford contracted with Car and Driver to conduct a "ride and drive" event in which approximately 600 of the magazine's subscribers would evaluate the Fusion against the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. The testing was conducted on tracks set up at a parking lot at Fedex Field outside Washington, D.C. Testers remarked on each vehicle's driving dynamics, styling, room, and perceived quality. The overwhelming response was largely in favor of the Fusion, particularly in driving dynamics and styling. A second such event was held in the Los Angeles area in January 2007.

[edit] Future features and model information

[edit] New features for 2007

For 2007, all-wheel drive will be available on V6 models. Sirius Satellite Radio is available as an option on the SE and SEL models.

As well, the Fusion will now have front-seat side airbags and a side air curtain as standard features, as well as an anti-theft perimeter alarm. (All were previously available as cost options.)

Also added is an auxiliary audio input jack for audio transmission from a portable audio player along with some equipment modifications. A DVD-based navigation system is scheduled be available on the SE and SEL models later in the year.

[edit] 2008 hybrid

A hybrid version of the Fusion was announced at the 2005 NAIAS, to be introduced for the 2008 model year. This has now been pushed back to a 2008 release as a 2009 model.

Yazaki North America, Inc. announced on January 08, 2007, that it will design, develop and manufacture the high voltage (HV) connection system and wiring for the 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid.^[4]

[edit] Future coupe version

According to Motor Trend magazine (September 2006 issue), Ford will capitalize on the success of the Fusion by making a 2-door coupe model, similar to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry Solara. It would probably get a different name, and fill the gap left when the Ford Escort ZX2 was discontinued in 2003. If this plan were to get the green light, the Lincoln MKZ would most likely get a coupe version too.

[edit] Engines

• 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6, 221 hp (165 kW) and 205 ft·lbf (278 N·m)
• 2.3 L Duratec 23 I4 160 hp and 156 ft·lbf
• 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 265 hp and 250 ft·lbf (Engine expected to be available after the 2007 model year)

[edit] EPA Fuel Economy Information

• Passenger Volume 100 ft3 (4D)
• Luggage Volume 16 ft3 (4D)
• Fuel Type: Regular Gasoline

• 2.3L 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual:
  • MPG (city) 23
  • MPG (highway) 31
  • MPG (combined) 26
  • Average User MPG 28.9

• 2.3L 4-cylinder, 5-speed Automatic
  • MPG (city) 24
  • MPG (highway) 32
  • MPG (combined) 27

• 3.0L V6, 6-speed automatic:
  • MPG (city) 21
  • MPG (highway) 29
  • MPG (combined) 25

[edit] References

1. ^ EPA fueleconomy.com
2. ^ Fordracing.com
3. ^ Comparison Test Review: 2006 Ford Fusion SEL V-6 vs. 2006 Honda Accord EX V-6 vs. 2006 Hyundai Sonata LX V-6 vs. 2006 Toyota Camry XLE V-6 Car and Driver December 2005
4. ^ >[1]

[edit] See also

• Lincoln Zephyr
• Ford Fusion (European)
• Mercury Milan
• Ford Mondeo

[edit] External links

• Official Ford Fusion website
• Ford Motor Company
• Updated Ford Fusion Forums & Specifications
• Ford Fusion Photos & Info

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