2010 Ford Fusion review

2010 Ford Fusion

By Jim McCraw

On Sale: Spring 2009
Expected Pricing: $18,000-$26,000

The 2010 Ford Fusion gets a major facelift and an expanded lineup that offers something for everyone.

A new range of engines delivers more power and improved fuel efficiency throughout the line. A new Fusion Hybrid model boasts the latest in technology for 47-mph cruising in electric-only mode, nirvana for commuters. Meanwhile, a new Fusion Sport model promises to bring more driving excitement to the line with a powerful 3.5-liter V6. The new Fusion lineup will offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter not available on the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.

The 2010 Fusion boasts a bigger, bolder three-bar grille design than that of the current model (2009 and earlier), with freshening on the rear and upgrades to the interior.

Most important are the three engine upgrades: The four-cylinder engine has been enlarged from 2.3 to 2.5 liters, boosting power to 175 horsepower and 172 foot-pounds of torque. The new 2.5-liter four-cylinder will be available with either a CVT automatic transmission, a six-speed manual transmission, or a new six-speed automatic transmission, each of which yields greater highway fuel economy than the transmissions in the 2008 models. Ford says preliminary testing of the new Fusion shows highway fuel economy in the range of 33 miles per gallon along with quicker 0-60 acceleration performance than that of the four-cylinder competition.

The 3.0-liter V6 engine, the first optional engine for the new model year, has also been given a substantial power and torque upgrade, to 240 horsepower, available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The new V6 has variable intake-valve closing technology and uses electric, not hydraulic power steering to save fuel. The 3.0-liter V6 engine is E85 flex-fuel capable, with a rating of 250 horsepower on E85 ethanol/gasoline, and capable of 0-60 times under eight seconds flat. The SelectShift six-speed automatic transmission features full manual control of shifting and adds a Grade Assist function that blocks out sixth gear, allows better engine braking on downhills, and holds each gear longer.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine adds driving excitement to an upcoming Fusion Sport model. The 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 263 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque and is available only with the six-speed automatic. Ford says the 2010 Fusion Sport will cover the 0-60 sprint in seven seconds flat with equal or better fuel economy than the leading competitors.

The new 2010 Fusion Hybrid features a completely new, all-Ford hybrid gas-electric system designed specifically for the Fusion and Milan. The system is supported by a new 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine making 155 horsepower and 136 foot-pounds of torque.

The electronic continuously variable transmission or eCVT that is at the heart of the Fusion hybrid system has 130 percent higher motor output and 160 percent higher generator output, and is quieter in operation than the hybrid system found on the current Ford Escape. The Fusion Hybrid also has a new feature that decouples the battery voltage from the transmission for higher overall efficiency. Ford says the new system has 14 percent higher output current, 20 percent greater power per cell, yet takes up 27 percent less space in the car and weighs 42 percent less than the previous system. The new system uses 17 percent fewer nickel metal hydride D cells to generate 31 watts more power, and uses cabin air cooling instead of fresh air or air conditioning. It operates at 275 volts instead of 330 volts as in the previous system.

Ford says the new system shuts the engine off automatically at stops and can operate in all-electric mode at speeds up to 47 mph. That means the engine may not have to kick in at all in heavy stop-and-go traffic, which might make commuting slightly less dreadful. Combined city/highway driving is expected to be around 39 miles per gallon.

Ford says that, in addition to the system upgrades, it has changed the braking system on the Fusion to feel more like a conventional hydraulic power brake system. The revised regenerative braking system can now capture 94 percent of the energy normally lost to friction in braking. The new electric air conditioning system can operate with the engine off, and has better low-temperature operation and faster window defogging than the previous system.

The icing on the cake is a completely new SmartGauge reconfigurable instrument cluster with four different EcoGuide display modes that places all charging information directly in front of the driver and can coach the driver to better fuel economy, adding green leaves as driver behavior and fuel economy improves.

The all-new 2010 Mercury Milan will share all of the above with the 2010 Ford Fusion lineup.

Source By : http://nctd.com