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4 WHEELS June 29 2007 Fusion additions complement package Continued from pg. 1 · And a new, available rear spoiler for the boy racer in all of us These 2007 additions complement a well thought-out and well supplied base package of standard equipment and amenities offering ABS four-wheel disc braking, air conditioning, fog lamps, height-adjustable driver's seat, speedsensitive wipers, remote keyless entry, power windows, power door locks and tilt/telescopic steering with audio and cruise control buttons. The 2007 Ford Fusion comes in six different configurations based on two trim levels-- base SE or upscale SEL, in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and with two powertrain choices, a 2.3-litre four-cylinder or 3.0-litre V6. Both Duratec engines feature aluminum construction, dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake variable-cam timing and electronic throttle control. The 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine makes 160 hp @6250 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque @ 4250 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 10.1L/6.9L/100km (city/hwy). The four-banger comes with a standard 5-speed manual or, for $1,200 more, an optional 5-speed automatic transaxle. I've driven the 2.3-litre version before. It pulls with acceptable oomph, is priced about $2,000 less than the V6 (or even better with the manual) and will save you a dollar and change in fuel every 100 kilometres. But for more power and passing confidence, the 3.0-litre V-6 harnesses 221 hp @ 6250 rpm and 205 lb/ft of torque @ 4800 rpm. Power is translated through an advanced 6speed automatic transaxle, one of the first in its class. Fuel economy is rated at 11.7L/7.7L/100km (city/hwy). Yes, there is a difference in driving power with the V6, an engine that also allows for a match up with the Fusions latest dynamic option, an AWD system that was tuned with a performance emphasis complimenting the already capable platform shared with the Mazda6. After the long winter, the last thing I would wish for was any amount of snow to prove it, but the AWD offers allweather, all road condition security by continuously monitoring vehicle speed, throttle input and steering angle to deliver the right amount of torque to the appropriate wheel even before wheel slippage occurs. The AWD system has also been designed to eliminate torque steer and to help balance the vehicle through the corners. This dynamic and performance ability melds nicely with a comfortable interior that feels quite roomy for a mid-size sedan. Ford has stressed rear seat room on several of their most recent models and they like to tell the story of how their engineers even tried on size 14 shoes to see if they could enter and exit the rear of the Fusion without brushing the B-pillar scuff plate or the back of the front seat. The rear seat flops down with a standard 60/40 split and longer items can now stretch forward onto the fold-flat front seat back. In back, the trunk holds 447-litre (15.8cu.ft) with a flat load floor, low liftover height and compact hinges that won't crush cargo or groceries. And up front, the driver and passenger benefit from a cleanly designed dash and instrument panel with heritage traces from the award-winning F150 layout and bolstered by new options like the as-tested DVD Nav system. We could go on about other elements of the Fusion, both the new additions and the standard design features but as a sum of its parts, the 2007 Fusion remains a bright spot of hope in Ford's car lineup, well stocked with enough features and amenities to make it a worthy and capable import interceptor. And so far, the Fusion's future remains bright. There is a rumour of a two-door coupe model in future that will probably depend on the car's continued sales success. And we will probably also see a hybrid version next year. FORD FUSION 2007 AT A GLANCE BODY STYLE: Four-Door Mid-size Sedan (SEL AWD as tested) DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, FWD or AWD ENGINE: 2.3-litre DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder (160hp, 156lb-ft); 3.0-litre DOHC 24-valve V-6 (221hp, 205lb-ft) TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual, five-speed auto, six-speed auto (V6) FUEL ECONOMY: as tested 12.6L/8.2L/100km (city/hwy) PRICE: 2007 Ford Fusion 2.3-litre I-4 SE FWD $23,499; 2007 Ford Fusion 3.0-litre V6 SE FWD - $26,899; 2007 Ford Fusion 3.0-litre V6 SEL AWD - $30,799 (as tested) WEBSITE: ford.ca The 2007 Ford Fusion comes with a choice of two engines-- a 2.3-litre four-cylinder or (as pictured here) a 3.0litre V6 making 221 hp @ 6250 rpm and 205 lb/ft of torque @ 4800 rpm. #Limited time lease offers based on new 2007 Accord / 2007 Odyssey / 2007 Pilot available through Honda Financial Services, on approved credit. £3.9% / 3.9% / 1.9% lease APR for 48 / 48 / 48 months. Retailer may lease for less. Retailer order / trade may be necessary. Limited time financing offers based on new 2007 Accord Sedan DX-G, model CM5517E / 2007 Odyssey LX, model RL3827E / 2007 Pilot LX 2WD, model YF2817EX available through Honda Financial Services, on approved credit. MSRP is $24,800 / $33,300 / $36,400, plus $1,360 / $1,505 / $1,505 freight and PDE, financed at 1.9% / 1.9% / 2.9% APR equals $748.15 / $995.39 / $1,100.65 per month for 36 / 36 / 36 months. Cost of borrowing is $773.34 / $1,028.90 / $1,718.53 for a total obligation of $26,933.34 / $35,833.90 / $39,623.53. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. Retailer may sell for less. Retailer order / trade may be necessary. $1,500 Honda Dollars offer applies only to retail customer purchase, lease or finance agreements for new 2007 Accords, Odysseys and Pilots concluded, to a maximum of $1,500, respectively, with Honda Canada Inc., between June 1, 2007 and June 30, 2007. $1,500 Honda Dollars offer includes PST, GST, HST, QST, where applicable. Some conditions apply. Valid only on purchase, lease or finance agreements concluded at participating Honda retailers. See your Honda retailer for full conditions and details. £ Offers valid from June 1st, 2007 through June 30th, 2007at participating Honda retailers. Subject to change or cancellation without notice. See your Honda retailer for full details. ¥As reported by Car and Driver, December 2006 and March 2007. Honda races. You win. Use them for your Lease or Finance payments... $ 1,500 HONDA DOLLARS ...or customize your new Honda with genuine Honda Accessories! On all Accords, Odysseys and Pilots PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS ON APPROVED CREDIT ON APPROVED CREDIT Starting from $24,800 MSRP Starting from $33,300 MSRP Honda uses the race track to refine concepts and innovations. The Accord's advanced i-VTEC® engine with Variable Timing ControlTM is a prime example of the race-proven benefits built into every Honda. LEASE APR £ ACCORD ¥ Responsive acceleration improves safety for everyone: merge onto a highway with raceinspired VTEC® or i-VTEC® performance. With innovative safety features such as Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®) with Traction Control, Odyssey keeps you on the straight and narrow. LEASE APR £ ODYSSEY FOR 48 MONTHS ¥ $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT ON APPROVED CREDIT FOR 48 MONTHS $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT ON APPROVED CREDIT Accord Sedan EX-L model CM5577JN $30,500 MSRP PURCHASE FINANCING ¥ Odyssey EX-L model RL3867J $40,000 MSRP LEASE APR £ FOR 36 MONTHS ON APPROVED CREDIT FOR 48 MONTHS Starting from $36,400 MSRP $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT ON APPROVED CREDIT Pilot's advanced i-VTEC® and VTEC® engine technology, and its exceptional V6 fuel efficiency, both flow directly from Honda's experience on the F1 and IRL race circuits. Choose from a 2WD or VTM-4® 4WD system, the Pilot is everything you and seven friends need in an SUV. PILOT Pilot LX 2WD model YF2817EX for more information and to locate your nearest dealer visit: w w w. h o n d a . c a