FoMoCo has announced that the new mild-hybrid versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan qualify for a $3,400 tax credit from the federal government. The American automaker claims that this is the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after December 31, 2005. Ford's mid-size hybrid sedans are rated at 41 mpg n the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg and 2 mpg respectively.
Ford has issued the first official picture of the 2010 Fusion that will be revealed along with its revised Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan siblings at next month's LA Auto Show. The facelifted Fusion profits - or the opposite, we'll leave that for you to decide, from a fully redesigned front end that features something that was designed to look like a car but ended up resembling a gigantic chrome monobrow. The mid-size sedan also gets a new hood design and a restyled front bumper. Ford is still keeping the rest of the photos under a cloth of secrecy, so we'll have to see if there are any other styling changes. -ContinuedThe 2010 model year Fusion (as well as the Milan) gains from a new engine lineup that includes Ford's brand-new Duratec 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit that delivers an output of 175HP and 172 lb.-ft. of torque, 14HP more and 16 more lb.-ft. of torque than the preceding year's 2.3-liter unit. The 3.0-liter V6 engine has been reworked producing 19HP more and 23 more lb.-ft. of torque than before for a total of 240HP and 228 lb.-ft. of torque while for 2010, there's also a new 263HP 3.5-liter V6 engine.
What's even more important is that all three engine are paired with Ford's new six-speed automatic transmission. While Ford has yet to release any specific figures, the company supports that paired with the 6-speed auto, the 2.5-liter Fusion delivers a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency while the V6 configurations gain a 4- to 6-percent efficiency.
In 2009 Ford will also introduce the Fusion and Milan Hybrids equipped with a next-generation hybrid propulsion system. Te hybrid sedans can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode while Ford claims that the city driving range on a single city tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles. Furthermore, the company said that both the Milan and Fusion hyrbids are expected to achieve class-leading fuel economy, besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by at least 5 mpg.
Along with the nine supped up 2008 Focus models that we showed you last night (click here), Ford will also present four more proposals at this month’s SEMA show: two personalized editions of the Mustang and one for each of the Fusion and Lincoln MKZ models. You can check out all the details right after the jump. -Continued2007
Combine American luxury with European style and handling and you get the Lincoln MKZ by H&R Special Springs. The H&R suspension mods lower the
Fusion Performance GAS
This 2007 Ford Fusion is ready for the racetrack courtesy of Galpin Auto Sports. The turbocharged V-6 pump out 350 horsepower driving all four wheels. Gears are selected via a six-speed paddle-shift transmission. An APR Performance carbon front splitter and rear wing and 3D Carbon body kit provide the necessary aerodynamics while the MRT lightweight functional ram-air hood feeds the motor. A performance suspension keeps the 19-inch wheels and Nitto Invo tires glued to the road. Inside, a Katzkin leather interior, features a six-point roll cage, leather and suede steering wheel and GAS custom audio system.
Mustang Wild Pony Project
Mustang is all about making it your own, and Ford’s Vehicle Personalization Group delivers the next level. The Project Pony wears Black Sparkle Paint, 20-inch chrome wheels and bold graphics including the new VP brand windshield visor decal. Ford racing adds a supercharger and cold-air induction system for added power and matching Sparkle Black valve covers for added pizzazz. The two-tone black and white leather interior features headrest DVDs and illuminated interior lighting and sill plates.
2007 Ford Mustang by Santini-USA
This racehorse is all show and all go. Prostang is the result of the collaborative efforts of master auto painter Santini-USA, the master interior craftsmanship of Steve Stanford Design and Mustang performance expertise of Roush Performance. The 2007 Mustang pro-street coupe shines in brilliant red on white Alsa exotic paint with blue-and-yellow accent stripes. The 4.6-liter V-8 wears a polished supercharger and intercooler and Bassani custom exhaust. Inside, leather seats tuck between a full roll cage.
This August FoMoCo will take its Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car to the The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 is one of two vehicles Ford's fuel cell research team is helping prepare to set world land speed records as the researchers also are working with
FORD FUSION HYDROGEN 999 RACER TO ATTEMPT SPEED RECORD FOR FUEL CELL-POWERED VEHICLE
DEARBORN, Mich., July 10 – Ford Motor Company will take its 10 years of hydrogen research expertise to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August in an attempt to set the world land speed record in a hydrogen fuel cell powered Ford Fusion.
The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car – a collaboratively engineered racer with Ballard, Roush and
“Racing is part of Ford Motor Company’s DNA so it seemed only natural for us to build a fuel cell race car that runs on hydrogen, a fuel that could someday play a key role in meeting the energy needs of the transportation sector,” said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research & Advanced Engineering for Ford Motor Company. “Our goal in attempting this record is to further expand our technological horizons with fuel cell powered vehicles. The collaboration with
The land speed record attempt will take place during Bonneville Speed Week from Aug. 10-17. The attempt will be sanctioned by the Southern California Timing Association®.
The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 land speed record vehicle was designed by Ford engineers and fabricated and built by Roush in
In 2004,
Hydrogen Part of a Broader Effort
Ford’s strategy for alternative fuels is built around multiple technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells. This flexible approach allows the company to meet goals for customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests. The strategy does not focus on one catch-all solution but includes a flexible array of options, including hybrids, E85 ethanol, clean diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engine and transmission technologies and hydrogen fuel cells.
The company already has a fleet of 30 hydrogen powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of a worldwide, seven-city program to conduct real world testing of fuel cell technology. The 30-car fleet has accumulated more than 540,000 miles since its inception in 2005.
Ford also is conducting tests with the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Ford Edge with
Currently, Ford offers gasoline-electric hybrids including the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The company will also offer hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in 2008.
