2013 Ford Fusion Test Drive

On-Sale Date: Fall

Price: $22,495?$32,995

Competitors: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata

Powertrains: 2.5-liter I-4, 175 hp, 175 lb-ft; 1.6-liter Turbocharged I-4, 178 hp, 184 lb-ft; 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, 240 hp, 270 lb-ft; 2.0-liter I-4 hybrid, 188 total system hp

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 22/26 (I-4 2.5), 23/36 (I-4 1.6, auto), 25/37 (I-4 1.6, manual), 22/33 (I-4 2.0), 22/31 (I-4 2.0 AWD), 47/47 (hybrid)

What's New: Ford's new Fusion is so thoroughly redesigned and improved that few will draw any similarities to the old one. The car is a stunner, looking more like it just rolled off the auto stage in Frankfurt than came from Detroit. It looks sporty and fresh and slips through the air with a Cd of only .27, thanks to 450 hours of testing in the wind tunnel.

The new Fusion is built largely of European bones, specifically those of the Ford Mondeo?a car we don't see on these shores, but one that for the past several years has garnered high praise across the pond for its handling and style. This Fusion, as well as the new Mondeo, uses a heavily redesigned version of the previous Mondeo's chassis. Though the MacPherson struts upfront have been reworked, it's the new rear multilink suspension that engineers credit with building upon the Mondeo's deft moves while creating a ride quality that can soak up the worst potholes in Detroit.

Under that sculpted hood and behind that Aston Martin-esque grille is a wide selection of powertrains. Entry-level cars will use the older 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder. But most Fusions will pack either the 178-hp 1.6-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder or the more robust 240 hp 2.0-liter version. Unlike many in the midsize class, Ford chose an all-four-cylinder lineup backed by six-speed transmissions instead of CVTs. That's true for all the new Fusions, except the hybrid model, which uses a smaller 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, a lighter and more power-dense 1.4 kwh lithium-ion battery pack, and a more powerful electric motor that combine to deliver an electric-only top speed of 62 mph and 47 mpg combined. The non-hybrid Fusions benefit from a number of fuel-economy enhancements such as optional aerodynamic grille shutters, electric power steering, and auto start-stop, which bumps up the highway mpg into the mid-30s for most of the lineup.

The 2013 Fusion is roomier than the outgoing car in nearly every dimension except for trunk space, which is down half a cubic foot to 16 cubic-feet. Legroom up front and in the rear has improved noticeably thanks to the 4.8-inch wheelbase stretch. But thanks to tidy front and rear overhangs the Fusion is a little more than an inch longer than its predecessor despite the wheelbase extension. You can option the Fusion with a dizzying array of safety and luxury features that were the domain of flagship luxury cars just a few years ago, like lane departure warning with lane keeping aid, auto park, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and cross-traffic alert.

Tech Tidbit: Ford offers automatic start-stop?the tech that turns off your engine automatically while the car is at rest?as a $295 option on automatic transmission 1.6-liter Fusions. Since the alternator can't support the electrical system (stereo, climate control, headlights) when the engine turns off at a stoplight, a battery has to handle these tasks in a vehicle with stop-start. The Fusion uses a new, 12-volt Absorbed Glass Mat battery from Johnson Controls, which, Ford says, is more durable than a conventional one for deep cycling, cold-weather operation, and heavy loads.

Ford also beefed up the Fusion's conventional starter to handle repeated engine cycling and put in a DC-to-DC convertor that helps maintain constant voltage when the engine is started. There's an auxiliary water pump that in cooler weather will maintain heat in the climate control system when the engine shuts off at a stoplight. Also, the transmission positions itself into the lowest gear prior to the engine shutoff so that it will be ready for immediate drive-away. All of this means that Fusions equipped with the stop-start technology gain 2-mpg city over cars without it.

Driving Character: The previous Ford Fusion was one of the smoothest-riding midsize sedans. But fun to drive? Not so much. The new car maintains the supple ride character while improving on the older Fusion's agility. The new car weighs about the same, but feels lighter. That's especially true for the 1.6-liter cars paired to the six-speed manual. The $26,040 1.6-liter Fusion SE with 18-inch wheels we tested was an easy rider on the worst streets we could find near Santa Monica, Calif. Yet once we began challenging the car on the twisty roads high above the Malibu coastline, it felt poised, light on its feet, and even a bit, ahem, German. These weren't quite sport sedan moves, but probably as close as any domestic front-drive midsize sedan has come yet. All Fusions now use an electric power steering system, and we think it could be one of the best-calibrated systems on any midsize sedan.

The Fusion we drove is the lightest combination in the lineup. It weighs about 200 pounds less than the 2.0-liter Ecoboost automatic. Though that 240-hp, 2.0-liter engine makes the Fusion a speedy machine, we prefer the handling balance of the 1.6-liter car. The new hybrid model felt just about as competent in the corners as its brethren despite its low-rolling-resistance tires. Unlike most hybrids, the Ford doesn't require that you give up driving fun for mpg. We appreciate that.

This is the midsize sedan segment, so comfort matters, too. The front seats are supremely soft and supportive. It is a cocoonlike atmosphere inside, with thick A-pillars. The Fusion's coupelike profile means those front windows do not provide the most visibility. Out back, there's plenty of headroom and legroom, but again, the rear side pillars spoil the view for taller passengers.

Favorite Detail: A plug-in hybrid Fusion called the Energi will arrive before the end of the year, and may be Ford's answer to the Chevy Volt. Ford claims that it will return more than 100 mpge and more than 20 miles of electric driving on one charge.

Driver's Grievance: The Fusion SE's infotainment system is a study in minimalism. There's a touchscreen with just two knobs for volume and tuning. The problem is that the touchscreen's buttons are too few, too small, and too confusing to navigate. We repeatedly had to pull over to figure out how to get back to the menu we wanted or find the right command.

The Bottom Line: The new Ford Fusion is visually and dynamically an exciting midsize sedan. It clearly makes the outgoing car look like a relic of the old Ford, a time before the attractive and talented new Fiesta and Focus arrived. For the first time in a long while, there is continuity of character in Ford's car lineup, and each of the three now combines engaging driving, impressive mpg, and good looks.

We'd like to see an even higher performance version of the Fusion?perhaps one wearing an ST or SVT badge?

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/drives/2013-ford-fusion-test-drive-13029886?src=rss

cesar chavez winning lotto numbers lottery tickets mega lottery sag aftra mega mill power ball