The stylish and technologically advanced Ford Fusion was revealed yesterday at JIMS, for the very first time on the African continent, by none other than the President of Ford Motor Company himself, Mr Allan Mulally. There may be rumours the man who used to run Boeing is on his way to a job at Microsoft but that clearly didn’t dissuade him from travelling out to South Africa for an auspicious reveal of what he calls the ‘most hi-tech Ford product ever’.
With a fresh Ford Kinetic exterior design incorporating new technologies such as LED lighting, a large lower trapezoidal and slim upper grilles, plus a stylish bonnet profile, the Fusion will take its position as the flagship sedan in the company’s portfolio when introduced in South Africa in the coming 12 months.
A stylish interior makes sure the centre console flows elegantly, while the door panels feature a ‘toproll’ and flush, integrated, door release mechanisms. The Ford Premium Sound System option offers an eight-channel amplifier unit with total power output of 265 Watts, a speaker system, which includes an instrument panel-mounted centre unit and a large subwoofer located in the luggage compartment.
The powertrain line-up for South Africa has yet to be announced but in other markets the Fusion currently features Ford’s latest high-efficiency powertrain technologies like Ford’s ECOnetic Technologies and Ford’s PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission system and EcoBoost petrol engines.
Innovations include Smart Regenerative Charging, the Ford Eco Mode driver information system and an Active Grille Shutter system. This electronically controlled device regulates the airflow through the radiator and engine compartment, reducing aerodynamic drag and benefitting engine heating characteristics to improve fuel economy and warm-up performance, particularly in cold climates.
Also extending to Fusion are many features already introduced on the latest Kuga, including Ford’s Blind Spot Information System, Speed Limiter and Rear View Camera. LED lighting technology is used for the daytime running lights and rear tail and brake lamps as well as inside the car.
