by Maggie O'Leary

Created on: March 03, 2009   Last Updated: December 02, 2010

The Ford Fusion began production in August 2005 for the 2006 model year. The Fusion is Ford's mid-size sedan, and falls between the Focus and Taurus in the Ford line. The Fusion was the replacement for the mid-sized Ford Contour. The Contour rolled off Ford's assembly lines beginning in 1994 for the 1995 model year, and ending its production run with the 2000 model year. After the Contour was put on Ford's chopping block, consumers were left with the Focus and Ford Five Hundred to choose from. The Focus was sporty and cute, and economically priced, but didn't offer the interior room that most consumers are looking for. The Five Hundred (which was meant to replace the Taurus, but was phased out for the Taurus's return) was large, but lacking in power and fuel economy. The Fusion offers consumers plenty of interior room, is affordable, and pulls down over 30 miles per gallon of fuel.

In addition to the Ford model, the Fusion is also available under a Lincoln and Mercury name badge. The Fusion is billed under the Mercury line as the Milan, and in the Lincoln line as the MKZ. The Lincoln and Mercury models offer a few extra features, mainly in the styling and trim, and are a bit pricier than the Fusion.

Upon its debut for the 2006 model year, Fusion was offered in three trim packages, to include the S, SE and SEL. Fusion offered two engine options and three transmission options. The original Fusion and its options were carried through the 2009 model year. As consumers have become more environmentally and financially conscious, many have demanded a 'greener' option for the Fusion. Ford leadership has listened to these demands and has made many changes for the 2010 model year Fusion, to include introduction of a new Fusion hybrid.

The 2010 Fusion will be available with four different engine options. These engine options will include a 2.5L, 175 horsepower, 4 cylinder Duratec engine, a 3.0L, 240 horsepower V-6 Duratec engine, a 3.5L, 263 horsepower, V-6 engine for the Fusion Sport, and a 2.5L, 155 horsepower, 4 cylinder engine for the new Fusion hybrid. The Fusion also features six transmission options for the 2010 model year, to include automatic and manual transmission choices. The 2010 Fusion will also be offered in four different trim package options - the S, SE, SEL and the Fusion Sport. Consumers will also see major changes to the Fusion's body style as well.

Prices for the 2010 Ford Fusion will range from about $18,000 for a base-model Fusion S, to upwards of $28,000 for a fully-loaded Fusion Sport. Ford has not yet released prices for the new Fusion Hybrid. The new 2010 model year Fusion will begin production in June 2009 at the Ford plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, and will be available from dealers shortly thereafter.

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