10 Fusion experts

[YipMan_Style]

We all know Ford Fusion is based on the old Mazda 6. Mazda 6 have moved on to a "all new" platform.

Is the 10 Fusion really a "new" car? Or just a new skin on an old body? Execpt the front, the basic lines are the same as the old Fusion.

What's your take on the 10 Fusion?

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by YipMan_Style

Is the 10 Fusion really a "new" car? Or just a new skin on an old body?

Minor sheet metal and interior changes.

What's your take on the 10 Fusion?

The big changes are in the powertrain. The 2.5L 6 speed automatic are now are excellent choice for a commuter car that can hold 4 "full sized" adults comfortably. And it actually gets better fuel economy than the 2.3L/5 speed auto combo.

The V6 has more horsepower and same fuel economy.

The Sport version comes with the 3.5L out of the Taurus, so it really should fly !


Big changes in 2012MY when Fusion and Mondeao go to a common platform.

[YipMan_Style]

So this current (redesigned) car will only live for 2 years? That's a pretty short lifecycle.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by YipMan_Style

So this current (redesigned) car will only live for 2 years? That's a pretty short lifecycle.

Get used to it. Ford is "turning the crank" a lot faster these days.

Also combining the Fusion with the Mondeao (they will be pretty much the same car but will keep their own name badge) will save money !!

[crazy96863]

Originally Posted by YipMan_Style

So this current (redesigned) car will only live for 2 years? That's a pretty short lifecycle.

They seem to be moving away from riding an outdated platform for 10 - 15 years with only minor trim mods. If I am not mistaken this is sort of similar to way back in the day such as in the 50's where a line ran for 3 years or so.

The lack of diversity in their model line up had been a big complaint amoungst critics. Regardless of the specific reasons (I am sure there are many) I can certainly appreciate the constant fresh face on their lineup.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by crazy96863

They seem to be moving away from riding an outdated platform for 10 - 15 years with only minor trim mods.

In some ways yes and in some ways no.

Ford has divided a vehicle into 4 major "pieces", the platform (everything under the sheetmetal), the powertrain, the "top hat" (sheetmetal). You can expect a major change about every 3 years. The interior is considered a minor piece and will have changes almost yearly.

In the future you will rarely see more than 1 of the major pieces change model year to model year. Minor changes to the platform (different wheel base width or length, springs shocks, steering) will be allowed for different top hats (Taurus, Flex and the 2011 Explorer will all be the same platform).

The next gen Fusion will be a Mondeao in everything but name and powertrain choices. For the 2012MY Mondeao there will be some minor tweaks to the platform and new sheetmetal, so what will look like an all new Fusion is not really all new. What is interesting is that the new Mondeao and Fusion will launch on both sides of the Atlantic in the same model year, as opposed to the Fiesta which is launching in Mexico over a year after it launched in Europe.

[crazy96863]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

In some ways yes and in some ways know.

Ford has divided a vehicle into 4 major "pieces", the platform (everything under the sheetmetal), the powertrain, the "top hat" (sheetmetal). You can expect a major change about every 3 years. The interior is considered a minor piece and will have changes almost yearly.

In the future you will rarely see more than 1 of the major pieces change model year to model year. Minor changes to the platform (different wheel base width or length, springs shocks, steering) will be allowed for different top hats (Taurus, Flex and the 2011 Explorer will all be the same platform).

The next gen Fusion will be a Mondeao in everything but name and powertrain choices. For the 2012MY Mondeao there will be some minor tweaks to the platform and new sheetmetal, so what will look like an all new Fusion is not really all new. What is interesting is that the new Mondeao and Fusion will launch on both sides of the Atlantic in the same model year, as opposed to the Fiesta which is launching in Mexico over a year after it launched in Europe.

This all makes sense and is more or less my point but quite eliquantly detailed - thanks! While much of the hardware is shared the impression is with the end result that it's 'all new'; in our superficial society this works. once again, I can certainly appreciate the freshness with each model year.

This also reduces the number of a single model produced; this is something they have adopted from the imports - the idea is to improve resale values. As most of us know this is one of Honda's strong points.

[xmech2k]

Here's a question for the Fusion experts hereSorry if it seems OT, I think it's related)

I got an SE, as I liked the options, but I have to wonder why the SE gets steel rims with hubcaps, but the S, the 'lower' option model, gets alloy rims? Mind you, the SE hubcaps do a pretty OK job in faking it, just wondering why? Are the alloy rims lower weight for better mileage?

[werpknarly]

2010 looks like a 'half' model change. we just picked one up saturday, our dau has an 2008. we nearly bought a 2008 with the excate options we wanted, but it was about the same payment, only one more year, to buy a 2010. it had enough more bells and whisles and looked better, AND was NEW. so we jumped.

[theoldwizard]

Unfortunately the strategy does not work for some US vehicles.

The F-Series truck are much to big for the "rest of world". It will stay unique to North America.

Same with E-Series. In this case the rumor is the E-Series will be replace by the Transit (not the Transit Connect). I'm not in favor of this, as the E350-E450 can carry a lot more !