Ford Fusion

[LeDrew145]

Whats the deal with the fusion, its supposed to replace the taurus, isn't it? Anybody know what they're like?????????

[99integra]

I saw one at the International Auto Show here in Tampa and they are very nice looking, but the interior still looks a little bland and something for them elders

[thunderbird1100]

It is replacing the Taurus but Ford decided for this year to keep the Taurus in it's lineup for people who just want an old car for a good price. Really the Fusion is just a rebadged Mazda 6 with different body cladding, nothing new, nothing innovate. Still doesn't top the class leading Accord

[ChrisV]

the Fusion is a litle smaller than the Taurus and a little larger than teh Contour. it's part of the replacement for teh taurus, as it covers teh Accord/Camry market, while teh Five Hundred is a replacemetn that is slightly larger than th taurus, and covering the taurus/Avalon market.

The Fusion will be sold as a version from Mercury (the Milan) as well as the newest Lincoln, the Zephyr. There is also supposed to be an SVT version of the car in the near future.

The Fusion is based on a stretched and widened Mazda 6 platform (which itself was based on the European Mondeo).

[chris_knows]

I don't think it's too bad of a car...just something about it that I can't put my finger on that I dislike ...

[thunderbird1100]

Originally Posted by chris_knows

I don't think it's too bad of a car...just something about it that I can't put my finger on that I dislike ...

I can, duratec V6! First on my list.

[PontiacFan27]

Duratec > you.

Id rather have the Mazda 6 though..

[x1/9-rally]

I don't like the headlights or the lower grill. But other than that it looks like any other Ford car.

[thunderbird1100]

Originally Posted by PontiacFan27

Duratec > you.

Id rather have the Mazda 6 though..

hahaha....

The tired old Duratec can't make the power! Don't know why you'd back up an engine like that.

I agree, the MAzda 6 looks MUCH better IMO. But then again, you STILL get the junky Duratec V6...

[jedimario]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

...There is also supposed to be an SVT version of the car in the near future...

Is it RWD?

[thunderbird1100]

Originally Posted by jedimario

Is it RWD?

No, it won't be. If anything it will be AWD (ala Mazdaspeed 6).

Would be neat to see it get the turbocharged 2.3L from the MAzdaspeed 6.

[PontiacFan27]

220 hp 205 ft-lbs. God that Duratec sucks! Much worse than the amazing 24 more hp the Accord's V6 makes.

[chris_knows]

Originally Posted by thunderbird1100

No, it won't be. If anything it will be AWD (ala Mazdaspeed 6).

Would be neat to see it get the turbocharged 2.3L from the MAzdaspeed 6.

I thought it was meant to be fuel effiecient...

[thunderbird1100]

Originally Posted by PontiacFan27

220 hp 205 ft-lbs. God that Duratec sucks! Much worse than the amazing 24 more hp the Accord's V6 makes.

Actually the Duratec is ranked on the OLD SAE system while the Accord is ranked on the NEW SAE system. Which means if you compare the two hack the Duratecs numbers down by about 4%-5% (or add 4-5% to the Accord's 244hp 211tq).

Which means it makes an ungodly 210hp and 195tq. For a DOHC 3.0L 24v V6 this isnt anything great, nor that good today.

Honda makes 244hp (34hp more) and 211tq (16tq more) with the same displacement V6 but with ONLY SOHC 24v heads, not DOHC 24v heads like Duratec. Let me also state this Honda engine has remained mostly physcially unchanged since it came out in 1997 at nearly the same power figures as the NEW 210hp DOHC Duratec of today (10 less hp ,same tq).

They have the SAME Honda J series V6 in the Accord, in the Acura RL making 300hp and 260tq still with the same SOHC 24v heads and only with .5L more displacement (3.5L).

Schooled.

[thunderbird1100]

Originally Posted by chris_knows

I thought it was meant to be fuel effiecient...

I dont think fuel efficency will be the #1 priority in making the SVT version of the Fusion. Remember, the MAzda 6 is basically the same vehicle.