[Shotimes] Drove the new Fusion

[G Kerby Haltom]

I've seen more Fusions here than 500s, and the 500  has been for sale a year longer.  It really isn't a bad looking  car, especially in darker colors.  I'm surprised they have no way  to shift the tranny.  It should be the same one that is in the  Mazda.  I wonder if they will put the 3.5L V-6 in it when that  comes out.  The 500 really needs that engine just to compete with  the Camry.  Life is bad when a Camry will out run you...
  
  Kerby

Donald Mallinson <dmall@mwonline.net> wrote:  Got a chance to take a new Fusion V6 out for a drive yesterday. 

I have to say it is a nice car.  Based on the Mazda 6, it seems to have 
a bit more room inside, I think they stretched the platform a little. 

I was a bit disappointed that in the top version, there is NO provision 
for shifting the tranny, no wheel buttons, no detents on the shifter 
other than D and L.   No autostick option.  Not that most people use 
one, but it would be nice to have some nod to the enthusiast.

Build quality looks very good, lots of interior room for the class, and 
good trunk space.  Power is good, but I would not say it was a 
replacement for the SHO.  I would go for one of these possibly if they 
were to bring power level up some, but the base suspension seemed quite 
good.

All up price is right at $25,000 with every option available.

All in all, a pretty nice car for Ford to offer.  Would be nice if it 
could have been an all American design, but using chassis and expertise 
from a corporate cousin is why Ford bought into Mazda, to get some of 
that to use elsewhere.  It is a good addition to Ford and probably the 
best sedan they offer right now.

Don Mallinson
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