Author Topic: Preview: 2013 Ford Fusion (Read 2429 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** January 30, 2012, 03:05:21 am »

The new Fusion's attractive styling is getting rave reviews but equally interesting is its wide selection of 4-cylinder powertrains.

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ajay · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2012, 03:37:52 am »

Looks great in red, my brother is trading his Focus T in on the 2013 hybrid Fusion, hes owned a hybrid Fusion before so I'm sure he will be happy with this improved version with its new battery and higher speed on electric power.

tpl · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:26:00 am »

I'll be interested to see if the Fusion will be wider than the Mondeo. For local tastes in NA and for the Mondeo to be able to fit in some UK indoor parking places.

Nothing about transmissions in the preview. I hope it will have the dual clutch and maybe even a manual on one model. An Ecoboost with the dual clutch sounds very promising.

MKII · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2012, 06:58:50 am »

Quote from: CD_Editor on January 30, 2012, 03:05:21 am

<div style="text-align:left">

Maybe we should thank the Koreans. After all, they’ve arguably led the automotive design revival with the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra; Kia Optima

<a href=http://www.autos.ca/ford/preview-2013-ford-fusion>Read More...</a></div>

Ah no, to the author

, you should get outside of North America sometime to look at were Ford North America recent car designs are coming from. And it ain't Korea.

It began in 2005 where Ford showed its 1st look at Kinetic design at the Frankfurt Motor show
Iosis

Which then was shown in production form in what the rest of world knows as the Mondeo

new Fusion

Mondeo

New Fusion

Mondeo

New Fusion

Mondeo

New Fusion

Mondeo

New Fusion

The trapezoid being raised higher in the face was shown a couple years ago with the new C-Max Hybrid & Plug-in-Hybrid and Focus Electric
C-Max Hybrid

new Fusion

I understand Canadian & Americans general publics knowledge lies mainly in there own backyard, but a car journalists must take a wee gander at what is happening outside his own backyard if just out of interest.

The new Fusion is a very nice update to the current Mondeo, so no I do not think you all need to thank Korea, but a thank you to Ford Europe would be more in-line with reality.

BTW, no Powershift trannies for the North American Fusion at this point, only the usual 6spd autobox with paddle-shifters (on the steering wheel) offered on the Titanium spec 2.0L EcoBoost, and there will be a 6spd manual box offered on the lower trim SE equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost.

The width of the new Fusion is wider then the out going Fusion.

JohnM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:13:07 am »

"1.6-litre and 2.0-litre versions that make 179 horsepower/172 pound-feet of torque and 237 hp/250 lb.-ft. torque respectively."

Holy

Batman!

I wonder if one of these would fit in my Echo?

This would put the output of a 0.9 litre 3 cylinder in the area of 100hp. Sounds like a great mill for a compact or sub compact.

And yes, the new Fusion does look very slick. Nice to see a former automotive pariah get onto a very solid track.

Cheers,
John M.

tpl · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:28:47 am »

No Powershift!!! I fail to understand that. One would think that once Powershift ( DSG,PDK etc) was reliable and reasonably good that the production of slushbox autos would cease immediately if only for reasons of efficiency and in Europe anyway, to start the process of only offering one transmission in all cars. A dual clutch with different gearchange mechanisms depending on application.
Oh, well. I am sure Ford will see the light.

Danno001 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2012, 07:57:44 am »

The 2.0 Liter engine is weak compared to the Kia/Sonata turbo GDI 2.0 L engine. The price point for the Fusion will be interesting when released. If history is any indication, Ford will upmarket the car (see Ford Focus pricing)and the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata will continue to do well in the sector - Fusion not so much.

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:22:38 am »

Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 07:57:44 am

The 2.0 Liter engine is weak compared to the Kia/Sonata turbo GDI 2.0 L engine. The price point for the Fusion will be interesting when released. If history is any indication, Ford will upmarket the car (see Ford Focus pricing)and the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata will continue to do well in the sector - Fusion not so much.

And what exactly are you basing this statement on? The Fusion outsold the Sonata last year. With the redesign of the Fusion getting rave reviews, I am guessing it will continue to do extremely well.

ajay · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:26:51 am »

Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 07:57:44 am

The 2.0 Liter engine is weak compared to the Kia/Sonata turbo GDI 2.0 L engine. The price point for the Fusion will be interesting when released. If history is any indication, Ford will upmarket the car (see Ford Focus pricing)and the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata will continue to do well in the sector - Fusion not so much.

He's just a Hyundai/Kia fanboy

I think the Fusion will do very well, especially for those who like good steering feel and buttoned down suspension.

kevlar · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:36:51 am »

Quote from: CanuckG35 on January 30, 2012, 08:22:38 am

Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 07:57:44 am
The 2.0 Liter engine is weak compared to the Kia/Sonata turbo GDI 2.0 L engine. The price point for the Fusion will be interesting when released. If history is any indication, Ford will upmarket the car (see Ford Focus pricing)and the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata will continue to do well in the sector - Fusion not so much.

And what exactly are you basing this statement on? The Fusion outsold the Sonata last year. With the redesign of the Fusion getting rave reviews, I am guessing it will continue to do extremely well.

Fusion out sold the sonata?

i'd like to see how many of those were fleet sales. i can see the 2013 model doing well though. it's a shame the manual tranny is being used only with the 1.6L and only on a lower trim level.

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:40:04 am »

Quote from: kevlar on January 30, 2012, 08:36:51 am

Quote from: CanuckG35 on January 30, 2012, 08:22:38 am
Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 07:57:44 am
The 2.0 Liter engine is weak compared to the Kia/Sonata turbo GDI 2.0 L engine. The price point for the Fusion will be interesting when released. If history is any indication, Ford will upmarket the car (see Ford Focus pricing)and the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata will continue to do well in the sector - Fusion not so much.

And what exactly are you basing this statement on? The Fusion outsold the Sonata last year. With the redesign of the Fusion getting rave reviews, I am guessing it will continue to do extremely well.

Fusion out sold the sonata? i'd like to see how many of those were fleet sales. i can see the 2013 model doing well though. it's a shame the manual tranny is being used only with the 1.6L and only on a lower trim level.

Yup, it did.

Fusion 18,404
Sonata 16,343

Here in southern NB I see a lot of both cars but definitely more Fusions.

AP · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:48:47 am »

Quite the looker.

Wonder whether the front license plate will mount on the driver or passenger side? This how it is with my 3.5 Ecoboost b/c the intercooler (center mounted) needs unimpeded airflow. Looked odd at first but now I don't even notice it.

redman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2012, 08:58:57 am »

I find something that's overlooked in the car buying\ownership of a vehicle is the dealer experience. The worst sales\service encounters that I have ever dealt with have been at the Ford dealerships. I sold my Contour and vowed never again to own a Ford. Wonder what others feel about the Ford dealer experience ? Hard for me to consider a particular product if I don't have a good dealer relationship. To much competition out there for bad service etc..

Danno001 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:03:30 am »

Quote from: CanuckG35 on January 30, 2012, 08:22:38 am

And what exactly are you basing this statement on? The Fusion outsold the Sonata last year. With the redesign of the Fusion getting rave reviews, I am guessing it will continue to do extremely well.

Just my fearless prediction. Rave reviews = fluff. Reality of higher Monthly payments = not so hot sales. And hey, if I am going to be a fan I could do worse than the Optima and Sonata. I would suspect, the recent deep discounting had a major part in the strong Fusion sales. Let's take a look how well it does, once the new Fusion hits the streets at $8,000 more in average selling price. Again, fearless prediction.

AP · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:05:48 am »

Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 09:03:30 am

Again, fearless prediction.

...or baseless conjecture informed by brand prejudice...

hemusbull · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:15:47 am »

Exceptional skin, just I'm wondering about the aging. From Chrysler's cab forward design (do you remember it?) through new Sonata up to this Fusion, aging isn't proven...Well, the first one is forgotten long ago. And if Fusion doesn't keep the reliabuility of the original one, forget it. Ford never was successful with world cars, like two gen Mondeos in the past and now I do hope the new Fiesta/Focus/Fusion gona break the record.

Danno001 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:19:11 am »

Quote from: AP on January 30, 2012, 09:05:48 am

Quote from: Danno001 on January 30, 2012, 09:03:30 am
Again, fearless prediction.

...or baseless conjecture informed by brand prejudice...

I owned a Taurus for 6 years. I owned a Ford Escape for 8 years, I run a fleet of 1,000 Ford trucks, most of which I purchased directly. I know I could get a super deal on any Ford I wanted to buy. If there was any prejudice, it would be towards Ford.

whaddaiknow · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:35:38 am »

Definitely see English front and German rear (Audi taillights).
Looks very sharp. The powertrain options are very complelling.
"...
Frankly, depending on the price, the Fusion AWD with 2.0-litre Ecoboost could give luxury competitors a run for their money. Granted, the Ford lacks luxury-brand cachet, but if the price differential is significant enough the Fusion’s appealing design could cause entry-level luxury intenders to at least take a look.
..."

It would definitely be worth a look if I were in the market for a 3-series with the 2.0 turbo. I would definitely take it out for a test drive to see how it compares.
However, with the free 4-year maintenance, high residuals, and BMW's brand cachet, Ford would have to stay in the very low 30's to sway any potential luxo buyers.

safristi · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:50:03 am »

RED HOT FUSION....i thought all the money was in developing COLD FUSION

..".quite the tasty dish to set before the King....".available this Spring/Summer OR Fall?............

I'd consider an iteration or two of this...(the base Eco Tec and the loaded semi Lux 2.0 Eco with 4wd)...and weight the differences (Money and performance and personal Likes) vs the Turbo Veloster we are considering...hope the wait time is close for both.........

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 10:03:45 am »

It's not really a new car. It's refresh MK4 Mondeo...Looks same too....