Ford Fusion 1.4 16V Environment

And it's as if Ford is well aware of that. Mali Ka will also hit the streets this year as Streetka and Sportka. The five-door Fiesta already boasts a three-door version in some markets, but we should not forget the Fusion, which has just hit Slovenian showrooms.

Let's start with his name first. You could hardly think of a more suitable one. In English, this word has several meanings. It can mean a merger, which is likely to be agreed by all those who don’t like this car, as well as a merger. Well, that’s a lot closer to the thoughts the Fords had in mind.

Fusion is supposed to combine urban agility and spacious interior. This is one of the reasons why, compared to the Fiesta, although it is made on the same basis, it is slightly longer, wider and taller, as well as more expensive - about 200.000 tolars. Due to the new exterior dimensions, the exterior has suffered slightly, which looks less consistent, but this brings some advantages. There is more space inside, and the slightly raised body from the ground allows the Fusion to feel comfortable enough even where the roads are no longer exemplary.

In fact, it starts to convince the driver and passengers about the interior. This one is quite similar to the Fiestina, but (at least) looks much less noble. For example, the edges on the dashboard look sharper, the joints wider, the plastic stiffer, and the interior overall more durable. Too bad the designers did their job well enough. Especially the lively vents, the modular audio system and the space around the gear lever definitely prove it. By no means can this be said for gauges. These are without a doubt the biggest disappointment. It's hard to explain why the designers decided to change the Fiesta's shape of the rounded canopy and instead, behind the steering wheel, insert an oval-like frame and speedometer into the dashboard, which are well readable but not original in design.

Well, the digital fuel gauges and coolant temperature gauges, compressed in a small liquid crystal display at the bottom of the tachometer, deserve even more criticism and are difficult to read for many visually impaired drivers. However, the dashboard in the Fusion is richer by one drawer at the top of the center console, which is not only hidden under the lid, but also extremely ready, as it has the only rubber lining and thus prevents small items from rolling inside.

If you pay a little more attention to the Fusion interior, you will also find a drawer under the seat part of the front passenger seat. Not the one you pull out, but you have to lift the seat part for that. Ingenious!

Unfortunately, there are no similar solutions in the back. However, it must be acknowledged that passengers have their own ceiling light to illuminate the interior, a pocket on the back of the front two seats, that not only the back of the bench but also the seat is divisible by a third, and that, given the size of the car, seating is satisfactorily comfortable. Also at the expense of car width.

The same goes for the trunk. There are really no drawers on the side, nor is there an opening in the backrest of the rear bench through which a narrower and longer object could be pushed. However, it is a convenient network in which many things can be stored. Even bags from the purchase, for example. Unfortunately, the Fusion, like most of its siblings, offers no easier way to open the tailgate. Even though he may want customers with the need for flexible and usable luggage space the most! The door opens upwards from the bumper, so there is no edge over which the load should be lifted. But this can only be done with the help of a switch on the dashboard or a key. The latter, of course, when we have our hands full of bags, is never at hand, but if it is, the "project" of opening the door requires quite a few psycho-physical skills.

Good thing it’s a Fusion Ford and can therefore impress with other things. For example, with mechanics. The gearbox is great - smooth and precise. The steering mechanism is communicative. Also the chassis, although the transverse and longitudinal oscillations of the bodywork are sometimes slightly disturbing. But the reason for this is most likely to be sought in the slightly elevated body from the ground. The unit also turns out to be a completely solid product. Especially when you consider that the engine range is just beginning with it.

He starts pulling decently from 2500 rpm onwards, he does his job in the whole area very continuously, but he doesn't like to be chased. It responds to them with increased noise inside and, above all, with higher fuel consumption. So only the workspace can cause some problems for the driver - there is no support for the left leg, the right rear-view mirror has limited movement, which will be noticed mainly by smaller drivers, and you would also like better lateral grip from the front two seats.

But when you come to terms with that, you find that driving the Fusion can still be quite enjoyable, that there are by no means small storage compartments, and that the rear space for this car class is surprisingly large. As well as flexible! Only the price and equipment included in the basic package - Ambiente - can confuse you. For 2.600.128 tolars in Fusion you get a central lock, two airbags, steering servomechanism and height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, but not electrically adjustable windows in the front door, radio or at least an outside temperature gauge, as you might expected.

But as we found out in the introduction: people usually admire large boats - of course because of the comfort they offer, while completely forgetting about smaller ones. But as much fun as you can experience on a small Optimist, you certainly won’t be on a big boat.

Matevž Koroshec

Ford Fusion 1.4 16V Environment

Basic data

Sales:	Summit motors ljubljana
Base model price:	10.850,14 €
Test model cost:	12.605,57 €
Power:	58 kW (79 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	13,7 with
Maximum speed:	163 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	6,5l / 100km
Guarantee:	General warranty 1 year without mileage limitation, 12 years anti-rust warranty, 1 year mobile device warranty EuroService

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transverse front mounted - bore and stroke 76,0 × 76,5 mm - displacement 1388 cm3 - compression ratio 11,0:1 - maximum power 58 kW (79 hp) s.) at 5700 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 14,5 m / s - specific power 41,8 kW / l (56,8 l. Cylinder - block and head made of light metal - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 124 l - engine oil 3500 l - battery 5 V, 2 Ah - alternator 4 A - variable catalyst
Energy transfer:	front wheel motor drives - single dry clutch - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,580 1,930; II. 1,280 hours; III. 0,950 hours; IV. 0,760 hours; v. 3,620; reverse gear 4,250 – differential in 6 differential – wheels 15J × 195 – tires 60/15 R 1,85 H, rolling range 1000 m – speed in 34,5 rpm XNUMX km / h
Capacity:	top speed 163 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 13,7 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,5 / 5,3 / 6,5 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95)
Transportation and suspension:	limo - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear half-axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers - two-wheel brakes, front disc (forced-cooled), rear drum, power steering, , EBD, mechanical rear parking brake (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering, power steering, 3,1 turns between extreme points
Mass:	empty vehicle 1070 kg - permissible total weight 1605 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 900 kg, without brake 500 kg - permissible roof load 75 kg
External dimensions:	length 4020 mm - width 1721 mm - height 1528 mm - wheelbase 2485 mm - front track 1474 mm - rear 1435 mm - minimum ground clearance 160 mm - driving radius 9,9 m
Inner dimensions:	length (from the instrument panel to the rear seat back) 1560 mm - width (at the knees) front 1420 mm, rear 1430 mm - height above the seat front 960-1020 mm, rear 940 mm - longitudinal front seat 900-1100 mm, rear seat 860 mm -660 mm - front seat length 500 mm, rear seat 500 mm - steering wheel diameter 375 mm - fuel tank 45 l
Box:	(normal) 337-1175 l Capacity; Trunk volume measured with standard Samsonite suitcases: 1 × backpack (20 l), 1 × airplane suitcase (36 l), 1 × suitcase 68,5 l, 1 × suitcase 85,5 l

Our measurements

T = 0 ° C, p = 1012 mbar, rel. vl. = 64%, Odometer condition: 520 km, Tires: Uniroyal MS Plus 55
Acceleration 0-100km:	14,5s
1000m from the city:	36,4 years ( 138 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	14,7 (IV.) S
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	26,5 (W) p
Maximum speed:	169km / h (V.)
Minimum consumption:	9,1l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	11,2l / 100km
test consumption:	10,1 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	81,2m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	48,1m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	58dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	58dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	58dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	66dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	64dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	64dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear	72dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	70dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	69dB
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (297/420)

• Fusion opens a new niche in the world of motoring, intended for people who are looking for a nimble, comfortable enough and at the same time spacious car. You don't believe it? At least two more similar cars will arrive in Slovenia soon: Mazda2 and Opel Meriva.

• Exterior (12/15)

  The spaciousness of the interior has been given an advantage this time, so the Fusion is less consistent compared to the Fiesta.

• Interior (119/140)

  The dashboard is less noble than in the Fiesta, but the passenger compartment along with the trunk is more useful.

• Engine, transmission (25
  
  
  / 40)

  The engine is not technologically special, but it is not underpowered. It just lacks liveliness.

• Driving performance (69
  
  
  / 95)

  The transmission and steering wheel are good, the chassis is solid (body tilt), but there is no support for the left foot.

• Performance (17/35)

  We should not expect much from the engine, as it is at the bottom of the pallet, so the performance is only average.

• Security (25/45)

  There are basically only two airbags, the braking distance with ABS is average, and the visibility from the vehicle is commendable.

• Economy

  The price in terms of equipment is not low, but it also includes a solid warranty package. Fuel consumption could be lower.

We praise and reproach

open space

barrel size and flexibility

number of storage spaces

well-being while driving

Transmission

flywheel

price

a modest basic equipment package

no support for the left leg

limited movement of the right exterior mirror

from the outside, the tailgate can only be opened with a key