2013 Ford Fusion Preview

New sedan gets three four-cylinder engines and two hybrid versions -- including a plug-in

By Mike Goetz,

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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DETROIT, Michigan — The new-generation 2013 Ford Fusion unwrapped at the 2012 Detroit auto show looks killer, and says a lot about how Ford will address a market not quite clear about which powertrain option to embrace in the near future.

The new-generation 2013 Ford Fusion unwrapped at the 2012 Detroit auto show looks killer. (Photo: Ford)

Rather than bet on one or two strategies, Ford will let customers decide on how much or how little fuel efficiency and power and technology they want, or are prepared to pay for, in their new Fusions by giving them all these powertrain options:

2.5L four-cylinder (170 hp, 170 lb-ft of torque) with six-speed automatic;
Turbo 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder (179 hp, 172 lb-ft) with six-speed automatic or six-speed manual;
Turbo 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder (237 hp, 250 lb-ft) with six-speed automatic, manual mode and optional AWD;
Hybrid 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, electric motor (185 combined hp, 130 lb-ft) with CVT gearbox;
Plug-in hybrid 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, electric motor (185 combined hp, 130 lb-ft) with CVT gearbox.

Next-gen hybrid
According to Sherif Marakby, Ford’s director of all things electrically driven, “every single piece of hardware and software of the hybrid system is brand new… it’s our next generation hybrid system.”

They are quite proud of it.

“We had a laser focus to minimize any losses in the system,” notes Marakby. There are no belt-driven accessories; A/C, water pump, power steering, etc. are all electrically driven.

Exhaust heat is recycled to facilitate faster engine warm-up, so the car can go into EV mode earlier. The regenerative system can capture 95 percent of the available energy to re-charge the lithium-ion battery pack.

The new Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi can top 62 mph (99 km/h) in EV mode, 15 mph faster than the current Fusion Hybrid.

Marakby says Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi will be able to deliver over 100 MPGe, when running solely on electric power, which is a comparatively higher number than both Prius or Volt. “MPGe is a measure of (electrical) efficiency, so we’re getting better efficiency, even though our vehicle is larger.” Overall range is purported to be 500 miles.

Marakby says Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi will be able to deliver over 100 MPGe, when running solely on electric power. (Photo: Ford)

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Tuesday, 17 11:44:00

From the side and back, it looks like a Hyundai. It used to be that Hyundai was accused of stealing ideas from other car manufacturers. My, how things do change!

Jayr

Tuesday, 17 12:02:00

The side and the back looks like the Ford's European mid-size sedan - the Mondeo, which appeared in the market so many years before the Hyundai Sonata.

Roman

Tuesday, 17 09:30:00

maybe hyundai stole from ford .Oh that would never happen. right

siciliano

Wednesday, 18 01:45:00

Styling of the first gen Fusion was a 97 Honda Prelude front end with a 96 Honda Prelude tail end. Now the Fusion styling is just all Aston Martin as far as I'm concerned. It looks good though, whatever works I guess?!

Styling Job One

Sunday, 22 07:32:00

looks like an Aston Martin Vantage.

junglist

Wednesday, 1 11:51:00

Is it any wonder that "true" automobile lovers turn to Europe (Germany) when they want a beautifully designed motorcar with, at least, more than one or two anemic engine choices. Ford, the most innovative of our American car companies, is scheduled to introduce a decent looking Fusion but they only offer 4-cylinder variants with or without hybrid (green) options This is the automobile that is going to represent Ford in NASCAR?? Even though Ford did not take a federal bail-out, are they "caving" to Obozo and his clueless posse? To the below comment....maybe the Fusion, from the front, does slightly resemble a Vantage but the similarities end once you open the hood and spy that "rumbling" 4-cylinder power plant. Ford.....what is your targeted market for this automobile? It can't be for purists, so I assume it is intended for Grandma and Grandpa to drive to Walmart on Saturday and to church on Sunday. Not that there is anything wrong with that!

Depolo

Monday, 6 04:44:00

Love the 2013 Fusion! The styling is Great, PERIOD! Ford is right on target for the Fusion market. There are many people like myself, and I'm not a Grandpa, who are looking for a car that has style and performance! Performance doesn't mean just horsepower and going from 0-60 in 4 seconds, it also means good gas mileage! It's about time the 4 cylinder engines were developed. Ford's I-4's offer a good combination of horsepower and gas mileage. If you're looking to move along a little faster, the 2.0 L Eco-Boost with 250 lb torque (which is in the range of the V-6's) should move the new Fusion along quite nicely and still get good mileage. As far as those European car makers go, Consumer Reports has had them on the bottom of the list for Quality and Reliability for the last 4 years, whereas the Fusion has been on the top of the list!

Rick

Monday, 19 12:12:00

Mondeo + Aston = 2013 Fusion (design wise). Bottom line - looks absolutely stunning. I want one in white sooo bad!

google-7264c1e1c7cbc82ae8fd5151939e6144

Saturday, 24 08:21:00

NEED MORE POWER! When I saw this thing I was like: "Yes! a great looking new American car that I can buy for a kick-butt daily driver", then I see that they don't even have a V6 model anymore, or anything close to matching the power of the Altima or Camry.. Unfortunately that's making my decision easier. A 2.0 liter single turbo engine in a midsize car doesn't sound fun at all for a daily driver. Most of the time the turbo wouldn't even spool up during normal driving, which leaves you with the feel of a.. 2.0L four cylinder.. :|

ex-ford-guy

Wednesday, 28 04:04:00

The upcoming Fusion 2013 edition has an exciting high-technologically advanced features, effective and efficient engine options (hybrid) and spacious interior. Truly, it is an amazingly looking beautiful car.

Ford Fusion 2013

Sunday, 8 12:19:00

Some people are starting to realize that liquid fuels won't remain in abundance like they have in the past and just a little bit of planning ahead will start to look "innovative" to the clueless who only care about maximum performance. I expect that we will see gas lines again someday before alternative fuels really take off but of course I hope I am wrong.