Ford Fusion unwrapped

[Vinsanity]

yeah, not to mention that the "Super Duty" stamped lettering is mirror-imaged like on an ambulance

[autom?vel]

I like it fairly well, although I agree it'd have a 3.5 with a 6MT in a perfect world.  It has a youth, agressive if not even somewhat tough look.  I actually think the huge grille adds to it.  The photo rendition without was not bad either, however.

It looks better than the new Milan, which is odd, because I thought the classy style of the old Milan looked better than the old generic Norelco-style "sporty looks" of the Fusion.  The new Milan does not quite do it for me though.  It looks kind of bland; maybe, it'll grow on me.

[omicron]

My goodness - someone at Ford has been to the Leyland P76 school of bootlid creases.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Which design came first, the Ford or Gillette? They both have the same grille.

[sportyaccordy]

I knew this was going to happen

This is pure gold

[S204STi]

Which design came first, the Ford or Gillette? They both have the same grille.

Does that mean the Fusion will shave seconds off your commute?

[USA_Idol]

Which design came first, the Ford or Gillette? They both have the same grille.

That's my razor!   

[Atomic]

my best buddy - working in detroit has seen a couple in-person. he claims that the 2010 fusion looks more mercury milan-like - less sporty, more stylish in a luxury way. he prefers the current "less busy" model year fusion.

[gasoline]

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.

Yes!

But will it beat the Camry?

[Secret Chimp]

E85-capable? Who cares? Nobody buys that stuff. Let me get worse fuel economy and subsidize the corn industry, wee!

[Laconian]

E85-capable? Who cares? Nobody buys that stuff. Let me get worse fuel economy and subsidize the corn industry, wee!

Tough shit, your tax dollars are subsidizing the corn industry whether you buy their product or not.

[Atomic]

the fusion (even for 2010) looks stale compared to the stately '10 ford taurus limited.

[JWC]

This email was sent to me today from Ford:

To:   Dealer Principals
        General Managers

        Sales Managers

        Sales Consultants
       
        Service Managers

        Service Advisors                     

From: Retailer Education & Training

Subject:  Tune in January 23rd for the 2010 Fusion + Fusion Hybrid Launch Broadcast on FDTV

Ford Dealer Television proudly presents

2010 Fusion + Fusion Hybrid Launch



Friday ? January 23rd
1:30 - 3:00 PM (ET)
Channel 11, Host 11
Live Webcast



Tune in to watch this Ford Dealer Television Broadcast for a view of the styling, features, benefits and technology for the new 2010 Fusion + Fusion Hybrid.



Marketing Managers Jonathan Richards and David Finnegan will present the latest on these great new vehicles and will be available to answer your questions at the end of the program.



The broadcast will include:

Exterior ? It?s all about the Grille!
Interior  ? The Goods to Brag About
Performance  ? Built for the Thrill
Technology ? Technology that Rocks
Safety ? Safest Fusion Ever
Model Lineup ? The Fusion Family
Fusion Hybrid? Technology that Grows Leaves
Training and Launch Resources ? Review current and available resources
Questions and Answers ? Got a question? Ask Jonathan!


LIVE WEB VIEWING:

This Broadcast is available to view live on your computer. To access the live streams on the Web, go to the FDTV homepage (under "Communications" from the Sales, Finance or Parts & Service tabs of FMCDealer) and click on the button in the upper left corner. Then select the broadcast you want to watch live.


ON-DEMAND VIEWING:

This broadcast will also be available On-Demand within a few hours after the show through FMCDealer.com. Click on "Communications" and then "Ford Dealer Television" to reach our menu.


It's about the grille?
Technology that grow trees?

JESUS!

[AutobahnSHO]

ps-

What happened to the "gotta have a mercury!" girl?

[Nethead]

From www.autobloggreen.com:

"2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid qualifies for $3,400 tax credit
by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Good news for those looking to get into a new fuel efficient midsize sedan: Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid has been tested by the EPA and its 41 mpg city and 36 highway entitle it to the maximum $3,400 tax credit allowed for hybrid vehicles by the federal government. The current set of tax credits are calculated based on the fuel efficiency improvement of a particular model versus what it and its competitors achieve with their non-hybridized powertrains. In standard four cylinder guise, the Fusion still manages a very respectable 23 city and 34 highway, again proving that hybrids make their largest efficiency improvements in city driving conditions.

If you want to benefit from the full tax credit, we'd advise you to act quickly. As buyers of Toyota and Honda hybrids have already found out, once an automaker has sold 60,000 hybrid units, the tax credit is slowly phased out. Ford reached its total allotment late last year, so you've got until the end of March before the credit is halved."

[hotrodalex]

From www.autobloggreen.com:

"2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid qualifies for $3,400 tax credit
by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Good news for those looking to get into a new fuel efficient midsize sedan: Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid has been tested by the EPA and its 41 mpg city and 36 highway entitle it to the maximum $3,400 tax credit allowed for hybrid vehicles by the federal government. The current set of tax credits are calculated based on the fuel efficiency improvement of a particular model versus what it and its competitors achieve with their non-hybridized powertrains. In standard four cylinder guise, the Fusion still manages a very respectable 23 city and 34 highway, again proving that hybrids make their largest efficiency improvements in city driving conditions.

If you want to benefit from the full tax credit, we'd advise you to act quickly. As buyers of Toyota and Honda hybrids have already found out, once an automaker has sold 60,000 hybrid units, the tax credit is slowly phased out. Ford reached its total allotment late last year, so you've got until the end of March before the credit is halved."

Will it be out by March?

[Nethead]

Will it be out by March?

Good question!  March is close.

[ifcar]

The facelifted Fusion is due in March, but I don't know if the hybrid is supposed to come out at the same time.

[hotrodalex]

The facelifted Fusion is due in March, but I don't know if the hybrid is supposed to come out at the same time.

Ford's website said Spring 2009. I just don't know what they consider spring to be.

[JWC]

Ford's website said Spring 2009. I just don't know what they consider spring to be.

When the Flex (maybe it was the Edge) was due for release "in fall of 2008",  "fall" was December.

[ifcar]

When the Flex (maybe it was the Edge) was due for release "in fall of 2008",  "fall" was December.

Flex was definitely out in fall. I test-drove one in October.

[JWC]

I'm not sure which model was delayed.  Keep in mind that the initial release was started, then stopped for some refinements.  Some markets got a few, but not all.  This isn't uncommon.   We get "holds" from Ford for a variety of reasons.  We may let someone drive one, but we can't sell it.

[TBR]

My local Ford dealer's lot was full with Flex in October.

[JWC]

Well, it may have been the Edge's release, which ever one was released for the public to drive on a limited basis for Ford to determine if any refinements were needed.  It was one of the two.  Only certain markets were allowed the cars, public evaluations were made by the "owners" and then Ford changed anything that seemed reasonable.  No other dealers got the cars.

Honestly, working in the industry for 20+years, you don't pay attention to such things anymore, because they become so common.  Last week, it was a hold on Rangers.   Just after the F250 6.4 release, they were on hold, then released, then held again.

Again, though, just because something is on the lot, doesn't mean you can actually buy it...well, not without the dealer breaking their contract agreement and/or the law.

[Nethead]

This article about the Fusion Hybrid is from www.usatoday.com:

Test Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion is best gas-electric hybrid yet

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid's driving feel is good, and that's important.

Ford says the 2010 Fusion hybrid qualifies for a $3,400 tax credit but only if you buy one by March 31, the end of the first quarter.

Few will be at dealers by then, but buyers can order one now and qualify for the credit, even if the car is delivered after the deadline.

The federal credit to encourage hybrids phases out as an automaker sells more of them. Ford has sold enough hybrids that the buyer's credit on a hybrid Fusion or Milan sedan halves to $1,700 on April 1. The credit also drops on that date for the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid SUVs.

Toyota and Honda long ago passed the 60,000 sales trigger, so their hybrids get no credit.

What's this?
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

OK, let's just get it out there: The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is the best gasoline-electric hybrid yet.

What makes it best is a top-drawer blend of an already very good midsize sedan with the industry's smoothest, best-integrated gas-electric power system. It's so well-done that you have to look to the $107,000 Lexus LS 600h hybrid to come close.

Fusion's $28,000 starting price is more or less in reach, the driving feel is good, and the interior has a premium look and feel.

There are three facets to consider in evaluating a gasoline-electric hybrid: the underlying vehicle itself, the hybrid system and the mileage.

Assuming the preproduction Fusion hybrid test car was representative ? Ford says it was ? the Fusion's scores in those three categories are good, great and adequate, but potentially, very good.

The Toyota Prius crowd will protest. Prius is lower-priced, has about the same room inside, has a handy hatchback configuration, gets better mileage ? and most of those attributes could improve when the 2010 Prius goes on sale in a few months ? so how could Fusion be the best hybrid?

Simple. Fusion drives better. A car is, after all, a driving machine. Brownie points for saving somewhat more fuel or offering a cargo-friendly hatchback, but driving feel is most important.

And there, Fusion is without equal among hybrids.

Here's a look:

?The car. A slick machine, regardless of powerplant. Smooth looks. Good manners. Adequate space. Comfortable accommodations. Above-average ambience.

Ford launched Fusion as a gasoline-only car in 2005 as a 2006 model.

It's getting a midcycle update for 2010, including a hybrid version for the first time, which will begin arriving at dealers mid-March.

The hood has a wide, demi-dome bulge, and the grille and rump are tweaked a bit.

The grille now looks as if it was done that way on purpose.

A commendable change: The turning circle is 2 feet narrower. No more back-and-forth getting into or out of a tight parking spot at the shopping mall. The change makes the car feel more nimble overall, not just when docking in a narrow slot.

?Hybrid system. The basic four-cylinder gasoline engine is a 2.5-liter, up from a 2.3-liter in previous Fusions. A little more oomph is the welcome result. The aural signature could be better ? it comes down on the coarse side when spurred hard ? but isn't a deal-breaker. The electric motor delivers more crank than you get from the gas engines in most small cars.

And the miracle is how Ford blends the two. There was no ? none, nada, zip ? vibration or shimmying in the test car when the gasoline kicked in to help the electric. No other hybrid ? not even that $107,000 Lexus ? can make that claim 100% of the time.

Fusion's main rivals, Camry and Nissan Altima hybrids, shake a lot when their gasoline engines join the party, Altima especially.

And no, it's not worth accepting the lack of refinement as a price for saving fuel. It'll make you bitter and crazy after a while, wincing in advance knowing that shudder is due any second.

One Ford trick: using the engine's electronic controls to halt the gasoline engine just at the point in the crankshaft rotation where a cylinder is ready to fire again.

There was a distant shudder when the Fusion's gasoline engine restarted after stopping at a red light, as all hybrids do to save fuel. But it was milder than in any other hybrid tested, so minor as to be inconsequential.

The other great thing about the Fusion hybrid is information delivery. You can pick how much hybrid-related data you want on the instrument panel. Regardless of how much you ask for, Fusion delivers it informatively, no scolding or overwhelming you, as other hybrids do.

Yes, there's the "atta way" pictograph of leaves growing into a wreath if you drive just so. But you can shut that off.

? Mileage. Mediocre for a hybrid in the test, but the mileage numbers were continuing to climb even as the test ended. And the car registered 40-plus miles per gallon in a couple of short trips that usually return crummy, not outstanding, mileage.

Best guess: Moderate, but not mileage-obsessed, drivers could get 35 mpg or so in suburban settings. Not the 41 government rating, but impressive for a 3,720-pound midsizer.

Fusion's city mileage rating is better than Camry's 33 mpg, but does it get more in real life? Probably depends more on the driver than the car.

Even if the Fusion gets lower real-world results, it's still much smoother and a whole lot nicer to drive.

More about the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid

What? Gasoline-electric hybrid version of midsize, four-door, front-drive Fusion that's been updated for 2010 model year. Ford's Mercury brand sells the nearly identical Milan.

When? Hybrid and gasoline versions begin arriving at dealers in March.

Where? Made at Hermosillo, Mexico.

Why? Pirate some sales from Toyota's Camry hybrid. And burnish Ford's "green" credentials.

How much? Starts at $27,995 ($3,295 more than most similar gas model). With all factory options: $32,435. Midlevel test car: $29,590 (no leather or navigation system). Gasoline model starts at $19,995.

How many? About 20,000 a year, including a few Milans; more if Mikey likes it.

How powerful? Modestly ? punch not being the key issue in a hybrid: 2.5-liter gasoline engine rated 156 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 136 pounds-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. Electric motor: 106 hp at 6,500 rpm, 166 lbs.-ft. the moment it begins to turn (an appealing attribute of electric motors). Ford says net combined hp is 191, but declines (like most hybrid makers) to specify net combined torque.

Continuously variable automatic transmission blends power from the gas, electric powerplants.

How fancy? Lots standard, including expected bags, belts, stability and traction controls and power accessories, plus the unexpected: Free six-month satellite radio service (Sirius), 110-volt outlet, six-CD stereo (instead of the typical single setup), dual-zone climate control, auto on-off headlights, auto-dimming mirror, backup alarm. In other words, you actually could abide the base Fusion hybrid.

How big? On the small end of the midsize scale. Fractionally bigger outside than Toyota Camry hybrid, slightly smaller inside, but has a bigger trunk.

Fusion hybrid is 190.6 inches long, 72.2 in. wide, 56.9 in. tall on a 107.4-in. wheelbase.

Passenger space is listed as 99.8 cubic feet, trunk as 11.8 cu. ft. Weight listed as 3,720 lbs. Turning diameter is 37.5 ft.

How thirsty? Rated 41 miles per gallon in town, 36 on the highway, 39 in combined driving.

Test car trip computer showed 27.2 mpg (but was continuing to climb when test period ended) in 300 miles of suburban driving. Registered a remarkable 41.4 mpg in one 5.1-mile suburban trip, 44 mpg in a 3.1-mile hop, driven normally, no nursing.

Tank holds 17 gallons. Regular (87 octane) gasoline is specified.

Overall:  Best hybrid.

[Nethead]

www.autoblog.com tests a 6-speed-manual four-banger Fusion--and you thought they didn't make cars this size with six-speeds anymore (well, the US domestics don't except for FoMoCo).  Score points for Ford!

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion SE 6MT proves that sometimes less is more
by Sam Abuelsamid on Apr 2nd 2009 at 11:58AM

What we have here is a rare breed. A mid-size sedan from a domestic automaker equipped with a manually actuated clutch. In fact, the 2010 Ford Fusion (and its rebadged brother, the Mercury Milan) are the last examples offered with Detroit Three nameplates. The Fusion's competition from Chrysler and General Motors are only available with automatic gearboxes, and while the import brands all offer the option to shift-it-yourself, few are actually purchased by stick-averse Americans.

So when Ford released its powertrain combinations for the 2010 Fusion, we were surprised to find that not only was a manual available on S and SE four-cylinder models, but the Blue Oval also upgraded ye olde five-speed cog-swapper to a six-speed unit. As fans of the three-pedal arrangement, we promptly requested a manual Fusion to see how it stacks up to the high expectations set by the V6-powered 2010 Fusion Sport we've already reviewed.

As our regular readers and podcast listeners are aware, a large cross-section of the editorial staff are fans of the Ford Fusion. For a reasonable price you can pick up a decently equipped, nicely sized, attractive sedan that can accommodate a family of four in comfort, yet still be fun to drive. Most of us like the 2010 Fusion's exterior and interior updates, and for those that want something more visually sedate, Ford continues to offer the Milan through Mercury dealers.

Here at Autoblog's Ypsilanti, MI office, we like a bit of bold mixed in with our daily drivers. Just because you are schlepping the kids to school or commuting to work doesn't mean you have to be invisible. With the most aggressive iteration of the three bar grille motif, the new Fusion is far from subdued. Our tester was a mid-level SE model equipped with the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that debuted last year in the Escape. This was paired with a new six-speed manual transmission currently unavailable in any other North American market Ford, although we wouldn't be surprised to find that it winds up in the Focus and possibly the Fiesta.

With 175 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, the four-cylinder Fusion is hardly a sports sedan, but that doesn't mean it's not a fun drive. With a comparatively modest (by modern standards) mass of 3,285 pounds, the four banger is more than adequate for daily commuting duties. And as the week progressed, we came to think of our Fusion as a riff on the sort of lightweight sport sedan you don't see anymore ? the kind that didn't need massive amounts of power and kit to be thoroughly entertaining and quick to respond on twisty roads. If the span between your house and work-place includes stretches of winding tarmac, the manual-equipped Fusion could be just what you're looking for.

The clutch pedal is smooth and progressive, and one of the advantages of limited output is that the Fusion doesn't need a ridiculously heavy clutch to transmit power. That means that even if you get stuck in stop-and-go traffic, your left leg won't get a heavy workout. When things open up and you push the Fusion harder into and out of corners, the shift lever moves effortlessly through the gates with throws that aren't overly long. Using the six ratios wisely allows you to get the most out of the available power and torque while still returning acceptable fuel economy.

The Fusion's chassis is well sorted, allowing you to carry a surprising amount of momentum through the corners. If you opt for the SE trim over the S model, the rolling stock includes P225/50R17 all-season tires rather than P205/60R16 rubber. Interestingly, the 16-inch wheels on the Fusion S are aluminum while the 17-inch units on the SE are steel. In recent years, wheel makers have been able to develop new steel hoops that are just as light as aluminum and less expensive ? a real boon when you hit a Michigan-sized pot-hole. And if the design on our 17-inch-equipped tester looks familiar, that's because it's the same style offered as an 18-inch alloy on the European Mondeo.

Like other Fusions we've driven (including the Sport), this four-cylinder version has a well sorted suspension with perfectly balanced spring rates to provide a decent ride over nasty roads, along with great damping and good roll control. The lighter four-pot and manual gearbox also means less mass on the front axle for better overall balance compared to the six-cylinder models.

As with the rest of the 2010 Fusions, the front seats offer solid comfort and lateral support. The rear seating provides plenty of legroom for adults, but with the optional sunroof, headroom does shrink. Ford's SYNC infotainment system worked well, with easy connection of phones and other devices partnered with reliable voice activation. Our SE model also had aluminum-look trim on the center stack, which looks far more attractive than any metal finish plastic or fake wood we've seen.

Ford estimates that 5% (or less) of Fusion/Milan buyers will option for the stick, but we hope the Blue Oval continues to buck the trend and keep it around. It's a great alternative for those who need a family-sized sedan, but aren't willing to completely compromise on driving dynamics. Our SE tester, equipped with the Sun & SYNC packages, stickered at $22,165, although these days, it's likely you can get one for quite a bit less. The time we spent with the Fusion was hopefully our last wave of frigid temps before spring arrives, so perhaps as a result of blasting the heaters and de-foggers, our mostly city fuel mileage was down more than we expected.

Over our week with the Fusion, we averaged 25 mpg compared to official EPA numbers of 22 city and 29 highway. The S, with its smaller wheels, gets up to 31 mpg on the highway, but the larger wheel and tire combo seems like a worthy compromise. Our numbers were only three mpg worse than the Milan Hybrid we drove earlier, and we might take another look at both powertrains when the weather gets warmer and gas prices inevitably climb.