Ford FUSION+ RANGE
For Those In Search Of A More Luxurious Fusion,
Ford Present The Fusion+. By Andy Enright
The Ford Fusion has established a rather unusual niche for itself as the tall car thats great in the city. But for those more upwardly mobile denizens of the urban jungle, Ford have released a Fusion with a whole lot more equipment that makes it one of the more interesting choices around for the modern family.
Think for a moment about how we use our cars. The days when we could get by with a normal family hatch are probably slipping behind us now, the market lagging behind in that realisation. Vehicles with more flexible seating systems and enhanced visibility but which dont end up looking like a wheelie bin are likely to represent the next wave in buying preferences. Maybe Ford has jumped into this market before its had time to mature with the Fusion, a car that has raised a few puzzled eyebrows amongst buyers, but a drive in the Fusion+ may well convince them to ditch their prejudices.
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Instantly identifiable by its big 16-inch alloy wheels and body styling kit, the Fusion+ looks a good deal beefier than Fusions weve become accustomed to and more like the original design study. The silver mesh front grille looks a little different and the cars more purposeful stance removes the fresh air visible in the standard cars wheelarches. Tinted privacy glass is fitted which not only helps to keep the interior cool but also helps to differentiate the Fusion+ from its humbler siblings. The piece de resistance of the Fusion+ has to be the DVD rear
seat entertainment system.
If you need to keep the kids quiet over a long car journey theres nothing better than an endless stream of Harry Potter, Toy Story and Shrek. "Are we nearly there yet?" will become but a distant memory as you flip the ceiling mounted screen down and let them have the good news. The headphones supplied are infra red, so theres no danger of the kids throttling each other with trailing wires. The system also supports video games and has CD and MP3 capability making it almost too good to waste on the kids.
"The piece de resistance of the Fusion+ has to be the DVD rear seat entertainment system."
Theres also what
Ford dub a "rear seat activity console which is probably the most flowery term for a storage bin (10.7 litres) weve yet heard. Granted, it also contains an auxiliary power outlet so that yet more electronic gizmos can be run from the back seats. There are also four new stowage pockets for small bits and bobs: one on the front edge of the drivers seat cushion, one on the inner face of the drivers seat backrest and one on each corner of the rear seat cushions. which may well raise some eyebrows should an officer of HM Customs take a good look around the interior of your vehicle. The interior fabrics are a little plusher and the loadspace carpet features some integrated protective runners. Four engine choices are offered, the popular 1.
4-litre TDCi common rail turbodiesel that generates 67bhp, a more powerful 90bhp 1.6-litre TDCi, or a pair of 16v petrol units a 1.4-litre powerplant thats good for 79bhp or a 99bhp 1.6-litre engine.
Driving dynamics do justice to Fords hyperbole and act as a clear yardstick for the rest of the sector. Should you want to expend less effort in the city, a clutchless Durashift version is also available. In designing the Fusion for urban families, a number of key criteria had to be met. These elements included a higher driving position to give good all round visibility, body height and wheel designs optimised for ground clearance and ride comfort so that Fusion drivers can easily shrug off kerbs, speed humps and the worst urban potholes.
So-called cubed-out architecture maximises seating space while the same philosophy maximises the luggage space by providing a squared-off rear header and a flat load floor. That driving position is a full 75mm higher than youd find in a Fiesta and its longer but slightly narrower too. The bumpers and rubbing strips followed intensive research into how cars become damaged in the urban environment. Should you contrive to take the cars name somewhat literally and meld it with something else, its good to know that youve an Intelligent Protection System that will intervene with dual stage front air bags that sense the type and severity of the impact.
Side airbags are available for front seat passengers and optional curtain bags provide side-impact head protection. The high seating position gives a commanding view of the road ahead and theres a wonderful sense of airiness about the cabin. As well as offering the usual split/fold rear seats, the Fusion also allows the front passenger seat and the rear seats to fold flat, although the operation isnt as slick as in some rivals. Even with the seats in an upright position, the boot is impressive with a standard luggage volume of some 337 litres.
Should you need to slide luggage out from the rear, Ford have thoughtfully designed the Fusion with no rear loading lip. The elevated seating position also allows for extra stowage space under the passenger seats, whilst the fascia features a flip-top bin like the Galaxy whilst the main instruments are housed in a neat oval binnacle. The Fusion+ certainly has what it takes to convince even the most sceptical family motorist that this is one of the trendier ways of transporting two parents and two kids yet to hit the market. That said, many will still fail to see the benefit of paying extra for a car that rides on Fiesta underpinnings and doesnt handle quite as adroitly as its more conventional sibling.
That said, isnt it time to readjust our priorities and think of what we really need family cars for? As a vehicle that will likely spend upwards of 60% of its time in urban environments, the Fusion+ - especially in TDCi diesel form is a commonsense solution to a problem few realise they have. Enhanced visibility, ease of parking and built in systems to lower the stress of carting the kids about take the hassle out of motoring and that has to be well worthwhile.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Ford Fusion+ range
PRICES: £13,575-£14,575 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-6
CO2 EMISSIONS: 116-157g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.6 petrol] 0-60mph 10.9s / Max Speed 112mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6 petrol] (combined) 42mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4020/1708/1503mm
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