2013 Ford Fusion Spy Shots
Spy shots like that don't tell us much. All we can tell is that they've sanded off the edges and rounded the shape. The current Fusion is less crisp and good-looking that the original, let's hope this one isn't.
Those wheels look pretty ugly.
Those wheels look pretty ugly.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
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As for the rims, they are covered in the same swirly camo as some of the car itself.
Uh-oh...I'm getting a premonition of "Suddenly it's 1996!" As in, Ford Taurus. Gawd, I hope not!
I am going to predict that this car will give Hyundia Sonata's recent success a run for its money. Much more so than the new Malibu or especially the new Camry. What were those guys at Toyota smoking, that Camry looks so plain Jane it is pitiful. I believe that consumers are looking for more these days.
I just went to the Ford website and I gotta say, that an adjective came to my mind that isn't often used to describe mainstream midsized cars... "Sexy!"
I really like that pale silvery blue-green that the hybrid on the right is sporting. Reminds me of the light jadestone that my old '82 Cutlass Supreme coupe had.
I had been thinking about buying a new car in the spring, and was leaning toward something like an Altima, Fusion, or Accord. But, I might just have to wait until this new Fusion comes out, and give it a look!
On another subject, what do you think of the '13 Dart, from the pictures you've seen and the descriptions? Do you think that Dodge will display the Dart at the Washington Auto Show?
I have mixed feelings about it. I think it looks good, up to about the B-pillar. But beyond that, it just has sort of a lumpy, awkward, egg-shaped look to it that I don't like. And the rump is too stubby. I do like the taillights, though.
But, maybe it'll grow on me after awhile. I'll be curious to see what the Dart is like, in person. I have a feeling it'll be too small for my tastes. I could see them showing the Dart at the DC auto show. They usually have a pretty good turnout there when it comes to concepts and near-future cars.
And yeah, hopefully the 2013 Fusion will be a better car than my '82 Cutlass was! Now, that thing was a nice riding, handling, comfortable car that was roomy for its size. And fuel economy wasn't bad for the era. But it was slow from a standstill. And, the transmission went out on it at 61,000, and the 231 V-6 was pretty much trashed by ~73,000. So I hope the new Fusion does better than that!
Funny thing is, they said the same exact thing about new Taurus SHO when it was first announced, but sadly, no such AWD system even existed at Ford at that time, and I'm skeptical that one exist now.
Would appreciate any info if anyone runs across some!
Unfortunately, I've heard that most midsized cars are going to be dropping their V-6 options in the near future, because of impending stricter fuel economy standards.
Plus, V-6 production is usually relatively low in this segment. Just out of curiosity, I checked a local dealer's website to see the inventory breakdown by engine for the 2012 Toyota Camry. They carry a lot of brands, but unfortunately, no Fords,so I couldn't use the Fusion as a reference.
Anyway, they had 160 Camrys in stock.
8 of them were hybrids (5%)
17 were V-6 (10.6%)
135 were 4-cyl (84.4%).
They do have 9 used Fusions in stock. 7 of them are 4-cyl, 2 are V-6.
So, alas, my guess is the V-6 is going the way of the dinosaur...in midsized cars, at least.
Well, that does it; I guess we'll both have to buy an SHO
I was once afflicted with a turbo from that era, as well. A 1988 Chrysler LeBaron turbo coupe which, actually, was a nice little car. It went downhill fast after around 90,000 miles. I gave it to my ex-wife when we divorced, and I think it was around 115,000 miles that the turbo finally died, and the cylinder head warped and blew the head gasket. In that car's defense, it did get stolen a few times, and I doubt the joyriders were very kind to it.
If I was going to get a new midsized car nowadays, I'd just go with the 4-cyl version as, like you said, most of them are more than fast enough. But still, I miss the effortless power of some of those bigger engines of days gone by.
But that, like the Ford F/awd system, is only a part-time "automatic" F/awd system, only engaged at times in which loss of front traction is most likely to be compromised. Under low speed acceleration, or in a low speed turn, and/or an accelerating turn.
Significant improvement but still no CIGAR.
Not saying the new Fusion turbo is going to be a disappointment, but I'm not really sure how that little horsepower and torque is going to move a car that heavy. I really would've thought the former V6 Duratec would've been a terrific option for this car. I personally wouldn't walk away from 28-29 MPG in a car THAT good looking, and THAT sporty.
And the only way to get a V6 is with the MKZ.
Personally I think a 300 hp AWD 2.5L EB is more likely than the 3.5L but you never know.
Only if the torque distribution under low speed acceleration, turning tightly, or acceleration into/through a turn, would result in something like a 20/80 F/R apportioning.
Even at that with a stick shift it had better be equipped with VW's new engine "up-rev" technique for safe downshifting.