Rendered Speculation: 2009 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ
The Fusion could aptly be described as a hit for Ford Motor Company. It sold 66,260 units through May of this year, which is a 15.4% increase compared to last year and not an easy accomplishment in this particular buyers' market. Consider, however, that the Fusion shares a platform and many parts with the Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan. Taken together the trio of mid-size family sedans constitutes a big hit for Ford. Some time in the next few years all three cars will be given an MCE, or mid-cycle enhancement, at which point we'll see updates to their exteriors and interiors, as well as some new powertrain choices (we hope).
Through the grape vine of the interweb we found these renderings on a Mexican autos news site called autocosmos.com. This happens to be an appropriate place for these renderings to surface because all three cars are built at Ford's assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. In fact, this site may have had some insider info to work with when creating them. Above we see what the artist believes the Fusion will look like after its MCE. The look is familiar, but clearly suggests the Fusion will gain upturned headlights like those found on the Edge CUV. The site also claims the lower grille will be honeycomb and the car will receive larger wheels and a tweaked rear end with a chrome accent bar.
Thanks for the tip, Igor! More after the jump.
[Source: autocosmos.com via GMInsideNews]
You'll also find a rendering of the updated Lincoln MKZ that shows what the car will look like with the brand's new split-winged grille that debuted on the MKR Concept at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Unfortunately, the rear end still carries those awful taillamps that occupy too much surface area.
Click the Read link to view renderings from additional angles, as well as unrevealing rear shot of the Mercury Milan, as well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
geo.stewart 5:41PM (6/21/2007)
Fusion is nice but still no Iosis.
Fix the instrument/ gauge cluster, please! it looks so cheap
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Adam500 8:01PM (6/21/2007)
So Ford borrows a platform from Mazda. The Mazda platform dates to 2002. And for 2009 its mostly a cosmetic change here and there. And the car will probably be redesigned in 2014. So we are gonna have the same platform for 12 years? Three Honda accords would have come and gone by then.
I guess not much has changed at Ford.
That One Person 11:37PM (6/21/2007)
Adam...It isn't just a Mazda6 platform. Ford lengthened it and made it wider and also strengthened it and revised the suspension. Plus, the new Mazda6 will be out fairly soon so maybe Ford will base the 09 Fusion triplets off of that. Also, if it is not built on the new Mazda platform, Ford could also do some revisions to the platform. In all honesty, things arent exactly the same. And I doubt the Fusion will be redesigned in 2014. You could blame Bill Ford for introducing the Fusion on an almost three year old platform (Fusion went on sale of October 05).
Instead of basing your opinions on some renderings and non-finalized plans, wait to see what happens...
Stephen 5:46PM (6/21/2007)
Those look great and are probably somewhat accurate. It makes sense that a car built in Mexico would first appear on a Mexican site. Does that look more "kinetic" to anyone else?
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david damn 6:40PM (6/21/2007)
That's exactly what I was thinking. I recall that Mulally loved the look of the Mondeo and wanted to bring it over here, of course that's expensive. It would be much easier for Ford to change the front end of the Fusion and add Kinetic design.
Stephen 7:04PM (6/21/2007)
He's always going on about global themes too, maybe they're starting with the styling.
Goldfinger 5:49PM (6/21/2007)
Looks good, please build it sooner rather than later, blue oval party people.
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Dave 5:52PM (6/21/2007)
The cars look pretty good.
But I like the translation better:
"What is a reality is that the skulls shine near the Swedish cars."
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BLS 8:10AM (6/22/2007)
Well put. Best review of a Millan ever.
Gregh1952 6:00PM (6/21/2007)
I particulary like the MKZ. The tail lights should be on the upcoming MKS instead of the strawberries on the show car.
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andrew 6:04PM (6/21/2007)
The Fusion is okay, but the MKZ is loads better than the one now. I hope Lincoln considers the MKR front, it looks great on that.
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dakota 7:14PM (6/21/2007)
The MKR front is going onto D3 based MKS
David 6:21PM (6/21/2007)
What, no side vents? I don't believe it.
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Steve 6:30PM (6/21/2007)
I like it a lot. I hope the actual cart turns out to be this stylish!
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big L 8:31PM (6/21/2007)
"no side vents" hahahahah--good one David
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Jaymez 6:35PM (6/21/2007)
The Fusion doesn't look bad. Same for the Merc. The Lincoln is just plain ugly.
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iamhoff 6:35PM (6/21/2007)
The cars, meh. But I'm with Dave (#4) the Google translation was classic! The shiny Swedish skulls...sounds like a great name for my band!
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big L 8:31PM (6/21/2007)
Doesn't that front on the MKZ belong on the MKS,a much larger car?
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MrMorix 7:23PM (6/21/2007)
A huge improvement, I just hope they look this way when they are restyled.
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Smarmy Joe 6:57PM (6/21/2007)
I am so sick of everyone mentioning the Fusion sales increase. Sales are up because people DON'T BUY new American models right when they come out. It happened with the Cobalt, it happened with the G6, etc. etc.
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