We had a chance to drive the 2006 Ford Fusion for four days. This wasn’t our first time in a Fusion, we also drove one briefly at a media event. We left that test drive with nothing positive to say about the car. However this time around we can’t say enough about how impressed we are. We’re not sure what changed between our first drive and now, the car was exactly the same (down to the VIN #) so perhaps we just needed more seat time to let the Fusion to grow on us. And did it ever!
The Fusion is Ford’s newest 4-door. It is meant to fit between the Focus and Five Hundred in their vehicle line up. Although after also having recently rented a Focus we think they should scrap the Focus and make a two door Fusion. The Fusion is also represented as the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr in Ford’s brand hierarchy.
Incidentally, while driving the car quite a few people thought the name Fusion implied the car was a hybrid. They are on the right track, in 2008 Ford will offer the Fusion with a hybrid engine.
The Fusion is offered with Ford’s 2.3-liter Duratec I-4 or 3.0-liter Duratec V-6. We had the V6, which pumps out 221 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 205 ft.lbs. of torque at 4800 rpm. That is 70 horsepower per liter - making the power to displacement of the 5.0L and 4.6L Mustangs look like under achievers. The DOHC 10:1 compression all-aluminum motor is pretty high tech. Coated pistons, cracked powdered metal rods, and a steel crank are some of the features that make this 3.0L rev smooth to 6500 rpm. With the six speed automatic transmission (no manual is offered for the V6) the car hits 0-to-60 in a respectable 8 seconds. The six speed shifts better than a manual in terms of keeping the rpms up between shifts. 1st gear in the transmission is a ultra low 4.15:1, while the axle ratio is 3.46:1. Check out this video to get an idea of how well it screams.
Speaking of screams, we thought the Fusion sounded pretty nice for a six cylinder. The car features true dual exhaust pipes with dual mufflers. Ford has engineered the exhaust to provides a 10:1 ratio of exhaust volume to engine displacement to slow the flow of exhaust gases, resulting in a sophisticated exhaust note. The induction system features an electronically controlled communication valve to adjust its effective internal volume based on speed and load, contributing to consistently desirable sound levels. We’d like to see some aftermarket induction parts to really let the Fusion breath.
For a front wheel drive car, especially one with a decent amount of power, the Fusion handles exceptionally well. The Ford CD3 chassis is very solid and one can feel similarities between the way this car handles and how the new Mustang handles. Fusion employs a multi-link independent rear suspension that works like a double-wishbone setup by limiting lateral forces on the springs for more composure.
In the front, Fusion uses an advanced short- and long-arm ( SLA ) design, with a double ball-joint lower control arm and coil-over-shock suspension. Compared to the more common MacPherson strut, the Fusion system puts the effective kingpin axis farther outboard. This contributes to a reduced scrub radius and helps to isolate the steering system from undesirable feedback.
Rebound springs in the front shocks help reduce harshness at the extremes of wheel travel, while helping decrease vehicle pitch under acceleration and reducing roll during cornering. Like the rear, the design helps maintain a more constant camber angle – meaning less understeer and better tire contact with the road, even while cornering at higher speeds. Stabilizer bars (24 millimeter in front and 17 millimeter in the rear of Duratec 30 V-6 models) further help to reduce body roll.
Sitting in the Fusion is an interesting experience. Our test model was outfit with leather interior, charcoal with white stitching. Combine with the solid feel of the car, the quite cabin, and sporty full sweep gauges, this car could easily pass from the inside as something European. In fact we covered up the blue oval on the steering wheel and had an unsuspecting aquaintaince drive the car. They were convinced it was a new VW or Audi.
Will the Fusion be the next car to take on the import performance crowd? No, not unless it the 3.0L is offered with a manual gearbox and two doors. However this car is sporty enough to take on entry level Bimmers, Audis, Lexi and others in the 4-door sub 30k market. We’re impressed and think if Ford keeps this up they will soon be back on top.
I’ve been driving F150’s for several years and now getting into a new Fusion was a very pleasant surprise. The performance of my new ‘08 SEL with a 3.0 V6 with a list of very well appointed options make this car a great choice. All I can say is, WOW!
By Dane. March 26th, 2008 at 7:49 amI have a Dune Pearl 2.3 Fusion and it is has some balls to it. I beat an RSX type S with race exhaust and a chip. I was pretty impressed, a 5 speed manual beating a six speed ricer. I have a magnaflow and K&N but it could use a turbo or CCA. I would recomend it to people who like style, speed, agility, and power.
By Mitch. March 25th, 2008 at 6:56 ami own a 2007 fusion sel .with aftermarket exhaust, and trust me civics cant compete. . they are suprisingly quik
By josh. March 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 pmThis ‘08 Fusion with V6 is a fast car. A young guy in his Fusion (with dual exhaust) raced me while I was driving my BMW 335i. Well, I left him behind in the dust…sorry about that. He should know better that his Fusion is no match to BMW.
By charles. February 13th, 2008 at 3:25 pmBut I think Fusion is a cool car, more bang for bucks. It should be able to beat Civics at drag racing.
I got to drive a 08 Fusion SE 2.3 for 24 hours. i loved it. i have a 07 chevy aveo sedan…i want the ford, but i cant get one right now. bc of negative equity and all that jib jab stuff. i like the fusion
By Rawlings. February 9th, 2008 at 10:10 pmwell i love my fusion …i got a cold air intake and a new exaust system …also loking to get new suspension…i have been trying to find ratings on eibach or steeda …does any one know???
By laurent. January 21st, 2008 at 9:42 ami agree with everybody a turbo or bigger block would be nice
Hey, I also found the I4 to be noisy. I changed out the standard oil for synthetic and wow what a change it makes for both noise and performance. I think my gas goes further too. I would like add turbo? Anyone know what works?
By Tom Jackson. November 15th, 2007 at 7:16 amThe concept version of the fusion had a 427 in it.
By Dakota. October 5th, 2007 at 5:31 pmMake that an option with RWD and a six speed, And i will surly buy one!!!!
I just bought the 2008 Fusion SE with the I4 and LOVE IT!!! Would trade up for SVT or just have SVT make the parts for an aftermarket add on. Keep this car around!
By ZBizzle. September 5th, 2007 at 11:49 amTrash the Fusion like the 500 and just offer the Taurus to everyone! The 4 cly in the Fusion is a piece of junk after you get some miles on it…i have 25,000 on my 07 and it gets weaker and louder as time goes on.
By Craig Brummett. August 19th, 2007 at 9:47 amFord,
By Mike. August 6th, 2007 at 9:35 pmListen to your customers! Lets have a 3.5-liter under the hood of the Fusion….Compete with GM and the Jap CRAP. Times are a changin and so is the automotive industry. In order to compete, you must provide a car that satisfies a wide range of customers. A 3.5-liter will satisfy the demands of the customer!
I have an 06 SE I4 and it is nice but I’m with everyone else on this page… As soon as they come out with a
By MattStone. July 26th, 2007 at 4:37 amV-6 AWD Manual (hopefully a 6-spd) I’m definately trading up. Ford cornered Toyota & Honda and has them shakin’ in their boots with the Fusion… Time to go after Lexus & Acura and tie their boot laces together!!!
Throw the Edge engine in the Fusion. 265 horses would be perfect for the Fusion. Ford has a good start with these two models, they just have to tweak them a little bit.
By DPL. June 28th, 2007 at 11:27 pmYes You are right it’s time for Ford to wake up and smell the roses and trash the 3.0 in the fusion and escape this is a Horse power generation 3.5L 250 Hp or bigger
By Bob O. June 22nd, 2007 at 9:15 pmI have a black on black Fusion V6… just got my windows tinted… omg its the best looking car on the road… forget about the CTS, Camry, and Accord, this is the car. Handling is so impressive, along with the style and sporty look. So glad i bought this car instead of going used foreign…. however id have to agree with my other peers, a SVT version would be great… i mean 221 hp isnt bad, but i have to compete with those 260hp out there… thanks ford hopefully this will bring you back to the top…
By Bill. June 6th, 2007 at 12:04 pmhey im with you you guys completley… i just bought a 07 alloy grey I4/5 speed fusion i love it to death but i think there should be a svt tyupe model or maybe a roush race ready or saleen model i know they were both working on a focus at one point but the focus is not worthy of the roush name. with the fusion there can be a whole nother era of 4 bangers.
By fatluvin. May 26th, 2007 at 11:04 amWake up, everyone! Gas is within 20 cents of three bills per gallon! You don’t need the 6; the 4 is fine, particularly, with the 5 speed automatic. Those of you who opt for the six, or the AWD will pay dearly at the gas pump!
By EJR. May 5th, 2007 at 6:02 pm… well, well, well, is Ford starting to get the picture? Now that the Taurus is back. Retro it! Taurus Sho.. with 3.5L, 250-265HP, 6-speed/ manual or automatic. Add some ground-effects with dual exhaust and i know for sure that all of us “SHO_NUTS” will be lining up for one.
By red_hot_SHO_2hot_4u. March 12th, 2007 at 11:46 am…currently own a ‘92 SHO, 5-speed. Put in a 3.5L motor making 250-HP, and i’ll buy one!
By red_hot_SHO_2hot_4u. March 1st, 2007 at 12:05 amI have the SE I4, with a 5 speed. It also could use a sixth gear for two reasons. First, the spacing could be a little closer over all, and second, fifth is not currently tall enough for high speed cruising on the interstate. Also, first gear is just a little too low, which I am not sure why they did that. The car launches easily, you can almost start from second gear. Overall though, it is a fun car to drive. The four cylinder is well behaved and makes good power for a 2.3 liter. It is a ball to drive hard in an urban environment. Keep your eyes open for holes in traffic and just flick the wheel. On the highway, more power might be nice, but I have had the car to 115, and it was still accelerating. In central NJ, the chance to go that fast does not happen very often. I would like to see an intercooled turbo as an option for the 2.3. Then the AWD would probably be needed. Okay? By the way, I am a young family man with wife and kids, and this was may response to having the other ‘car’ being a minivan. I happen to like four bangers, purely because you can spend more time beating the snot out of them without immediately breaking the law. Same thing when I rode motorcycles. I owned one 1000cc bike, and after one year dumped it to go back to 500cc rides. A half liter bike you can whip day in and day out without attracting Johnny Law. You whip a 1 liter bike hard every day, and you end up in jail or six feet under.
My wish list for the Fusion?
2.3 L intercooled turbo, six speed tranny, AWD
By fourbanger. January 12th, 2007 at 1:22 pm(and no silly body work, keep it plain like the SE)
I have the fusion type s i have put some mods on it k&n with magna flow muffler it gained some horses but what would be nice if i had a v6 3.0 or 3.8 5 speed manuel sport transmission somthing like the taurus sho now that was a monster ride.
By Jason. January 3rd, 2007 at 5:44 pmFord,
By erik. December 12th, 2006 at 12:33 pmPlease give SVT the chance to do a production fusion with AWD, 6speed manual, and a supercharged 3.5
Wake up Ford now is time for the 3.5 with 6 speed auto in the Fusion. When that happen then I buy. I have now a 2001 Turuas 3.0 v-6 dohc 24 valve engine I like it. I’m ready now for the Fusion 3.5.
By Gary Pinkard. November 30th, 2006 at 12:28 amI have an Oxford White Fusion this car is great plenty of accelleration, but I would like to see the 3.5 with the six speed transmission. If you guys do this I will be trading up.
By Edwin. November 6th, 2006 at 9:50 amIt looks like it accelerates pretty good up to 40 on the video, decent up to 60, and like a slug after that. Probably the gearing gets spaced out fairly wide in the last few gears. A manual would really make that a car I might look at for a family car some day. The 250hp engine would be nice too. Then a 300+hp Super/turbo charged SVT version would probably blow the doors off all kinds of lame cars. They just need to make sure they price it lower than 30k. Probably too much to ask.
By 19Mach69. February 27th, 2006 at 3:19 pmGlad to see Ford is making sporty cars. Ford has been making this correctable mistake for a while , it started with the t-bird and maurader and contines today– Both of these semi-performance cars were flops in sales– Why : Because of the same poor plan, — The T-bird needed to have the same engine as the Cobra mustang at least, and the maurder needed the Lightning power plant and both needed the six speed tranny’s — Come on Bill hire someone like Bunky again
By Woody. February 27th, 2006 at 3:01 pmI AGREE! …how can Ford expect to attract the young, family man who has expanded his responsibilities to include a wife and child, but still wants a vehicle with some ‘ balls!’ By not making a six-speed manual transmission available is a “HUGE” error. Now, mating that six-speed manual tranny with the 3.5L, V/6, 250-HP, now were talking ” FORD MUSCLE! ” Come on Ford, wake up and smell the ‘attraction and enthusiasm!’
By theSHOmustgoon. February 27th, 2006 at 2:41 pm