Red 2006 Ford Fusion front view

ford fusion Wx'; (first drive) secret weapon FORD IS simultaneously launching the NASCAR version of its new Fusion this fall. Other than applying new grille, headlamp, and taillamp decals, the Fusion racer varies little from its Taurus predecessor. All the running gear carries over, but a few bumps and tweaks to the nose trade off a smidgen of downforce for slightly improved drag. NASCAR fans pay close attention to such changes, however, which should help Ford get the word out about the civilian version. Ford wont divulge what it spends each year on stock-car racing, so it's impossible to compare with the budget for more conventional advertising, but marketing research indicates racing provides an impressive return on investment. These racing fanatics are an incredibly loyal bunch. Fords market share among race fans is 40-percent higher than its current 17-percent share of the total market, and race fans are 47 percent more likely to consider buying a Ford, according to company research. NASCAR fans also consistently rate Ford higher than does the public at large on such attributes as holds up well, smart designs, and practical innovations. 66 OCTOBER 2005 MOTOR TREND.COM - -. l I Asian automa ers have been gorging themselves on the spoils of a 2.2.-mi|lloncar market comparison. an Accord is worth 49 percent, and a Taurus is down to 28) So Will the FuSion and its Siblings connect With buyers strongly enough to sell 300 000 cars per year (the plant capacuy), singleehandedly bumping Fords market share up a point and making Martens a here? At the risk of making one of those bold prognostications that future generations Will recall w1th eyeerolling sarcasmiyes. At least "yes if 300,000 prospects can be offered a test drive along 125 miles of tortuous, hilly twisty, bumpy North Carolina back roads The FuSion demonstrates remarkable potse on such roads, the structure absorbing every impact With no reverberations or aftershocks Ride motions are well controlled with minimal harshness and the nOise assomated with bump impacts is well mufed, which always makes a car seem like it rides better than it does In short, the car behaves like an Accord does when pushed hard, The big difference between the Fusion and the Accord is that the Fusion behaves as though it BHJOYS this, to egg its driver on to miscreant behavior The Accord may perform equally well (probably better in a straight line, thanks to an extra 19 horse, power), but it always seems to go about - we WW THE FOI