[nadepalma]

Confirms what we already know from Igor and others, but nice to see it appear in the Detroit News as well:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...UTO01/804210337/1148/&source=nletter-business

It says the I4 is getting a six-speed automatic as well - a good move since the Malibu is already doing this. But I wonder if the manual trans would also get an extra cog?

 

[igor]

I believe they are talking about the 2010 Fusion not the 2009.

2009 is a carryover model year that runs from last Wednesday to November.

2010 is the model year of the redesign which will debut in the first days of 2009.

for the 2009 MY, Ford added ESP and moved around options, but the current order guide does not have any mechanical changes (except for removing the manual-I4 combo from the SEL model). However, Ford does sometimes update its order manuals after initial publication.

For now the 2.5l I4 is confirmed for 2010. the V6 is questionable, and it is between the 3.5l and the updated 3.0l - the 3.0l was dead at one point, but in final tests it returned one extra mpg over the 3.5l - and finally, Ford offered id as a concession to UAW - so it is back alive, but its Fusion life is not confirmed yet.

Igor

 

[airglow]

I believe they are talking about the 2010 Fusion not the 2009.

2009 is a carryover model year that runs from last Wednesday to November.

2010 is the model year of the redesign which will debut in the first days of 2009.

for the 2009 MY, Ford added ESP and moved around options, but the current order guide does not have any mechanical changes (except for removing the manual-I4 combo from the SEL model). However, Ford does sometimes update its order manuals after initial publication.

For now the 2.5l I4 is confirmed for 2010. the V6 is questionable, and it is between the 3.5l and the updated 3.0l - the 3.0l was dead at one point, but in final tests it returned one extra mpg over the 3.5l - and finally, Ford offered id as a concession to UAW - so it is back alive, but its Fusion life is not confirmed yet.

Igor

With $4 gasoline I'd think the updated 3.0l would be alive and well. Every one MPG is huge in the world of $4 gas. I just hope GM gets this message.

Also, with the solid valve lifters in the 3.5l, does anyone worry about valvetrain durability? Ford calls them "direct acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) camshaft tappets", but are they as quiet and durable as hydraulic lifters? I read they only went the DAMB route to reduce the height of the engine.

 

[Ach]

Igor what's the status of the 4 cylinder Ecoboost in the Fusion?

 

[igor]

2.5l EB is to be in it at launch - other (smaller) should show up later. Hybrid should be in at launch as well.

Igor

 

[igor]

With $4 gasoline I'd think the updated 3.0l would be alive and well. Every one MPG is huge in the world of $4 gas. I just hope GM gets this message.

Also, with the solid valve lifters in the 3.5l, does anyone worry about valvetrain durability? Ford calls them "direct acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) camshaft tappets", but are they as quiet and durable as hydraulic lifters? I read they only went the DAMB route to reduce the height of the engine.

I believe the updated 3.0l uses DAMB as well - it was originally a Jaguar technology.

Igor

 

[Ach]

2.5l EB is to be in it at launch - other (smaller) should show up later. Hybrid should be in at launch as well.

Igor

Will the 2.5 EB be marketed at the top of the food chain in terms of performance? If so, it might make sense to go with the more efficient 3.0 V6.

 

[377Z]

Also, with the solid valve lifters in the 3.5l, does anyone worry about valvetrain durability?

There are a few cars with solid tappets from the factory that are quite durable. A few engines off the top of my head are many Honda 4 cylinders, as well as some of the 80's & earlier diesel Mercedes engines.

I believe most if not all simply have some periodic lash adjustment procedure.

 

[ausrutherford]

Igor what about cylinder deactivation?

 

[paul8488]

Igor, what is the thread-count in the seat fabric of the dark-grey Fusion interior?

Just kidding!