Ford has already said the car will get 33mpg hwy with the base engine and at least 38mpg city for the hybrid. Final figures should be 22/33 for the base car just like the Malibu. I suspect this will be the fastest I-4 powered midsizer in the class. This appears to be the best all around package in this segment. The Accord shoudl automatically be removed from best in class consideration for lacking a hybrid. On the surface, the Fusion gets new front- and rear-end styling — enough of a facelift that, from some angles, it looks like a whole new model. The edgy grille continues Ford’s “three-bar” chrome design cue in what’s bound to be a polarizing expansion of the theme.Under its reshaped hood, the Fusion gets three powertrain options for 2010 - replacing the outgoing two motor lineup. The top two models will be equipped with a 6F35 six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. The entry-level four-cylinder version will come standard with a six-speed manual.
For 2010, the base four is upgraded to a 2.5-liter unit pumping out 175 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque with variable intake variable cam timing, new exhaust manifolds, and electronic throttle control. Ford says efficiency is up about 10 percent over the 2009 Fusion’s 20/28 city/highway mpg, though exact figures haven’t been released yet.
The next step up is a modified 3.0 liter V6 that puts out 240 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. A new air induction system and torque-actuated variable cam timing help boost power. The new cam design uses torsional energy instead of pressurized oil to phase the camshaft, which Ford says will helps save a bit of fuel, as well as improve response time.
The 3.0 V6 is also E85-capable. Ford says fuel economy is up 4 to 6 percent over the 2009 model.
New for 2010 is a 3.5-liter V6 — standard on the ‘Sport’ model. With 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque on tap, it is essentially the same V6 used in the Flex, Edge and a handful of other Ford vehicles.
The 2.5- and 3.0-liter Fusions will come with available electronic power steering. What’s more, the 3.0 features an extra-aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff that Ford says will also come on 2.5-liter models late in 2010.
