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Ford Fusion
The American Ford Fusion (code name CD338) is a mid-size car based on the Ford CD3 platform. The Fusion went on sale in October 2005 as a 2006 model, and is a replacement for the largely discontinued Ford Taurus. It is manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico plant (Job 1 date of August 1, 2005). Companion versions entitled the Mercury Milan (code name CD334) and the Lincoln Zephyr (code name CD378) were launched simultaneously. At the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, a hybrid version was announced for the 2008 model year. Ford's Fusion advertising campaign is entitled Life in Drive.
The Fusion was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2006.
The car fits in a line of sedans by Ford (smallest to largest):
- Ford Focus
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Taurus (the Taurus will remain in production until August 2006)
- Ford Five Hundred
- Ford Crown Victoria
The Fusion was originally to be called the Ford Futura, but Ford 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. Ironically, the Futura name is actually still used by Ford Australia, as a trim line for the Falcon. Another choice of name was "Falcon", but that would have caused much confusion with the long-running Australian Ford Falcon. Still that didn't prevent Ford from duplicating the name of the European Fusion, a mini-Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) based on the Ford Fiesta, slotted between the Fiesta and the Focus.
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.
Fusion's competitors are the Chevrolet Malibu (and possibly the larger Impala), Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Galant and Pontiac G6.
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 Ford-designed 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6. All wheel drive and the new Duratec 35 will be options for 2007.
The Fusion is reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Galant and Pontiac G6. The Fusion shares some interior parts such as part of the console and seats with the otherwise unrelated European Mondeo. Both automatic and manual transmissions are available (the latter only with the I4 engine).
The Fusion also became the new body shape for Ford automobiles in NASCAR beginning in 2006, replacing the Ford Taurus. This is the first time that Ford has introduced a new model that went racing in NASCAR at the same time as its launch since the Ford Torino in 1968. It debuted at the 2006 Daytona 500, and won its first race a week later in California.
According to Ford, consumer response to the Fusion has exceeded their expectations.
Also, AutoWeek magazine made a (tongue-in-cheek?) comment that Ford named the new sedan the Fusion only because its grille has a striking resemblance to the Gillette Fusion Razor shaver. In fact, the three-bar grille, which includes two matching bars below the bumper/fascia and is thus 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.
Engines
- 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6, 221 hp (165 kW) and 205 ft·lbf (278 N·m)
- 2.3 L Duratec 23 I4 160 hp and 156 ft lbf
- 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 265 hp and 250 ft lbf
See also
- Ford Fusion (European)
- Ford Mondeo
- Hurra Torpedo - Band Sponsored by the Ford Fusion
External links
- Official Ford Fusion website
- Ford Motor Company
- Ford Fusion future vehicle site
- Ford Fusion Photos
- Fan Site
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