EditorTurner

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Seven Wishes
With a push of a button you can transform Fusion Sport driving dynamics
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Packing a 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive, the 2017 Fusion Sport might just be the perfect sleeper. For those that want a stealthy sedan with a lot of performance upside, this four-door Ford might just be the ticket. It also includes adjustable driving modes, including Sport Mode, which is said to transform its behavior in seven ways.

“Fusion V6 Sport is the most powerful midsize family sedan in its class, bringing attributes more commonly found in sports cars than midsize sedans like adaptive suspension and fully enabled paddle shifters,” says Ford. “Its 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine produces a staggering 325 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, and yes, there are styling upgrades inside and out. But perhaps the most exciting feature is that the demeanor of Fusion V6 Sport transforms with the simple touch of a button.”

By pushing the Sport button in the middle of the rotary gear shift dial a light on the dash will indicate your Fusion Sport is even sportier. The paddle shifters become fully engaged and even the noise cancellation system changes its tune to allow more engine sounds to tantalize the driver’s ears. The real performance enhancements include stiffening the dampers, sharpening the steering, more aggressive shifting and improved throttle response.

So with just a push of the Sport button you can transform you Fusion Sport from all-business into a performance party.

1-2017-Fusion-Sport-Driving-Modes.jpg

Engaging Sport mode in the 2017 Fusion Sport alters seven characteristics of the Fusion Sport driving experience as outlined in this photo.
 

bpmurr

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I drove one and really liked it. It's got a slight bit of turbo lag and then can throw you back. The Fusion Sport will make a nice daily driver for a lot of people. I ended up going with the Edge Sport because I needed the extra cargo space.
 

black92

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I drove one and really liked it. It's got a slight bit of turbo lag and then can throw you back. The Fusion Sport will make a nice daily driver for a lot of people. I ended up going with the Edge Sport because I needed the extra cargo space.

Was it turbo lag or torque management? My MKS is pretty lag free, but doesn't hit hard on the low-end because of the torque mgmt. That will be resolved once my Livernois tune shows up next week...
 

offroadkarter

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I'm betting its torque management, virtually every car with DBW has this in stock trim. Hell, I can feel it in my mustang at times.


If ford had offered this in ST trim with a 6spd, I would have seriously considered buying one of these. I'm sure these will be pretty impressive with bolt on's and a tune. I'm also awaiting performance numbers in stock trim.
 

PhoenixM3

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I'm betting its torque management, virtually every car with DBW has this in stock trim. Hell, I can feel it in my mustang at times.


If ford had offered this in ST trim with a 6spd, I would have seriously considered buying one of these. I'm sure these will be pretty impressive with bolt on's and a tune. I'm also awaiting performance numbers in stock trim


.

0-60 in the mid 5 second range, but that was a YouTube review not instrumented testing... No guess on 1/4 mile times...
 

Mach828

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I drove one and really liked it. It's got a slight bit of turbo lag and then can throw you back. The Fusion Sport will make a nice daily driver for a lot of people. I ended up going with the Edge Sport because I needed the extra cargo space.

Can't stand comments about turbo lag. People have no idea what turbo lag really feels like. Go drive an old big turbo 4 cylinder that doesn't reach any boost until nearly 4k and then you'll understand turbo lag, when the car is incapable of spinning the turbo enough to pressurize the cylinders. The new cars are tuned for a driving experience and longevity of the components. A radical transition from part throttle to diverting all exhaust gas to the turbo does nothing but frighten most drivers and puts unnecessary strain on the drivetrain. The new cars are using twin turbos, twin scroll turbos, torque management, and computer controlled wastegates. They purposely bleed of torque to create a smooth powerband of their choosing.
 
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black99lightnin

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Can't stand comments about turbo lag. People have no idea what turbo lag really feels like. Go drive an old big turbo 4 cylinder that doesn't reach any boost until nearly 4k and then you'll understand turbo lag, when the car is incapable of spinning the turbo enough to pressurize the cylinders. The new cars are tuned for a driving experience and longevity of the components. A radical transition from part throttle to diverting all exhaust gas to the turbo does nothing but frighten most drivers and puts unnecessary strain on the drivetrain. The new cars are using twin turbos, twin scroll turbos, torque management, and computer controlled wastegates. They purposely bleed of torque to create a smooth powerband of their choosing.

I remember back in 1988, trading vehicles with a friend for a day. My 85 GT 5spd for his 86 SVO. I was driving his car, nothing, nothing, nothing, 3K bam! Turbo lag. New Ecoboost, I've never experienced the problem.
 

bpmurr

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Can't stand comments about turbo lag. People have no idea what turbo lag really feels like. Go drive an old big turbo 4 cylinder that doesn't reach any boost until nearly 4k and then you'll understand turbo lag, when the car is incapable of spinning the turbo enough to pressurize the cylinders. The new cars are tuned for a driving experience and longevity of the components. A radical transition from part throttle to diverting all exhaust gas to the turbo does nothing but frighten most drivers and puts unnecessary strain on the drivetrain. The new cars are using twin turbos, twin scroll turbos, torque management, and computer controlled wastegates. They purposely bleed of torque to create a smooth powerband of their choosing.

Ok maybe my terminology is wrong. What I experienced was a brief delay when I hit the gas and the power kicked in. Call it whatever you want. I was driving in Sport Mode.
 

offroadkarter

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Can't stand comments about turbo lag. People have no idea what turbo lag really feels like

I do! My 745i doesn't generate boost til 3 grand, then it just kicks in all at once. Its quite hilarious in the rain to kick the ass end out from a roll.

Ok maybe my terminology is wrong. What I experienced was a brief delay when I hit the gas and the power kicked in. Call it whatever you want. I was driving in Sport Mode.

Torque management is the term you're looking for, any modern DBW vehicle won't snap the throttle open when you floor it. I think its partly to not shock the driveline, and partly as a safety for idiot drivers.
 

TrickLittlePony

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I test drove one a couple weeks ago, nice car. The sales guy wanted me to step on it in sport mode and I was underwhelmed. I didn't care for the piped in "engine sound". That being said it was a brand new tight engine probably running dealer 87. What I really didn't understand is the "redesigned" dead pedal which leaves no room for your left foot. My mother's 16 Fusion 2.0T has a MUCH better dead pedal area. I will never buy a car I can't get comfortable in. I will keep driving my daily driver Legacy 3.6R hoping Ford tweaks the Fusion Sport for 2018.
 

Sn95Snake

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I'm betting its torque management, virtually every car with DBW has this in stock trim. Hell, I can feel it in my mustang at times.


If ford had offered this in ST trim with a 6spd, I would have seriously considered buying one of these. I'm sure these will be pretty impressive with bolt on's and a tune. I'm also awaiting performance numbers in stock trim.

I would love to have one with a 6spd.
 

black99lightnin

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Based on the initial performance data and owner reviews over at fusionsportforums.com, I'm not sure what Ford's marketing department was thinking when they put this together flyer:

https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North America/US/2016/06/9/Fusion-V6-Sport-Torque.pdf

So the car is much lighter than an SHO and has similar hp/tq. SHO's are good for high 13's low 14's stock. Should we be dissapointed if the fusion sport doesn't run low 13's stock?
 

1fastTbird

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I think so.

I think we should be disappointed by what is implied by Ford's marketing department calling our luxury competitors power rating. They are implying that the torque will equate to a better driving experience i.e. performance. As of now, most Fusion Sport tests have run the 1/4 in high 13's, low 14's. Seems the fastest on the forums have been 13.68 at 99mph. Take the 2016 BMW 340i for example running high 12's low 13's at 106-108 with "only" 330 ft lb. Just a poor decision by Ford marketing with that kind of call out. It's an over-promise, under-deliver type mentality which we do not need to see back in American car companies.

We can blame the performance of the Fusion on the computer and torque management, and since most enthusiasts will tune the car anyway and see high 12's with little effort, its not really an issue. But for the average car buyer this will be an average sedan, with performance similar to a V6 Accord or Camry.

The silver lining will be that we can purchase the car with DEEP discounts already ($5k off MSRP in PA,) and they will be getting cheaper in 6-12 months.
 

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