Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - (Page 24) 24 • NOVEMBER 24, 2008 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW After only 3 years, Ford revamps Fusion Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com The cars are barely 3 years old, but the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan already have undergone a restyling and re-engineering. “Normally, your third year into a product cycle, you do the front and rear six inches, limiting changes to such areas as the grille and fascias,” said J.D. Shanahan, chief engineer for the vehicles. “This is no normal program by that regard.” Shanahan said Ford Motor Co. is making the changes sooner rather than later because “the competition was moving the bar.” “We launched with a very solid car,” he said. “But the Accord, Camry, Altima and Malibu all had a sig- The restyled and re-engineered 2010 Ford Fusion will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter. RICK KRANZ nificant freshening or all new products planned between our 2006 launch and our midcycle freshening.” Ford skipped the minor midcycle modifications and has significantly changed the 2010 Fusion and Milan, which arrive in showrooms in the first quarter. Shanahan said the mid-sized car market accounts for about 2.1 million sales annually and is the most crossshopped segment. “It is a segment where we are drawing in buyers who are also interested in our other products,” he said. “It is a huge opportunity for us.” Ford sold 149,552 Fusions in 2007, up 4.9 percent from the year before. Sales through October of this year are up 3.8 percent to 128,381. Ford has targeted the Fusion’s and Milan’s ride and handling, horsepower, fuel economy, and exterior and interior styling. All sheet metal except the doors and roof are new. For the front-end styling, “We have taken the three-bar grille and integrated it with the headlamp shape into a single graphic,” said Darrell Behmer, chief designer of the Fusion, Milan and Lincoln MKZ. “We have darkened the headlamps to make them look sporty.” As for the interior, “virtually everything you touch and look at in this car is new,” including the instrument panel, Behmer said. Both Behmer and Shanahan spoke at a Ford event in Michigan before the cars’ unveiling at the Los Angeles auto show. Fuel economy is up 5 mpg for the base four-cylinder models. The standard engine is a 175-hp, 2.5-liter engine, replacing the 161-hp, 2.3-liter engine. A six-speed automatic replaces the five-speed automatic. Torque is boosted to 172 poundsfeet, up from 156. Ford says 0-to-60-mph acceleration is reduced by 1.1 seconds. Ford’s 263-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 is a new option. Suspension geometry was revised to improve ride and handling. Sound-quality improvements include the addition of a laminated windshield, thicker side and rear glass and underbody shielding. Hybrid models of the new Fusion and Milan also are available (see story below). c Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com The 2010 Mustang has been re-engineered and restyled — the pony car’s first major change since the 2005 model. “This car is a modern interpretation of the Mustang heritage,” Doug Gaffka, the Mustang’s chief designer, said at a press briefing this month in Dearborn, Mich. “That is what we want to get across to everyone.” The 2010 message also is about refinement in terms of ride, handling, steering, braking, vibration and noise level — and especially the look and feel of the Mustang’s interior, a hot-button issue with some Mustang enthusiasts. “It is about upgrading materials, craftsmanship. There is real aluminum on the instrument panel. The fit and finish is so much better,” said Gaffka. For example, the new center console flows up to the edge of the redesigned instrument panel, engineered to look as if the elements are one piece. The 2010 Mustang line has three models: a coupe, a coupe with a glass roof and a convertible. All the sheet metal except for the fastback roof is new. The car’s front styling features new headlamps and grille, lowered fascias and fenders, and a raised power dome hood, collectively designed to create “a very sort of sinister look,” says George Saridakis, senior exterior designer. There also is a lot more shape on the body side, said Gaffka. “We DALE JEWETT The Milan, shown, and Fusion hybrids get a two-mode powertrain. Ford hybrid sedans aim at Camry Rick Kranz rkranz@crain.com FRED PROUSER/REUTERS Ford’s Americas President Mark Fields touts the 2010 Mustang, which goes into production late in the first quarter. tucked everything in, wrapped it in tighter to the components.” design of the outside mirrors. Wind noise on the coupe has been reduced 12 percent. The interior noise level also was reduced. Tom Barnes, vehicle engineer manager, says the 2010 Mustang GT “is superior to the outgoing car in every respect.” For example, Ford stiffened the springs, increasing the damping on the shocks and struts. “What that enables us to do is that we have a very flat ride,” Barnes says. “When you are turning, the car stays flatter. If you are braking, it stays flatter or during acceleration stays flatter.” The base GT now outperforms the 2009 Mustang Bullitt, one of the Mustang’s performance versions. More horsepower Horsepower on the 4.6-liter V-8 is boosted to 315 from 300 on the 2009 model. Torque is 325 pounds-feet, up from 320. The engine runs on unleaded regular gasoline, although premium fuel gives the engine a boost in midrange torque. The 4.9liter V-6 engine is unchanged. New options include a navigation system, Sync and a rear-mounted camera. Standard equipment on all versions includes stability control, antilock brakes and traction control. Mustang production begins late in the first quarter. c Lower beltline One striking change is that the car’s beltline was lowered. “I think that lets the car settle on its rear wheels and give it the look that it wants to leap and move forward,” said Gaffka. Overall, the 2010 Mustang is more aerodynamic. The V-8-powered GT coupe has a 7 percent improvement in aerodynamics — the result of changes including the new front-end styling, the addition of a belly pan, the removal of the windshield wash nozzles from the hood and the re- Hyundai plans new crossover, turbo engine Kathy Jackson kjackson@crain.com LOS ANGELES — Hyundai will add a crossover and a turbocharged engine to its U.S. lineup. The new vehicle will be based partly on the HED-5 i-Mode concept that debuted for North America at the Los Angeles auto show. The HED-5 is a three-row, six-passenger crossover that uses a variety of lightweight materials. Hyundai executives did not say when the U.S. crossover would de- RICK KRANZ Hyundai’s HED-5 i-Mode concept crossover has six-passenger seating. but, but it is expected to be seven seats and could go on sale as early as the 2010 model year. The concept is powered by a new 2.0-liter, 268-hp, turbocharged fourcylinder engine — the Theta Turbo GDI. The engine uses gasoline direct-injection technology that Hyundai says can improve fuel economy 15 to 20 percent. It also uses continuously variable valve timing. Hyundai says variants of the engine will be used in Hyundai models in the future. “The HED-5 i-Mode concept pro- vides a glimpse into the future of travel,” said John Krafcik, product development chief for Hyundai Motor America. He said the concept uses “innovative weight-saving technologies; a modern, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder injection turbo; and a flexible interior package.” The concept also features a multimedia package that offers access to the Web, video games, movies and video phones. The front-row seats swivel to face the second row. c Ford Motor Co. expects its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid sedans to get better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The restyled, re-engineered Fusion and Milan will be company’s first sedans with a two-mode hybrid powertrain. Ford now offers a hybrid powertrain only in the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossovers. The hybrid sedans debuted last week at the Los Angeles auto show. Sales begin in the first quarter of 2009. “We expect to be up to 5 mpg more than the Camry Hybrid in the city, and we will also beat the Camry Hybrid on the highway,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford’s director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs. The 2009 Camry Hybrid has an EPA rating of 33 mpg city/34 highway. Gioia says Ford’s hybrids would get about 38 mpg in the city. The Fusion and Milan hybrids will have a two-motor system developed by Delphi Corp. and Ford’s new 175hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The battery pack, supplied by Sanyo, is different from the one on the Escape and Mariner hybrids. The battery pack in the Fusion and Milan has 17 percent fewer cells, is 23 percent lighter and has 20 percent more power. The Fusion and Milan hybrids can go 47 mph in electric mode. At a Michigan press briefing before the auto show, Gioia said the Escape and Mariner manage only about 28 mph. c
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - November 24, 2008 Iacocca tip: 'Equality of sacrifice' Ch. 11 would hit dealers hard â fast Detroit 3: Bankruptcy = doom Down the road and a continent away Used-vehicle demand shrivels O'Neill will lead Power GM tweaks production plan Mitsubishi: No to Detroit Ford will cut more output Nardelli: Chrysler is running on fumes GMAC on brink of bankruptcy, S&P warns Off with their heads! (But whose?) In defense (kind of) of Detroit Bailout Motors? Britain went down that road CEOs could have pre-empted the grilling Ford: We still want Mazda expertise Imports clog ports as sales plunge Volvo's N.A. boss will resume leases to boost volume Nissan expects Chrysler pickup deal will survive Toyota: Venza is a trendsetter, not a crossover It's time to put partisanship aside; Detroit needs help What GM needs is GMAC.2 'Buy American' talk won't help industry Readers weigh in on auto industy woes No one bailed out Oldsmobile It's time to move to mass transport We still need manufacturing Bankruptcy is a bet Let's get wages under control Will America be better off? First step: Bring the jobs home America owes it to GM to help The answer is simple: Leasing What about dealerships? Detroit 3 CEOs must offer to quit Oct. truck sales fall 17.4% Honda plant adds parts center They're sold on Camaro Drawn to Ferrari Japan poised to control key batteries Europe's worst month hits all automakers Dealers BMW: Diesel 7 series could come to U.S. Honda's FC Sport mixes green and go Infiniti G37's hard top retracts in 30 seconds Redesign of Lexus RX series hard to see Mini electric: Jolt comes from sticker Ford hybrid sedans aim at Camry After only 3 years, Ford revamps Fusion Hyundai plans new crossover, turbo engine Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower Honda: Don't count on CR-Z gasoline variant '09 Nissan Z delivers more of what fans like Mazda3 gets new look, powertrains Nissan Cube joins the box brigade Infiniti upgrades powertrains Lincoln MKZ gets a makeover Porsche won't stall Panamera 2010 GLK priced below rival Bentley's Azure T gets 500 hp Detroit 3 squeezed by credit, cash â politics Waxman could mean trouble for Detroit GM formulates a 'Plan B' if it doesn't get federal loan Infiniti replaces Igo Sharks vs. Jets, D.C.-style What's good for â uh, how'd that go again? Mazda deal imperils Ford training ground More like Toyota, Honda? Careful what you wish for Maybe he's Buck-a-year Bob now Romney: Bankruptcy, not bailout Automotive News - November 24, 2008 Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Detroit 3: Bankruptcy = doom (Page 1) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Detroit 3: Bankruptcy = doom (Page 2) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Ford will cut more output (Page 3) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Off with their heads! (But whose?) (Page 4) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Off with their heads! (But whose?) (Page 5) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - CEOs could have pre-empted the grilling (Page 6) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - CEOs could have pre-empted the grilling (Page 7) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Volvo's N.A. boss will resume leases to boost volume (Page 8) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Volvo's N.A. boss will resume leases to boost volume (Page 9) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Toyota: Venza is a trendsetter, not a crossover (Page 10) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Toyota: Venza is a trendsetter, not a crossover (Page 11) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - 'Buy American' talk won't help industry (Page 12) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - 'Buy American' talk won't help industry (Page 13) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Detroit 3 CEOs must offer to quit (Page 14) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Drawn to Ferrari (Page 15) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Japan poised to control key batteries (Page 16) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 17) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 18) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 19) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 20) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 21) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Dealers (Page 22) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Mini electric: Jolt comes from sticker (Page 23) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower (Page 24) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Bentley's Azure T gets 500 hp (Page 25) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Bentley's Azure T gets 500 hp (Page 26) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - GM formulates a 'Plan B' if it doesn't get federal loan (Page 27) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Infiniti replaces Igo (Page 28) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Infiniti replaces Igo (Page 29) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Romney: Bankruptcy, not bailout (Page 30) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Romney: Bankruptcy, not bailout (Page 31) Automotive News - November 24, 2008 - Romney: Bankruptcy, not bailout (Page 32)
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