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Posts tagged ‘Ford Fusion’

12
Sep

Ford Flat Rock Assembly adds Fusion production to Mustang

Flat Rock Assembly, previously AutoAlliance, has been building the Mustang since 2005. Now the Fusion has been added as well. Which perhaps suggests that the upcoming 2015 Mustang will share its center stack electronics with the Fusion. In the following video, note the scenes of 2012 Mustangs on the assembly line:

Ford Press Release follows:

Ford Opens New Era at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Source of 1,200 New Jobs and U.S. Production Home of All-New Fusion

  • Ford celebrates opening of a new era at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, new U.S. production home of the 2013 Ford Fusion as well as the iconic Mustang
  • Supporting its Fusion production growth plans, Ford is adding 1,200 jobs, a second production shift, and investing $555 million, taking full management control of the former AutoAlliance International plant
  • Upgraded Flat Rock Assembly Plant will feature a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop and an upgraded paint shop with an environmentally friendly 3-Wet paint process when production begins in 2013
  • On sale this fall, the 2013 Fusion offers customers the power of choice with the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment
FLAT ROCK, Mich., Sept. 10, 2012 – Ford Motor Company and its employees today are opening a new era at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, complete with a new name, 1,200 additional hourly jobs coming next year and plans to produce the 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan.
“The new Flat Rock Assembly Plant symbolizes the growth driven by our One Ford plan,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “Ford continues investing in people, products and plants to deliver the head-turning, fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive vehicles people really want, including the all-new Fusion.”
Previously known as AutoAlliance International, Flat Rock Assembly is now under the full management control of Ford. The plant continues to be owned by a joint venture that is split 50/50 between Ford and Mazda Motor Corp.
Following the end of Mazda6 production last month, the plant will continue to produce the Mustang before adding Fusion next year.
Flat Rock Assembly will be the U.S. producer of Fusion, employing 2,900 workers on both vehicle lines. In addition to adding 1,200 new hourly jobs tied to Fusion production, Ford also is investing $555 million to build a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop capable of producing multiple vehicles. With each new major plant program, Ford is significantly increasing the flexibility of its equipment and facilities to build multiple vehicles at one location. By 2015, Ford will be able to produce 25 percent more derivatives per plant versus 2011 on a global basis.
Ford also is upgrading the plant’s paint shop with an environmentally friendly 3-Wet paint process. The 3-Wet process, which Ford is rolling out across more than 15 assembly plants globally, allows three layers of paint to be applied one after another while still wet, with less manual intervention, resulting in a superior product created with fewer pollutants and less expense.
“By fully incorporating Flat Rock Assembly into our manufacturing system, we are able to take advantage of internal efficiencies that will streamline our ability to produce vehicles,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “This is critical as we increase our capacity to meet growing customer demand for our products.”
Introduced six years ago, Fusion is part of the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. this year – midsize sedans. Ford expects the midsize sedan segment, which totaled 2.1 million vehicles in 2011, to continue growing. Fusion’s share of the segment has doubled to 12 percent since it was introduced, and the car has set sales records in five of the first seven months of this year.
On sale this fall, the 2013 Fusion offers customers the power of choice with the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment – two EcoBoost-powered gasoline engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Fusion Hybrid’s 47 city mpg beats the 2012 Camry Hybrid LE by 4 mpg in the city. The Fusion Energi’s MPGe of 100 tops the 2013 Volt’s by 2 MPGe.
Fusion also offers consumers seven must-have technologies, including a Lane-Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch®.
Opened in 1987 as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA, the plant in Flat Rock first produced the Mazda MX-6. In 1992, Ford purchased a 50 percent share in the plant and it was renamed AutoAlliance International. Over the years, the plant produced the Mazda 626, Mazda6, Mercury Cougar and Ford Probe. Mustang production was shifted to the plant in 2005.
20
Jan

Engineering TV introduces the new Ford Fusion

While it may not be a definitive “enthusiast” car (although Cobb Tuning could undoubtedly teach the 2 liter EcoBoost a few things), the new Fusion will certainly be a nice drive. Here’s a worthwhile video from Engineering TV introducing the Fusion at CES earlier this month.

Engineering TV is not an automotive website, but you will find the occasional topic including NAIAS coverage. Subscribe to their RSS feed to keep an eye on their news.

9
Jan

Ford introduces a handsome new 2013 Fusion and Mondeo

Enthusiasts summary:

  • Now a Ford of Europe product instead of reusing the 1st-gen Mazda6 platform
  • MacPherson strut front suspension replaces double A-Arm suspension. New multi-link rear. Stabilizer bars fr/rr standard.
  • No specific enthusiast model, however it is expected that the hereditary Mondeo handling remains intact
    Range of 16- to 19-inch wheels, best tire 235/40-19.
  • Base weights range from 3323 to 3427 pounds
  • Reuses existing 2.5 liter DOHC 4 cylinder (port injection); 1.6 and 2.0 liter EcoBoost DOHC 4 cylinders (direct injection).
  • AWD available with the 2 liter EcoBoost
  • New: 2 liter DOHC 4 cylinder Atkinson engine (port injection) in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms.

Ford Press Release follows:

New Ford Fusion Brings More Technology, Expected Triple Crown of Best-in-Class Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Efficiency

  • New Ford Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford’s commitment to give customers the power of choice
  • With seven must-have technologies, including a Lane Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch®, the all-new Ford Fusion shows how Ford is delivering features customers truly want and value
  • Customers can choose from Fusion’s widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains including EcoBoost™, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology
  • Revealed in North America as the midsize Fusion sedan, this all-new car signals the next-generation Ford Mondeo for world markets

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2012 – Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.

Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what One Ford stands for,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result.”

Fusion is revealed in North America in S, SE and range-topping Titanium series and points to the next Ford Mondeo for world markets.
 
Triple-crown fuel efficiency
The new Fusion is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across customers’ choice of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sub-segments, following through with the commitment by Ford to be the fuel-efficiency leader – or among the leaders – with each new model brought to market.
Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost™ four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.
The 1.6-liter EcoBoost is expected to deliver best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine – paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, available 19-inch wheels and tires, and all-wheel drive with the ability to send additional torque to the rear – is the Fusion performance option.
The Fusion Hybrid – 2010 North American Car of the Year – continues to innovate and evolve with all-new lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, while raising maximum speed under electric-only power from 47 mph to 62 mph.
Fusion Hybrid also features an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-liter unit while maintaining performance standards. This innovative powertrain is anticipated to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway.
Fusion Hybrid fuel economy stands to outperform the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid by 4 mpg city and 5 mpg highway and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid by 12 mpg and 4 mpg, respectively.
Topping the fuel-efficiency ladder is the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world. Arriving this fall, Fusion Energi is anticipated to deliver more than 100 MPGe, a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electrified vehicles. This is 8 MPGe more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe more than the projected efficiency of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.
The next-generation Fusion 1.6-liter is the first automatic-transmission Ford product offered with an automatic start stop system. It shuts off engine power smoothly when the car is stopped and seamlessly restarts as the driver releases the brake pedal, helping Fusion to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 3.5 percent.
Fusion looks out for you
The all-new Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond.
Fusion can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and help park, even aiding drivers backing out of parking space where visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:
  • Lane Keeping System: This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, lane keeping aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position
  • Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. Adaptive cruise control enables collision warning with brake support to help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected
  • Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology can identify a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and steer the car to properly position it within the spot. All a driver need do is operate accelerator and brake pedals
  • Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic – unseen by the driver – is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vans
The power of voice
The all-new Fusion offers the latest iteration of Ford’s award-winning, industry-exclusive SYNC® communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver’s mobile phone and interaction with the car’s audio system.
Fusion also offers the latest version of MyFord Touch®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.
Both SYNC and MyFord Touch – powered by SYNC – help reduce the potential for driver distraction through voice-controlled functionality, allowing drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Different, by design
“The previous Fusion was an easy purchase for a customer to rationalize,” said Chris Hamilton, chief exterior designer for the next-generation model. “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.”
These five elements provided direction for the design team behind the all-new Fusion:
  • Silhouette innovation: Fusion’s sleek profile sets it apart from the powertrain/cabin/trunk “three-box” designs synonymous with midsize sedans
  • Perceived efficiency: Fusion character lines sweeping to the rear and thin roof pillars suggest the car is nimble and light on its feet
  • Refined surface language: Fusion demonstrates that a tasteful, well-executed design does not require add-ons or visual clutter
  • Technical graphics: Fusion’s functional design elements such as headlamps, LED taillamps and polished exhaust tips communicate enhanced technological capability
  • New face: Fusion signals the next evolution in Ford global design language for midsize cars and smaller
Inside, the new Fusion offers a sporty, driver-oriented environment with next-generation seating that brings expanded functionality. A higher center console supports the driver-centric theme and yields clever storage for items a driver wants to keep handy.
Additional passenger space was designed-in by moving the instrument panel toward the windshield, contributing to the cabin’s airy, open environment. Thinner, lighter frames support the comfortable next-generation seats trimmed with fabric using recycled sustainable yarns.
Craftsmanship plus dynamics equals feel
Fusion design delivers on the promise of high visual quality, with improved materials, elevated levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Interior surfaces are softer to the touch and interior and exterior gaps are minimized, while extra care has been taken to upholster or cover each edge and every surface a customer can touch. When the trunk lid is opened, for example, a spring-loaded cover automatically conceals the trunk latch hardware.
The holistic goal of our craftsmanship process is to see that Fusion not only delivers a superior visual experience but also feels like quality to the customer,” said Adrian Whittle, Fusion chief engineer.
Key contributors to how the Fusion feels are the ride and handling components that maximize vehicle dynamics.
“This really is a driver’s car,” said John Jraiche, program manager. “Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), a MacPherson strut front suspension and an all-new premium-level multilink rear suspension – comparable to Audi and BMW configurations.”
Careful tuning by Ford’s vehicle handling and ride team has yielded a Fusion with a dynamic character that will please a well-seasoned enthusiast while increasing the confidence level of less-experienced drivers.
Fusion interior quiet reaches a new level with acoustic underbody shields and weight-saving sound-absorption material; both minimize road and powertrain noise while boosting aerodynamic efficiency to help save fuel. The all-new model adds content such as a full-perimeter hood seal to be among the midsize sedan segment leaders in giving drivers a quiet ride.
Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi models also are equipped with active noise control. This feature uses the audio system to mitigate extraneous road noise while enhancing powertrain sounds.
Strength and safety
Fusion is designed with customer safety in mind. Engineers increased its body strength by 10 percent, using more high-strength steels such as boron, and added dual first-row knee airbags and adaptive front airbags that vent and tether to conform to a specific occupant’s size, position and seatbelt usage.
The Fusion safety team targeted top-of-the-line ratings in each public domain safety benchmark, including National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick and top ratings in world markets where the car will be sold.
The most prominent example is Fusion’s front-end architecture, as the same car must face simultaneous – and seemingly conflictive – standards across regions. The car’s front end is equipped to meet head-on and offset barrier standards for North America while still conforming to European standards for pedestrian protection – thanks to hours of computer modeling and 180 validating crash tests.
Fusion will be produced at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility, soon adding production at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The car will appear in Ford showrooms in North America and South America later this year. Mondeo will be introduced next year in Asia and Europe.
The story behind the new Fusion
For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring plenty of unique content including articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from your smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or blogs.
8
Jan

Auto Forum snags the 2013 Fusion/Mondeo

Auto Forum lays claim to the first real images of the 2013 Fusion (North American markets)/Mondeo (worldwide outside of N.A.) Fusion – before the press embargo ended. Although they are fuzzy, they are certainly the real thing.

Our opinion: the Fusion/Mondeo is beautiful, and is an aggressive first use of the new Ford design language as previewed in the Evos show car. And don’t think there isn’t anything in the 2013 Fusion/Mondeo for enthusiasts: the optional 240 horsepower EcoBoost 2 liter 4 cylinder and the class-leading Mondeo handling (likely maintained despite the replacement of the current double A-arm front suspension with a less-expensive MacPherson strut) will make for a nice driver’s car. The current Fusion used the Mazda6 platform, which unfortunately was never fully exploited by Ford for its handling potential as it was in the excellent MazdaSpeed6.

Looking forward, a stretched version of this platform will eventually replace the morbidly obese Taurus and will perhaps finally deliver a platform truly worthy of the SHO name. And undoubtedly the Evos design language will make an appearance in the new 2015 Mustang. The mission given the designers of that car will be to break with the current “retro” styling and deliver a crisp new Mustang that will appeal to buyers around the world. We’d be thrilled to take the front and back (but not side) of the Evos show car as the new Mustang for 2015.

But back to the Fusion/Mondeo: we’re just days away from the official introduction at the 2012 NAIAS show by Ford, so stay tuned to these pages for the full story then.

1
May

Ford Fusion sales point the way to the future


Ford’s marketing and sales plans are obviously working very well. One important fact hidden inside the following press release is that Ford customers are buying their small cars more fully loaded than expected. Small cars are the reality of today and tomorrow - and loading them with options means consumers are seeing their small size as more than acceptable. In fact they are desirable as long as buyers can get the options they expect (and which Ford has usually limited to large vehicles and SUVs until now).


This means that the North American market is starting to look like Europe where cars the size of the Fusion has always been seen as mainline products. You’ll note that the European versions of the Fiesta, Escort/Focus, and Mondeo (Contour) have always been more fully appointed than their American cousins: far better interior materials, a greater range of options, and a broad range of engines and transmissions. The North American Contour, for example, was a striped Mondeo – most of the options in the European dealer brochures we have in our collection were never available or considered for the Contour, even in the watered-down SVT form. That left us with a less-than-desirable product that never saw its true potential.


That is going to change: we’ve already seen the European Fiesta which will land here unchanged. It’s loaded with luxurious features in all models, and offers the full range of options including a navigation system.


Smart American consumers will buy the size car they need, then load it up with the options they want. Leather, sunroof, HID headlamps, navigation, and the Ford/Microsoft Sync system will predominate. What you used to have to by an Expedition for will be available right down to the Fiesta. And eventually electric powertrains too

26
Apr

Is the 2010 Fusion Sport a better SHO than the 2010-2011 SHO?

A question enthusiasts will be asking themselves when they see the shear size and bulk of the new 2010 Taurus SHO is how it compares to the original SHO.

But Ford pulled a fast one on us for 2010 with the introduction of the Fusion Sport. While the Taurus SHO has grown considerably from the original Taurus SHO (202″ vs 188″ in 1989) and in weight (4150 pounds vs 3380), the new Fusion Sport is almost identical to the original 1989 Taurus SHO in length (190 vs 188) and weight (3591 vs 3380). There is a slight weight increase, but this is to be expected given the considerable evolution of Government safety standards in the past 20 years.

So we have to ask ourselves: is the new 2010 Fusion Sport more SHO than the 2010 Taurus SHO?

Clearly Ford has done considerably more work making the Taurus into a SHO than they did making the Fusion into a Fusion Sport. It shows up in the model-specific engine and suspension tuning in the SHO, whereas in the Fusion there is some minor suspension tuning for the Sport. But, by and large, the Fusion Sport was built from the existing 3.5 liter Lincoln MKZ. And as we all know, the Fusion is simply a last-gen Mazda6 “version 1.5″ – which is actually a very good thing since that car had all the right pieces and worked very well in MazdaSpeed6 form.

But the bulk and weight of the new SHO will work against it’s dynamics, and the light weight and trim size of the Fusion will work for it. Driving dynamics suffer from shear size and bulk and the physics of mass can only be mitigated so far by good suspension tuning. 4150 pounds of SHO are going to be a difficult car to toss around a set of switchback roads, much less a racetrack. Some enthusiasts are asking themselves if the SHO should have been Fusion based. Why wasn’t it? Simple: the Taurus is here to stay for several years, while the Fusion is very close to the end of it’s lifespan. In the 2013 timeframe, if not a year earlier, we’ll get the new Mondeo and that will replace the current Fusion. The current Mondeo does not have a V-6 option and it’s likely that the next one won’t either. So any major investments in the current Fusion would have been wasted money for so short a run.

The technical specs ultimately answers the best part of our question. The table below compares the three cars. If you think the original SHO could never be bettered, look again: the 2010 Fusion Sport has far more power and torque, a better suspension, bigger brakes, wheels, and tires, more gears (although unfortunately an automatic) – and certainly better quality. What it won’t do is to capture the hearts of Taurus SHO enthusiasts like the last one did. We will have to wait a few years to see if the 2010 Taurus SHO will earn their respect.

2010 SHO Gen 4
2010 – 2015?
(2013 same size and weight)		 2010 Fusion Sport
2010 – 2012?		 1989 SHO Gen 1
1989 – 1991
Assembly Chicago, Illinois Hermosillo, Mexico Hapeville, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
Pricing $37,995
Special models optional SHO Performance Package 1991: “SHO Plus” 212A with composite raised hood, spoiler, white only.
Layout Front transverse engine/ all-wheel drive Front transverse engine/Front wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. Front transverse engine/ Front wheel drive
Engine
type 3.5 liter DOHC V-6, aluminum block and heads. Upgraded block over conventional 3.5. Upgraded exhaust valves. 3.5 liter DOHC V-6, aluminum block and heads. DAMB, 4 valves per cylinder. 3 liter DOHC V-6, iron block and aluminum heads (with Manual)
bore 3.6 (92.5) 3.6 (92.5) 3.62 (92.0)
stroke 3.4 (86.7) 3.4 (86.7)
source Engine 100% by Ford, branded “EcoBoost” Built by Ford in Lima, Ohio Total engine by Yamaha
crankshaft forged steel, upgraded. forged steel
connecting rods Upgraded cracked powder metal cracked powder metal
pistons High temperature pressure cast aluminum alloy with low-friction coated skirts and low-tension rings. Pistons are specific to the EcoBoost engine. Pistons are cooled by oil jet sprayed underneath at 25 PSI. high temp cast aluminum allow with low-friction coated skirts and low tension rings.
HP 365 @ 5500 RPM 263 @ 6250 RPM 220 @ 6200 RPM
Torque 350 @ 3500 RPM 249 @ 4500 RPM 200 lb-ft @ 4800 RPM
HP/Liter 104.3 75.2 73.3
redline 6200 RPM 6750 7000 RPM
intake Twin-turbocharged (max 170,000 RPM), variable boost to max of 8 to 12 PSI. Intercooled, direct injected. Oil lubricated, water cooled (passive reverse thermal siphoning after shutdown). Honeywell GT015.
Variable intake cam timing. 65 MM throttle body.		 Naturally aspirated. Composite intake manifold. 65mm electronic throttle body. 37mm valves, variable timing on intake side only. Naturally aspirated. Dual-runner with high-speed equalizer and low/high secondary runner changeover at 3950 RPM. Single throttle body.
exhaust 31mm valves. cast iron manifolds
compression ratio 10:1 10.3:1
injection Direct injected, 1 injector per cylinder. Mechanical pump driven by cam with a single piston and electronic valve. Operates between 200 and 2150 PSI. Port sequential fuel injection, 1 injector per cylinder Port sequential fuel injection, 1 injector per cylinder
ignition Ford individual pencil coil mounted on spark plug Ford individual pencil coil mounted on spark plug. Adapative Spark ignition senses quality of fuel via two knock sensors rather than 1. Ford coil-pack, 2 per engine
Computer next-gen Ford Ford EEC-IV
Standards OBD-2 OBD-2 OBD-1
oil w/filter 6 quarts, 5W20 with 7500 mile interval 5.5 quarts, 5W20 with 7500 mile interval 5 qts
fuel tank 19 gals. 17.5 gals. FWD
16.5 gals. AWD		 18.5 gals.
fuel 87 octane (minimum); 91 octane (recommended) 87 octane 91 octane Premium
EPA 18/25 18/27 (FWD)
17/24 (AWD)		 18/26
Federal Standards Tier II/Bin 5 tailpipe; T2e evaporative
California Standards ULEVII tailpipe; L2e evaporative
Transmission
Type 6-speed 6F-55 automatic with paddle shift activation (enhanced shifting map with optional SHO Performance Package). Upgrades over 6F-50 include a 41.5 mm versus 31.5 mm ring gear. Also wider and thicker transfer and final drive gears, improve input and output carriers, and a new differential case. Drive ratios also different. Clutches and clutch piston material upgraded. Thicker thrust washers. Heat treatment upgraded on turbine shaft. Upgraded torque converter. 6-speed 6F35-Mid automatic w/SelectShift 5-speed manual overdrive transmission
Source Ford/GM joint venture Ford/GM joint venture Mazda MTX-4
Gear (MPH @ RPM)
1st 4.484:1 4.148:1 3.21 (44 @7000)
2nd 2.872:1 2.370:1 2.09 (67 @7000)
3rd 1.842:1 1.556:1 1.38 (101 @7000)
4th 1.414:1 1.155:1 1.02 (137 @7000)
5th 1.000:1 0.859:1 0.74 (143 @ 5350)
6th 0.742:1 0.686:1
final drive 2.77:1 (3.16 with optional SHO Performance Package) 3.33:1 3.74
Drivetrain
differentials (number) AWD (simple Haldex): 3 (open, variable, open) standard: 1 (open)
optional AWD (simple Haldex): 3 (open, variable, open)		 1 (open)
Suspension
fr Macpherson strut and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arm with isolated sub-frame Independent short and long arm (SLA) with rearward-rfacing lower control arms and stabilizer bar strut, lower control arm, coil springs. Anti-roll bar.
rr “SR1″ (upgraded from 2009 Taurus specification to allow for more travel) Independent multi-link suspension with vertically-mounted coil-over shocks, stamped steel lower control arms and cast aluminum upper control arms. Fully isolated sub-frame. Multilink fully independent with lower control arms and stabilizer bars independent, strut, multi-link 1 trailing and 2 lateral, Coil springs. Anti-roll bar.
wheels 19×8.5 painted aluminum (standard)
20×8.5 painted aluminum (optional with SHO Performance Package)		 18×7.5″ painted aluminum wheels 15×6 (89-90); 16×6 (91-95)
tires 255/45ZR-19 Goodyear Eagle all-season (standard)
255/40ZR-20 Michelin (summer, optional with SHO Performance Package)		 225/45-18 all-season 215/65-15; 215/60-16
Brakes
Four-wheel discs with ABS (4-channel), EBC, ESC (with sport mode) 4-wheel power disc brakes with four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Advantrac Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control 4-wheel disc w/ vacuum power assist and ABS
fr vented 13.5″, 2-piston calipers.
Optional SHO Performance Package includes upgrades.		 299x25mm (11.8″) vented, 39.8 cm2 swept area vented 10.0 x 1″
rr solid 12.75″, 1-piston calipers.
Optional SHO Performance Package includes upgrades.		 279x10mm (11″) solid, 21.95 cm2 swept area vented 10.0″
Steering
type electronic power rack and pinion EPAS (recalibrated with optional SHO Performance Package) electronic power rack and pinion EPAS Hydraulic power assist rack & pinion
ratio 17:1 16.0:1
turns 2.98 2.8
assist variable constant
rack
turning circle 39.7′ 37.7′
Dimensions
Length 202.9″ 190.6 188
Wheelbase 112.9 107.4 106
Height 60.7″ 56.9
Width 76.2 72.2 (excluding mirrors)
Front Tread 65.3 61.7
Rear Tread 65.5 61.3
Coefficient of Drag (Cd)
Weight 4150 3591 (FWD)
3803 (AWD)		 3380
Power-to-weight ration (lbs/hp) 11.3 HP/pound 13.6 HP/pound (FWD)
14.5 HP/pound (AWD)		 15.4 HP/pound
Interior
Seats Leather-trimmed with “Miko” suede inserts.
Optional: Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion
20
Sep

2006 Fusion Gets Beefier Engines

By: John Fossen | Ford Communications Network

DEARBORN, Sept. 12, 2005 – From the very beginning of the vehicle program, Ford wanted to ensure that its new Fusion sedan had the horses to compete in the mid-size car market against the likes of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The task was clear: boost the output on both Duratec V-6 and I-4 engines while still meeting or exceeding fuel economy, emissions and cost targets. Mission accomplished.

The 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V-6 boasts 221 horsepower while producing 205 foot-pounds of torque. The output surpasses Toyota’s 3.0-liter V-6 in the Camry, which is rated at 190 horsepower and 197 foot-pounds of torque. The Duratec 30 also is very competitive with the Honda Accord’s 3.0-liter V-6 and with Toyota’s larger displacement 3.3-liter V-6.

“It took a total team effort from our component engineers, engine performance and development team and air induction/exhaust group to meet the program objectives,” said Bob Rose, supervisor, Duratec 30 V-6 engine programs for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr. “In fact, we exceeded expectations.”

According to Rose, Ford engineers improved the Duratec 30 V-6 with 37 new parts. The two most important features that helped achieve the engine output are variable intake cam timing (VCT) and the work done to minimize air induction and exhaust losses, resulting in improved horsepower.

“VCT allows an engine to operate more efficiently, which improves performance,” said Rose. “And the total power loss due to air induction and exhaust was only 7.7 percent. That’s very good. Typically it’s around 10 percent.”

Other engine features include aluminum cylinder block and cylinder heads, electronic throttle control, electric exhaust gas recirculation control and extensive use of aluminum for covers and other engine components.

A similar effort on the Duratec 23 – the 2.3-liter I-4 the base engine on Fusion – resulted in 160 horsepower and 156 foot-pounds of torque.

“The engine outputs for Fusion are fully competitive with other entries in the midsize segment, and, when coupled with our 6-speed and 5-speed transmissions, are truly world-class powertrains,” said David Cantrell, powertrain launch manager for Fusion, Milan and Zephyr.

3
Jul

Ford puts focus on Fusion

This type of event is very typical in marketing… I’ve helped put these on in my own field of work. But they are usually held far earlier in the development process and multiple times during different stages of development.


One can only hope that Ford has been doing these all along. Ford has an incredibly long path back to any kind of position of leadership in this area.


IMHO, this is an easy competitor against the Altima, and maybe the Camry under some circumstances. But not the Accord – it’s far too up-market, the design, quality, value, and resale are all beyond question.


 


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Ford puts focus on Fusion


Automaker tries to gain traction in midsize car market to compete with Camry, Accord.


Years of painstaking work by Ford Motor Co. designers and engineers had reached the point of no return as a jury of eight consumers passed judgment on the 2006 Ford Fusion.


A successor to the Taurus, the aging sedan that once dominated the midsize car segment, Fusion is Ford’s long-awaited answer to today’s leading marques — the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.


So Ford arranged a comparison of the Fusion and its competitors, disguising the make and model of each. After examining the cars, jurors were told which was which…


[Continue at link above]


 

11
Feb

Build a 2006 Fusion

Build a 2006 Fusion

2006 Fusion


Ford has a “Build Your Vehicle” site for the 2006 Fusion up on the web early – acknowledging that it is early and that the prices may change. This is a new practice by Ford, supposedly to help perfect the ordering process and option combinations for the fall of 2005 (2006 MY).


Hmmm… interesting… I tried to hack the URL to “2006 Mustang” and “2007 Cobra”, but it didn’t work. ;-)


Here’s the car I built. I am more than a little shocked that I had to “pay” extra to specify anti-lock brakes. I’m also unhappy that the V-6 is only available with an automatic… although the new 6-speed auto box is certainly a good choice.