Ford Evos Concept
Ford is reportedly ready to lift the cover off of a production-intent concept version of its all-new Ford Fusion sedan at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and indications are the finished product, which is expected to take several cues from the well-received Ford Evos concept, will be anything but bland.
Autocar is reporting that Ford is hard at work on the Fusion sedan concept it will show off at the Detroit show in January, while AutoExpress is indicating that a Mondeo version is set for next year’s Geneva show. Thanks to the One Ford strategy, which brings together the development of similarly sized models from both sides of the Atlantic, the production versions of the European Mondeo and American Ford Fusion will essentially become one, although each nameplate will likely live on. Other minor changes will be necessary for each market.
The Mondeo/Fusion will be based largely on the knockout Evos concept that was shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The front end is expected to take the concept’s thin, angular headlamps and trapezoidal front grille and cooling apertures, which would give the Fusion an aggressive, chiseled look.
Underhood, expect the powertrains to differ considerably from the range-extended electric drive system shown in the Evos concept. Instead, expect the Fusion to get a selection of Ford’s new EcoBoost engines. Auto Express says we’ll see the 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder from the upcoming Fiesta ST, producing 180 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Another option may be the turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 (also used in the Explorer and Edge), which could offer 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Diesels will likely be offered in Europe, but it’s still unknown if Ford will bring such offerings stateside.
Later in the product cycle, expect to see a plug-in hybrid system similar to that used in the 2012 Ford C-Max Energi. In the C-Max, the system reportedly provides for 50 miles of pure electric operation, but functions as a normal hybrid once the battery pack is depleted. All told, the vehicle should have a combined range close to 500 miles, according to Ford.
The production version of the Fusion is expected go on sale in our market sometime later next year as a 2013 model-year car.
