2010 Ford Fusion

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2010–present model

For the 2010 model year, Ford significantly updated the Fusion^. along with the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, with new front and rear end fascia designs and interior and powertrain revisions. Powertrain options are similar to those that debuted on the 2009 Ford Escape, including the new 2.5 L I4 and 3.0 L PIP Duratec series V6 engine coupled to Ford's new 6F35 six-speed transmission. The 3.0 L Duratec now provides 240 hp (179 kW) with E85 fuel capability, while the I4 provides 175 hp (130 kW). The 3.5 L Duratec 35 producing 263 hp (196 kW) is standard in the Fusion Sport. The I4 and 3.0 L V6 engines include adaptive knock control and aggressive deceleration fuel cutoff features to improve fuel economy Interior redesigns include a new optional 8" screen navigation control system, a new center console design, and Ford's new trademark "Ice Blue" illumination for the controls and gauges that is shared with the current Ford Focus and Ford F-150.
In July 2007, Motor Trend reported that Ford's Special Vehicle Team tuner group planned to release a Fusion GT in late 2009 or early 2010. Its 3.5-liter Eco-Boost V-6 would make about 340 horsepower.No such vehicle has been announced by Ford to date.
The refreshed version comes in 4 trim levels: S, SE, SEL and Sport. In Mexico, the S trim now comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, unlike the American and Canadian models that come with 16-inch alloy wheels. The SYNC system is not available in this trim. The SE trim now has two engine choices. A 4 cylinder and a V6 are available, and come standard with 17-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, fog lights, and colored keyed mirrors. The SEL trim comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, the SYNC system, and is also available in 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Leather upholstery is standard. A sunroof is also available in the SEL trim. The Sport trim adds spoilers, side skirts and comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Engines

• 2.5 L Duratec 25  175 hp (130 kW), 172 lb·ft (233 N·m). torque;23 mpg city/33 mpg highway/26 mpg combined (automatic); 22/30/25 (selectshift, SE/SEL trims); 22/32/25 (manual, S trim); 22/29/24 (manual, SE trim)
• 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 240 hp (179 kW), 223 lb·ft (302 N·m). torque; 20/28/23 FWD; 18/26/20 AWD, gasoline/E85 flex fuel
• 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 263 hp (196 kW), 249 lb·ft (338 N·m). torque (Fusion Sport); 18/27/21 FWD; 17/24/19 AWD
• 2.5 L Duratec 25 I4 156 hp (116 kW), 136 lb·ft (184 N·m). torque for hybrids; 41/36/39

Safety

The Ford Fusion line-up was included in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2010 "Top Safety Picks" rating for the mid-size category. Due to the fact that Ford recently modified and strengthened the roof structure of the Flex, Fusion, and MKT vehicles, these 2010 ratings apply only to Lincoln MKZs, Mercury Milan and Fusions built after April 2010.

Racing

NASCAR

Ken Schrader races a Ford Fusion (#21) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway

The Fusion also became the new body style for Ford automobiles in NASCAR beginning in 2006, replacing the Taurus. This marked the first time since the Torino in 1968 that Ford introduced a new model that went racing in NASCAR at the same time as its launch. It debuted at the 2006 Daytona 500 and won its first race a week later in California when Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag.

 Land speed record success

Ford Motor Company announced its attempt to use a fuel cell version of the Fusion, Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999, to set a land speed record on Aug. 10-17 during Bonneville Speed Week in 2007. The Fusion 999 project was born in early 2006 when Ford fuel cell engineering manager Mujeeb Ijaz approached Roush Racing about doing a project to demonstrate the performance potential of a fuel cell-powered vehicle. The team from Roush, led by Rick Darling, worked with a team of Ford engineers and technicians led by Matt Zuehlk to come up with a vehicle design that could meet the goal of exceeding 200 mph (320 km/h) on the Bonneville salt flats fueled only by hydrogen. On August 15, 2007, the vehicle set the fastest fuel cell ground vehicle speed record of 207.297 mph (333.612 km/h). The car was driven by retired Ford engineer Rick Byrnes, a long time Bonneville racer.