Ford Fusion (stretched Mazda6)
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Lexus Test Driver
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Ford Fusion (stretched Mazda6)
DETROIT -- The arrival of the 2006 Ford Fusion sedan marks a new era of budget-minded product development at Ford Motor Co.
The Fusion, which debuted Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Detroit auto show, is the first of as many as 10 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles being derived from a modified Mazda6 platform.
The Fusion and two sister sedans, the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, go on sale this fall.
Spinning several vehicles from one platform was the only way Ford could refill its product pipeline after its financial crisis.
The automaker has said it is investing about $1 billion into the Mazda6-derived family of vehicles. By contrast, automakers typically spend $1 billion on a single new-car program.
Despite the slimmed program costs, Ford product planners are counting on the Fusion to revive the brand's lackluster North American car business.
"Everything flows forward now," said Phil Martens, Ford group vice president of product creation.
"We rebuilt the business model" with the Fusion program, Martens said.
Despite shared components and development costs, Ford engineers tweaked the Mazda6 foundation.
The Fusion is 30 millimeters wider and 55 millimeters longer than the Mazda6, with the extra length in the rear seat. Engineers also pumped up the brakes, stiffened the structure and tuned the Fusion for softer ride and handling, chief engineer Brian Vought said.
Fusion volume is expected to reach as much as 160,000 annually, said Ben Poore, Ford car marketing manager.
Other Ford sources suggest that volume could eventually approach 200,000.
The vehicle's main competitors are the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima.
Ford isn't giving a price for the Fusion, but it is expected to come in around $18,000.
The car is available with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V-6. Transmissions include a five-speed automatic, five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. A 3.5-liter V-6 under development at Ford also could find its way into the Fusion.
An all-wheel-drive option will be added after the launch, likely in the second year. A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain is coming in 2007.
The Fusion, which debuted Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Detroit auto show, is the first of as many as 10 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles being derived from a modified Mazda6 platform.
The Fusion and two sister sedans, the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, go on sale this fall.
Spinning several vehicles from one platform was the only way Ford could refill its product pipeline after its financial crisis.
The automaker has said it is investing about $1 billion into the Mazda6-derived family of vehicles. By contrast, automakers typically spend $1 billion on a single new-car program.
Despite the slimmed program costs, Ford product planners are counting on the Fusion to revive the brand's lackluster North American car business.
"Everything flows forward now," said Phil Martens, Ford group vice president of product creation.
"We rebuilt the business model" with the Fusion program, Martens said.
Despite shared components and development costs, Ford engineers tweaked the Mazda6 foundation.
The Fusion is 30 millimeters wider and 55 millimeters longer than the Mazda6, with the extra length in the rear seat. Engineers also pumped up the brakes, stiffened the structure and tuned the Fusion for softer ride and handling, chief engineer Brian Vought said.
Fusion volume is expected to reach as much as 160,000 annually, said Ben Poore, Ford car marketing manager.
Other Ford sources suggest that volume could eventually approach 200,000.
The vehicle's main competitors are the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima.
Ford isn't giving a price for the Fusion, but it is expected to come in around $18,000.
The car is available with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V-6. Transmissions include a five-speed automatic, five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. A 3.5-liter V-6 under development at Ford also could find its way into the Fusion.
An all-wheel-drive option will be added after the launch, likely in the second year. A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain is coming in 2007.
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Originally Posted by fhumphrey0
Hey atleast ford has upped the bar a little with their interiors between the new mustang, f150, and now this. 
And welcome fhumphrey0, I recognize you from the RSX board.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
No one is taking anything away from Ford. They are bringing much better vehicles to the market.
And welcome fhumphrey0, I recognize you from the RSX board.
And welcome fhumphrey0, I recognize you from the RSX board.
I didnt really think anyone was takin anything away from ford, I am just proud that the american market is finally spending more than $50 on the interiors
edit: I just realized that I forgot to put a '4' on the end of my SN, is there anyone who I could possibly get a hold of to change it? lol Im so stupid haha
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Originally Posted by fhumphrey0
Oh hey! lol I hang out there all the time
I didnt really think anyone was takin anything away from ford, I am just proud that the american market is finally spending more than $50 on the interiors
edit: I just realized that I forgot to put a '4' on the end of my SN, is there anyone who I could possibly get a hold of to change it? lol Im so stupid haha
I didnt really think anyone was takin anything away from ford, I am just proud that the american market is finally spending more than $50 on the interiors
edit: I just realized that I forgot to put a '4' on the end of my SN, is there anyone who I could possibly get a hold of to change it? lol Im so stupid haha
Driver
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Yes, it will be taken care of. Remember that next time u try to log in. Again, welcome to Clublexus.
The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,422
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by fhumphrey04
Hey atleast ford has upped the bar a little with their interiors between the new mustang, f150, and now this.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,422
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
with the exception of the Escape / Mariner Hybrid, Ford and Mercury this year seem to be concentrating on some long-overdue updates, redesigns, and new introductions for regular cars and wagons instead of trucks and SUV's.
The Green Grundel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,323
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From: MN
God ford you SUCK! That car (except for the back) was orginally a 6-speed V10 called the Ford 427 like 3 years ago. Of course ford had to go put some dinky engines in it and add another mid sized sedan to there fleet as if they don't have enough already.
I hate ford but... I liked it as the 427 and its still ok now.
Funny story they wanted to call this car the "Furtura" but a company already had the name copyrighted, the funny part was... they made tires for ford.
I hate ford but... I liked it as the 427 and its still ok now.
Funny story they wanted to call this car the "Furtura" but a company already had the name copyrighted, the funny part was... they made tires for ford.
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