Ford Fusion News: New photos courtesy of Family Car

[fo44rd]

Originally Posted by Orange Fusion

I'm well aware of that, but why doesn't Ford ditch their current iteration of the Duratec and go with the one that Mazda improved upon? That alone boggles my mind. They have a better engine available to them for both the Fusion and the 500, yet they use the same old crap. Just like GM has been doing for years.

because it saves nickels. None of the b*st*rds are perfect. Hell I saw a new Toyota Camry yesterday and it had drums on the back for brakes.........no wonder Honda is the best at actually executing a car, now if only they could work on design a little.

[Vintalage]

Detroit - The replacement for the aging Taurus finally arrives this Fall in the form of the all new 2006 Ford Fusion, unveiled today at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Sales of the Taurus, once a best-seller for Ford, had shrivelled in recent years against competition from Japanese, Korean and North American manufacturers. With the Fusion, Ford expects to regain these lost sales. But the Fusion is not a direct replacement for the Taurus, being smaller than the outgoing sedan. Rather, the Fusion will take a central position in Ford's lineup between the compact Focus and the larger, but still mid-size Ford Five Hundred sedan. The new Fusion, though, will be an important car for Ford and a key to its future financial stability.

The new Fusion takes several design cues from the Ford 427 concept car, especially its front-end treatment with bold three-bar chrome grille and multi-element projector-beam headlamps. The Fusion's optional charcoal-black leather interior with contrasting oatmeal-coloured seat stitching was also inspired by the 427.

The Fusion also features standard 60/40 split and fold-flat rear seats expanding its 15.8 cu. ft. trunk capacity. Three interior themes will be available - monotone, two-tone or premium cloth or leather, including the optional oatmeal-coloured seat stitching.

Available features on all models include height-adjustable driver's seat, tilt and telescope steering, heated front seats with six way power adjustment for the driver and a six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 capability.

The Fusion is equipped with four-wheel independent suspension, with a double ball-joint, short- and long-arm set up in the front and a multi-link rear design. Base wheels and tires are 16 inch with 60-series tires. A 50-series tire with 17 inch wheel is also available. Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard, while anti-lock brakes will be optional.

Engine choices include Ford's 2.3-litre Duratec inline four cylinder or a 3.0-litre Duratec V-6. Both feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, variable intake cam timing and electronic throttle control. The four-cylinder delivers 160 horsepower and can be matched with either five-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The V-6, producing 210 hp, is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard safety features include dual deployment front air bags, seat-deployed torso bags and two-row side air curtain that provides head protection.

The Fusion is the first vehicle from Ford's new CD3 architecture, which eventually will be the basis for up to 10 unique vehicles in North America. It will be built at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant in Mexico and goes on sale Fall 2005. Pricing will be announced closer to that time.

- CanadianDriver

[Sleepwalkr]

Ok, cool....... if the production Fusion ends up looking like these latest pics, thats pretty sweet. The rear and profile on it looks really good.

[02andahalfgt]

Tails are too flashy, they need to tone down all that chrome a bit (if it's even real chrome, I'm just saying), maybe make it a thinner line. It does have a good looking profile though.

[bigbenSC]

In my opinion it is a boring car. My G6 looks much nicer. Granted, neither car has the power it needs to compete with a V6 Accord or Altima (the GTP 6 speed may change that), but the Fusion is a MUCH nicer car than the Taurus. The 500 is a joke and looks just like a Passat. Interior wise, the Fusion has a quality look although I don't like Ford's new radios.

[hotgt]

ihi

[Vintalage]

Flashy midsize car for a Ford. I like it alot.

[jake3217]

A step in the right direction for sure, but the front just looks like a cheap knockoff of a CTS.

[Vintalage]

[95-GT]

Thats Cobo. NAIAS

[Braves299]

The side profile looks soooo much like a jetta that its not even funny. and the 500 looks alot like the passat. why are they stealin VW's designs that have been out for awhile? anyways, i like the design of the fusion, it looks pretty classy. and thats comming from a ford hater.

edit: and thats a really nice looking interior

[fo44rd]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Flashy midsize car for a Ford. I like it alot.

Once again, I wish there were a coupe version of this car. I am not in the market for a 4 door unless it is under 1,000 dollars.

[Vintalage]

[Vintalage]

[02andahalfgt]

That's a good replacement for the Taurus. Looks much better IMO.

its actually a midsize car replacing the contour

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by rodd62

its actually a midsize car replacing the contour

Right. The Five Hundred replaces the Taurus.

[crazypontiac03]

Looks good. If seen it at the Autoshow it looks even better in person. If this is the replacement of the Contour what is the 500 replacing the Tarus? I heard Nascar was going to be using to Fusion.

[02andahalfgt]

Quoted from the above article...

Detroit - The replacement for the aging Taurus finally arrives this Fall in the form of the all new 2006 Ford Fusion, unveiled today at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

[playerx4]

Whatever it's replacing it looks a lot better than whatever ford has out now.