Inside, Fusion challenges the class leaders in roominess, including front shoulder room, rear seat legroom and trunk space.
A choice of three distinct interior themes allows customers to personalize their driving environment.
On all models, a variety of high-end features are available, including tilt-and-telescope §teering wheel, heated front seats and a six-disc in-dash CD player that also reads MP3-encoded audio discs.
GREAT TO DRIVE 
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.
'The Fusion's §teering is responsive and agile,' explains Brian Vought, Fusion chief engineer. 'We spent a lot of time to get just the right §teering feel.'
Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard on Fusion, and a 4-sensor, 3-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) wîth electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is optional.
The soul of any driver's car is its engine, and Fusion offers a choice of Ford's 2.3-liter Duratec 23 I-4 or 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V-6. Both feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) 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 automatic transaxle. Also good news for the environment, the Duratec 23 I-4 will be rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California. It will be the Ford brand's third PZEV application, after the Escape Hybrid and Focus PZEV.
For even more power, there's the 210-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6, which is paired wîth an advanced six-speed automatic transaxle.
ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Fusion benefits from some of the latest safety technologies available – from cutting-edge metallurgy to air bags. For example, the Fusion is designed 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.
Inside, Fusion has a long list of advanced safety technologies to protect occupants. They include Ford's Personal Safety System™ wîth dual deployment front air bags, energy-absorbing safety belts and load-limiting retractors.
PEOPLE AND CARGO CAPABLE 
Inside, engineers set out to maximize the spaciousness of Ford's all-new CD3 architecture for all occupants, stretching the width 30 millimeter (1.18 inches) and the length 55 millimeter (2.17 inches) 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. Its 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. What's more, the rear seats feature a standard 60/40 split and fold-flat function wîth spring assist, allowing pass-through access to handle extra long items and provide best-in-class storage space.
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT, SMART MANÚFACTÚRING
The 2006 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, 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 Fusion to market faster than traditional vehicle-development programs.
ON SALE IN 2005
Fusion is the first vehicle from Ford's new CD3 architecture, which will eventually be the basis for up to ten unique vehicles in North America and approximately 800,000 vehicles annually over time.
Fusion will be built at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico.
The vehicle will go on sale in the Ú.S., Canada and Mexico beginning in the fall of 2005.
FÚSION LEADS FORD INTO THE FÚTÚRE
Fusion will continue to make news well into the future wîth significant drivetrain advances.
A year after launch, an optional all-wheel-drive system will be offered.
Later, a hybrid powertrain will be added – making Fusion the fourth full hybrid in the Ford Motor Company stable, following the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Mazda Tribute Hybrid.
