Officially Revealed: The new 2013 Ford Fusion: Comments

[Blake Noble]

So far during this year's Detriot Auto Show, many of the automaker's media embargos have been broken early -- the Dodge Dart, the new Mercedes SL, and the Cadillac ATS all were put up for public viewing on the internet hours before they were officially meant to be. The new 2013 Ford Fusion was another car that fell victim to having its media embargo broken by Uncle Internet, but luckily the two pictures that leaked out earlier today weren't of the best quality and still left you wanting to see more.

If you were wondering how the rear and interior of the new Fusion would turn out, well, here's some good news: Ford's embargo broke about an hour or two ago and now we can bring you a full gallery of nice resolution images of Ford's new Camcord fighting mid-sized sedan. And man, oh man ... has Ford really come out swinging this time on this one.

If we've learned anything about how a mid-sized sedan should be designed from recent debuts, such as the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and 2011 Kia Optima, it's that cars of this class do not have to be dull as dishwater and this new Fusion is no exception. Any possible styling connections to the outgoing Fusion have been thrown out the door and the new car instead draws it's inspiration heavily from the current Kinetic design European Ford Mondeo and the Ford Evos concept car. The end result definitely makes for one boldly-designed sedan.

The new Fusion can be ordered in S, SE, and Titanium trim levels and, as with the other competing cars in its class, will offer a range of four-cylinder engines. Base cars will have a naturally-aspirated 2.5L four (175 hp, 175 lb.-ft. of torque) standard and the upgrade from that engine will be a turbo 1.6L EcoBoost four (179 hp, 172 lb.-ft. of torque) good for 26 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The range-topping motor will be a 2.0L EcoBoost four (237 hp, and 250 lb.-ft. of torque). As for transmissions, a six-speed automatic or manual will be offered. You also have the option of all-wheel drive on top-end, 2.0L-equipped cars as well.

That isn't all, though. The Hybrid model, of course, returns with the new car. Good for 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway, the new Fusion Hybrid uses a 2.0L four-cylinder engine along with an electric motor good for 180 horses. If the Hybrid wasn't efficient enough, Ford also will build an Energi (read: plug-in hybrid) variant of the Fusion that will be good for 100 MPGe.

Aside from being one of the most efficient cars in its class, the new Fusion will be packed full of tech goodies. MyFordTouch, Ford's in-house infotainment system, will obviously be an offered item and Sync is standard on all models.

The new Fusion is certainly one of the most impressive mid-sized sedans set to hit the market and will most definitely keep the competition (especially Toyota) wringing their hands for a while. Production is set to start this month in Mexico and will expand to Flat Rock, Michigan. Sales will begin here in the North American market this fall, while overseas buyers in Europe will see the Fusion show up on their shores to replace the Mondeo next year.

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[ocnblu]

I said yesterday I thought the new Fusion was ugly. Already I am eating my words. Not too many modern designs seem perfect enough today to have the chance to become a future classic... but the Fusion just might be on that short list. Wow.

And the interior doesn't seem near as intrusive as the Focus and Taurus, with a normal-sized center stack and console. Of course, real-world seat time will have to ultimately answer that question.

Long-term reliability and repair expense is still up in the air with the turbocharged 4s V. a V6 for customers who want extra hp, but for now, this is one sweet looking 4-door.

[hyperv6]

It is a vast improvment over the last one. But I do worry the nose may look a little tall in person.

It has the Aston look that we all know but the Astons are not tall in the nose. I think it will be ok but till I can see it I will have a question on it.

the rest of the car looks fine.

[intrigued]

Ford sold about 250,000 Fusions this past year. 300,000 next year? 350,000?

The fact that the hybrid comes close to the prius is awsome as well as the Energi version which is effectivley a better chevy volt, at least a according to the paper specs.

[CSpec]

The back is ugly, the front looks like an Evo which is fine I guess but not very exciting.

[Lamar]

Ford sold about 250,000 Fusions this past year. 300,000 next year? 350,000?

Only if they get a new plant. I'd wager that Fusion was able to sell more because they weren't building the Milan anymore.

The fact that the hybrid comes close to the prius is awsome as well as the Energi version which is effectivley a better chevy volt, at least a according to the paper specs.

That surprised me too. A very pleasant surprise, at that.

[G. David Felt]

Not been a Ford Fan for a Long time since they detuned my lovely 1991 Ford Escort that Mazda built for them that rocked. Then I fell in love for my Excursion which is dead and gone.

This baby besides reminding me of an aston martin, is lovely inside and out.

Way to go FORD, Rock On!!!

[regfootball]

pleasant enough, Aston knockoff. Doesn't bowl me over, but I do think it will be popular. Blunt and tall hood is a bit concerning I suppose its for Euro pedestrian standards.

Looks large, will it cut into Taurus sales?

Does look a little like the Mazda6 currently....they are distinct to some degree but the greenhouse does have some M6 overtones.

Interior is logical and kinda rakish, I think Audi fans will like it, etc. At the same time very different than the Focus. Even some common themes with the Explorer inside. Still its not a jaw dropper to me. Will be nice to see the materials once its done.

[regfootball]

hybrid mpg is amazing though, that may be the fusion to get!

[Robert Hall]

The greenhouse reminds me of the A7, the taillight and rear treatment is similar to the current Mondeo..I wonder how it compares to the current fusion dimensionally.

[intrigued]

They can increase production. The fusion is going to be built at the flat rock MI plant as well as in Mexico now.

I can't wait to see that road test for the 2.0 ecoboost AWD titanium. The Audi A4 AWD automatic weighs a bit over 3700 lbs to the Fusion 2.0 AWD's estimaed weight of 3600. The Audi 2.0 makes 8 more ftlbs of torque then the ecboost but gives up 26 hp to the ford motor.

If the new fusion could drive like an A4 or God forbid maybe even a bit better at 70 percent of the price that would be awesome.

I do hope that they add a SHO / GT / ST or other performance model. If I was Ford I'd do one of 2 things. Jack up the 2.0 T to 300 hp and 300 ftlbs as we've seen hapen for the performance version of the Evoque or drop in the new 2.7 ecoboost v6 that we've heard is coming to Lincoln.

Ford's MPG is going through the rough and they're finding ways to do while mainting their cars performance aspects.

One of my favorite things to brag about with the new Mustangs is actually their fuel economy. Everyone knows that the Mustang is fast and is a gerat drivers car but even the new 650 hp GT500 gets good enough fuel economy to avoid the gas guzzler tax.

I'm hopefull for another banner year full of profit and growth for Ford.

[Intrepidation]

Love it, inside and out.

[Robert Hall]

Will be interesting to see how it compares w/ the '13 Malibu, Sonata, Optima, Camry, Accord, Altima, Passat, etc.

[Drew Dowdell]

Aston front

Jaguar from the side

Focus from the rear

Quick cell phone pic till I get Z's stuff converted.

[Intrepidation]

You mean

Aston grill

Mondeo the side

Mondeo the rear

Mixed with Evos Concept

Fixed.

At any rate, its a real looker, competes withe the Optima for best looking midsizer. Much better proportionately than the new Malibu. The Hybrid posts some impressive fuel economy estimates. The Engeri even more so, if it gets 100 MPGe it'll be more efficient than the Volt, which is hugely impressive for the bigger Ford an quite embarrassing for the Volt.

[intrigued]

^^^

Bold prediction...

Those sedans will be ranked in the following order...

1 - Fusion - Most expensive looking, most engine options, fuel economy, AW, most inovative

2 - Altima - This could easily fall back quite a bit. Reason it's this high is for the intriguing 2.5 supercharged 250 hp hybrid. Very unique.

3 - Malibu - Love the looks. B+ interior. Eco model too expensive for what it is. Very solid entry, needs a real hybrid.

4 - Passat - More resonably priced, handsome, interesting engine options.

5 - Optima/Sonata - Excellent on paper. Average-a bit above average in real life. Still strong entries overall

6 - Accord - This is the one that's most likley to rise if Honda suprises us. I predict it'll be too big, bland and still have a 5 speed.

7 - Camry - Tired looking. Little difference between 2012 and 2006 generation. Boring as all hell

This is of course total conjecture as I'll need to see them all in person, read reviews and drive them as well bt this is how I think thing's will shake out.

Dodge needs to redo the Avenger. If they make it a big brother to the impressive looking Dart that would be a good place to start.

The biggest mystery cars here are the Altima and Accord. The Altima's supercharded 2.5 liter hybrid sounds really cool. They can keep a simple 2 engine lineup, base 2.5 and performance/ fuel economy 2.5 superchanrged hybrid that can justify it's price premium for great gasmilage and fun to drive factor. Of course the car could be ass ugly or unrefined etc.

The Accord is getting new DI 2.4 and 3.5 liter motors that are competitive but not ground breaking. I've heard nothing new about new transmissions though. Honda is just so stale and stuck in it's ways that I don't see them jumping to the front in terms of inovation and performance.

[regfootball]

where is the manual trans?

[intrigued]

Manual trans is available only with the 1.6 turbo. Should be pretty fun with that though i wish it had the option for the 2.0 t as well.

[Lamar]

where is the manual trans?

Offered in the 1.6EB only, I think, (Until, ostensibly, the ST...)

[Drew Dowdell]

You mean

Aston grill

Mondeo the side

Mondeo the rear

Mixed with Evos Concept

Fixed.

At any rate, its a real looker, competes withe the Optima for best looking midsizer. Much better proportionately than the new Malibu. The Hybrid posts some impressive fuel economy estimates. The Engeri even more so, if it gets 100 MPGe it'll be more efficient than the Volt, which is hugely impressive for the bigger Ford an quite embarrassing for the Volt.

No, I don't mean that. I mean that I need a new glasses prescription and apparently so does Z-06 because as we approached the white one from a distance from a direct side view we both wondered aloud why there was a Jaguar in the Ford area.

[hyperv6]

The white cars nose look ok and yes it has Jag in it too but so does the Aston for what it is worth.

The real question is will they keep the price in check. The Ford prices have been getting higher and higher. The Edge and Taurus are good cars but not what I term a good value vs others in the market. The present car is a good buy but most cars are their last year.

[intrigued]

I think they will, to an extend. I've heard it's still going to start in the low 20's (about 22000) and I'm sure there will be a lot a bang for the buck, particularly in the SE trim. The Titanium and plug in are going to be expensive. I bet we can get this car over 40 with the plug in and that the Titanim probably starts around 30 but can be optioned up to 35-36. To me this isn't bad as long as they don't package in things like adaptive crusie control and such that inflate the price for those that want a high trim for certain content but not 5000 bucks worth of tech add ons.

remember back in the mid 2000s when the SRX and STS came out for Caddy? The was ver little in the way of a la carte options. Almost everything was part of one $5000 package or another so if you really wanted 1 feature sometimes you'd have to pay a ton of money to get it.

As long as Ford gets the option packages right and keeps the S, SE and normal hybrid pricing competitive it should be fine, and a lot of people will pay the high transaction price for the tech anyways.

[smk4565]

47/44 mpg is amazing, makes the Malibu Eco look like the Malibu Thirsty.

I think the car looks good but at the same time I don't like how they ripped the Aston Martin Rapide grill. But credit to Ford for being aggressive, go big or go home and they went big.

[Intrepidation]

No, I don't mean that. I mean that I need a new glasses prescription and apparently so does Z-06 because as we approached the white one from a distance from a direct side view we both wondered aloud why there was a Jaguar in the Ford area.

Which Jag, exactly, because as far as I know there only two sedans: the XJ and the XF and yeah I don't see the resemblance. I know its not an insult to the Fusion, I just honestly don't see it.

[Robert Hall]

Which Jag, exactly, because as far as I know there only two sedans: the XJ and the XF and yeah I don't see the resemblance. I know its not an insult to the Fusion, I just honestly don't see it.

I'm not seeing it either...I see the A7 (greenhouse) and current Mondeo (rear)

[frogger]

I'm more happy about the interior, I disliked the old dash quite a bit.

[Drew Dowdell]

See it in person. Unfortunately none of the photographs show any of these cars well this year.

[Turbojett]

I can see a bit of Jaguar in the sides. Can't put my finger on it, though. maybe the shape of the nose in profile, maybe the wraparound of the taillights....maybe just the overall shape...I don't know, but it definitely looks like Moray's been talking with Ian.

[Turbojett]

but I love, love, LOVE the Aston influence in the nose, and just the overall look of the car. If I was married/had kids, this is one that I would happily schlep around town in (as long as it's the sport model ).

[Intrepidation]

The resemblance is uncanny. Maybe Jag (which I'm still not seeing any resemblance) copied Ford!

[Robert Hall]

The resemblance is uncanny. Maybe Jag (which I'm still not seeing any resemblance) copied Ford!

Yes, the greenhouse and rear clearly is an evolution of the current Mondeo...nothing from the current Fusion really to been in the new one..

[NOS2006]

I'd like the side profile a lot better if it didn't have that massive front overhang...

[Intrepidation]

You want massive overhang? Go look at the the Malibu.

[NOS2006]

I didn't say that the Malibu had an appealing side profile

[Drew Dowdell]

I can see a bit of Jaguar in the sides. Can't put my finger on it, though. maybe the shape of the nose in profile, maybe the wraparound of the taillights....maybe just the overall shape...I don't know, but it definitely looks like Moray's been talking with Ian.

The White one is where I really see it. The other colors, not so much.