Ford to converge Mondeo and Fusion

Readers have been begging for importation of the Ford Mondeo for about a year. That car wasn't protected for U.S. standards and, anyway, the Mondeo sells for about 50 percent more in the European market than it would sell for here in the United States. Nevertheless, the Mondeo EUCD platform and the Fusion CD1 platform converge in time for an all-new 2012 U.S. Fusion.

The convergence will result in a variable-size platform, making the Fusion-Mondeo relationship similar to the American Honda Accord-European Accord (Acura TSX), or the new U.S. Mazda6 versus the smaller, European version. Meanwhile, the Fusion gets a facelift for 2010 (which is pictured here in this spy shot).

Ford goes big on dual clutch
Paddleshift manuals to save fuel and boost performance

Strong whisper out of Dearborn is that, in addition to turbochargers, FoMoCo is investing heavily in dual-clutch transmissions. First seen in the small FWD VW Golf and Audi A3, dual-clutch transmissions are now starting to appear hooked up to bigger engines (Audi's 3.2-liter V-6), and in RWD (BMW M3) and AWD (Nissan GT-R) configurations. Our sources say Ford is planning to go dual clutch across the board, including a transmission designed for the forthcoming global rear-drive platform.

Hmmm...A rear-drive 2013 Mustang with a 415-horse EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6, independent rear suspension, and a six- or seven-speed dual-clutch paddleshift transmission. Where do we sign?
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NItePhire - 7/24/2008 4:34:07 PM

+5 Boost

I guess the question you would have to ask yourself is can they stave off bankruptcy long enough to get this type of stuff done.

SteedPub - 7/24/2008 5:51:08 PM

+1 Boost

A great idea..........about 4 years ago

Audiphile - 7/24/2008 11:27:53 PM

+3 Boost

Touche

Agent63 - 7/26/2008 1:54:09 AM

+1 Boost

You're a douche? jk

mercuryguy - 7/25/2008 3:40:02 AM

+3 Boost

A great idea..........about 4 years ago??

Ford is bringing exotic paddleshifters to the common car. Yea, its is old technology if you drive a Ferreri, but this is a great idea for mianstream.

People in the 70s switched to manual transmissions overnight during that oil crisis. I think American were more adaptable then. Today, gas prices go up and people become helpless and trash innovative ideas.

Ford is making great strides by retolling quickly, building the new 4.4L Baby Diesel for The Ford F-150, embracing turbo-chargers and superchargers.

Now Ford recognises the value of Manual transmissions as efficient idea that worked well in the past. An American Car company that can mass produce a super efficient transmission that works well for low torq in the city and overdrive for the highway will capture this market. I think it is time to buy Ford stock now while it is still cheap. I see great things on the horizon.

JWalkerLegrande - 7/25/2008 8:02:07 AM

+2 Boost

EVERYTHING retails for about 50 percent more in the European market than it would sell for here in the United States.

That is not a good argument preventing the sale of a Mondeo in the US.