by
Martha Hindes
This
is a welcome resurgence vehicle for Ford that desperately
needed to fill the midsize gap once owned by Taurus,
that faded from glory when long past its prime.
It's clear Ford put time and effort into ensuring
the replacement would be world class. The Fusion
moves into the category between the compact Focus
and the recently launched full-size Ford Five Hundred,
as America's Number 2 domestic auto maker seeks
back customers who had strayed to other brands.
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Fusion
comes in an S four-cylinder, and SE and upmarket
SEL models in both four and six cylinder versions.
All trim levels get standard steering wheel cruise
control, remote keyless power locks and power windows
and mirrors and MP3 connection. Our test vehicle
was the top-of-the-line SEL with a luxurious and
supple feel inside. Fusion offers three interiors
color schemes, a subtle medium stone, handsome two-tone
black and charcoal combo and a monotone charcoal
black. Soft cloth or leather, bright work, contrast
seat stitching, satin finishes and wood or "piano
black" touches, depending on model, match the
ambience of a far costlier import with near-lux
status. Round and functional gauges are easy to
read. A sensibly-stacked center console has easily-reached
controls and accessible cupholders designed to hold
the heftiest drink.
Inside
it's more spacious than we expected, a testament
to designers who carved out more leg, shoulder,
head and cargo room from midsize auto space, although
the Fusion rests on Ford's slightly-stretched new
CD3 architecture. Rear door access doesn't force
a pretzel-bending entry.
A
rigid body structure, meant for safety and control
- what Ford calls "class-leading torsional
rigidity" - is the base of the Fusion's fine
ride, anchored by an advanced four-wheel independent
suspension system. Rebound springs in the front
shocks absorb roughness and smooth out any feeling
of pitch when accelerating or unsettling sense of
roll when cornering. Pavement that could lend a
jarring feel is muted to unnoticeable.
We
appreciated the extraordinary effort Ford spent
on steering, resulting in tactile, intuitive handling.
It's similar to earlier development of the compact
Focus. Steering on the Fusion was easy and just
right, not too rigid or too soft, and delivered
just enough road sense to connect with what's going
on below.
The
front-drive Fusion comes with two engine configurations.
All wheel drive - unneeded for our California soiree
but a blessing in blustery North country - is to
be added during its second year of life. The Duratec
30: 3.0-liter, 221-horsepower V-6 has only a standard,
wide-ratio six-speed automatic transaxle. A spiked-up
160-horsepower Duratec 23: 2-3 liter Inline four,
has a standard five-speed manual or optional five-speed
automatic. The I-4 meets California's stringent,
planet friendly PZEV emissions control standards
while the V-6 qualifies for the state's ultra-low
ULEV standard. Early fuel economy is rated at 24
city/32 highway for the automatic and 23/31 for
the manual. A hybrid version is on the drawing boards
for 2008 to make it the fourth hybrid in Ford's
lineup.
On
the safety side, Ford has built extra strength and
rigidity into the Fusion's body and safety cage
with a new crash protecting roof and side structure,
before adding intelligent airbags and other protective
elements. The roof is more than a third stronger
than U.S. roof crash standards to go into effect
in three years. Torso-protecting front airbags are
available. And the side curtain airbag system uses
a "roll-fold" technology, designed to
slide the protecting bag between head and glass
if someone is leaning against a window. (CONTINUE...)
