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Ford Fusion (North America)
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The North American Ford Fusion (code name CD338) is a mid-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 2006 model year.
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.
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Encyclopedia
The North American Ford Fusion (code name CD338) is a mid-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 2006 model year.
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. The Fusion replaced the Mondeo for the Latin American markets—except in Argentina (where the current European Mondeo is available) and in the United States and Canada (where it superseded the mid-size Taurus, which was being phased out). It is similar in size to its most direct competitors, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata. By United States Environmental Protection Agency size category, the Fusion is positioned between the compact Ford Focus and full-size Ford Taurus (formerly Five Hundred).
The Fusion was the first production car to feature the "new face of Ford" three-bar grille, which (along with two matching bars below the bumper/fascia forming 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.
Ford's early advertising campaign for the Fusion in the United States was entitled "Life in Drive", while in Canada it was "Create a Reaction". In January 2007, the company launched a new campaign for the Fusion titled "Fusion Challenge" (later renamed "Ford Challenge").
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 totaled 142,502 in 2006 and 149,552 (221,159 including its siblings) in 2007.
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 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 Mk III Ford Mondeo, such as part of the console and the seats. Both automatic and manual transmissions are available (the latter only with the I4 engine).
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 was originally introduced as a Lincoln concept car in 1955. The Lincoln Futura later was converted to the Batmobile for the television series Batman (1966-1968). In 1961, it was first used as the designation of an upper trim level on Falcons which continued through 1970, and then on a 2-door coupe version of the Ford Fairmont from 1978-83. The name was also used by Ford Australia as a trim line for the Falcon until the release of FG (MY 2009). Pep Boys does not operate in Australia, thus there was no conflict of trademark in that country.
Racing
NASCAR
The Fusion also became the new decal set for Ford automobiles in NASCAR beginning in 2006, replacing the Taurus. This marked the first time since the Torino in 1968 that Ford introduced a new model that went racing in NASCAR at the same time as its launch. It debuted at the 2006 Daytona 500 and won its first race a week later in California when Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag.
Land speed record success
Ford Motor Company announced its attempt to use a fuel cell version of the Fusion, Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999, to set a land speed record on Aug. 10-17 during Bonneville Speed Week in 2007. The Fusion 999 project was born in early 2006 when Ford fuel cell engineering manager Mujeeb Ijaz approached Roush Racing about doing a project to demonstrate the performance potential of a fuel cell-powered vehicle. The team from Roush, led by Rick Darling, worked with a team of Ford engineers and technicians led by Matt Zuehlk to come up with a vehicle design that could meet the goal of exceeding 200 mph on the Bonneville salt flats fueled only by hydrogen. On August 15, 2007, the vehicle set the fastest fuel cell ground vehicle speed record of 207.297mph. The car was driven by retired Ford engineer Rick Byrnes, a long time Bonneville racer.
Awards and consumer response
According to Ford, consumer response to the Fusion has exceeded their expectations, 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.
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 the time production ended, the Taurus was still outselling the smaller Fusion and larger Ford Five Hundred combined, thanks to Taurus' large fleet sales. For the 2007 model year, approximately 77% of Fusion sales were retail (as opposed to fleet).
This sales mix has contributed, in part, to the Fusion's relatively high residual value compared to the Taurus.
Ford also sells the Fusion in Mexico and Brazil. In Brazil, it has often been the highest selling car in its class, exceeding Ford's expectations.
Reviews
- 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 the February 2009 issue, Car and Driver rated the Fusion Hybrid ahead of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.
First Generation 2004-2009
New features for 2007
For 2007, all-wheel drive became available on V6 models. Sirius Satellite Radio is available as an option on the SE and SEL models. The front passenger fold-flat seat was introduced and became standard on the Fusion SEL and SE models. Also, the Fusion now has 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 also became available.
New features for 2008
For the 2008 model year, Ford continues to refine the Fusion's options. ABS is now a standard feature, as is tire pressure monitoring system. New optional features include rear parking assist, Ford's "Sync" multimedia and communication system, and ambient interior lighting. The DVD navigation was replaced with a new generation system featuring voice commands, and for the first time navigation is available also with manual transmission. Finally, 2 packages were added to the options list: Sport Appearance Package and Moon and Tune package. The latter makes the Audiophile 8-speaker audio system available on the SE trim line. Several colors were deleted and some others added.
New features for 2009
For 2009, the Fusion adds available electronic stability control. A new appearance package with blue trim is available. There have also been several color changes. 2009 will be a short year for the Fusion, being produced from June 2 until early November, as Job1 for the 2010 Fusion is currently scheduled for December 23, 2008, according to Ford dealers.
2nd Generation 2010-present
For the 2010 model year, Ford significantly updated the Fusion, along with the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, with new front and rear end fascia designs and interior and powertrain updates for the 2010 model year. Powertrain options will be similar to those debuting on the 2009 Ford Escape, including the new 2.5 L I4 and 3.0 L PIP Duratec series V6 engine coupled to Ford's new 6F35 six-speed transmission. The 3.0 L Duratec will now provide with E85 fuel capability, while the I4 will provide . The 3.5 L Duratec 35 producing will be standard in the Fusion Sport. The I4 and 3L V6 engines include adaptive knock control and aggressive deceleration fuel cutoff features to improve fuel economy. Interior redesigns include a new optional 8" screen navigation control system, a new center console design, and Ford's new trademark "Ice Blue" illumination for the controls and gauges that is shared with the current Ford Focus and Ford F-150. Every review has rated this refresh at the top of it's class.
In July 2007, Motor Trend reported that Ford's Special Vehicle Team tuner group planned to release Fusion GT in late 2009 or early 2010. Its 3.5-liter Eco-Boost V-6 will make about 340 horsepower.
Hybrid electric version
A hybrid electric version of the Fusion was announced at the 2005 NAIAS, along with the public introduction of the original 2006 Fusion. It is scheduled to be introduced in early 2009 for the 2010 model year, for $27,270. It will use Ford's GenII hybrid design, which will eventually replace the layout in the current Ford Escape Hybrid. The number of cells are reduced while keeping the same capacity of 1.3 kWh, so the battery is now 30% smaller in volume and weighs 23% less than the Ford Escape Hybrid unit. A variable voltage controller is added to compensate the voltage drop to 270V. Electric motor is rated 93kW, while generator is rated 70kW. It is also the first hybrid vehicle the Ford brand has offered in five years, and is the second hybrid vehicle after the Ford Escape Hybrid.
The new Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Sport officially debuted at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008. According to Ford, the vehicle will (by EPA standards) have fuel efficiency of 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway. A December 13, 2008 posting on autobloggreen.com stated that staff drivers had obtained in-city mileage of 43.1 mpg on the streets of Los Angeles. In addition, Los Angeles Times reporter Dan Neil reported in his December 27, 2008 article "Ford Fusion Hybrid: The Car of the Future?" that he obtained 52 mpg in mixed city-highway driving with little difficulty.
The EPA has now rated the fuel economy for the 2010 Fusion hybrid at 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway. The Fusion Hybrid qualifies for a hybrid tax credit of $3,400, subject to phase out. This model gets the best fuel economy of any mid-size sedan, placing it ahead of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Engines
2006–2009
2010
- 2.5 L Duratec 25 I4 175 hp, 172 lb.-ft. torque; 23 mpg city/34 mpg highway (automatic); 22/31 (manual)
- 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 240 hp, 228 lb.-ft. torque; 18/27 FWD; 18/25 AWD
- 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 263 hp, 249 lb.-ft. torque (Fusion Sport); 18/27 FWD; 17/24 AWD
- 2.5 L Duratec 25 I4 155 hp, 136 lb.-ft. torque for hybrids; 41/36
2008 specifications
- Passenger volume: 100 cubic feet (4D), 2,830 liters
- Luggage volume: 16 cubic feet (4D), 453 liters
- Fuel type: regular (87 octane) gasoline
Yearly American sales
| Calendar Year | Total American sales |
|---|
| 2004 | n/a | | 2005 | 16,983 | | 2006 | 142,502 | | 2007 | 149,552 | | 2008 | 147,569 |
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