Ford Fusion – Page 2 – Automobiles Review

2013 Ford NASCAR Fusion with the CFD as a key tool in development [VIDEO]

2013 Ford NASCAR Fusion was enhanced thanks to the CFD. And if you wonder what this abbreviation means – it stands for Computational Fluid Dynamics. In fact, this was the key tool of the development of the new NASCAR Fusion.

To go further into details, the Computational Fluid Dynamics is an engineering tool used by many industries in the world. With it they look at the aerodynamics of the vehicle on the computer, in order to make better, more efficient cars.

The brand new racing car was created in relatively short time – only for 18 months. This was the reason, a method such as CDF to become an integral part to the process. Furthermore, nowadays the engineers are not allowed to test the cars any track race, hence computer-aided and engineering tools like this are becoming more and more valuable.

2013 Ford NASCAR Fusion

Another advantage, next to being able to make a series of changes in a short period of time, is the ability of CDF to show the aerodynamic strengths and weaknesses of the vehicle from a variety of perspectives.

With this technology, the engineers can see the flow of air over the car, as well as the pressures on the surfaces. Here’s a video where professionals from Ford discuss the process of utilization of this technology.

Source: Ford

July 26, 2012

2013 Ford Fusion Being Sustainable

Ford seem to be aware that the latest fad is to go organic. The shops are brimming with lettuce which has been (so they tell us) grown out in the open, natural fertilizers, no pesticides no GMO no nothing. Indeed, very healthy and sustainable. But consider a 2013 Ford Fusion now and try to draw a parallel. Some of the materials used in it, Ford people say, are completely organic, recyclable and downright green.

“Building vehicles with great fuel economy is our highest priority in reducing impact on the environment,” says Carrie Majeske, Ford product sustainability manager. “With every new product design, we also are charged with increasing the use of renewable and recyclable materials in our cars, utilities and trucks to reduce impact on the environment.”

Issues like noise and vibrations have been tackled with something very common in real life and yet it sounds out of place – denim. That’s right, more than two pairs of jeans have given it’s life for the sake of comfort and convenience. Inside, the upholstery is made with pure Repreve yarn which is woven from both post-industrial and post-consumer waste products. The models that will carry such kind of cloth on theirs seats would contain an equivalent of 38.9 recycled, clear 16-ounce plastic bottles. Supposedly, the material is strong as well.

The soft bits within the seats have been garnished with soybeans. Soy foam to be exact. A single Fusion requires approximately 31,250 which sounds a lot but remember; it’s sustainable. It’s not that uncommon actually. The technology was first introduced in 2007 and Ford have been making cars with soy ever since.

Various, not-that-important bits are protected from plastics. Plastics of former car batteries so it’s cheap to replace as well.

“We are holistic in reducing our environmental footprint by utilizing post-industrial (blue jeans), post-consumer (battery cases) and sustainable materials technologies (soy foam),” Majeske says. “We do whatever makes the most sense for each application and environmentally from a lifecycle perspective.“

Source: Ford

May 30, 2012

What’s in Store at Ford for 2013?

The 2013 model season is an exciting one for the Ford Motor Company. Financially and creatively, Ford is in the midst of a renaissance, and the consumer is already reaping the benefits of that resurgence. This is especially true in the car markets, where the exciting options range from sedans to hatches to coupes. In that spirit, let’s examine the top five car models that will cause a stir at Ford Canada dealers this year.

Ford Fusion

The Fusion has been a best-seller among mid-size sedans in America for several years, so it surprised many when Ford announced a total redesign. The new model will get a dramatic style overhaul, and consumers will have their choice of three conventional engines or a gas-electric or plug-in hybrid. The base engine will be a 2.5L four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower. A turbocharged 2.0L makes 237 hp. The Fusion Hybrid uses the 2.0L along with a li-ion battery pack, which lets it outperform the Toyota Camry at 47 mph in the city.

Ford Focus

The biggest change with the 2013 edition of the Ford Focus is the ST, a performance model that many are affectionately referring to as the “hot hatch.” The ST is the successor to the Focus SVT, which was available in the early 2000s and gave the best German and Japanese front-wheel-drive compacts a run for their money. The biggest upgrade that the ST brings is a 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 252 hp, which is 92 hp more than the standard Focus model makes. The ST includes a 6-speed manual transmission, and Ford does not plan to offer an automatic version.

Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus boasts a large trunk and a big, comfortable interior, and it is one of the most appealing interpretations of the classic full-size sedan on the market. For 2013, Ford is simply refreshing the exterior and adding an array of conveniences to all trim levels. The biggest change is under the hood, where the base engine will now be a 3.5L V6 that makes 290 hp. The EPA estimates the fuel performance at 19/29/23 city/highway/combined mpg. The standard equipment package is quite nice and includes 17-inch wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning, and a six-speaker audio system.

Ford Fiesta

In North America, there’s been a great deal of focus — pun intended — on the 250-hp ST, but in Europe, the focus has been on the Fiesta, an even smaller hot hatch. The 2013 Fiesta ST, which will also be available in Canada, is a 3-door version of the ST concept car that turned heads at last year’s L.A. auto show. Like the concept, the Fiesta ST has a 1.6L EcoBoost inline-four engine that makes 177 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and Ford has promised 60 mph in less than seven seconds.

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang needs no introduction. It is classic American musclecar, and while there is a new Mustang generation on the horizon, the current one is still a top muscle car and one of the best values on the sports car market. The Mustang is available as coupe and convertible and in six trim levels: V6, V6 Premium, GT, GT Premium, Boss 302, and the Shelby GT500. The basic 3.7L V6 makes 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, and the Shelby 350GT makes a whopping 662 hp and 613 lb-ft of torque.

May 28, 2012

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the Most Fuel-Efficient Sedan in the U.S.

The new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is expected to be America’s most fuel-efficient non-rechargeable sedan. This success can be traced back to Ford’s electrified vehicle team and the nearly 500 patents Ford now holds for its hybrid technology. Innovations can be found throughout Ford’s transformed lineup, one-third of which will feature a model with 40 mpg or further by giving fuel-efficiency-minded customers the power of choice. Key components such as Ford’s innovative powersplit architecture system are included on vehicles like the new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.

In details the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is expected to deliver 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. At the same time, these expectations for the new 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, which arrives this fall in the U.S. dealerships, are more than 100 MPGe. In addition, one patent covers the display system for the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid that shows how efficiently the power of the car is being used. Fusion Energi is projected to achieve a better miles per gallon. In other words the levels of innovation are set very high for the new upcoming models.

Source: Ford

February 15, 2012

2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car

Ford is going back in NASCAR with the 2013 Ford Fusion Sprint Cup car, which was unveiled as part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. It is specially created by Ford designers in an effort to bring brand identity back to the sport.

Featuring a completely redesigned sleek new silhouette and fresh face, the 2013 Fusion Sprint Cup car was designed to be the face of a new era of stock car racing.

”We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return ‘stock car’ to NASCAR.” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing.

“I think fans, when they see the car, are just going to smile and cheer. It is going to reengage them with the sport and make the sport better because there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in their driveways.”, he added.

Ford Design Center staff, led by Garen Nicoghosian, and Ford aerodynamicist Bernie Marcus, spent the past year doing the early design development, freeing up the Ford race teams to concentrate on weekly NASCAR competition.

The new NASCAR Fusion entries will be tested throughout the 2012 campaign in preparation for their racing debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 in February.

New 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car

Source: Ford

January 26, 2012

2013 Ford Mondeo [first pictures]

Ford has released first two pictures of the new 2013 Mondeo. The new family-sized car is quite aggressive. It features new restyled headlights with LED turn indicators, big alloys with low-profile tires, two big exhaust pipes and two-colored rear lights.

If you find any similarities to Ford Fusion, you’ll be completely right, because the new Mondeo looks identical to the American car.

Still, nothing is mentioned about the engine range, but probably the new 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine with 181PS (133 kW) and 233Nm (172 lb-ft) will be available as well as the mighty 2.0 liter EcoBoost with 240PS (177 kW) and 339Nm (250 lb-ft).

Stay tuned for more information!

Source: Ford

January 11, 2012

Ford Fusion Tops Toyota Camry, Honda Accord Again With Best-In-Class 34 MPG 4-Cylinder Model

2010 Ford Fusion Sport The Ford Fusion is now America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models. (more…)

January 10, 2009

Ford Answers Customer RequestsFor Better Vehicle Visibility

Maneuvering through crowded mall traffic is a challenge on a good day. It is even less fun when it comes time to back out of the parking spot it took you so long to find. (more…)

December 27, 2008

41 Mpg! All-New Ford Fusion Hybrid Is Now America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Car

The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:

Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.
New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.
Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving

The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding 50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader

In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC™, SIRIUS® TravelLink™, BLIS™ (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert and Sony-branded audio.

In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy standouts on the road today. They include:

The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.
The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.
The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

December 24, 2008

New 2010 Ford Fusion

Ford’s new 2010 Fusion is set to shake up the cut-throat mid-size sedan segment when it goes on sale early next year, bringing an all-new hybrid that will deliver the best fuel economy of any sedan in America, unsurpassed 4-cylinder gasoline fuel economy, more power, class-exclusive technologies including a blind spot detection and warning system and Ford SYNC, more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry, plus proven quality and reliability that has been recognized by the top consumer groups and magazines. (more…)

November 19, 2008

2010 Ford Fusion, fusion Hybrid Offer Leading Fuel Efficiency, Smart New Technologies

Ford Motor Company announced today that the new 2010 Ford Fusion will offer consumers a more fuel-efficient powertrain lineup, including an all-new hybrid model that is expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy. (more…)

October 30, 2008

Ford Five Hundred

The Ford Five Hundred sedan packs nearly 30 percent more power and boasts a new look inside and out for the 2008 model year. On sale by summer 2007, the Five Hundred features a new front end resembling the popular Ford Fusion, more horsepower and torque thanks to a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a new transmission and all-wheel-drive system and safety upgrades that include Ford’s available AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control system. Structural upgrades to further improve crash protection include reinforcements in the footwell area and new interior door panels.

“Customers love the Five Hundred’s ride and package, and its safety reputation is excellent,” says Cisco Codina, Ford’s group vice president of North America Marketing, Sales and Service. “For this year, we’ve dialed up the appeal with a new, more expressive look, a more powerful engine and more than 500 changes to make this great car even better.”

The Five Hundred’s 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 now delivers 260 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. It also benefits from the same smooth shifting, six-speed automatic transmission and the same available all-wheel-drive system as the new Ford Edge. Importantly, even with the upgraded powertrain, real-world fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive model is expected to remain in the range of 21 city and 29 highway – thanks to advancements in powertrain technology.

New look inside and out

The Five Hundred’s new look aligns it with the Ford Fusion. New from the A-pillars forward, the Five Hundred now features Ford’s signature three-bar chrome grille. A sculpted hood adds a touch of crisp detail, and a new front fascia is chamfered at the outer edges, adding structure to the design. All-new side mirrors are smaller yet provide better visibility and reduce wind noise. Chrome side vents, door handles and mirror caps give the Five Hundred Limited models a more expensive appearance. New taillamps carry the horizontal theme to the rear, while a new rear fascia houses chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

Ultra-quiet interior and plush ride

For 2008, the Five Hundred’s sound package has been completely revised, helping make it as quiet as many luxury cars. The new sound package includes such technologies as expandable foam pellets in the A-pillars to reduce wind noise and the use of an advanced sound-deadening material called Sonosorb in the doors, headliner and pillars. Sonosorb increases sound-deadening efficiency by 20 percent while retaining the same thickness as the material it replaces.

Engineers also reduced road noise by stiffening the area where the rear package shelf meets the floor pan. Even the heating and air conditioning were improved by making the system 50 percent quieter than before.

The Five Hundred’s quiet, confident ride starts with an already solid foundation. Upgrades include revised shock towers that help increase front suspension travel by 10 percent, new dampers and springs in both front and rear, and a revised, retuned rear suspension.

One of the most significant changes is how the engine is mounted in the vehicle. Previously, the engine was mounted to the front subframe. On the new model, the engine is bolted to the body with hydraulic mounts to reduce vibration. By moving the roughly 300-pound engine off the subframe, engineers were able to better tune the suspension and, ultimately, create an even better ride.

Maximum convenience and space

The Five Hundred features the most spacious interior of any large sedan, with best-in-class legroom front and rear and 60/40-split fold-flat second-row seats. With the fold-flat front-passenger seat, items up to nine-feet long can fit inside.

Five Hundred also offers a number of must-have technologies. In addition to a standard auxiliary audio input jack, available convenience features include a voice-activated navigation system, a DVD entertainment system and factory-installed SIRIUS® satellite radio. Ford SyncTM is also available on the new Five Hundred. Sync is a voice-activated hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system which fully-integrates mobile phones and digital media players. The Sync in-car communications system was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and will be offered exclusively on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in North America beginning this year.

Building on safety leadership

The 2007 Five Hundred is already the segment leader in safety, earning five stars in all four categories for the U.S. government’s crash tests. Five Hundred was also the first Gold Award winner from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and is the class leader in rear crash performance.

For 2008, Five Hundred offers the added safety and control of Ford’s AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control system. AdvanceTrac can predict the vehicle’s intentions using a sensor to detect and measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip, brakes are applied where needed to help keep the car tracking safely on its intended path.

Five Hundred comes standard with dual-stage driver and passenger front air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger and Safety CanopyTM side curtain rollover air bags for both rows.

January 7, 2007

Tag: Ford Fusion

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader