2009 Ford Fusion to Get Boost in Power

The Ford Fusion has done well for Ford since it debuted as a 2006 model. Not only did it carve out a niche for the automaker in the midsize sedan market, it framed the new look for Ford with its bold three-bar grille.

However, the Fusion is showing its age and for 2009 it will get a slightly revised look and a new more powerful base engine. The 160-hp four-cylinder in the current S and SE trim levels will be replaced with a 170-hp four-cylinder and will be teamed with a six-speed automatic instead of the current five-speed. That likely means better fuel economy; the Fusion is currently rated at 20/29 mpg city/highway. Ford told dealers it would deliver “best in class” fuel economy, which is currently the 2009 Hyundai Sonata at 22/32 mpg.

A more powerful and fuel-efficient V-6 may also be in the works for the Fusion. Expect to learn more specific details when the 2009 is announced later this year.

Ford adds power to Fusion (Detroit News)

Ford Incentives Up, Include Specialty Models

April has begun, and Ford has updated its incentives for the rest of the month. There are some very interesting deals to be had. We’ll break down all the models soon enough, but the most interesting tidbit of information for car enthusiasts is that both the Ford Mustang Bullitt and the upcoming Ford F-150 Chip Foose Edition are getting cash back just like their plain-jane brethren. 

The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt is already on sale, and the Bullitt package costs an additional $3,310 on top of the cost of a regular Ford Mustang GT. Rebates range from $1,000 to $1,500, with an additional $1,000 offered in some regions if you go with Ford Credit to purchase the vehicle.*

Depending on where you live, that means you could pay just a $810 premium to have the special edition, which adds horsepower and suspension tweaks.

The 2008 Ford F-150 Chip Foose Edition isn’t on sale yet, but the roughly $55,000 sport truck will come to market over the next few months with between $3,000 and $3,500 cash back (plus that potential $1,000 in financing cash) on the intricately detailed hood.

Other rebates are more pedestrian, but still noteworthy:

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Ford Fusion

In its third year on the market, the 2008 Ford Fusion still satisfies expert reviewer Kelsey Mays. While it may not be top dog in the family sedan segment, he says its low sticker price makes it a bargain for its category. Good handling and neat, "athletic" design go a long way toward helping the Fusion earn Kelsey's recommendation. Read his full review on Cars.com.

2008 Ford Fusion Expert Review (Cars.com)

This Week in Ask.cars.com

We’ve all heard that, second to the average person’s home, their most valuable possession is their car. When it’s time to buy that car and you have no idea where to start, there’s no doubt the decision is daunting. This week at Ask.cars.com, we answered that very question — where a first-time car buyer should start the search — plus a few more things that puzzled readers.

• Any suggestions for a first-time car buyer?
• Is the 2008 Nissan 350Z going to change in looks from the 2007?
• How can you find if a car is made in America?
• Is there going to be a Saturn Aura Red Line model in 2008 or 2009?
• How do I find what my car is worth?
• What are some cheap seven-passenger vehicles?
• When will the 2008 Ford Fusion hit showrooms?
• Can I get heated seats with cloth instead of leather?

Ford Announces Sync Strategy, Price

Ford’s new Microsoft Sync in-car entertainment and communication system has a price tag, and it’s not that bad. For $395, buyers will be able to add the option onto selected Ford and Mercury vehicles and it will be standard equipment on Lincoln models.

Besides Lincolns, higher-end trims of Ford and Mercury vehicles will eventually come with Sync standard. The first models to get Sync will be the 2008 Ford Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Taurus X, Edge, Explorer and Sport Trac, and the Lincoln MKX and MKZ. Sync should start becoming available on those models before the end of the year. 

Sync has Bluetooth capability and integrates peripherals like MP3 players into the system using voice recognition software. That means you can surf through your iPod’s playlists with voice commands. It also will read text messages from your phone aloud, even translating abbreviations like LOL. Plus it’s multilingual for English, French and Spanish speakers. Check out the video below for Ford’s promotional take on the new technology.

And on a personal note, as a Zune owner, I’m excited to finally see a press photo with something other than an iPod in it.

Friday Fleet Notes: 7.20.07

A lot of folks got behind the wheel of a new Volvo S80 with the base engine. The varying opinions are an interesting read. We also get some seat impressions on Ford’s Fusion sedan, one of the company’s most important offerings. Our resident answerman, Joe Bruzek, also offers his take on the grandpa-like Kia Amanti.

2007 Volvo S80 3.2

I thought the S80 we tested in March, a well-equipped model powered by a V-8, was nice — not a knockout, but nice. This week’s model, modestly equipped and powered by a 3.2-liter inline-six, leaves me a bit flat. My main problem with it is the acceleration, which isn’t lacking so much as lagging. Nowadays people are quick to call practically any vehicle underpowered. I don’t buy it. This one’s 235 hp and six-speed automatic are a decent match, I just experienced too much hesitation when I hit the pedal, especially from a standstill or low speed. In my opinion, the danger of modest power in traffic is overstated, as is the danger of inconsistent, unpredictable hesitation.

Fantasy Ford Lineup

It’s a few days before the NFL Draft, baseball season is in full swing and plenty of people are sitting at their desks “working” on mock drafts or setting their fantasy team’s lineup. So, why can’t we do that with our friends in the auto industry? In an article in the Detroit News today, analysts (How do you become an analyst, anyway? Is there an analyst school or something?) talked about how old Ford’s lineup is and how they don’t see much in the pipeline.

All the brands Ford owns — Volvo, Land Rover, Mazda and even Jaguar — have bright future lineups. But Ford itself, along with its siblings Mercury and Lincoln, has a bleak outlook. The only future vehicles we know about are the Flex crossover, which isn’t coming until late 2008, and a new Mustang sometime in 2009. That’s it. Otherwise, we’re looking at the renamed Taurus and Taurus X and the freshened-up Focus and Escape. The only bright spots are the Fusion and Edge. So what does Ford need to develop to turn things around? We give our fantasy ideas below; leave your thoughts in the comments.

Consumer Reports Applauds New Vehicles From Ford and GM

Toyota and Honda still rule the annual car issue of Consumer Reports, but this year Ford and GM are happy to be gaining ground as important models like the Ford Fusion and Chevy Tahoe topped future reliability rankings. However, only six of the top 47 most reliable models were domestics. The issue is on sale now and includes results from surveys of 1.3 million vehicle owners.

Customer satisfaction greatly favored the Japanese, who were responsible for 26 of the 45 top-rated vehicles. European automakers followed with 11, and the domestics moved from four to seven of the top vehicles in satisfaction ratings. 

[Ford, GM Gain With Redesigns, The Detroit News]

All-Wheel-Drive Ford Fusion Gets Price Tag

Ford just announced the starting price for the new all-wheel-drive Fusion sedan: $23,430, including destination. The new Fusion arrives at dealers this week in V-6 SE ($23,430) and SEL ($24,525) trims. Ford is touting the all-wheel-drive models as less expensive than both the V-6 equipped Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, both of which cost about $500 more than the Fusion and neither of which come with all-wheel drive. 

Consumer demand for all-wheel-drive vehicles is growing, especially in cold-weather states, and the competitive pricing should help attract more customers to the Fusion. The Subaru Legacy sedan also features all-wheel drive standard, and starts in the low-$20,000 range.

Cars.comparison Pits Camry vs. Fusion vs. Optima

Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley just finished a three-way shootout between some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. The two compared four-cylinder versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Kia Optima in a number of categories, including ride, handling and safety. For savvy readers, the winner won’t be much of a surprise, but seeing which vehicle fared best in each category makes for some intriguing reading.

Cars.comparison: Midsize Sedans

Ford Fusion Coming to Happy Meals

Hot on the exhaust pipe of Hummer’s recent foray as a McDonald’s Happy Meal prize, Ford is offering a limited edition jet-equipped Fusion Hot Wheels toy. Of course, the jet engine is non-functional and Fusion is part of a collection of eight cars, but it’s the only one that resembles a production car. Ford is hoping the marketing attempt rubs off on parents looking for a family sedan, but we’re not so sure on how you measure that. 

[Source: Ford]