2013 Ford Fusion to get Two Turbocharged Gasoline Engines Plus Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Variants

In roughly two days from now, Ford will lift the covers off the next generation Fusion at the Detroit Motor Show.

While the Blue Oval has not released much information yet on the Fusion, which will be marketed as a 2013 model in North America, we were able to confirm the initial engine lineup.

The 2013 Fusion will arrive in U.S. dealerships later this year with a choice of four powerplants. The gasoline range includes a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder gasoline units with a displacement of 1.6-liters and 2.0-liters.

There are two hybrid variants, both sporting a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder that is shared with the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid.

Even the regular 2013 Fusion Hybrid promises to return a much better fuel economy than the outgoing 2012 Fusion Hybrid with the 2.5L engine (41mpg city/36mpg highway), while the Energi variant will try to top the segment.

The 2013 Fusion will be offered with both front and all-wheel drive and a choice of automatic and manual transmissions.

What makes the new Fusion very important for Ford is that, like the latest Focus and Fiesta, it has been developed as global model and will be marketed outside North America as the new Mondeo.

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Ford Fusion Records Best Sales Year Ever with Close to 240,000 Deliveries in 2011

More often than not, a model's sales numbers cool down as it approaches the end of its career, but that's not the case with the Ford Fusion that has seen its numbers rise steadily since its introduction in 2006, with 2011 set to mark its best-selling year with close to 240,000 units (according to Ford's preliminary estimates).

Ford says that since its first full year of sales in 2006 through 2010, the Fusion increased its share in the midsize segment by 5.2 percentage points, with sales rising from 142,502 units and a 6.7 percent of segment share in 2006 to 219,219 for an 11.9 percent share in 2010.

“Since launching in the 2006 model year, Fusion has reinforced Ford’s commitment to the midsize sedan market,” commented Samantha Hoyt, Fusion marketing manager.

“In addition to being a sales superstar, Fusion has been incredibly successful in attracting new customers to the Ford showroom. Fusion is our top conquest vehicle, as 40 percent of Fusion buyers are new to the Ford brand," she added.

The current Fusion will give its place to an all-new model that will be offered globally and which will be unveiled during the North American International Auto Show in January before it goes on sale next spring.

 

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2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercy Milan Sedans

The Pink Square has granted a new recognition on certain 2010-2011MY Ford Union and Mercury Milan sedans that are outfitted with 17-inch aluminum tires because the rim guys may start breaking and break up over time, possibly creating one or more tires slipping off the car. No other kinds of tires are suffering from this recognition.

The Country wide Freeway Visitors Protection Supervision [NHTSA] said that the recognition impacts 128,616 Ford Fusions and Mercury Millans designed from April 1 to 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through Nov 13, 2010.

Ford said that it is not aware of any collisions or accidents relevant to this concern.

According to the car maker, vendors will change the rim lug crazy on all four tires while also looking at the rear-brake dvd exterior for flatness and change the dvds as necessary. The protection recognition will start in The month of january 24, 2012.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford’s expectations

Given that the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is little more than a gussied-up Ford Fusion Hybrid, it’s not surprising that the gas-electric MKZ achieves the same 41 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway rating. Admittedly, we were a bit shocked when Lincoln announced that the MKZ Hybrid starts at $35,180 (including destination and delivery) – the same price as a gas-only front-wheel-drive 3.5-liter V6 model. Perhaps that’s why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even Ford didn’t expect.

Initially, Ford targeted the hybrid version to account for approximately 15 percent of total MKZ sales. However, the numbers show that the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate has averaged between 22 and 23 percent since January of 2011. Ford says that March’s numbers look similar. Through the end of February, Lincoln sold a total of 3,343 MKZ sedans, 762 of which were hybrids. With no premium price tag and gas prices soaring, perhaps nobody should be surprised by the MKZ Hybrid’s take rate. Perhaps the better question would be, is the hybrid model profitable?

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