Well there it is.
....What? Oh you want to know more, do you? All right. The '13 Fusion for the US gets a whole new platform, now shared with the Euro market Ford Mondeo. This is part of Ford's effort to globalize as many of its cars as possible. This can only be a good thing for us Americans, as the Mondeo has been praised as a great driver's car over in Europe.
The part you're likely all interested in is what's under the hood. In that regard you've got a few choices to make. Actually a lot of choices to make. The base motivator is carryover from 2012--a 2.5L DOHC four making 170HP and 170lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. There's a hyper-efficient gas option, which pairs a 1.6L Ecoboost four with a 6-speed stick. Yeah you read that right, the Fusion is getting it's shift back. The good news? With 179HP and 172lb-ft of torque, the eco-ride won't be a snooze-fest. The better news? You get a mid-size sedan with an estimated 37 MPG on the highway--the best of any nonhybrid in its class. The top of the line engine is a 2.0L Ecoboost making 237HP and 250lb-ft of torque, but it's only available with the slushbox. AWD is also available for the top-line Fusion, making what's likely already a sure-footed car even more planted to the road.
Hang on, I'm not done yet with powertrain options. Let it never be said Ford doesn't give the customer a choice. The Fusion will also keep its hybrid option. Paired with a 2.0L non-turbo four (no official HP figures as of yet) the Fusion Hybrid will get up to 47 MPG highway. That's better than the Prius, with more interior room, much better looks and a whole lot less smug. And I'm STILL not done, as a plug-in hybrid system is also going to be offered--though details like battery pack size and EV-only range haven't been released yet.
Yes, the V6 is gone. It was ditched to give the Fusion some breathing room between it and the uplevel Taurus. I don't see this as a big deal however. The Malibu is ditching its V6 option, and I'd imagine more mid-size sedans will follow suit if gas prices keep going up.
Look for the Fusion on dealer lots later this Fall.
Both the fusion and the taurus look like they are getting facelifts this coming year... and I must say they do look magnificent in their new skin. Kinda dissapointed on the no v6 thing, but very excited about the new style. Should do wonders for the brand... one comment a friend gave is that they should really get rid of the taurus label, as in his words it has been "blighted"... I might be subject to agree with him... >.>
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