To get answers to some of your questions regarding the refreshed Ford Fusion, I got in touch with one of the Ford PR folks, but rather than hide my findings in comments, we’ll post them here.
– The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder model will be available with a manual transmission, contrary to my previous expectations. For the other 98 percent of buyers, it’s a six-speed auto.
– AWD will still be available on the 3.0 and 3.5-liter V6 cars (proving Berkowitz’s guesses wrong again).
– The Fusion’s manumatic will be controlled with a +/- system on the gear lever base, not steering wheel buttons.
– On sale date is the nebulous “First Quarter 2009.” Considering that nobody is going to be buying cars this November, December, January, I don’t think it matters much that the refreshed Fusion isn’t going on sale for a few months.
– Ford is hoping/anticipating/guessing that the hybrid version will deliver best in class fuel economy. For reference, the Camry Hybrid is rated at 33/34.
– The Fusion Hybrid version will have slick/gimmicky SmartGauge system– two LCD screens surrounding the analog speedo gauge– to show instant fuel economy, etc. It’s good marketing to make hybrid drivers feel like they have a special car (i.e. the Prius’ space cadet interior).
– The Fusion’s cabin will be improved. I’ve tossed in one of KGP/Jalopnik’s spy photos of the Fusion’s refreshed interior into the gallery. SYNC will be available with or without the nav system.
The interior looks like the least redesigned part of the car. The center console, door panels, and steering wheel look the same. There is a new center stack, new navi system, new gauges. We’ll see. the 09 Sonata interior is pretty much best in class right now in style, usability and fit and finish. Hopefully the Fusion interior is up to the task.
And if they make enough hybrids that people can actually buy one that will be another plus.
Splashy looking gauges, but IMHO there’s no substitute for an analog (style) tach – bar graphs and sliders just don’t do the trick. But then again, when you’re driving a hybrid, the tach is not as relevant.
Dude you know that full-panel display is going to be modded/hacked to have porno’s playing and nekkid chicks all over the place.
I look forward to seeing the Fusion hybrid. I hope Ford can deliver it for a reasonable price premium.
Job1 is late-December. Expect them on dealer lots at the beginning of February. Expect the hybrids on dealer lots a month later.
Isn’t the 2010 Camry due out in Q1 or Q2 also?
It’s going to be interesting to see if they keep the weight down. Mazda let the new 6 get a little porky.
It’s going to be interesting to see if they keep the weight down. Mazda let the new 6 get a little porky.
Probably a little, but not as much. The 6 grew a lot in this generation; the Fusion was already a longer, wider car than the old 6 was.
I really like the Fusion. However I wish they would put real headrests in the back seat. There is absolutely no head support back there. I would also consider buying one if they made a wagon.
crc:
However I wish they would put real headrests in the back seat. There is absolutely no head support back there.
Agreed.
I would also consider buying one if they made a wagon.
We all say that. Also the manual transmission thing. But nobody buys wagons, manual transmissions, or hatchbacks. That’s why Mazda canceled the Mazda6 wagon and hatch for this generation, as well as the V6 manual transmission. Even Mercedes isn’t selling the latest generation C-Class wagon in the U.S.
There are only a handful of companies that can consistently sell wagons in the U.S. and it’s a big part of their overall image. They are also all low volume and 5/6 brands are European:
Subaru
Volvo
Audi
Mercedes E-Class
BMW 3 and 5-Series
Volkswagen
Ford already has too much product overlap in any case – the Edge (which is essentially a Fusion wagon), the Taurus X, and the Flex.
That huge chrome brow is a bit too much (blinding to drivers in front?) and the gauge pod looks too gimmicky. But if it works it works, overall the car seems to have more presence than it did before. You can definitely see styling that links the new Fusion to Ford’s Euro lineup.
@BlueBrat: with nekkid chicks’ T&A size proportional to fuel range and battery charge?
I like the gauges in concept, but I think Ford needs to tone down bling a little. They should be clean and simple, rather than attempts to ape the worst sins of modern desktop computer systems.
Seriously, they look like some of the more egregiously bad interface choices made by Microsoft in Office 2007.
For everyone’s information:
The funky LCD gauges are only on the hybrid models. Regular Fusions will have regular analog gauges.
Isn’t Ford’s hybrid technology licensed from Toyota? Has Ford clearly indicated otherwise?
Matthew:
FWIW Here’s the official line from Detroit News.
Basically, Ford independantly developed their hybrid technology, but “Ford licensed Toyota hybrids patents after its engineers realized that the system Ford had developed had features similar to ones patented by Toyota.”
“Ford says it developed the transmission with Aisin and stresses it is not buying Toyota parts — although whether Ford uses Toyota technology remains a subject of simmering debate.”
What you believe is up to you, but that’s what Ford says…
The “glass cockpit” is gimmicky, but I think it’s a good idea in theory. It’d be handy if they integrated it with SYNC and/or the navigation system, although it’s clearly a balance between “information the driver can see without averting his attention too much” and “more information than the driver can safely keep track of”.
@ CRC, Justin Berkowitz
If you look at any of the photos that capture the rear of the prototypes running around, you’ll notice the three headrests in the back seat.
Matthew Danda:
Ford’s Position is explained here.
Here’s the pertinent stuff:
Ford also licensed Toyota hybrids patents after its engineers realized that the system Ford had developed had features similar to ones patented by Toyota. (Honda developed a different hybrid system.)
The two automakers struck an accord last year that included an exchange of patents: Toyota gave Ford license to use some of its hybrid technology, and Ford gave the Japanese automaker diesel and direct-injection engine technology.