ScortLX

I completely agree akirby, and I'm glad that thay are flying off the lots. Though, thats where the issue lies. Ford is notorious for just taking what the public gives them and I hope they don't do it with the Fusion. Let them sell as many Fusions as they want up till capacity for awhile, but then they need to add some life with trim changes (I like the sport package...but why not include the V6 powertrain?) and also a performance version to make it even more appealing. In a year or so, Ford needs to make the decision to add a performance model even if they are still close to maximum capacity just to help it retain momentum. Ford needs to go into the 2010's proactive not reactive. Robert...I've always appreciated your news and insight and I hope that they are on schedule for about a year and a half (thats when I'll have the Mustang paid off) so I can enjoy this great sedan myself! :happy feet: Nate

Hello everyone....just wanted to see if anyone has seen or has pics of the 2007 I4 with the sport package on it? I'm just anxious to see how they blacked out the grille and did the interior accents! Thanks! Nate

I completely agree Drake. I'm not looking for mind blowing performance or a limited edition car or anything...I just want some performance. Throw the 3.5L in it, AWD, 6-speed and tweek some suspension pieces and I would be a very happy camper!

I was just thinking about this whole performance Fusion idea this afternoon and I think it needs to happen more than ever for this company. Just looking at it, the performance model lineup from Ford is horrible in the fact that it has no variety at all. It's all Mustang (I own a Mustang so its not all bad) but it seems like everything else is for going to the grocery store and back. I understand that you need to please the masses first, but they cannot forget the people who remember Ford as a performance vehicle company. Chrysler has a huge variety of performance trims on many of their vehicles and GM has increased their lineup as well (at least they have pontiac where performance is still their slogan). In response Ford...just added more Mustangs. Ford needs to push the Mustang because its popular and makes money but they need to push the Fusion into its segment and push some people around as well. I was reading the 2007 preview in Motor Trend this afternoon again and "Classy Looks. Needs the power to match" was the comment under the Fusion. Of course the 500's was "A good car looking for a great engine". Hmm...see a theme? They can't put this car out like the '86 Taurus and just expect it to beat everybody. Yes its doing well (which is great) but Ford needs to step forward and really take a risk in a way. They are going to put the 3.5 in the 500 and that will help that dog but they need to stop being so calculating and just do something with their heart if not their guts! Obviously they have no problem putting out faster Mustang models but touching anything else seems like a sin. Make the Fusion SVT/ST by 2009 at the latest! If they have to go simple with the 3.5L, AWD, suspension tuning and a 6-speed then so be it.....that would be better than doing nothing. I remember the Contour SVT being compared to the BMW 3-series...I think this platform has greater potential. WOW...I guess I didn't know how great we had it when you could buy the Lightning, Mustang Cobra, Taurus SHO, SVT Contour and SVT Focus. I just hope that those days aren't completely behind us. This company needs 1. Some vehicles to strengthen its hold on the compact/midsize and crossover market to pull our dependancy off of the F-series and 2. AN IDENTITY! There is a guy I work with who drives a brand new 350Z and the other day all he could talk about is the fact that if he had a choice he would get a used SVT Contour! I guarantee you that this company needs to convert performance vehicle fans as well as your everyday consumer to truly build itself back to the company it once was and revive the identity that I believe it used to have. Sorry....disjointed I know! Its late and my passion for this subject is hard to truly type out. I just needed to vent. Thanks everybody! Let me know if I'm just a complete moron. Nate

Robert....any news from your end? I'm kinda worried that the new changeover at the top of the Ford triangle is going to kill some of the products that they were planning on putting out. One question though...why would you work so hard/spend the $ on turboing the 3.0L and going through that development when you could just put the 3.5L in it, drop a 6-speed while you're at it and not have to spend as much money/resources on development? Just a question because this needs to happen.

Yeah....if its AWD I can deal with it! :bandance: I just hope they drop the 6-speed from the MS6 in it then too. Also, I think the 2009 model year would make a lot of sense for the release of this version. Isn't that when the Fusion is due for its first refresh?

Great! Just what I needed to hear. Now I'm going to be salivating at the thought of getting any kind of possible info about this car. I was close to just giving up on any performance version of the car and here Robert comes to light the fire again! :bandance: I guess this is just a test mule and Ford has a very tough road ahead and it could easily be axed in the process. Plus, I only hope that they are building this car to put a manual transmission behind it at least as an option and I don't care if its still only FWD. If they do....I will have a hard time resisting the urge to buy one as long as it below $30K. Geez....I got my Mustang GT for a little over 20K so I hope this car doesn't cost too much more than the existing GT Mustang now (around 27K). Of course....that is if they build it at all. This news also backs up the earlier report that ford was planning on replacing the MKS V-8 with a force-fed V-6 of some sort. I'm cautiously optimistic. BTW....Robert....is there any reason to think this guy is pulling our collective chains? Just asking.... Nate

WOW. All I know is that if they had a wagon sketched out and they actually brought it to production and had the courage to offer the 3.5L, AWD and a 6-speed in it I would be all about that! I have this thing for fast station wagons...I'm not sure why. I love the Volvo AWD R Wagon and It would be a great option for a family/sports car. Oh who am I kidding..... :doh copy: Nate

Yes, by adding a coupe and making it the ST/SVT version they would be showing some serious guts. Yeah, it would be really cool to have a 2-door that had the 3.5 in it....but that would take me off the list for sure. I already have a Mustang and don't need another 2-door in the garage. I want ford to build a hipo version of the 4-door so people who have other performance two doors don't have to drive dull, commuter sedans during the week. It would be great if they built both a four door and coupe, 3.5 L with a 5/6 speed and AWD. It wouldn't be that hard and If ford only builds the ST/SVT version in two door I will be upset. So much for ever owning a car like my old SHO or another great driving sedan like the SVT Contour again. :doh copy: But hey...thats my .02 Nate

I hear ya GT5001, I think Ford is stuck in the whole "Lets ask permission first" mentality and they just never produce any cars. They need to be on the "ask for forgiveness later" program because I bet if they thought that way, we would have some great performance options from Ford that people would be buying and they wouldn't have to ask for forgiveness. My other car right now is a 2002 Mustang GT which I intend on keeping and I want another vehicle to fill the stable during the week that I can enjoy and take up the mountains every once in a while that is a little better on MPG. Plus I just love the possibility of a mentality switch from Ford to build a sedan that could actually be a drivers car again. Lets just hope! :bandance: Nate

I agree that the MS6 is a great car. I've always been impressed with it since it came out and I know that it is essentially a SVT Fusion. There is one thing I would hope Ford would change, and thats the motor. I'm glad it pulls like a train but personally I don't want a turbo four in the performance Fusion. But people like different things. I'll take the stability control, six speed and airbags and I'll lose the four wheel drive if I have to in order for it to be built and I really don't care about the HID headlights. All in all, If they have to put all the same things in the Fusion to get a performance one built then I'll still buy one, but If I could choose I would take one with the 3.5 V6 NA with some tuning and the rest of the package. Just my .02 Bottom line...I just want it built so I can have a car that is as fun to drive as our old '95 Contour SE. Man I miss that car! Nate

I'll second that as well Phil. I have a '02 Mustang GT and I still miss my fathers '95 Contour SE with the Duratec and 5-speed. I had never and haven't since driven a car from Ford that made me feel like I was a PART of it. Its a great feeling that I think the fusion could really have. But please....I need the TRUE 5-speed and a V6. I hate automatics with a manual shift feature...blah! Anyway...can't wait to drive a Fusion though. Thanks!