January 9, 2005

2006 Ford Fusion
Taurus replacement arrives Fall, 2005

Detroit - The replacement for the aging Taurus finally arrives this Fall in the form of the all new 2006 Ford Fusion, unveiled today at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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Sales of the Taurus, once a best-seller for Ford, had shrivelled in recent years against competition from Japanese, Korean and North American manufacturers. With the Fusion, Ford expects to regain these lost sales. But the Fusion is not a direct replacement for the Taurus, being smaller than the outgoing sedan. Rather, the Fusion will take a central position in Ford's lineup between the compact Focus and the larger, but still mid-size Ford Five Hundred sedan. The new Fusion, though, will be an important car for Ford and a key to its future financial stability.

The new Fusion takes several design cues from the Ford 427 concept car, especially its front-end treatment with bold three-bar chrome grille and multi-element projector-beam headlamps. The Fusion's optional charcoal-black leather interior with contrasting oatmeal-coloured seat stitching was also inspired by the 427.

The Fusion also features standard 60/40 split and fold-flat rear seats expanding its 15.8 cu. ft. trunk capacity. Three interior themes will be available - monotone, two-tone or premium cloth or leather, including the optional oatmeal-coloured seat stitching.

Available features on all models include height-adjustable driver's seat, tilt and telescope steering, heated front seats with six way power adjustment for the driver and a six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 capability.

The Fusion is equipped with four-wheel independent suspension, with a double ball-joint, short- and long-arm set up in the front and a multi-link rear design. Base wheels and tires are 16 inch with 60-series tires. A 50-series tire with 17 inch wheel is also available. Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard, while anti-lock brakes will be optional.

Engine choices include Ford's 2.3-litre Duratec inline four cylinder or a 3.0-litre Duratec V-6. Both feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, variable intake cam timing and electronic throttle control. The four-cylinder delivers 160 horsepower and can be matched with either five-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The V-6, producing 210 hp, is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard safety features include dual deployment front air bags, seat-deployed torso bags and two-row side air curtain that provides head protection.

The Fusion is the first vehicle from Ford's new CD3 architecture, which eventually will be the basis for up to 10 unique vehicles in North America. It will be built at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant in Mexico and goes on sale Fall 2005. Pricing will be announced closer to that time.

More News from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show ....