blah, blah, blah,

only 97hp/ltr

blah, blah, blah

Since the fusion has got good reliability ratings so far I see as being an option for my next car even though I favor imports.

Horsepower is only a fraction of the story...what does the torque curve look like?

Sorry folks, but ford + hp + awd < audi.

@WillWayne:

Assuming this is a "Twin Force" V6 I'd say the torque curve will be very healthy. I'm not sure how else they would squeeze an extra 100hp from that V6 aside from turbos... This should put some pressure on the Hemi's 300C's running around. I've always thought the Fusion looked pretty nice, especially for a Ford. To be perfectly honest, there whole lineup except the US Focus looks pretty damn good.

@Tommy Boy:

Audi's aren't eactly what they used to be. It seems like they've slapped an extra 400 lbs to all their new models. Granted I don't think this is exactly S4 material, it's not that far off. I think they should have really compared it to a Caddy or Acura, both of which being the lower rung of the Luxo croud... I'm pretty sure this thing would run circles around any Acura out right now too.

well, well, well...is ford taking a turn for the better?

I'll actually think about this...but the plastic chrome grille needs to go and better taillights. On the current models they look terrible and make the car look cheaper than it is.

@Gary

Of course Audi's have added 400lbs or so. Of course every manufacture has added a few hundred, especially once you throw in abs, a billion air bags, stability control systems, ect... (and all the structural enhancements to get everything to work together for better "crash test" ratings).

You know I like the idea of a turbo, but frankly with gas at $4 a gallon, I don't want to pay $4.30 for premium. Really, why hasn't someone brought back the idea of the Mazda Eunos 800 Miller cycle supercharged engine. Combine that setup with some aggressive VVTi type of setup and you should be getting some seriously good mileage with a decent amount of power. If I had the money I'd love to modify my 1.8L Corolla to work on that principle.

only Ford could say these thing.
Probably the glove compartiments are the same size.

@Tommy Boy:

"Audi's aren't eactly what they used to be."

You are right, but you don't even know why.

They sure aren't. No automaker has done more to improve their image than Audi has (save perhaps Cadillac). When people thought of fine European automobiles, they previously thought only of BMW/Mercedes. Audi has become a contender on almost every front challenging BMW/Mercedes for a little bit of prestige, one niche at a time. 15 years ago that was not the case. Vehicles such as the Audi R8 (World Car of the Year), S5, and TT come to mind. Ford has apparently come some way as far as reliability is concerned, but save for the GT, it doesn't show up on the prestige radar. If I'm shopping for an Audi, I might visit MB or BMW, but I'm not looking at Ford...

oops, @ Gary

not Tommy Boy.

Audi is Volkswagen's premium label. If Ford wants to make their car more affordable, aren't they in fact aiming at the quality level of Volkswagen, Seat or even Skoda?

All Ford needs to do now is build technically sound cars and engines, with a wiring system designed by a 5 year old. Maybe the new generation of VW's will prove to be better, but after hearing the horror stories of the last gen, I'll let time prove me wrong..... And thank goodness they dropped the 2.0 slow from their line up, that thing (at least here in the states) was a ragged engine.

Why are we talking about Audi? Ford has no intentions of competing with Audi. Other people are making the comparison to the S4 because of the AWD and HP ratings, and calling it an "affordable S4" because it offers this at a lower price point.

This looks like a good vehicle by Ford.

@reality:

Perhaps you didn't read the article...

"To combat torque steer the engine will be mated to a Haldex part-time AWD differential. Ford's goal is to make an "affordable" Audi S4."

Yeah, cause if I was in the market for an Audi S4, I'd definitely consider a Fusion as an option. Please, what a joke.

Nice, if it wasn't for the fact that I just purchased a new vehicle and gas prices are too high and only getting higher, I would consider this for my new vehicle.

Nice job Ford!

it will be COMPARABLE to an Audi S4, not a replacement. Ford isn't trying to make a "prestige" name, nor do they need to. They have upped reliability, so to throw that on with a car with some decent power and handling and AWD will make a nice seller, and at prices an average American can afford, imagine that!

(Note: I am not a "Must buy amercian" guy, my 2 cars are a Mitsubishi and Scion, I just don't dig the idea of bashing a company that makes cars that average a sale price of $12-20k to company that has an average price of $25-40k. You get what you pay for, don't expect everything you would get in a $48.5k (base) Audi S4 from a $25k (guessing??) Fusion GT)

Can't wait to see the 0-60mph time of the Fusion GT. But Ford better take off that damn 120mph speedometer guage. All their cars seem to have a speed limiter except the "Ford GT" no surprise. How is it that the $78,000 Mustang GT500KR has a speed limiter???!!!!!!!
(It is Govener limited to 155mph)--- if I remember correctly!!! lol

By the way (to anyone reading this), what does "GT" stand for or mean????????????????????????????????????????????????

I see it all the time: could it mean "Grand Touring" or
"Gran Turismo?????????????????????????????????"

@gary

Is this out right now? NO!!! 2009-2010 THIS FALL 2008! Acura will have a SH-AWD (Super Handling- All Wheel Drive)300+HP TL. Ford will never even touch this car in quality, reliability, safety, styling, etc. SH-AWD (in case you didn't know) can send up to 70% of all of the Torque to the outside rear wheel (ACTIVELY NOT REACTIVELY) which makes this wheel go faster than the others pushing the car through the corner in WET OR DRY situations. Haldex system is "part time" and Reactive to wheel slippage. No Ford will run circles around this TL and just wait 'til the new NSX comes out!! So maybe Ford can compare with that joke that is Caddy but not Acura!!! That's for sure!

Hey cappy how much will that tl cost because im just betting it will be the same price as a s4 and why have a overpriced accord when you can has a s4 or say m3 or even a e450 or is it just me. acura has never been known for making amazing handling cars aside from the nsx which is a honda everywhere else in the world. For lets guestimate 27k there isnt a car competing with it that offers as much camry cant do it, accord cant do it, legacy is close but still wont do it gm has the g8 but its a bit bigger and competes in a diffrent class so I guess ford got something right fuel economy power and basic handling. btw acuras awd system is a pos compaired to anyone elses because it doenst have the yaw controls of say mitsubishi or volkwagen. Not saying fords is better because its not as its designed to work at its price level.

@Cappy

Is the TL you're speaking of out right now? NO!!! To put an N/A V6, even with iVTEC, against a turbo charged 6 is a no contest. Just look at how the SI does against the WRX, with similar HP ratings. The amount of torque down low the EcoBoost 6 will provide will definitely pull this car past the TL. As WillWayne said earlier, Peak HP isn't what it's all about, and unfortunately that's all Acura can brag about.

I do however agree that SH-AWD is a superior system to the Haldex system, however once the road straights out, this Fusion should (I never said would or will) pull past any Acura out or coming out soon, except for the NSX. Pretty bad when Ford has a more exciting lineup than Acura...

Don't even get me started on the look of Acura's lately, hell even the current Ford's out right now look better than the Acura's IMO. The only good looking car Acura has now is the MDX and current TL, all the others are fugly.

I like it when domestics make a decent car; people's loyalties come out in force. I personally think it looks like a good car, should eat into some of the new G8's sales as well, and perhaps is a better competition comparison. The point was made that no one would buy a Ford were they in the market for an Audi. This is true. But if someone has X dollars to spend, and are looking for a performance sedan, I would bet dollars to donuts that they would be willing to try the Ford over the Audi and save some coin. For no other reason than they aren't in the same price range, at the very least.

To Saheed, I don't believe the "GT" actally stands for anything specific; it is just Ford's performance package emblem. Just like "LS" doesn't stand for anything in Chevy land, it's more or less just a package notation.

Thanks Jim!!!(:

Anyway I agree with Gary that the MDX and the RL are the only decent looking Acura's (come to think of it, how many OTHER models does Acura have anyway???) but, either way, the new Acura's coming out are really fugly. For example, that chrome bar as a grill just ain't workin'. It looks like the handling bars on a bicycle. what's up with that?! Acura is almost as pointless for Honda as is GMC for chevrolet, or even Buick for Chevrolet
(not including China, with stupendous sales over there).

I think this sounds like a great move for Ford. They are expecting v8 power out of their v6 ecoboost engines with one mile per gallon better gas mileage than their current v6's, let alone their v8's.

There will definitely be a weight penalty for all this power but they are committed to using boron steel and other high tensile strength steels to lower weight on every generation. I read the new Mazda 2 (Ford Verve for all intents and purposes) shed over 200lbs (was only just over 2000 to begin with) through the use of better steels, altered exterior design, and get this IMPROVED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS with fewer connectors and less wiring disaster.
That's my only complaint about my Contour. The electrical system in the car is first class junk.

I say good on Ford for trying to catch up and pass everyone else on moving new technology into manufacturing and not just into better electronics.

unknown:
I never said anything about price. I was just saying to Gary that this car will not run circles around the TL. As far as the SH-AWD swstem goes you obviously don't have a clue!!!! It's better than Audi's quattro and BMW's X-drive. BMW (Dynamic Performance Control only on the new X6) and Saab's XWD with LSD (or Haldex) only on the Turbo-X are actually copying Acura's signature technology here with the active torque distribution not only front to back but side to side. Nobody else's AWD system is capable of this!

I think I can think of at least one car with a better AWD system, GT-R.

@Gary

Good points. Looks however, are as you said, based solely on opinion. I think the Acuras look good except the RDX. As far as straightaway accelleration that isn't the only thing that matters cornering is huge unless you're just drag racing and I think the TL will have plenty of power.

@unknown

If you want to say "overpriced Accord" then how about overpriced Passat (s4).The S4 is $19000 more than the TL type-S when comp. equipped. The 335i is smaller and at least $8000 more than the TL Type-S when comp. equipped nevermind the M3. And e450??????? Don't know where your price logic is? Are you a moron?

Did you mean E550? If you did again your pricing is way off!!! Even a base E350 is $14000 more than TL Type-S. So as far as the price issue goes your theory is out the window.

"why have a overpriced accord when you can has a s4 or say m3 or even a e450 or is it just me."

Why not just buy a Kia if price is all your concerned with you idiot.

I've been a proud owner of a loaded '07 Fusion SEL for over a year now, and can say without a doubt in my mind I made the right choice over all the imports when I bought it. More features, good power (220 vs 270 in a Camry, the extra 50 would just get me tickets that much faster), awesomely roomy but doesn't look or feel like a big car. Plus, my Fusion doesn't have 200lbs of plastic glued-on trim junk hanging off of it like the Camry does, to get the same sporty appearance.

A 350hp model for those that like more oomph will do well to consider this car, especially if the upgraded diff works nice.

this sounds like a nice car, they should make it a "ford fusion SVT" not a GT...

oh and dont even try to compair this thing to the new tl its only the base version out now when a awd type s comes out then compair it to a souped up ford.

might i suggest that the Fomoco engineering guys add a paddle shifter auto to the tranny selection with this new engine?

also, IF it has a turbo, make the turbo engage range user selectable. let ME decide when i want it to kick in based on fuel costs, performance goals and the like.

also, make the handling and brake options line by line in the order book.

my family has a new 2009 SEL AWD V6 Fusion and it is a great car. especially at the price which is many Euros below the Audi lines prices. i saw the new Acura was priced : $34,955.00 - $38,505.00. my fully loaded Fusion was almost half another car less.