The mid-size sedan segment may be losing out to Americans' appetites for crossover vehicles as of late, but the sub-segment of affordable, performance-oriented midsize sedans is by no means dead yet
PINCKNEY, Mich. - The mid-size sedan segment may be losing out to Americans' appetites for crossover vehicles as of late, but the sub-segment of affordable, performance-oriented midsize sedans is by no means dead yet.
Ford Motor Co. is making sure of that, releasing the 325-horsepower Ford Fusion Sport.
The Dearborn automaker gave journalists a first-drive of the Fusion Sport Tuesday through some of Michigan's back roads around Pinckney, as the car heads to dealerships now.
With the push of a button on its rotary-dial shifter, the Ford Fusion Sport's twin-turbo, 2.7-liter V-6 engine gives a guttural roar that leans more toward pony car than a grocery-getting family sedan.
Ford is hoping that consumers will be drawn to this, calling performance "a number one un-met need for Fusion owners."
Even with that throatier engine, Ford said it has reduced in-cabin noise by adding acoustic glass in the front, an acoustic windshield and an acoustic underbody. The Fusion Sport also has continuously controlled dampers that add damping around corners to minimize body roll.
Aside from the performance, the Fusion Sport also has sportier front and rear fascias and unique, suede seats with leather inserts.
In the first seven months of 2016, sales of all Fusion models were down 4 percent to 170,840 units. During that same period, sales of all Ford cars were down 9 percent to 429,708 units, while sales of Ford SUVs rose 6 percent to 458,820 units and sales of Ford trucks grew 11 percent to 618,604 units.
The 2017 Ford Fusion Sport starts at $33,475.