- Assisted Steering and new brakes deliver superb driving dynamics and improved stopping distances
- Driver assistance, comfort and safety features include Ford’s adaptive LED headlamps, Multi-Contour Seats, SYNC 2 and MyKey
- Advanced materials include high-strength steels, magnesium and smart plastic; innovative hydro-forming production method also helps improve strength
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 20 January 2015 – The new Ford Fusion offers excellent refinement and craftsmanship; technologies including Ford’s adaptive LED headlamps, and Multi-Contour Seats; and sophisticated design.
“Fusion is the most technologically advanced Ford vehicle ever introduced in South Africa,” said Mark Kaufman, vice president for Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “From convenience technologies such as SYNC 2 and a new Active Park Assist, to safety technologies including Pre-Collision Alert with Head-Up Display, Fusion adds a range of safety and security features for drivers in busy urban environments.”
Detecting hazards
Ford’s new Pre-Collision Assist with Head-Up Display detects a potential collision and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings. The system processes information collected from a windshield-mounted camera, and radar located in the bumper, and checks it against a database to help distinguish people from typical roadside scenery and objects.
If a collision becomes imminent, the driver will first receive an audible and visual warning. Should the driver not respond, the system then shortens the time required to apply the brakes by reducing the gap between brake pads and discs. If there is still no response from the driver the brakes are applied automatically and the vehicle speed is reduced.
The new Fusion can also apply automatic braking to mitigate or avoid a collision with a vehicle ahead. Active City Stop operates at speeds of up to 40 km/h. At higher speeds new Pre-Collision Assist uses radar and camera technology which allows it to scan ahead and automatically apply up to full braking force to help the driver mitigate or avoid many types of rear-end collision.
Radar technology further enables the new Distance Indication feature and Adaptive Cruise Control technology. Distance Indication provides an intuitive visual interface to inform the driver of the time gap to the vehicle ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control automatically maintains a chosen distance from the vehicle ahead.
In addition, the forward-facing camera supports Lane Keeping Aid, which applies steering torque to guide the new Fusion back in to lane if unintended drifting towards the lane marking is detected; and Traffic Sign Recognition, which provides the driver with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking restrictions via the instrument cluster display.
Widest engine range ever
New Fusion petrol engine options will include the 1.5-litre EcoBoost and two 2-litre EcoBoost engines, as well as a high-powered 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine that delivers 132kW and 400 Nm of torque. Combined with Ford’s Active Shutter Grille system, which provides aerodynamic benefits, these new engines deliver low carbon dioxide emissions and excellent consumption.
Advanced dynamics
The first model for Africa to be built on Ford’s new global CD-segment platform, the new Fusion will debut Ford’s new integral link rear suspension configuration for improved refinement and more dynamic performance.
The new platform and body structure is enhanced with Electric Power Assisted Steering, and an optimised anti-lock braking system also helps reduce stopping distances by more than one metre from 100 km/h.
Stronger body with advanced materials
The new Ford Fusion uses sophisticated materials and production techniques to deliver greater strength and improved safety with reduced weight and enhanced sustainability.
An industry-first application of hydro-formed high strength steel is used to produce the A-pillars, B-pillars and roof rails. A new magnesium inner tailgate structure delivers a weight saving of approximately 40% compared to a traditional steel equivalent.
Also helping deliver body structure weight savings of up to 115kg for the 1.5-litre EcoBoost model is a recycled Front Energy Absorber designed to meet pedestrian protection requirements.
“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 Fusion body structure features 61% high strength steel. Bake-hardened steel is used in the roof structure to reduce weight by a further 0.5kg.
Further structural developments include:
- An anti-roll bar uniquely designed to limit transmission travel in a frontal impact, minimising steering rack movement
- Sill rocker panels made of martensitic boron steel for improved side impact protection
- Bumper crash cans optimised for energy absorption and harmonised with chassis rail characteristics
- A flanged front cowl design that allows for flex under impact to increase energy absorption
- An integrated rear underbody wheel-arch-to-rail connector that increases torsional stiffness by up to 25 per cent compared with a traditional desig
Comfort, convenience and safety technology
New Fusion introduces Ford’s adaptive LED headlamp technology to Africa; combining full-LED headlamps with Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System to enhance the driver’s view of surroundings.
An advanced version of Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking enables drivers to detect suitably-sized parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and reverse hands-free into spaces and is supported by Park-Out Assist, which helps drivers to exit parallel parking spaces. Side Parking Aid also warns drivers of obstacles to the sides of the vehicles, as well as to the front and rear.
Fusion also enhances comfort and convenience for drivers with features including a power-adjustable, memory-equipped steering column, Ford Multi-Contour Seats with unique Active Motion massage function, and Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity system.
Enhanced MyKey technology will enable Fusion owners to programme a secondary key to restrict particular vehicle functions. Usually for younger drivers, MyKey now can inhibit incoming phone calls as well as restrict the top speed; prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features; reduce the maximum volume of the audio system, and disable the system altogether if the driver and passengers are not using safety belts.
Superior refinement, design and quality
Low road noise levels have been achieved by using an integral link rear suspension and additional sound deadening material, while wind noise is now at levels previously only experienced in the premium segment.
Fusion delivers top quality and craftsmanship for both the refined, elegant, sporty and highly expressive exterior, and the interior that features optimised ergonomics and comfort, with premium finishes and equipment.
Produced at Ford’s state-of-the-art plant in Valencia, Spain, the new Fusion features a sports coupe profile with low roofline and a lean side-profile is sculpted to convey “visual lightness.” 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.
