The all-new Ford Fusion has been launched in South Africa, with a choice of four engines and is dubbed as the “most technologically advanced” vehicle to come from Ford.

Refined unique designs

“Our design goal for the new car was to give the mainstream sedan buyer a top-drawer visual experience, adding some emotional appeal to an already sensible choice,” said Chris Hamilton, chief exterior designer.

The model features a sleek profile characterised by sweeping lines, thin roof pillars, as well as polished exhaust tips and adaptive LED headlamps and taillights, combining full-LED headlamps with Ford’s “Adaptive Front Lighting System” to enhance the driver’s view of surroundings.

The sophisticated and technical front-end design features Ford’s more prominent trapezoidal grille, a power-dome bonnet and adaptive, slim-line, laser-cut headlamp design.

Inside, Fusion drivers are greeted by a digital analogue instrument cluster, while a sleek, wrap-around centre console design delivers a sporty, cockpit-like feel.

Advanced materials help improve vehicle strength

Advanced materials have also been used on the model, including high-strength steels, magnesium and smart plastic, as well as innovative hydro-forming production method which is used to produce the A-pillars, B-pillars and roof rails – further improving the vehicle’s strength.

The recycled Front Energy Absorber designed to meet pedestrian protection requirements also helped in delivering body structure weight savings of up to 115kg for the 1.5-litre EcoBoost model.

“The weight saved during development has been carefully re-invested into fuel-saving features such as aero-shields and Auto-Start-Stop technology; comfort and convenience features; and a stronger and safer body structure,” said Ulrich Koesters, vehicle line director, Ford of Europe.

“We’ve improved the strength of safety relevant areas by 40%, and verified the performance with thousands of computer simulations and more than 180 real-world crash tests.”

The all-new Ford Fusion offers a number of driver assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond. These include the Lane Keeping System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Park Assist and Blind Spot Information System.

The Fusion also enhances comfort and convenience for drivers with a power-adjustable, memory-equipped steering column, Ford Multi-Contour Seats with unique Active Motion massage function, Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity system, and an enhanced MyKey technology which will enable Fusion owners to programme a secondary key to restrict particular vehicle functions.

Engine range

Engine options include a 1.5-litre EcoBoost (132kW and 240Nm) and two 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines (one with 149kW/300Nm and the other with 177kW/340Nm), as well as a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine delivering 132kW and 400Nm. Combined with the brand’s Active Shutter Grille system, which provides aerodynamic benefits, Ford says these new engines deliver low carbon-dioxide emissions and “excellent consumption”.

Claimed combined fuel economy ranges from 5.1-litres/100km (diesel) to 8.5-litres/100 km (the 2.0-litre petrol), with all four models mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Fusion price in South Africa

Ford Fusion 1.5 EcoBoost Trend – R349 900

Ford Fusion 2.0 EcoBoost Trend – R369 900

Ford Fusion 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium – R424 900

Ford Fusion 2.0 TDCi Titanium Powershift – R449 900

Service intervals are set at 20000 km for petrol versions and 15000 km for the diesel. There’s also a four-year/120 000 km, four-year/80 000 km service plan (five-year/90 000 km for the diesel) and three years of roadside assistance.