Information Specification Image Review 2013 FordFusion. Embargo breaks are par for the course with big auto shows, and this
year's Detroit Auto Show is no different. The 2013 Ford Fusion appears to be
big target this time around, with this being our second early look at the Blue
Oval's redesigned mid-size sedan. These two images from Czech website AutoForum, while a bit pixelated, reveal much more than the shot we showed you
earlier that escaped Ford's clutches courtesy of a bug in the Fusion iPad app.
Here the influence of the Ford Evos concept that
debuted last August at the Frankfurt Motor Show is plainly evident. From the
hexagonal grille to the headlights, fog lamps and lower air inlet, all of the
Evos' front fascia elements are there and arranged in a very similar fashion.
Unfortunately, we can't say much more about the 2013 Ford Fusion until the actual embargo lifts at 12:01 AM EST tonight, but you can
talk about it all you want in the comments. Just make sure to come back here at
midnight for the full story. The
exterior styling of the new Fusion is part Jaguar, part Aston Martin, with some
Audi A7 thrown in for good measure. To say it's good looking almost doesn't
cover it. An aggressive, yet taut stance gives the new sedan a presence the
previous generations never had. Up front are a set of projector headlights while
the rear features LED taillights with light pipes providing a distinct rear
end.
Inside
the new Fusion you'll find a barrage of technology ranging from the available
MyFord Touch system to the adaptive cruise control and driver-alertness
monitoring system. Leather and cloth seats will be available, and both front
and rear seats are spacious enough for four adults.
We
are more confident discussing what Ford didn’t have to disguise: powertrains.
Ford will likely offer the 2013 Fusion with at least one naturally aspirated
four-cylinder engine making around 170 or so hp. A powerful V-6 like the one
available in the current car isn’t likely, as a turbocharged EcoBoost
four-cylinder should take over as the top mill. The turbo 2.0-liter will make
247 hp in the upcoming Focus ST, and would do quite well as the uplevel engine
in the Fusion. The hybrid will definitely return, and we expect to see its
combined fuel-economy rating squeak past the 40-mpg mark. (The current hybrid’s
combined figure is 39 mpg.)
Our hope is that at least one of these engines will come with a traditional
manual transmission (the European Mondeo certainly will offer the option), but
six-speed automatics and dual-clutch trannies will do the shifting for the
majority of American Fusions. More significant, perhaps, the Fusion will
receive a fair amount of Euro-flavored chassis tuning to match its European
styling. That bodes well for the Fusion: The more European Ford’s U.S.-market
products feel, the more warmly they tend to be received—we just crowned the
Focus champion of a hard-fought five-car comparison test. If the next Fusion is
anything like its little brother, Ford won’t have any trouble maintaining the
car’s sales momentum.source:autoblog
