2014 Fusion Wish list

[akeyes23]

I'm not going to specify packages, as my interest is going to be mainly in the Titanium, I would hope that these all would come as standard there, and as an option for the SE owners. But I'm going to go through my thoughts on it after test driving about 10 or so of the Fusions (I'm waiting for the '14 to come out but my patience is terrible so I need to test drive or rent to quench my addiction). I will admit right up front that I am not the most savvy person with vehicles, but that said I work for an extremely large car rental company, so I can assure you I drive a lot of different vehicles every day and take notice of the things that bother me. Some may seem petty but I will give my reasoning for almost everything that I ask for here.

 

-Mondeo Headlight: I get that Europe has more demand for a higher quality vehicle, but even for a standard size fleet vehicle, it has been clearly shown that people are in love with the new design of the Fusion. It does not look like a $30,000 car. Americans like nice things too. So drl's in LED form (or whichever system the Mondeo uses cause tbh it looks to me like a glass plate) and the progressive directional should be given to America in the '14

-HID Headlight: There are plenty of reasons out there for this. They are more consistent once they fire and brighter. And they look nicer. A tell-tale sign of a high quality vehicle.

-Panoramic sunroof: Forgive me for comparing it to a Kia, but if they can do it so can we, a little wider would be nice if possible. I know that body strength comes in to play with this, but it would be really nice if it was about 4-6 inches wider.

-Grille options: The titanium has the LED taillights and a badge, but aside from that it is almost identical and appearance to the SE and S models. The Mustang 5.0 is obvious in its differences from the other models of the mustang, so a different style front grille for the titanium to go along with the LED drl's would be a nice touch.

-Less ugly rims: So our options on the titanium were 40 spoke or 50 spoke, oh and black. Can we get something that doesn't look so similar to every other rim you offer for the vehicle? Concave rims (obviously at a cost), 7 spokes, 6 spokes, and why should the hybrid be exclusive from any of the rims. Just cause I like to save gas doesn't mean I don't like to beautify my car. With the problems that ford is going to face with the focus transmission, I'm sorry but I don't see many people jumping over the ST to be their car to customize. The fusion offers that exotic styling at a price that allows people to spend more on Ford aftermarket parts to make the vehicle more sporty. So embrace it. And yes I understand that more configurations from the factory make the cost prohibitively more, and everything more complicated. But these are wheels we're talking about. Have the dealers offer an upgrade of the wheel after delivery. Takes 5 minutes to swap them.

-Heated and cooled seats: I know that this has already been confirmed, but I didn't want to leave it out. Honestly I was surprised to not see cooled seats included in the '13 titanium. It'll be nice to have that feature in the '14.

-Better "premium" sound: Sony doesn't cut it anymore. I feel like I've been bent over when I get the premium sound package that includes speakers that are about as good as the aftermarket Sony's you can buy at Walmart. Yeah sure they're not bad. Just don't call it premium. If I'm looking for a sub-woofer in my vehicle chances are I'm listening to something that hits lower than 60hz. If I'm not then I can get by with stock speakers that can give me 70hz. Sony car audio is entry level. Bose, Rock Fos, Alpine, Polk, if I really wanted to define premium I would say Focal, but I'm not going there because the price on those are ridiculous. Talk to Klipsch and see if you can convince them to make you car audio speakers, because they are in my opinion the best bang for the buck in terms of quality bass reproduction, and considering multiple companies have gotten Bose to even though they don't offer any true aftermarket vehicle speakers.

-A better looking light colored interior: Dune would have been nice if it weren't for the awful mix of black surrounding the center dash. It just seems like the design on that could have been done better. And it looks like the dealers agree because in all my lot visits I have yet to see a single dune interior on the lot.

-Gas ignition for Hybrids: Any chance we can get the Hybrids to start up on the gas engine instead of the electric. I just feel like I've heard about the prius having issues down the road with the electric started burning out and being and expensive fix, and since the vehicle runs better on warm oil and get better mileage when you accelerate on gas, I think it would be better to start in gas mode versus EV (again my knowledge would put this beyond me though, so my foot is in my mouth on this one)

-Electrochromatic mirrors: All around. Rearview, driver and passenger.

-Redesigned taillamps: Something more square and unique. They just seem very, weak? in comparison to the aggressive styling of the front end. I'm not saying steal more from the Aston Martin design, but what works for the front, works for the back.

 

 

That's about all I can think of. If Ford had their headlight selector on the left stick like most companies do then I might have a gripe on that in terms of the default locations being the automatic setting, but since theirs is on the dash and visually the selection for parking lights, on and auto do nothing to the looks, then I am happy with how they currently have it set up. I like the sync system, even with its bugs and I look forward to what microsoft can do to improve that system, and most of the heads up display on the hybrid titanium I do like. Though I feel like I never saw an instant MPG indicator, just the graph that is terrible to read, so perhaps a display for that on the hybrids so we can get a little more information into what we can do for better fuel economy.

[HenryVIII]

This is a well thought out post.

 

Headlamps - The biggest issue with LED/HID headlamps is going to be cost. That's an easy $1-2k option right there. You'll be pushing this car well into MKZ territory. Should it be done? Oh yes, I hope it will be done, but expect the cost to rise, and it'll probably be a Titanium-only (maybe Luxury option) option, kinda like what Ford does with the Mondeo.

 

I know I'll pay for them if it does happen lol!

 

Rim choice- Honestly the standard 18" Titanium wheel choice is the most unattractive of the bunch. There should be another choice for Titanium owners (especially Hybrid Ti owners) than that rim they are stuck with. Not to mention it looks way too similar to the better looking 18" Luxury wheel choice.

 

Panoramic sunroof- probably won't happen. Again, adds more cost. It would compete way too much with the MKZ unfortunately.

 

Thankfully they are adding heated and cooled seats, a gray interior choice (I think) along with brick red.

 

I personally like the rear tail lamps and I doubt they will change until the next generation is introduced. The only thing I honestly see changing exterior-wise would be minor front and rear valence changes (most likely in the lower part of the bumpers) to give it a face lift for 2015+ models if anything.

[Anguyen]

SHO on 2015 Fusion

[98GMLS]

More power from the 1.6 and 2.0. There should be a AWD 3.7 sport, or a AWD SHO version.

1.6 = 200 HP and 215 FPT

2.0 = 280 HP and 300 FPT

[ranchero]

Easy for Ford!

 

Fusion (Mondeo) wagon. I need a Ford station wagon. I can buy a proper and excellent wagon from Mercedes, BMW, Audi or Volkswagen but I want a Ford. C'mon, how difficult or expensive would it be to do this? For a company with the guts to do a GT, Thunderbird or IRS new Mustang why not a proper German touring wagon out of the already done Mondeo?

 

- ranchero -

[Lucifer]

I would like to be able to display something other than green leaves and vines on the dash for economy. I don't really care about the environment...I'm sure it will last my lifetime and there is no way I would spawn children into this already overpopulated world...so that is not the reason I buy a hybrid or energi. I buy it for the latest technology and to save money since my solar energi is free to charge the car. That's right, I care more about my money in this economy than I do about the environment. So how about stacks of dollar bills that multiply and get taller with economy instead of vines and leaves?

[shaggy314]

No. You want unattractive wheels, look at the poor Energi's 17" ugh. At least the hybrid gets an 18" choice.

 

MY wish list would include:

* A trunk that stays open (mine is a month AFTER the fix cut off) - fixed via TSB

* A front headliner that doesn't unravel - still ugly and a little more unraveled

* HID headlights - sadly a several hundred dollar upgrade, but doable (somebody has done it over on the energy forum)

* 17 OR 18" wheel choices that aren't ugly. - will do this at the first tire replacement

* more LED lights, fewer bulbs (I replaced my puddle and reverse bulbs with LEDs)

 

EDIT - update 12/2013

Edited December 23, 2013 by shaggy314

[trvlrschick]

I definitely wish the 2014 had adaptive headlights. I was strongly considering the Mazda6, and that's the one thing I'm really going to miss on my new Fusion. I have to go around some really dark, twisty corners on my way to work at 5:30am, and adaptive headlights would be nice. I don't really need them as HID, just lighting up the corner.

 

City stop. That's the other thing I'm going to miss from the Mazda, it would stop you at lower speeds if something pulled out in front of you.

[akirby]

I definitely wish the 2014 had adaptive headlights. I was strongly considering the Mazda6, and that's the one thing I'm really going to miss on my new Fusion. I have to go around some really dark, twisty corners on my way to work at 5:30am, and adaptive headlights would be nice. I don't really need them as HID, just lighting up the corner.

 

City stop. That's the other thing I'm going to miss from the Mazda, it would stop you at lower speeds if something pulled out in front of you.

 

The Fusion will flash red lights and beep loudly if something pulls out in front of you even if you're not paying attention. That's usually sufficient to get your foot over to the brake.

[Toz]

I agree with akirby, I like the warning and pre-charge of the braking system, but at least at this stage of car tech, I want the option to slam on my brakes to still be mine. The tech is very good, but there are still situations that can fool the system.

[shaggy314]

City stop is kinda different. It takes over after the adaptive cruise would have slowed your car. City stop stops you if you are under 25-30 (something like that) if it detects an obstacle.

[Lucifer]

* A front headliner that doesn't unravel

 

* more LED lights, fewer bulbs (I replaced my puddle and reverse bulbs with LEDs)

Shaggy, where is your headliner unraveling? Do you have any pictures? Do you have any idea of anything in particular which may have caused it to unravel?

 

Where did you get your puddle lights, and do they flicker?

[Lucifer]

I noted the Mondeos (can't remember if the European or Chinese model) will have power folding mirrors.

[shaggy314]

Shaggy, where is your headliner unraveling? Do you have any pictures? Do you have any idea of anything in particular which may have caused it to unravel?

 

Where did you get your puddle lights, and do they flicker?

The leading edge there is a gap before the front windshield. Every Fusion I've seen has it. It would be solved with a trim piece or sealant I would guess.

 

The guy advertising puddle light swaps here has changed his manufacturing of them for Fusions to solve the flicker problem. You buy them and send him yours for a discount.

http://www.daytimebrightlites.com/Puddle_Lights_NL3C.html

[decranum]

Wheel options. Also a spare instead of the tire mobility kit.

[Hybrider]

What burns me the most about the Fusion Hybrid SE and Ti options that Ford offers is that Ford ties safety features like BLIS, Lane-departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and auto-dimming mirrors to a requirement to have leather seats, which is not good for those of us in the minority who don't want leather seats. Other really cool options that are not available to me, without the leather seat option, are the Sony sound system and the push-button start.

[jared6788]

Yea I think push button start and backup camera are going to be the norm going forward. Altima and Accord are the leaders for that. I would be shocked if Ford doesn't offer it on all SEs in next couple years.

[silvrsvt]

For all of you clamering for a Fusion SHO, I don't think your going to see the 3.5L Ecoboost in the Fusion. I don't think the platform as it stands now can survive 365+ hp. The D3 platform had to be strengthened up (firewall made out of thicker sheetmetal) when the MKS came out. With the Taurus and MKS migrating to a modified Fusion platform in the next 24 months, I see that engine staying excusive to them.

 

What is far more likely, is the new I4 2.3L Ecoboost thats in the Mustang and MKC... 300 (hopefully 315HP) with 300 or so Ft Lbs of Torque in a lighter package like the Fusion would be lots of fun...

[RonT]

I presently have a 2011 3.0 V-6 Fusion SEL and absolutely love the performance and gas mileage. It is the best car that I've ever owned. The new Fusion leaves me unimpressed especially with the 1.6 and 1.5 Ecoboost engines. If Ford is going to stay with boosted 4-bangers as the only engines available, I'd love to see the new 2.3L Ecoboost engine being used in the new 2015 Mustang made an option in the new Fusion. Add a Fusion "Sport" model again using this 305 HP engine along with suspension and brake upgrades. It would make on heck of a performance sedan - a poor man's BMW. What I'd really like to see is the 3.7 L V-6 that is used in the MKZ made an option in the Fusion.

Edited January 7, 2014 by RonT

[guszern]

I would have liked to see the HID headlight and LED running lights along with the panoramic sunroof. Ford should have known these were going to be popular items in the future and could have easily included them in the re-style.

[guszern]

Oh I thought of another item, adjustable pedals. My wife is very petite due to a disability and that would have been an awesome item in our Fusion. I have a GMC Envoy that has the pedals and makes it a lot easier for her to drive. I don't know why they are only on full size cars.

[blazerdude20]

For all of you clamering for a Fusion SHO, I don't think your going to see the 3.5L Ecoboost in the Fusion. I don't think the platform as it stands now can survive 365+ hp. The D3 platform had to be strengthened up (firewall made out of thicker sheetmetal) when the MKS came out. With the Taurus and MKS migrating to a modified Fusion platform in the next 24 months, I see that engine staying excusive to them.

 

What is far more likely, is the new I4 2.3L Ecoboost thats in the Mustang and MKC... 300 (hopefully 315HP) with 300 or so Ft Lbs of Torque in a lighter package like the Fusion would be lots of fun...

I wonder if we might see the new 2.7L ecoboost in a Fusion SHO or GT.

[Minx88]

Some cool LED lights would be welcome. And not the x Mas tree looking ones like VW has. Solid light pipe like Mercedes is doing.

[Hybrider]

Why should our choice of safety options be dependent on us opting to get leather seats? If we don't want leather, whether for comfort, ethical, or other reasons, the Fusion options do not allow us to be anywhere as safe as we possibly can.

 

If we don't opt for the leather seats, we are not allowed to have any of this long list of vital safety features:

 

1) Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning

2) Active Park Assist with Forward Sensing System

3) Lane-departure Warning with Lane-keeping System & Driver Monitoring

4) Auto High Beams

5) Rain-Sensing Wipers

6) Auto-dimming Driver Side Exterior Mirror

7) Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

8) BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-traffic Alert