Ford Fusion unwrapped

[SVT666]

2010 Ford Fusion: full reveal

Following the release of a single photo in late October, Ford on Wednesday took the wraps off its 2010 Fusion sedan at the LA auto show. The restyled Fusion and its Mercury Milan sister boast new and improved powertrains, plus some significant exterior and interior changes.

On the surface, the Fusion gets new front- and rear-end styling ? enough of a facelift that, from some angles, it looks like a whole new model. The edgy grille continues Ford?s ?three-bar? chrome design cue in what?s bound to be a polarizing expansion of the theme.

Under its reshaped hood, the Fusion gets three powertrain options for 2010 - replacing the outgoing two motor lineup. The top two models will be equipped with a 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. The entry-level four-cylinder version will come standard with a six-speed manual.

For 2010, the base four is upgraded to a 2.5-liter unit pumping out 175 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque with variable intake variable cam timing, new exhaust manifolds, and electronic throttle control. Ford says efficiency is up about 10 percent over the 2009 Fusion?s 20/28 city/highway mpg, though exact figures haven?t been released yet.

The next step up is a modified 3.0 liter V6 that puts out 240 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. A new air induction system and torque-actuated variable cam timing help boost power. The new cam design uses torsional energy instead of pressurized oil to phase the camshaft, which Ford says will helps save a bit of fuel, as well as improve response time.

The 3.0 V6 is also E85-capable. Ford says fuel economy is up 4 to 6 percent over the 2009 model.
New for 2010 is a 3.5-liter V6 ? standard on the ?Sport? model. With 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque on tap, it is essentially the same V6 used in the Flex, Edge and a handful of other Ford vehicles.

The 2.5- and 3.0-liter Fusions will come with available electronic power steering. What?s more, the 3.0 features an extra-aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff that Ford says will also come on 2.5-liter models late in 2010.

[SVT666]

If it would come with a black chrome package, I would take it.

EDIT:  Yes, I am doing a full reversal on my last posting.  Having seen more pictures from different angles, I'm starting to really like it.

[ifcar]

The rear looks so busy, but at least they lost the white taillights. Had they moved the license plate area down and not reshaped the lights, it would have been quite attractive. Even as it is, it's a vast improvement.

[TBR]

I really like this, if only they would offer the 3.5 with a 6MT.

[GoCougs]

With this much effort spent on a 2010, it tells me there won't be an all-new Fusion for 2011.

C'mon Detroit. Your competition is on a five year cycle. (Meh - they know this.)

[FoMoJo]

That's quite a facelift.  I'm glad that they're leaning towards the solid Euro look rather than the tortured metal look of most of the imports.  As well, it's great that they, finally, have a sensible engine choice for all.  I wonder when the EcoBoost version of these engines will be available.

[Submariner]

The side profile still blows

[280Z Turbo]

The rear looks so busy, but at least they lost the white taillights. Had they moved the license plate area down and not reshaped the lights, it would have been quite attractive. Even as it is, it's a vast improvement.

It's close, but not quite right. The basic shape is nice, but why do they have to make it looks so weird?

If you use your finger to cover up the bottom bar on the grille, it looks much, much better from the front.

[Danish]

If you use your finger to cover up the bottom bar on the grille, it looks much, much better from the front.

I tried this but I couldn't really make out what it would look like without the bottom bar.

My finger was in the way.

[ifcar]

Look at this photo of the new Milan:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/15_milan2010.jpg

Look at the guy in the driver's seat.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Front end looks great, looks very mazdaish in the lower fascia. Love the front, back is stupid. It's good that ford is still pushing product(in fact harder then ever). They need fresh(er) product to draw in sales and turn things around.

[Cookie Monster]

I like it overall, but the grille looks idiotic and the trunklid has too many lines going through it.

[280Z Turbo]

I took 30 seconds to make this in paint, but you get the idea:


Why couldn't they just give it a normal grille?

[FoMoJo]

I took 30 seconds to make this in paint, but you get the idea:


Why couldn't they just give it a normal grille?

Good work...but the front bumper looks too fat.

[Vinsanity]

Good work...but the front bumper looks too fat.

I think its fine; much better than the real one, which I think looks better than the current model anyway.

[Raza]

I like it. 

[280Z Turbo]

There's always the Mercury version, I suppose.

[Vinsanity]

There's always the Mercury version, I suppose.

of which the current model looks wayy better

[Byteme]

I like it overall, but the grille looks idiotic and the trunklid has too many lines going through it.

The rear would look a lot less busy without the useless spoiler.

[r0tor]

big improvement in the front... not so much in the rear

[Onslaught]

Don't like the bling on the front.

[Tave]

I like it. Then again, I like the current model.

[hotrodalex]

Looks nice. The lights look a lot like last-gen Focus lights, but they're not bad. My only complaint is the top of the trunk it too busy. The main trunk creases are fine, but get rid of some of the stuff at the top.

[Tave]

The lines are there to take some size away from the rear, but there might be a better way to do it. Maybe just move some of the emblems beneath the license plate and smooth out the surrounding metal.

[Catman]

Meh, looks like an old car with a new grille.  Thumbs down.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I knew this was going to happen

[USA_Idol]

Look at this photo of the new Milan:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/15_milan2010.jpg

Look at the guy in the driver's seat.

I actually like the Milan.  And I'm nowhere near that old.

Of course, if I were choosing between the two, I'd still look at Fusion first.   

[Raza]

I took 30 seconds to make this in paint, but you get the idea:


Why couldn't they just give it a normal grille?

That actually looks really good.

[280Z Turbo]

I knew this was going to happen

The Ford badge is too small.

[USA_Idol]

I knew this was going to happen

Now that's nose-heavy design.