The 2010MY Fusion made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. The 2010 model year adds two new versions to the line-up: Hydrid and Sport. The new Fusion features new design (inside and out), improved and new technologies and new powertrains with improved fuel consumption.
The 2010 Fusion features a more aggressive front fascia with new headlamps, grille and fog lamps; the three-bar grille in particular is larger with a more modern look. The fog lamps are housed below in a trapezoidal-shaped lower opening to help complete the more-muscular look. At the rear there are new modernized taillights and decklid to help give the vehicle a more unified look from front to rear.
The hybrid version is powered by a combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 155 hp and 136 lb.-ft. of torque and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
The Sport version get a 263-hp V-6 Duratec engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. It is offered as a FWD model, but AWD is also available.
The model line-u include (besides Sport and Hybrid): S, SE, SEL. The S version gets a 2.5-liter I-4 engine that delivers 175 hp; the SE and SEL get a new 3.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 240 hp.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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2010 Ford Fusion Picture Gallery
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It’s official: the 2010 mustang is out of the corral. After getting to see the myriad of preview pics, there’s now not a whole lot new to see. But it is refreshing to get a look at the full car.
Ford has been stuck with a tough issue: how do you update a retro car? Do you follow the path of the original? If Ford did that then the 2010 Mustang would bloated and on the path to have to be redesigned in 2014 to be replaced by a Focus-based Mustang II. Instead Ford let its retro design mature. In 2005 the current Mustang burst on the scene with a childlike innocence that said to the world, “Hey I’m back!” Now five years later, the car has matured into a teenager. It still looks very much like the happy child you once knew, but now his brow has permanently furrowed, and he’s more aggressive.
Everything on the outside of the car has gotten sleeker. The turn indicators have been incorporated into the design, the fog light fit in the grille better, the tail lamps have more curves, and the interior materials no longer have a shine that makes it look like it came from the dollar store. But these are minor improvements. What makes this a new car worth getting excited about is how it feels.
Ford had put the 2005 Mustang on an all-new platform (it’s first in about 25 years,) and the 2010 Mustang is Ford’s first chance at tweaking the chassis after five years of road development. The car still has an archaic live rear-axle, but now the set up is three-link rear suspension with a panhard bar. It’s not a rocket science leap forward, but it should keep the rear end in line while going fast on the streets.
The interior doesn’t change much in appearance or layout. It’s tough to stray to far from the original in a retro car. But as mentioned before, the materials are significantly upgraded. While it may look nice, the simple feel of sturdy materials makes the Mustang feel less like an economy car.
The 2010 Mustang will be initially offered with a choice of two engines: a 4.0-liter 60-degree V6 (carryover from the 2009 model) that delivers 210 at 5,300 rpm and a peak torque of 240 lb.-ft.; and a 4.6-liter 90-degree V8 (upgraded from the 2009 GT) with cold air induction that delivers 315 @ 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 325 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm. Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed manual transmission.
Pricing shouldn’t stray too far from the original car, which means sticker prices of a little over $20,000 for the base model and about $28,000 for the Mustang GT.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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2010 Ford Mustang Picture Gallery
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Ford presented the new Fiesta Sedan, a model that will be offered across Asia and North America from 2010. It will not be offered in Europe.
The dynamic all-new Fiesta sedan features Ford’s signature kinetic design elements – introduced to China first on the exciting Fiesta five-door hatchback at Auto China in Beijing in April – demonstrating the versatility of this unique design language and its consumer appeal in important global markets.
The Fiesta sedan will be manufactured in China using the same advanced technologies as does its European counterpart. The body structure is manufactured with extensive use of high- and ultra high-strength steels to significantly increase strength and rigidity, while also reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency. These advanced steels also provide Fiesta with an increased measure of occupant protection.
Press release after the jump.
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Nelly (the Grammy Award-winning rapper) brought his customized Ford Flex to SEMA today. His Flex is a custom-color blue car with a white roof, a modified sound system, 22-inch wheels, an exhaust system (described as "with a little bit of a rumble on it"), and a personalized interior: black Tuscany leather interior with Katzkin seats and contrast blue stitching.
According to Nelly, when he first saw the Flex he said, "Yo, that’s hot! How can I get one of those?" Ford is hoping for similar reactions from soccer moms.
Press release after the jump.
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The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R made its official debut today at the SEMA Show. The car was developed by SVT and Ford Racing specifically to race in the Baja 1000 – a grueling off-road race run along the Mexican peninsula.
The reason why the Raptor showed up at SEMA is because this will also be offered as a package for the new F-150. Consumer versions of the SVT Raptor will get the same upgraded suspension, wider track and 500 hp 6.2-liter V-8 engine that is on the show car/racer.
Ford may have an interesting point to make with the Raptor. In a market where it’s tough to sell big and powerful trucks, the way to distinguish its product is by making it ready for off-road fun.
Press release after the jump.
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2009 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R Picture Gallery
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After last month’s preview, Ford unveiled the Cobra Jet Mustang today at the SEMA Show. It is the blue oval’s limited edition (only 50 units) factory-ready drag racer.
It is powered by a 5.4-liter Cobra Jet engine making about 428 hp. It also features a Cobra Jet cold air kit, 6-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission with SFI bell housing, stainless steel long-tube racing headers, 9" rear axle assembly, one piece driveshaft drive shaft, single hoop drive shaft loop, Cobra Jet rear control arms and anti-roll bar, Ford Racing adjustable dampers, drag race spring kit and Cobra Jet wheels — 15" x 4" (front), 15" x 10" (rear).
While you may think this is the perfect car to paint black and take it out for some sleeper street races, good luck on getting plates for it. This is a racetrack only car that comes with a serial number but no VIN.
Press release after the jump.
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2008 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang Picture Gallery
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Ford launched the 2010 Fusion, with three new engines and new transmission. The new engine offer both better performance and better fuel economy.
The 2010 Fusion will be offered with Ford’s all-new Duratec 2.5-liter I-4, producing 175 hp; an enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 with 19 more hp than its predecessor; and a 3.5-liter V-6 that pumps out 263 hp on the Fusion Sport model.
The new pairing of Fusion’s engines with the 6F35-Mid automatic transmission further drives the mid-size sedan’s competitive advantage, especially when compared to the outgoing five-speed gearbox that was offered with Fusion’s I-4 models. A five-speed is still the gearbox-of-choice for the 2.0-liter varieties offered on segment contenders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
When the six-speed is paired with the 2.5-liter engine, for example, the Fusion powerpack delivers a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency along with increased power. The 3.0-liter configurations gain a 4- to 6-percent efficiency.
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When the Ford Focus first appeared in 2000, it was Ford’s modern attempt at a real “world car” (the mid-90s Contour/Mystique wasn’t built for the world, it was an attempt at getting the U.S. to buy the second generation Mondeo.) The Focus was a vast improvement over the Escort, but the problem was that since it was built for multiple continents, it had multiple compromises.
The original Focus needed to be both a full hatchback for Europe and a full sedan for North America. While the resulting car was successful, the look was somewhat odd. Now that Ford makes two separate Focus lines (one for U.S. and Canada as well as a separate one for the rest of the world,) Ford can now focus on a traditional shape for the sedan and for the first time offer a true coupe.
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2008 Ford Focus SES Picture Gallery
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Ford UK revealed today the sporty Zetec S. The car is now on sale at Uk dealers and is priced £750 above the equivalent Zetec derivative.
The Ford Focus Zetec S is available in three-door and five-door versions and is offered with the same wide choice of engines as the existing Focus Zetec with the addition of a 1.6 Ti-VCT 115PS petrol unit. Other available engines are the 1.8 125PS and 2.0 145PS petrol units and the diesel 1.8 TDCi 115 PS, 2.0 TDCi 136PS, and 2.0 TDCi 136PS with diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can also be specified with Ford’s acclaimed six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.
Where the extra money goes for in the Zetec S comes with front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions, 17" alloy wheels and aluminum-style foot pedals and hand brake cover.
Press release after the jump.
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Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) revealed today the FPV 5th Anniversary Edition at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. FPV is the high-performance arm of Ford of Australia (like the U.S. Ford’s now defunct Special Vehicles Team.) This special edition of Aussie Ford’s full-size Falcon GT will be limited to only 200 units priced at $71,890 (Australia).
Power comes from Ford’s 5.4-liter quad-cam 32 valve Boss 315 V8 making 432 hp. Transmission choices for the sedan are a six speed manual or ZF six speed high torque automatic transmission with Sequential Sport Shift. To stop all this power, Ford upgraded the brakes to a 6-piston Brembo brake package.
Because this is an Australian car made for the Australian market in left-hand drive only, there are no plans from Ford for this to come to America. But who knows, someday your mailman may just get a little cooler.
Press release after the jump.
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