2007 Ford Fusion news, pictures, and information

2007 Highlights

The Ford Fusion is the company's first fully 'digital' car. It was completely designed, engineered and tested for manufacture in a digital environment — using the most advanced design tools available for precision, high quality and efficiency.

By drawing on these new tools and the company's global product development resources, Fusion's engineering team was able to bring the car to market faster than traditional vehicle-development programs.

These new tools also helped the engineers that reach their goal of maximizing the spaciousness for all occupants to challenge the class leaders in key interior dimensions such as front shoulder room, rear-seat legroom and trunk space.

Fusion designers also worked hard to ensure passengers can slip into the back seat wîth ease. In a packaging exercise, the designers even donned size 14 shoes to confirm that someone wîth that foot size could enter and exit without brushing the B-pillar scuff plate or the back of the front seat. Their goal was achieved by pushing the rear door as far back toward the C-pillar as possible. It's this kind of attention to detail that contributes to the overall package ingenuity of the Fusion, including such standard ergonomic niceties as a height-adjustable driver's seat and a tilt and telescope §teering wheel.

In addition to carrying people in comfort, Fusion is capable of making quick work of cargo. The roomy, 15.8-cubic-foot trunk boasts a flat load floor and low liftover height wîth compact decklid hinges that won't crush boxes or groceries. The rear seats feature a standard 60/40 split and fold-flat function wîth spring assist, allowing pass-through access to handle long items and provide best-in-class storage space. What's more, the ability to handle extra-long items has been increased for 2007 in the SE and the SEL, where a fold-down front seat back is now standard.

A choice of three distinct interior themes allows customers to personalize their driving environment. Owners have a choice among carbon graphite, wood or piano black accents. The inviting interior also has optional leather-covered seating surfaces wîth contrast stitching. Fusion's interior has many storage options, wîth a pop-up bin in the top of the instrument panel, a clamshell armrest, six cup holders, rear-seat armrests and one-touch 60/40 fold-flat rear seats.

On all models, a variety of high-end features is available, including a tilt and telescope §teering wheel, heated front seats, and a six-disc, in-dash CD player that also reads MP3-encoded audio discs. A standard auxiliary audio input jack, available SIRIÚS satellite radio and a DVD-based navigation system will all be available shortly after the 2007 model launches.

Powertrain and Chassis

The availability of all-wheel drive on V-6 models of the SE and the SEL is the big news for 2007. But it would not be the achievement it is if Fusion did not have such solid underpinnings.

Fusion's available all-wheel drive system was tuned wîth an emphasis toward driving performance while also offering confident all-weather driving. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed, throttle input and §teering angle to seamlessly deliver torque to the appropriate wheel even before wheel slippage occurs. The system also helps eliminate torque steer and helps balance the vehicle when cornering.

Satisfying ride and rewarding handling begin wîth a stiff chassis, and Fusion boasts torsional rigidity 12.7 percent higher than the already outstanding base architecture. This allows the four-wheel independent suspension to absorb driving harshness and respond more precisely to §teering inputs.

Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard, and a four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) wîth electronic brake force distribution is optional.

The soul of any car is its engine, and Fusion offers a choice of Ford's 2.3-liter, Duratec 23 inline four-cylinder (I-4) or 3.0-liter, Duratec 30 V-6. Both feature aluminum construction, dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake variable-cam timing and electronic throttle control to deliver smooth, spirited performance along wîth good fuel economy and emissions ratings.

The four-cylinder engine delivers 160 horsepower and can be paired wîth a five-speed manual or — unusual in this §egmènt — a five-speed automatic transaxle. Also good news for the environment, when mated to the automatic transaxle, the Duratec 23 I-4 is rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California. It is the Ford brand's third PZEV application, after the Escape Hybrid and Focus PZEV. The standard Duratec 23 and five-speed manual and automatic return 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

For even more power, there's the 221-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6, which is paired wîth an advanced six-speed automatic transaxle. Fusion was the first car in its class to offer such a sophisticated automatic. With this wide, 6:1 overall span, vs. 4.5:1 for a typical five-speed, the six-speed automatic delivers impressive performance as well as 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway.

Safety and Security

Fusion benefits from some of the latest safety technology available — from cutting-edge metallurgy to air bags. Shortly after the 2007 model launches, front-seat side air bags and side-impact air curtains will become standard on all models, as will an anti-theft perimeter alarm system. Additional standard advanced safety technology includes Ford's Personal Safety System® wîth dual-deployment front air bags, energy-absorbing safety belts and load-limiting retractors.

An example of the lengths to which Ford engineers have gone to enhance occupant protection can be seen in the steps they took designing Fusion to meet stringent new side-impact tests.

Fusion's B-pillars are made by welding two blanks of steel end-to-end, resulting in a stronger top of the vehicle and more flexible bottom. This facilitates energy absorption during a crash below the level of the occupants. The strong steel structure at the torso level and above helps prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Major Features and Options

	Vital Stats
Engine : 2.3 L., 4-cylinder Power: 160 hp Torque: 156 ft-lbs Engine : 3.0 L., 6-cylinder Power: 221 hp Torque: 205 ft-lbs
5-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic, 5-speed Manual

Fusion S includes: 160-hp Duratec 23 I-4 engine wîth five-speed manual transmission; bright chrome three-bar grille; quad halogen headlamps; integrated key fob transmitter; black power exterior mirrors; 16-inch steel wheels wîth premium wheel covers and P205/60R 16 tires; speed-sensitive windshield wipers; air conditioning; rear-seat armrest wîth dual cup holders; four-speaker AM/FM audio system wîth MP3-capable, single-disc CD player; auxiliary audio input jack (late availability); two-tier center console; dash-top storage compartment; solar-tinted glass; front and rear grab handles; dual 12-volt power points; four-way manual driver seat; rear 60/40-split, spring-assisted, fold-down bench seat; leather-wrapped shift knob; variable-assist power §teering; tilt and telescopic §teering wheel wîth speed controls; dual visor vanity mirrors; power locks; power windows wîth one-touch-down driver's side window; Beltminder™; rear-door child safety locks; Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system; emergency trunk release; enhanced side-intrusion protection system; illuminated entry; SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system; Personal Safety System®; and front-seat side air bags and side-impact air curtains (late availability).

Fusion SE adds: 16-inch aluminum wheels; fog lamps; body-color exterior side mirrors; SE badge; six-speaker premium AM/FM audio system wîth in-dash, six-disc, MP3-capable CD player; six-way power driver seat wîth manual lumbar adjustment; fold-down front-passenger seat (late availability); unique center stack appliqué; front seat-back map pockets; message center wîth trip computer; §teering wheel wîth speed control and redundant audio controls; dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors; and dual exhaust tips (V-6 models).

Fusion SEL adds to SE equipment: automatic headlights; bright belt line molding; heated exterior mirrors wîth puddle lamps; SEL badges; 17-inch-by-7-inch aluminum wheels wîth P225/50R 17 performance-rated tires; electronic automatic climate control; upgraded cloth interior; analog clock; compass; electrochromic rearview mirror; unique appliqués for instrument panel and center stack; and leather-wrapped §teering wheel wîth speed control and redundant audio and climate controls.

Options include: all-wheel drive (requires ABS); ABS; five-speed automatic transaxle for Duratec 23 I-4 models; Audiophile eight-speaker sound system; power moonroof; traction control (front-wheel drive only); leather seating surfaces; heated seats and the following items shortly after the 2007 model year launches:

SIRIÚS satellite radio (SE and SEL only)
DVD-based navigation system (SE and SEL only)
Rear spoiler (SE and SEL only)
I-4 Appearance Package for SE wîth Black, Tungsten or Red Fire exteriors and Charcoal Black cloth interior, featuring black chrome grille, 17-inch wheels wîth black painted pockets, fog lamps wîth color-keyed bezels, and red stitching and leather accents on seats, door trim, §teering wheel and console