Ford Fusion GT

[Raudermaster]

"The poor man's Audi S4." That's what Motor Trend is tentatively dubbing the Ford Fusion GT, an EcoBoost-powered, SVT-massaged version of the automaker's staid sedan. According to the buff book, Ford will equip the Fusion GT with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, producing around 340 hp, still short of the engines 415 hp capabilities. Instead of trying to shovel that much grunt through the front wheels, Ford will tap Haldex to supply a part-time all-wheel-drive system to aid grip and limit torque steer, and it's possible that a paddle-shifted six-speed auto 'box could be part of the package.

The Fusion GT would be the fourth model to benefit from Ford's line of EcoBoost engines, which currently power the Lincoln MKS, Ford Flex and forthcoming Lincoln MKR. Four-cylinder versions are in the pipeline and are expected to power the entry-level Fusion in 2010, along with a high-performance version of the Focus and another version of the Edge crossover. EcoBoosted sixes are also rumored to be motivating Ford's downsized F100 pickup, but according to MT, a blown V6 for the next Mustang is on hold.

[Source: Motor Trend]

It's about damn time. Glad to see they are doing something different other than a damn Mustang.

[Rocknthehawk]

I wanna see what it looks like.

[ctrlraven]

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0809_ford_fusion_gt/index.html


SVT + Ecoboost = Ford Fusion GT: The poor man's Audi S4?


By Mike Connor
illustrators: Mark Stehrenberger


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The remains of Ford (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/01/ford/index.html)'s tuner group, SVT, plans the anticipated Fusion (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/ford/fusion/index.html) GT for release in late 2009 or early 2010. The Fusion GT will be the fourth in the Ford Motor Company lineup, after Lincoln MKS (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/lincoln/mks/index.html), Ford Flex (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/ford/flex/index.html), and Lincoln (http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/01/lincoln/index.html) MKR (the Enclave (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2008/buick/enclave/index.html)-fighting Flex (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/ford/flex/index.html)) to get an EcoBoost gas direct-injection, turbo engine. EcoBoost is designed primarily to "downsize" engines -- that is, GDI turbo fours in place of V-6s, GDI turbo V-6s where there would normally be V-8s.
The Fusion GT's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 will make about 340 horsepower, about the same as the coming MKS (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/lincoln/mks/index.html) turbo, but well below the engine's 415-horse capabilities. To handle a prodigious torque number, the Fusion GT will be equipped with a Haldex part-time AWD differential. The target is to make the car an affordable Audi S4 (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2008/audi/s4/index.html). Lincoln's MKS turbo launches next year, about a half year after the 3.7-liter MKS's debut. It'll come with a paddle-shift six-speed manumatic and a wheel-and-tire package.
Other models considered for EcoBoost are a four-cylinder EcoBoost Fusion in 2010, a low-volume Focus (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2008/ford/focus/index.html) GT with a four-cylinder EcoBoost in 2010, and an EcoBoost V-6 as the top engine in the downsized pickup, tentatively named F-100.
Ford is looking at an EcoBoost I-4 for the Edge (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2008/ford/edge/index.html) crossover; an EcoBoost V-6 Mustang (http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2009/ford/mustang/index.html) with more power than the Mustang GT -- the first north-south application of the engine family -- is apparently on hold.

[quota]

"...affordable Audi S4" !?

Bad start. I know that it is up to the Press to try comparing apples to peers. I also believe that it is up to FORD's marketing gurus to react strongly and quickly by saying that their their technology (Eco-Boost) is performing and specific enough, for avoiding these pejorative comparisons like "affordable Audi S4" or, why not, "Lexus IS F for the poors". Otherwise, both the cars and the technology will be seen as a "second choice" before even popping up on the market.

JP

[Breadfan]

"...affordable Audi S4" !?

Bad start. I know that it is up to the Press to try comparing apples to peers. I also believe that it is up to FORD's marketing gurus to react strongly and quickly by saying that their their technology (Eco-Boost) is performing and specific enough, for avoiding these pejorative comparisons like "affordable Audi S4" or, why not, "Lexus IS F for the poors". Otherwise, both the cars and the technology will be seen as a "second choice" before even popping up on the market.

JP

This is a very good point. Everything is political it seems, and wording can be written to say one thing or another just by changing it around a bit. You are right, Ford should be reacting to this!

How many times do American car makers produce a car that competes or beats import competition only to have the headline "It's like a cheap persons Audi!"

Change the words around and it sounds a lot better this way:

"Ford Fusion GT out performs Audi S4 and also has a lower sticker price."

That's the difference between calling it a winner and calling it a loser. Auto press stinks these days!

[Aren Jay]

Sounds like a Subie killer.

[Blackened300a]

Sounds like my next new car once the Marauder is paid off.

[Raudermaster]

Agreed with Paul. Except, I won't have the MM :(.

[MarauderTJA]

I like it. By the time it comes out I will be able trade in my Milan for one. I will still only buy American (even if it is made somewhere else):rolleyes:. A boosted V6 sounds great to me along with some decent mpg.

[Eric-Blk2004]

I know some parts of cars are assembled in the USA...like seat belts, and door handles. Does that count for made in the USA?

[OneBADLsE]

Imagine what a great tune would do to one of these things????

Im likeing the idea of a fusion GT