Ford Fusion

Information Specification Image Review 2013 Ford Fusion

Embargo breaks are par for the course with big auto shows, and this years Detroit Auto Show is no different. The 2013 Ford Fusion appears to be big target this time around, with this being our second early look at the Blue Ovals redesigned mid-size sedan. These two images from Czech website Auto Forum, while a bit pixelated, reveal much more than the shot we showed you earlier that escaped Fords clutches courtesy of a bug in the Fusion iPad app.

Here the influence of the Ford Evos concept that debuted last August at the Frankfurt Motor Show is plainly evident. From the hexagonal grille to the headlights, fog lamps and lower air inlet, all of the Evos front fascia elements are there and arranged in a very similar fashion.

Unfortunately, we cant say much more about the 2013 Ford Fusion until the actual embargo lifts at 12:01 AM EST tonight, but you can talk about it all you want in the comments. Just make sure to come back here at midnight for the full story.

The exterior styling of the new Fusion is part Jaguar, part Aston Martin, with some Audi A7 thrown in for good measure. To say its good looking almost doesnt cover it. An aggressive, yet taut stance gives the new sedan a presence the previous generations never had. Up front are a set of projector headlights while the rear features LED taillights with light pipes providing a distinct rear end.

Inside the new Fusion youll find a barrage of technology ranging from the available MyFord Touch system to the adaptive cruise control and driver-alertness monitoring system. Leather and cloth seats will be available, and both front and rear seats are spacious enough for four adults.

 We are more confident discussing what Ford didn’t have to disguise: powertrains. Ford will likely offer the 2013 Fusion with at least one naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine making around 170 or so hp. A powerful V-6 like the one available in the current car isn’t likely, as a turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder should take over as the top mill. The turbo 2.0-liter will make 247 hp in the upcoming Focus ST, and would do quite well as the uplevel engine in the Fusion. The hybrid will definitely return, and we expect to see its combined fuel-economy rating squeak past the 40-mpg mark. (The current hybrid’s combined figure is 39 mpg.)

Our hope is that at least one of these engines will come with a traditional manual transmission (the European Mondeo certainly will offer the option), but six-speed automatics and dual-clutch trannies will do the shifting for the majority of American Fusions. More significant, perhaps, the Fusion will receive a fair amount of Euro-flavored chassis tuning to match its European styling. That bodes well for the Fusion: The more European Ford’s U.S.-market products feel, the more warmly they tend to be received—we just crowned the Focus champion of a hard-fought five-car comparison test. If the next Fusion is anything like its little brother, Ford won’t have any trouble maintaining the car’s sales momentum.source:autoblog.com,thecarconnection.com,caranddriver.com