Nothing really 'new', but wanted to post nontheless . . .


http://www.fusionunleashed.com/index..._articleid=147

 

If Ford produces the right vehicles to put that engine in, it could be an incredibly successful motor for the company. No more 200 hp engines in the same class as other campanies' 240 hp motors (like the Honda).

 

There's no word of when or if it will be put into the Fusion

 

I keep hearing it won't, but the "1 in 5" stat leads me to believe otherwise.

 

The Fusion does OK without it (though I agree it would certainly benefit from the 3.5), I'd rather they concentrated on getting this in the vehicles that need it, like the Edge and 500.

 

Yeah, but don't you think a Fusion with the 3.5L and AWD would be sweet!

 

The Five-Hundred is more of a priority than the Fusion, but I would hope to see the 3.5 replace all the Duratec 3.0's and possibly the Mustang's 4.0 V6.

 

Why is the 500 more of a priority? Is it to make up for the bland exterior?

 

I remember a certain BC guy talking about ford having to be BETTER than the imports? I think this is gettin' pretty close.

The 3.5 would be PERFECT for the next-gen ranger.

 

There probably won't be next generation Ranger.

 

I think because the Fusion is selling very well as it is, so there is no immediate need to upgrade it. If the 2005 Mustang would have bombed when it was released, there would have been some serious upgrades.

Ford invested a lot of time and money in the fivehundred and it's not selling quite as well as they hoped, partly because it's not very fast. If they put a better engine it in, it may jumpstart sales.

 

I dont think putting the new engine in the 500 will solve too much. It will make it tons better, but the looks are just not eye-catching. Then again, I gotta think about the people that would be buying it, and what they look for Ionno

 

They're in the process of doing a restyle right now. The combination of more inspired styling along with a more powerful engine ought to help get the sales numbers up.

 

ok, now that will help a lot!

 

I've never actually driven one, but from what I've read/seen, it's a pretty nice car. It's comfortable, has lots of interior & trunk space, and rides well. It also has a 6-sp auto and cvt, which are big selling points.

The biggest knock on the fivehundred has been how slow it is compared to it's competitors. The Accord makes 260 hp and the new Camry is 267 I think, but the fivehundred, while weighing in at almost 3700 lbs, makes just 200 hp. That's a problem. With a better engine and more distinctive design, it could be a winner.

 

I dont know why, but a redesigned 500 with a Fusion-style grille, some freshening all around, AWD with CVT and either a 3.5 V6 or a 4.2 V8 is sounding pretty nice to me..

 

Prob be the Yamaha 4.4L V8, until the new architecture spawns another V8 line.