2008 Ford Fusion gets Sport Package
click above image to view more photos of the 2008 Ford Fusion with Sport Package
Most here at Autoblog who have driven the Ford Fusion are a fan, though our one complaint that remains ignored is the car's lack of power. The 3.0L Duratic V6 with 221 HP just doesn't cut it for us. Instead of fixing the problem for 2008, Ford has instead decided to offer Fusion customers an optional Sport Appearance Package so your car will look faster than it really it is.
Available on both SE and SEL models, the Sport Package adds 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a rear lip spoiler and body-color surrounds for the front fog lamps. I can feel the skin peeling back away from my face already. Inside Fusions with the option Sport Package will be charcoal black interior trim, contrasting red stitching and a brushed aluminum face plate for the center console. Also available are "red-splashed" cloth seat inserts or red leather inlays. These Fusions with the Sport Package will only be available in Black, Redfire Metallic, Vapor Silver and Silver Birch Metallic.
But wait, the Sport Package actually does add some go-fast hardware to the Fusion, including a more sporty tuned suspension with a larger rear stabilizer bar, stiffer springs and adjusted springs and dampers. Kudos for the components, but not even a freer breathing air filter or exhaust system for a half dozen more horsepower? Ah well, it'll only cost you $895, anyway.
Check out Ford's official press release after the jump and our high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Fusion with Sport Package below.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
SPORT PACKAGE HELPS FUSION STAND OUT
For 2008, the Ford Fusion gets a Sport Appearance Package that helps it stand out from the pack, both inside and out. Available on the SE and SEL models, the new package lets Fusion owners add custom details to make their favorite car look even better.
On the outside, the Sport Appearance Package trims out the Fusion with 18-inch machined aluminum wheels -- a first for Fusion -- plus body-color fog-lamp surrounds and a unique rear lip spoiler. The Fusion's signature three-bar over two-bar grille also gets a sophisticated, smoky "black chrome" look.
Inside, the package features a charcoal black interior trim with contrasting red stitching that is included on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the center console. A satiny, brushed aluminum face also envelops the radio and radio controls. Sport Appearance Package customers can also choose from the special red-splashed cloth seat inserts or rich, red leather inlays on the optional leather seats.
"We did this to give our Fusion customers the chance to really dress up the exterior and interior of their cars," said Jonathan Richards, Ford Fusion marketing manager. "Fusion customers are into appearance, and they want a sporty-looking package to go with Fusion's already great handling. This Sport Appearance Package helps deliver that both inside and out."
The more muscular look of the Fusion Sport Appearance Package is backed up by a sport-tuned suspension with a bigger rear stabilizer bar, stiffer springs and dampened struts and shocks that add to the ride and handling performance.
The upgraded appearance package comes in four exterior colors -- Black, Redfire Metallic, Vapor Silver and Silver Birch Metallic. Priced at $895, the Sport Appearance Package has been getting a strong response.
"Our dealers are saying this is the one they're putting on the showroom floor," said Richards. "This is the one that ultimately delivers on everything that Fusion is."
For 2008, the Fusion continues to offer first-in-class, available all-wheel drive (AWD), which led car enthusiasts to rank the Fusion tops in Handling, Performance and Styling over Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in independent tests conducted by Road & Track and Car and Driver magazines.
The 2008 Fusion also comes standard with six airbags for front, front seat side and side-curtain protection, which provides Fusion with the highest protection ratings in frontal offset and side-impact crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The Fusion's standard fuel-efficient 160-horsepower Duratec four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission that delivers 29 mpg highway and a range of 467 miles on a full tank of gas. Fusion buyers can also select from an optional five-speed automatic or the optional 221-horsepower Duratec V6 with a first-in-class five-speed automatic.
Some of the other popular options on the 2008 Fusion include:
- Ford SYNC, a Bluetooth-enabled, voice-activated system that allows hands-free phone calling and digital media playing.
- a voice-activated, DVD-based Navigation System and Sirius satellite radio.
- the Ambient Lighting Package which adds the glow of seven selectable hues to the front and rear footwells and the front cupholders.
- a Moon and Tune package that puts a power moonroof overhead and a premium eight-speaker Audiophile Sound System all around
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
James 2:36PM (10/04/2007)
WTF: The 3.0L Duratic V6 with 221 HP just doesn't cut it for us.
99% of the population is fine with this great engine. Don't like it? Buy a MKZ.
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tanooki2003 2:50PM (10/04/2007)
Actually I should correct you. If you don't like it then you should buy a Mazda 6.
Thanks again Ford for listening to your consumers. It's no wonder your sales just continue to drop. This sport package is more like getting dressed up for a prom date, not for a sporting event.
Ford you really should take a clue from the Australian Ford division. They know how to 'sport-ify' or 'juice up' a bland sedan into a high performance machine that can also turn heads. When i look at this car, aside from the spoiler, I have to really look very close to notice ANY changes from the standard sedan, and that's sad. This car will be as invisible to the crowd as most of Ford's other boring sedans.
David 3:09PM (10/04/2007)
I think the point they are trying to make is that most mid size cars with v6 engines have more power and out gun the fusion. Even a hyundai has more power. Fords new v6 really should be in the fusion as it's a pretty competitive engine.
BTW almost no one buys the Fusion where I live. I rarely ever see them and can't remember the last time I saw one. Competition is way too tough for ford to blaze a path in the mid size sedan segment. I don't think that the sport package is going to help.
John R 6:32PM (10/04/2007)
I was about to mention the Sonata bit, too. The Sonata V6 is like 1.5 seconds quicker to 60 than the fusion. That's a real shame.
Bob 2:43PM (10/04/2007)
Why bother? This car is already built with a sport package, and an option to shift for yourself with the V6. It's a Mazda 6.
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chonkyfire 3:17PM (10/04/2007)
I've driven both and this is NOT a Mazda 6. It's much softer .
Bob 5:33PM (10/04/2007)
That's my point. I've driven both as well. If you want a sporty Fusion, buy a 6.
Resh 2:45PM (10/04/2007)
Ha! Ford can't even get their own press release right... the V6's are mated to a 6 speed auto, not a 5 speed!
At least this package isn't just for looks... a hotter version would be appreciated though. ( SVT, Yamaha, anybody?)
Other than the lack of a manual with the V6 and the bland color palette for '08, I like the Fusions...
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Toledo Guy 2:44PM (10/04/2007)
No doubt, do you guys forget who you are writing for? For the average driver, 221hp is plenty! For the average driver, you've got to start worrying about putting too much horsepower in their hands. Sheesh, when the first SHO came out, it put out 200hp. With the price of gas where it is, and the Democrats refusing to let us drill for our own, we should be looking for ways to get maximum performance while using less gasoline. What else does a family truckster do besides burn more gas on the way to day care when it has 260hp vs 221?
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FThorn 2:51PM (10/04/2007)
+1
SPG 2:53PM (10/04/2007)
The first SHO had about 220 as I recall.
jb 4:08PM (10/04/2007)
Yeah Actually I'd like to see a smaller 4 cylinders in this car (the 2.0 for instance). More people are looking foe better fuel economy rather than more power. Who needs 221 HP in a family sedan to get the kids to and from school?
Za 4:11PM (10/04/2007)
To be fair, if "the Democrats" let you drill for oil, it would still be putting a bandage on a bullet wound. It's only a temporary solution. Getting a successful alternate energy source would be a hell of a lot better than "the Democrats" allowing us to drill on protected land.
Bruno 5:27PM (10/04/2007)
Yeah, blame it on the Democrats. I think the sport pkg. also has special cup holders for those addicted to kool-aid. If we did drill more oil, Big Oil would sell it for more money overseas. That's reality. And the Fusion is still crap.
Scotty 2:50PM (10/04/2007)
How about an option to delete that three-bar chrome grille?
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04A4 4:39PM (10/04/2007)
Amen.
tikirob 2:51PM (10/04/2007)
This is a common answer for car companies, lets make it look faster and give it a "sport" tuned suspension. Give us power and performance, then call it sport otherwise we will forget what sport means...or is that the idea.
Rob
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Shawn 2:51PM (10/04/2007)
...wow, since when is 220hp not cutting it anymore? V6 Fusion is lighter, cheaper, with better mpg than Camry or Accord...And available with AWD...and top of the line reliablity.
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Ligor 3:02PM (10/04/2007)
if you read and pulish on this blog, 220HP doesn't cut it anymore,
for the rest of the population that just wants reliable transportation, 200HP could be just fine, but considering the Camry/Accord/Altima/Aura/etc FWD family sedans all have more and most outsell the Fusin, that's when 220HP doesn't cut it
blogged to death 3:04PM (10/04/2007)
You got that "top of the line reliability" remark backwards. It's Honda & Toyota that have that down and Ford doesn't.