The production Ford Fusion Debuts. Pics...

[biker16]

[djvash]

The wheels and lights are WAY ugly on that car. I was thinking of this as my next car, I'll probably get an Escape instead.

[humphrey]

I still don't know whether I like it or not. I need to see one up close or somethin.

[racerx]

That would make an awesome commuter car for me...

[biker16]

[nem0]

The interior is nice?

[Thameth]

That actually looks really nice! Looks like they gave the designing over to Ford of Europe (thank god!!). It should do well if it comes out at the price they say it should..

[img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[hatched]

I really like the interior, has sort of a Jeep Liberty look to the dash.

I'd like to see a Focus parked next to it to get some idea of the size.

[brian]

That interior is great! It blows all the other Ford SUV interiors out of the water and shows that just maybe Ford is starting to realize that you spend more time inside the car than staring at the outside.

[biker16]

Ford media

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> FORD FUSION - THE SMALL CAR THAT'S DESIGNED FOR LIVING


· Ford Fusion is the latest addition to Ford?s new generation of small cars.

· An 'Urban Activity Vehicle': Fusion to target buyers of small hatchbacks, MPVs and SUVs.

· Choice of fuel-efficient powertrains: Ford?s TDCi common-rail turbodiesel offering 68 PS and 160 Nm of torque, or Ford?s Duratec 16V petrol engines, available as either a 1.4-litre, 80PS, or a 1.6-litre, 100-PS variant.



BRENTWOOD, 6 February, 2002 ? The Fusion is Ford's latest addition to its exciting new generation of small cars.

The Ford Fusion is a car with a difference. It bridges conventional vehicle segments and small-car stereotypes, creating its own niche as the first ?Urban Activity Vehicle.? With Fusion, Ford?s design team is targeting an emerging sub-segment of the market, and it will be key to reasserting its presence in the highly competitive European small-car market.

Martin Leach, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe, says of the Fusion: ?This new vehicle reflects the growing diversity and changing expectations of our urban customers. It takes strengths that are typically associated with other vehicle classes and combines them into a small car product for the first time.?

The Ford Fusion offers a unique blend of family-sized interior space with a small-car footprint. A rugged protectiveness outside with comfort and convenience inside. A higher, command-driving position for reassuring all-around visibility but with the agility and economy of a small car.

Fusion?s modern, individual style and generous interior space can fit with many different lifestyles and customer requirements, but Ford expects it to appeal especially to young urban families ? mainly with children ? who are looking for a smart, tailored answer to their complex transport needs.

Identifying an unmet need

Fusion was inspired by Ford?s research, which identified ?white space? in the current small-car market.

?Our research led us to believe that there was an unmet need in the small-car marketplace,? said Brendan Lyne, small car brand manager, Ford Motor Company Limited. ?Ford Fusion will fill a need by fusing three characteristics in one. Fusion is all about making an intelligent choice to give you the combination of added confidence, practicality and small car agility. It needs to be versatile but still look good. It needs to project a tough on-road presence but that doesn?t mean customers need an off-road vehicle. Nor do they need a large people carrier that is difficult to park in town.?

Ford expects Fusion to appeal to buyers whose expectations are for functionality above frivolity and for a vehicle that is straightforward and uncomplicated. The vehicle will be central to their busy lives, and although they want to get the most out of their urban lifestyles, they, too, feel the need for sanctuary from the irritations and challenges of city driving.
<hr></blockquote>

[swooshUSN]

that dash has a lot of influence from the Mondeo. I wish that ford would get it in their heads that we like the euro stuff!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[NationwideClyde]

I like it. I wish they'd kept the orange rings around the front signals like on the concept, but overall, I like it quite a bit. I'll have to see one up close to get a sense of scale, but if it's got the same kind of cargo space as my Camry wagon, I might consider a used one a few years down the line...

[Rally Man]

I kind of like it...
You know wouldn't it be nice that ford would get rid of it's current line up of cars and just replace them with Europeans designs. I mean you could start with the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, and Mustang would still be in there line. As for the Ka, it's nice, but I don't see any real market here. Let's not even go the SUV rout!

[Egz]

I don't know.

Its got the bumper from the 2002 Euros, the headlights from a Prelude, the tail lights of a Volvo, the shifter from an Atari 2600 joystick...

Well, I can just say its not for me.

[Dev]

It's an Escape/Focus? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[the6148]

What?! Ford makes Honda CRV now? Oh wait! Nevermind.. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[Egz]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by the6148:
*<hr></blockquote>

*Card table not included.

[Slackmeister]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by brian:
That interior is great! It blows all the other Ford SUV interiors out of the water and shows that just maybe Ford is starting to realize that you spend more time inside the car than staring at the outside.<hr></blockquote>

I agree. Good thing the interior looks good because the exterior is....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

[Kool_ZX3]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Egz:
I don't know.

Its got the bumper from the 2002 Euros, the headlights from a Prelude, the tail lights of a Volvo, the shifter from an Atari 2600 joystick...

Well, I can just say its not for me.<hr></blockquote>

I was going to list all those points to but, I Like It.Tailights and headlights are alright but I love the shifter and the bumper is preety nice to.Love the look but, the rear gate is not the best thing i have seen but, it's good. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Pzevinside]

[img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[sugar_ray]

I love that Atari 2600 style shifter! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[focaljet-1]

So biker, do you think they'll offer the TDCi in the States? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[klek_fi]

about the size of the fusion,
it's smaller than focus !!!!

[focaljet-1]

Thought I'd post:

CONCEPT


VS.

PRODUCTION

[focaljet-1]

OK, who wants to do an SVT 2.0L transplant? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I find this car oddly kinda cool. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]