NAIAS 2016: 2017 Ford Fusion Is the New Domestic Mid-size (Ass) Hauler, Fo' SHO
Answering the question no one seemed to ask, Ford decided that its revised Fusion needed a boosted six next year and a wide menu of trims and powertrains to kill ‘em with quantity. When it goes on sale later this year, the Ford Fusion will come in no fewer than five different powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four, a 1.5-liter turbo four, a 2-liter turbo four, a 2.7-liter turbo six and a 2-liter hybrid four paired to different sized batteries.
If you’re not lost yet, there’s a new trim-topping Platinum class with Cocoa wood, 19-inch wheels and only the finest Venetian leather from the uplands of Venetia. Or something.
The new Fusion V6 Sport will boast a 2.7-liter turbocharged mill that cranks 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque when it goes on sale in the summer — fully 85 more horsepower than the 2-liter turbo four. The V-6 sports sedan, which is available in all-wheel drive only, will almost certainly tempt 6 seconds in a 0-60 mph dash, because there are no trails of rubber long enough when you leave the office.
Is this the new SHO?
Ford also said that recalibrated electric motors in its plug-in hybrid sedan will power that car for 19 miles on electrons alone, before switching over to its 2-liter four.
The new car will also sport the newest iteration of Ford’s SYNC, which will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Despite the hubbub leading up to the North American International Auto Show, the Fusion Energi’s batteries seem largely untouched. A 7.3-kWh Li-ion pack is still included in the plug-in version of the sedan, the same size and battery capacity as the outgoing model.
And if you’re looking for more autonomous features in the Fusion — especially considering Ford just announced it was expanding its fleet of self-driving Fusions — you might want to wait longer: Ford didn’t announce any new features above lane-keep assist for the 2017 model.
More by Aaron Cole
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How are the Fusions holding up? My father in law's 2013 Edge Titanium is looking a bit ratty and he doesn't even have small kids. My next car will be in the garage for 10-12 years, so this is a concern of mine.
I like the exhausts - a subtle hint at the Q-Ship you're driving. A dual dial gauge cluster would be much better in a "sport" version of the car and since it's a parts bin piece no reason not to offer it here. Loss of shift lever is more progress, but at least the dial is better than the oversized, cheap buttons used in Lincolns. Now if we could only get the Mondeo Estate body in this sport trim (and preferably brown paint)...