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Ford Fusion
Report 3
We’re handing back the Fusion and we’ll give you a run-down in Middle East Car shortly but we thought we should talk about something other than it being so frugal.
The 2010 Fusion made its debut early in 2009 and it could have gone either way but Alan Mullaly’s ‘One Ford’ policy isn’t producing duds. The new design cues backed up by solid engineering revisions resonated with members of the public we ran into in our meanderings around the UAE.
Ford refreshed the Fusion and the changes are all good with new front and rear treatments and fresh interiors filled with soft touch materials. Mechanically, there came more power and better transmission for 2010 and a host of goodies like Ford’s “Easy Fill” capless fuel filling system. The Yanks got more but we have front-wheel-drive auto with one engine choice. Standard engine is a new 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, mated to a 6-speed auto. There’s a hybrid variation floating around elsewhere too and while we don’t get it, Ford’s heart – and R&D – are in the right place with this sort of thing.
The Fusion gives you Ford SYNC voice-activated entertainment system (the more you are exposed to SYNC the more you like it), Bluetooth phone, keyless entry, power windows, electric mirrors, manual A/C, power driver seat, 12-speaker Sony sound system, fog lamps, 17-inch alloys, the capless fuel filler, dual chrome-tipped exhausts, four-wheel disc brakes, reverse sensors and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, stability control, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.
The global market wants a vehicle that offers good fuel economy, advanced safety features, clean emissions, plenty of sting (we know it’s not an F1 car) and roomy interior space. And all without hitting the hip pocket nerve. From our experience thus far Ford has delivered on those points.
We found the Fusion to be pleasant and refined. Driving between Dubai and Al Ain the Fusion had good power throughout the rev range. It was willing when the foot went down although it’s not the sort of car that you want to thrash.
The mid-size sedan market is fiercely contested but after a month in our hands we reckon this vehicle is a major contender. Most people like a Fusion and when you have one for a while you like it a lot.
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