Critically acclaimed new vehicles are naturally praised for their performance
and features, but they are often also appreciated from an art and design
perspective, and the 2013 Ford Fusion is an example of a model that
has earned shared admiration from art and auto experts alike. In conjunction
with the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Mass. and Boston’s Museum of
Fine Arts, the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) recently presented the
2013 Fusion with the 2012 Gene Ritvo Award for Design and Elegance.
An organization of
automotive media professionals throughout New England, NEMPA created its Gene
Ritvo Award in memory of a late member, concours photographer Gene Ritvo. The
award recognizes the best of design in the automotive world, whether it is a
concept vehicle, a production car, a creative marketing campaign or a particular
vehicle element that embodies elegance in design. This year, it went to the
all-new 2013 Fusion due to reach Ford dealerships in the fall.
“Some of the
leading voices in the art or auto world are in Greater Boston and the New
England region, and earning their respect is a big deal,” said Alan Melkonian,
owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “The
2013 Fusion turns traditional auto design on its ear and proves that midsize
sedans don’t have to be drab. Instead, they can have a vibrant look and dynamic
drivability.”
When it debuted
this past January at the North American International Auto Show, the 2013 Ford
Fusion generated a lot of buzz with its sleek, sophisticated design. NEMPA
judges meanwhile made special note of the Fusion’s front end, which resembles a
mix between a Ford Taurus and an Aston Martin. Clearly sculpted lines continue
down the flanks of the car, with a crease running from headlight to taillight:
a style element found to a lesser degree on the 2012 Ford Focus.
The new Ford Fusion maintains its flair for the unexpected underneath the hood,
using hybrid technology and EcoBoost engines to increase power and fuel efficiency.
In addition to hybrid and plug-in hybrid models that will each feature a
2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant, the Fusion lineup will also offer 1.6-liter
and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines, so buyers can find their ideal performance
balance. The same EcoBoost engines can also be found in the new 2013 Ford Escape
compact SUV currently arriving at Ford dealerships.
Producing 178 horsepower
and 173 pound-feet of torque, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit returns a
class-leading 33 mpg on the highway in the new Escape. Meanwhile, the 2.0-liter
EcoBoost delivers 240 horsepower and 231 pound-feet of torque while still
returning up to 30 mpg on the highway. The new Escape’s standard engine is a
2.5-liter Duratec engine that nets up to 31 mpg on the highway.
“Ford’s dedication
to its EcoBoost technology has reaped huge rewards in power and efficiency,”
added Melkonian. “Though it first appeared in larger vehicles like the F-150
and Explorer, the technology is now spreading throughout the lineup, starting
with the compact Escape crossover this month and continuing with the new Fusion
midsize sedan this fall. That makes it an exciting time to be a Ford dealer.”
