It's been nearly half a year since we first got a Nascar-ection from the new Ford Fusion stock car. This week, we got a first look at a real racecar version via Wood Brothers. It's still just a clay model, but damn, that's hotter than Gretchen Wilson's Budweiser dimples. More »

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Ford

When the 2013 Ford Fusion goes on sale this fall, it will be the first mid-size family sedan in North America to be offered with start-stop technology. But since not all buyers are open to the idea of having their engines turn off at stop lights to save fuel, Ford will be offering it as optional equipment, and the automaker has now announced that the stand-alone feature will cost $295.

The 2013 Fusion will launch with three powertrains (not including Hybrid and Energi variants), but only the 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four is available with start-stop. This engine produces 172 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, and can be had with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. As of this writing, it's unclear whether or not start-stop will be available with both transmissions. The Fusion's other powertrains - a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four and 2.0-liter EcoBoost four - will not be available with the technology.

According to Ford, the 1.6-liter Fusion should be good for up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway, putting it at the top of its class in terms of fuel economy. Based on its calculations, Ford estimates that drivers who opt for the start-stop-equipped Fusion will save "about $1,100 more than other midsize sedan owners during five years of driving."

We'll be interested to see what the take rate is on start-stop once the Fusion goes on sale later this year. For the full details, scroll down to read Ford's press release.

Continue reading Ford prices 2013 Fusion start-stop option at $295

Ford prices 2013 Fusion start-stop option at $295 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ford, Design/Style, Racing

Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. It's a marketing motto nearly as old as racing itself, but while today's NASCAR stock cars may have about as much in common with the cars they represent as a Halloween superhero costume from Walmart will actually give your kid superpowers, NASCAR remains the biggest spectator sport in America. So you can imagine that participating automakers would think themselves foolish to pass up the opportunity to make the connection in fans' eyes to cars they can actually buy at their local dealership.

That's why the "stock cars" packing Chevrolet engines carry the name and tacked-on fascia of the Impala SS, Dodge racers that of the Charger, while Toyota models are made to look like the Camry and Ford makes its racers resemble the Fusion. The Blue Oval has gone with the Fusion since 2006, but before that it was the Taurus, and for the better part of two decades prior, the Thunderbird. Now that Ford has released a radically redone Fusion, however, it has updated its NASCAR racer to reflect its new look.

Unveiled today at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup car is the product of a year's worth of design and aerodynamics work, and it's intended to bridge the widening gap between production and race car. It will undergo what you can bet will be rigorous testing throughout this year in preparation for its race debut at the Daytona 500 in February 2013, but you can check it out now in our high-res image gallery and the pair of press releases after the jump.

Continue reading Ford reveals fresh new face for its 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer

Ford reveals fresh new face for its 2013 Fusion NASCAR racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trying to get excited about brand specific models of modern NASCAR stock cars is a lot like trying to get an erection from a female Lego minifig. Both acts require you to pretend that what you're lusting over isn't just an identically-produced plastic shell with fake headlights painted on. The 2013 Ford Fusion-based Sprint Cup car may finally change all of that. More »

A pair of Pennsylvanians got a little trashed one night earlier this month and attempted to beat the crap out of a Ford Fusion. When they realized their fists and feet could only do so much damage they then tried to blow up the car. With tampons. Sadly, it didn't work. More »

I awoke in a pitch black hotel room. Rolling over to check the clock, it’s 5:42am. My wake up call is coming in 18 minutes. And my cell phone alarm. I close my eyes, relishing the last few minutes of peace and serenity ahead of what will be a fun but very busy day. Soon enough, time to get ready. I walk into the reception room to see that I’m the only person dressed in a suit. Why is this? You see, bloggers hate suits, but I’m easily traumatized. When I covered my first auto show in New York City, I showed up in khaki pants, shirt and a blazer, and everyone else had on a suit. Never again, I vowed.

We quietly staggered onto the bus that would take us to Detroit at 6:30am sharp. It’s still dark, and a blogger from Long Island is chatting me up. Ford has a room reserved for us at Cobo Hall with breakfast served. Standing in front of a wall of windows overlooking the Detroit River, with Canada just on the other side staring back at me. Press credentials in hand, it’s time to go to the Joe Louis Arena for an 8:00am press conference. That’s right, Ford is premiering the 2013 Ford Fusion where the Detroit Red Wings play.

No, we’re not on ice-in fact, Ford constructed their own circular arena for the audience to sit and witness the debut. There is a good crowd turn-out for such an early press conference, and I count at least 20 TV crews on the upper perimeter. The show begins.

This isn’t my first time at a world premiere, but I’ve never witnessed something like this. Ford made sure the audience knew that the Fusion’s main competition, the Accord and Camry have never recovered from pre-recession sales levels, while 2011 was the best selling year for the Fusion yet. Ford is aiming at the jugular, and I’m at the edge of my seat. Hairs on he back of my neck raised, music pounding, we meet the new Fusion, and it is…stunning. This is why Ford brought us here, for this moment. It is a radical departure from the prior Fusion. The car has a distinctly European flair to it, with a very Aston Martin inspired front end. The car drips class, and it an absolute knock-out. Checking other online car sites, it’s pretty much unanimous the Fusion stole the show. I agree, but there is a very close second.

I make the Dodge press conference just in time. And this was major because it was the world debut of the 2013 Dodge Dart. In stark contrast to Ford, Dodge was eating humble pie, openly admitting they had failed at offering a competitive compact car. While it’s known that Chrysler’s parent, Fiat, has fallen short of sale expectations with the Fiat 500, with the Dodge Dart, I think we’re going to finally see a payoff here. With Alfa Romeo DNA built-in, I’m ready to get out my checkbook. Throughout the day, attention on the Dart never tapered off-the Dart stand was packed with journos and film crews all day, non-stop. The Garage will be following the Dodge Dart closely. Watch this space.

Back to Ford, we were reminded that between them and Lincoln, they boasted the biggest exhibit at the show. Not only the largest, but the grandest. In the past shows I’ve attended in New York, Lincoln is usually tucked away in a corner, but not this time around.

Staggering in size and execution, the Lincoln stand was a two level display with two separate mezzanines. One was the Lincoln Lounge, offering crab cakes, veal meatballs, salmon and duck gourmet appetizers, full bar, newspapers, and charging stations for phones, tablets and laptops. On the opposite side, a display of Lincoln accessories, and a very special one-off custom hot rod built for Edsel Ford. With Ford now running on all cylinders, the attention now is to get Lincoln back into shape, and to be a legitimate contender to Cadillac once again.

At the Ford stand, us blogger guests had our own area, where we would be able to have Q&A sessions with top-level Ford execs, including CEO Alan Mulally. An enormous screen above showed each time anyone used the hashtag #FordNAIAS, a reminder of just how seriously Ford is taking the power and potential of social media.We were being heard.

As for duds and thuds, yes, there were some. Detroit was the North American debut of the Subaru BRZ, the sportiest Subie of all time. And barely no one noticed. Acura showed a larger RDX that nearly put me to sleep. Honda was exceptionally timid this year. I could sense the shame in the new Civic, as it was parked in a corner. GM covered plenty of space, but the mood was, in comparison, far more subdued than the other Big Three.

All the while my feet are killing me, and I’m cursing out my blogger counterparts for their casual dress. Until I hit the Bentley booth. Media days at Detroit are private, but Bentley is invitation only. And I’m waved in. Next thing I know I’m offered champagne and being shown the ultra-luxe Mulsanne. I’m maintaining my suit policy for auto shows.

Although the show continues all day, Ford has us leaving back to the hotel at 3:00. Fine by me, since I am positively wiped out. I board the bus, and as we pull out of Cobo, I am seeing the city of Detroit for the first time in daylight. I knew it was bad here from what I heard in the news….but wow. In the city, just towering shells of empty brick buildings. Once on the interstate back to Dearborn, it was no better. All along the highway, looking at the houses, everywhere homes were boarded up, our just empty shells, or burned out. It was a sight that I’ve never seen for all the 38 years I’ve lived in America. For the opulence I experienced at Cobo Hall to the luxury hotel that awaited in Dearborn, the sights in between painted a disturbing picture of the Motor City.

Once back at the hotel, it was time to kick off my shoes and get some rest. That evening we would be dining at Ford’s global headquarters. Considering the size and importance of Ford, it was very unassuming in appearance. No cascading waterfalls or art galleries in the lobby. Just a simple entry, although around the corner, a trio of vintage Boss Mustangs were on display. Dinner was great, as was an entertaining series of Ignite presentations. What’s an Ignite presentation? A speaker can pick any topic, speak for five minutes, with a changing slideshow to go along with it. It was funny, entertaining, and informative. Again, another insight that Ford is on the cutting edge of social media trends, yet without any self-promotion.

After an exhaustive day, I was only too happy to return to the hotel. A majority of us retired to the lounge, where we shared an exciting exchange on blogging in general. All in all, a great day. Headed back to the room, exhausted. Packed up some items, tried to watch some TV but was too tired to stand it. Lights out.