I've Got ONE Problem with the new Fusion Sport

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
01/11/2016 at 13:33 • Filed to: Fusion Sport

My first thought when seeing the car was “Finally, a Fusion with a god damn V6 again!!”. But when I saw that it was auto only, I knew there would be a big problem; but not the one you’re thinking.

It’s about time Ford had a sporty mid-size sedan that hopefully is AWD and outperforms and outsells the SHO. And I have much faith in the 2.7 V6 that will have tuners raving and going insane. The transmission on the other hand, I think will be the cars biggest failing.

Why? If you’re thinking because “it’s not a manual” that’s not it by a long shot. I didn't think it would come with a manual ever again and I don't think any strongly written letters to Dearborn will change that.

Recall that for about a month last summer, I had a 2015 Fusion SE with the 1.5 I4. Now, I never reviewed it or gave my opinions of it, but if there was one glaring negative I could give about it, it was the transmission: the 6F gearbox. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ford will be reusing this box in the new Sport, and that’s where the problem lays. Even if by some means it’s a variation of it, it won’t be good, from an enthusiasts standpoint. Let me explain.

In my month of driving the Fusion, I found that the 6F wouldn’t let me manually shift when I wanted to, nor would it let me downshift when I wanted, I suppose to “protect” the motor or something along those lines. The manual shifts were also incredibly slow and not fun. When allowing the car to shift itself, when wanting to drive spiritedly, it didn’t know when it wanted to shift nor did it want to stay in the gear I prefer it did. It simply isn’t a fun gearbox to have fun with; daily drive and commute, maybe, but not enthusiastically. The gearbox gave me no genuine control over the driving experience whatsoever.

Now, I’ve driven a Challenger Scat Pack with the lovely ZF 8-speed, and that in my opinion is the best automatic on the market today for daily driving and spirited driving. It gives you full control when you want it, and no control when you dont want control. It shifts like nothing I’ve ever been in and it’s a hoot.

If the new Fusion sport doesn’t have an automatic that’s similar to the aforementioned one, or the 6F is left as is and isn’t electronically updated or whatever they do to engage the sportiness of a transmission, well....I don’t know. I’m very excited about the new model and I hope it does well, I just hope the transmission knows how to have fun!

Also, I'm digging the four-eyed look. Bring it to the Mustang so I can imagine a new four-eyed Fox Stang throwback, thanks.

DISCUSSION (17)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 13:38

Nope, gets an 8-speed.

http://jalopnik.com/the-facelifted…

Jcarr > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 13:41

EDIT: Slowrunner beat me to it. Nothing to see here.

Apart from the cosmetic upgrade, the Fusion gets the new twin-turbo V6 powerplant, though all non-hybrid trim levels are still subject to the 8-speed auto

http://jalopnik.com/the-facelifted…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 13:48

EDIT: I guess they didnt

DOUBLE EDIT:

Ford says it IS AWD-

“Fusion V6 Sport: Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost ® V6 delivering a projected 325 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5-liter V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord”

That’s from media.ford.com

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/11/2016 at 14:08

Oh thank god!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jcarr
01/11/2016 at 14:11

My mistake. I must’ve glossed over that detail!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/11/2016 at 14:11

I can only hope it’s as good as the ZF, or maybe it is the ZF?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 14:14

No clue. I hope it’s as quick as it should be.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 14:15

Seems like ford is about to backhand some people with TT V6's.

I figured they’d just go with the 3.0 that’s supposed to go in the new MKZ but I guess they’ve been working on 2 different TT V6's.

That keeps the premium engine in Lincoln though, which is a good thing since everyone trashes Lincoln for being a fancy Ford (even though they’ve had engine upgrades vs Ford for years now)

BigBlock440 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 14:24

I kind think the ZF would be a little too big for it, and the engine would have to be mounted longitudinally if it had any hope of fitting.

Kinja'd!!!

Cé hé sin > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 14:43

Nope. ZF don’t do a fwd 8 speed, they do the somewhat controversial 9 speed instead. It’ll be an Aisin one I think.

wiffleballtony > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
01/11/2016 at 15:22

Seems like something ECU tweaking could solve.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/11/2016 at 15:59

The Fusion has the same engine as the Edge Sport, which is basically a transverse version of the F150 2.7 Ecoboost. I think the Explorer gets it as well.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/11/2016 at 16:09

Yeah I just thought it was weird that they didn’t use the 3.0 because they’re putting it in the MKZ and that’s the same platform.

It makes sense to keep 2.7 in Ford and 3.0 in Lincoln though

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/11/2016 at 16:19

Fusion RS?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/11/2016 at 16:40

HAha, I doubt it.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/11/2016 at 16:43

About as likely for them to bring over the Falcon.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/11/2016 at 16:46

Yep.

We’re getting the Sport and we will be happy. 325 horsepower fusion with AWD will be FUN.

And don’t forget, you can always up the game to the 2017 MKZ which is going to rock 400 hp and AWD