Get ready. The hype machine is revving up for the 2013 Ford Fusion. And it's not going to slow down in the coming months, as Ford prepares to launch it's most important midsize entry in 30 years.
Even with no pricing available, Ford has launched its Build Your Own Fusion website. The configurator will walk a curious customer through all of the variations of the new Fusion from a base S model to the fully loaded Titanium to the gas-electric Hybrid. (The only model missing is the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi.)
The configurator, which Ford says on the website is for "survey purposes only," will allow you to see the Fusion S in eight different colors (the Titanium model comes in nine - click through our attached gallery to see them all), list out each model's engine choices, features and options, as well continue the buzz the Fusion created at the Detroit Auto Show.
After building the Fusion of your dreams, you can also sign up for email updates, which, over the summer, will be many.
The replacement for the aging Jeep Liberty is expected to debut at next January's Detroit Auto Show, and when it does, a brand-new Pentastar powertrain will reportedly be spinning underhood. According to Automotive News, Chrysler will offer a downsized 3.2-liter V6 in the Liberty mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF. The current Pentastar V6 displaces 3.6 liters and has been well-received by both critics and buyers in everything from the refreshed Dodge Journey to new Chrysler 300.
Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne reiterated to AN that efficient transmissions play a huge role in the development of engines. "If we had known the eight-speed was coming, we could have made the [3.6-liter] Pentastar a 3.2-liter," he said.
Currently, the Liberty is available with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6 that produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. This new 3.2-liter/nine-speed combo will surely improve performance, not to mention overall efficiency, though specific power and fuel economy details are still up in the air at this time.
The Cadillac CTS has always been a bit of a anomaly in the luxury segment, spanning the space between the entry-level BMW 3 Series/Mercedes-Benz C-Class/Audi A4 and mid-size 5 Series/E-Class/A6. But with the introduction of the 2013 Cadillac ATS, the CTS has room to grow, and based on these first set of spy shots, it's doing just that.
Based off a stretched version of the Alpha platform that's underpinning its smaller sibling, the 2014 CTS' wheelbase is likely to grow a few inches, affording rear seat passengers up to 40 inches of leg room. While the front overhangs are still short and will continue on with Cadillac's Art and Science design motif with angular headlamps that stretch up the front fenders, the rear will likely extend a bit further back, maximizing trunk room in the process.
It's expected that the base engine will continue to be a V6, but churning out something in the neighborhood of 350 horsepower, possibly through the use of forced induction. The current six-speed automatic will likely be swapped in favor of a new eight-speed auto 'box to keep up with the rest of the luxury set.
If we had to place bets, we'd put our money on the 2014 CTS debuting at the Detroit Auto Show next year, with sales beginning late in 2013.
The 2012 Detroit Auto Show is off to a galloping start. Organizers estimate more than 750,000 people are expected to show up to take in the newest hardware from the world's automakers. Sunday saw 102,918 people attend the exhibition, which is an increase of more than 3,800 people from last year. Likewise, Saturday turned out to be the largest opening day for the Detroit Auto Show in five years. All told, 195,024 people strolled through Cobo hall to take in the sights. This year, the show features more than 500 vehicles, so there's plenty to see.
And it's not just wild exotics and far-flung concepts, either. With key new reveals like the Dodge Dart, Ford Fusion and Cadillac ATS, visitors can take in models they can expect to see on the sho room floor within a few short months. Be sure to check out the roundup of our show coverage as well as our top five editor's picks if you missed them.
2013 Porsche Boxster, Detroit Show Editors' Choice, Chrysler/Fiat looking for a third, Nissan NY debut, VW beats Toyota
Episode #265 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Zach and Chris Paukert this week. Topics include the 2013 Porsche Boxster, a discussion of the Editors' Picks from the Detroit Auto Show, a possible third partner for Chrysler and Fiat, a mystery debut in New York for Nissan, and Volkswagen beating Toyota in sales for 2011. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #265:
VW beats Toyota
2013 Porsche Boxster
Big New York debut for Nissan?
Marchionne looking for yet another partner?
Editors' Choice from Detroit
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
2012 Cadillac SRX
2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:31:13
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
We record Episode #265 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #265
VW beats Toyota
2013 Porsche Boxster
Big New York debut for Nissan?
Marchionne looking for yet another partner?
Editors' Choice from Detroit
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
There is a lot to like about the Pathfinder Concept Nissan unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The thinly disguised showcar foregoes the body-on-frame construction of the current Pathfinder for a weight savings of about 500 pounds. Nissan also promises fuel economy improvement of about 25 percent with the production model, which would be no small feat.
Motor Trend reports that Nissan has confirmed that the 2013 Pathfinder will feature a 3.5-liter V6. That makes sense considering the Pathfinder's all-new sibling, the Infiniti JX35, will also feature the same V6. Nissan has yet to divulge any details about the Pathfinder mill, but we do know that the JX35 will boast 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.
Nissan has also apparently told MT that it has big plans for April's New York Auto Show. Nissan will reportedly unveil a completely vehicle at the show that has never been seen by outsiders. Us? We're not sure, but our best guess is it'll be the 2013 Altima.
With the launch of the 2013 Fusion, Ford seems to have gotten the message that people are communicating in ways that are as sophisticated as the cars it's building. Ford doesn't expect you to leaf through a glossy brochure any more, or even sit at home on your computer researching your next automotive purchase.
All the pertinent details on the sharpest-looking sedan we've seen roll out of Dearborn in a long time are at fordfusionstory.com, a website optimized for tablet and smartphone viewing. The site went live on January 9, 2012, and provides overviews and deeper-dive information that's delivered through infographics, text, and video. With an easily shareable collection of elements designed for the way people communicate right now, Ford is showing that it takes selling the 2013 Fusion as seriously as the engineering and building part of the job.
The 2013 Fusion is bound to turn heads out in the wild. If that translates to people whipping out smartphones and coming across fordfusionstory.com, then the effort will have been a success. One thing's for sure, Ford's doing its best to leave nothing to chance, and all the pieces are in place. Check out some of the videos posted after the jump.
Continue reading Ford tells the tale of the 2013 Fusion at fordfusionstory.com [w/video]
Every year at the Detroit Auto Show, the Eyes on Design awards honors the best designs among production vehicles and concepts debuting that year. Unlike, say, the North American International Car and Truck of the Year awards, the only vehicles eligible for an Eyes on Design award are the ones that introduce themselves to the world - well, really just North America - in Detroit.
What's particularly interesting is that the judges for these two awards (one for production vehicles and the other for concepts) are all active or retired designers themselves, so they know a little something about the topic. This year's group includes, among others, Volkswagen head of design Walter de Silva, President and CEO of SRT Ralph Gilles, and GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.
This year, the Eyes on Design awards were handed out to the 2013 Ford Fusion in the production category and the Lexus LF-LC in the concept category. The Fusion's fellow finalists were the 2013 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Cadillac ATS, while the LF-LC eked out a W over the Chevrolet Tru 140S and Lincoln MKZ.
Fans of the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon can breath easy, at least until 2016. According to Australia's CarAdvice.com, Ford has announced that automaker will invest $103 million to sustain both the Falcon and Territory SUV through the next five years. The news came courtesy of Ford Australia president Bo Graziano and Ford Asia Pacific president Joe Hinrichs at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Ford is expected to unveil refreshed versions of both the Falcon and the Territory in 2014. The automaker is expected to use the investment to improve the vehicles' efficiency and safety. The cash injection should add around 300 jobs, as well.
Ford Australia will likely focus on aerodynamics, tire adjustments and transmission improvements to eke out better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. A new six-speed automatic gearbox is expected to debut with the new models.
And what happens after 2016? Ford isn't saying, though the company has made it clear Australia will receive a new large car based on a global platform. That vehicle will likely offer buyers both front and all-wheel drive configurations, thereby putting an end to the long-standing rear-wheel drive Falcon lineage.
What's particularly interesting is that the judges for these two awards (one for production vehicles and the other for concepts) are all active or retired designers themselves, so they know a little something about the topic. This year's group includes, among others, Volkswagen head of design Walter de Silva, President and CEO of SRT Ralph Gilles, and GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.