Ford Discovers Extra Torque, Adds It to the 2017 Fusion Sport

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Ford’s comparing itself to the Germans again, but this time the vehicle isn’t a Granada, and the disco era isn’t still raging.

The automaker just announced it boosted the output of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 in the 2017 Fusion Sport, keeping horsepower levels the same while adding an extra shovelful of torque.

The upcoming mini-SHO is now rated at 325 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque, a bump in twist of 30 lb-ft. Expect the hottest version of Ford’s bread-and-butter midsizer to jump off the line slightly faster than anticipated.

Feeling sassy, Ford targeted not just the six-cylinder Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in its release, but those foreign guys across the pond, too. The automaker wants BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz buyers to know that the Fusion Sport, which lands this summer, is a performance bargain with an MSRP of $33,475.

It doesn’t look like them, though. That ad campaign was put away forever, alongside Ford’s wide lapels and platform shoes.

Ford gleefully claims the torque rating outclasses the BMW 535i, Audi A6 3.0T and Mercedes-Benz E400, but maximum output is only achieved using 93 octane gas. Don’t make plans to gloat at the competition while you fill up on regular.

The boosted EcoBoost will be mated to standard all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Tamer versions of the mill can be found in the F-150 and Edge Sport, but the version in the Lincoln MKX matches the Fusion Sport’s torque rating.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • S2k Chris S2k Chris on Jun 09, 2016

    Highly interested in this, as it seems a lot more interesting than the TLX SH-AWD that would be my ho-hum default choice to replace my TSX. I've had some more mundane Fusions as rentals, and the only thing I dislike is the small door opening means you have to duck pretty far down to climb in, but for 325hp/380lb ft I could get used to it. I'm still sorta hoping for some more interesting TLX drivetrains for 2018/2019 (detuned V6TT Honda????) but if not I'm going elsewhere.

    • See 2 previous
    • Thornmark Thornmark on Jun 10, 2016

      @sportyaccordy Doesn't the TLX have a much more sophisticated AWD system too?

  • Flybrian Flybrian on Jun 09, 2016

    "Ford gleefully claims the torque rating outclasses the BMW 535i, Audi A6 3.0T and Mercedes-Benz E400, but maximum output is only achieved using 93 octane gas. Don’t make plans to gloat at the competition while you fill up on regular." Uh...the drei Deutscher cars also need Premium...?

    • See 2 previous
    • JimZ JimZ on Jun 10, 2016

      @Papa Smurf Eh? in the Detroit area I'm actually *surprised* when I encounter a station which has 91 octane swill as "premium." I think I've only seen it at a couple of Valero stations.

  • Madman2k Madman2k on Jun 10, 2016

    It should be a fun car but it would be more fun with RWD and that motor in a small light car. What I am wondering is if the fuel economy will exceed 30 on the interstate, with 87 ethanol blend. It should. My F150 has that motor and is rated for 26 highway. Cruising along at 50 with few or no stops it can exceed that, but in town it's definitely worse. If it will knock out over 30 on the highway it would probably be a great car for covering long distances quickly (I mean at the speed limit...) and eat up hills like they are nothing. I sat in a Fusion and thought the interior was pretty well designed. Never driven one though.

  • Carguy Carguy on Jun 10, 2016

    It an Audi S4 for the masses. Now if only Ford would do something about its poor assembly quality then this might be a really interesting car.

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