Test drive Ford Fusion 2002 - 2005 hatchback

Metis

Ford Fusion has the qualities of three types of cars at once

The main thing is that the client is satisfied, and let the specialists deal with the classification of the vehicle. And if Ford Fusion does not fit into any of the known categories is the problem of those who profess these same categories. In this case, it is enough for the consumer to know that the compact car is perfectly adapted to city life and combines the advantages of cars, minivan and SUV. Metis, in a word.

Megapolis native element

It is precisely such a difficult task to create a car perfect from the point of view of use in a large city and solved Ford designers. And what pleases the modern metropolis, except for the frantic rhythm of life, the boundless opportunities for business and entertainment? The acute shortage of parking spaces, crowds of people and cars, and still specific city off -road high borders, tram tracks, and in Russian conditions there are also winter charms like snowdrifts and ice. So with all this disgrace of Fusion is called to fight. Manage? I can answer with full confidence that yes.

Firstly, you can park at such a Ford in almost any more or less suitable place for this. With a length of four meters and an extremely large angle of rotation of the front wheels, this exercise turns into light fun. The main thing is that I assure at least 20 cm to the front and behind the standing car, this is enough to go on the road. And no need to be afraid of scratches, protruding parts of the bumper are covered with unpainted plastic lining.

Secondly, a dense city stream is always dangerous even for an experienced driver. In such conditions, the possibility of a good review comes first. In Fusion, no problems arise with this. The fact is that, as I said, the model is a mixture (which, in fact, means the English word fusion) from different types of machines, which are convenient and easy to move in a metropolis. One of the original sources was the minivan, from which they took a fairly high landing of the driver, aquarium area of \u200b\u200bglasses and a ceiling, which is located somewhere high above his head. All this together allows us to predict the development of the situation on the road, to see not only the rear bumper of the car walking in front.

The high ceiling has other advantages. Recently, I read that the main cause of stress in the city is its damage to other people. If you get to work by public transport for forty minutes, and then also go home in the same way, then in a day you will see at least 250,000 people. Moreover, it is not necessary to be with each of them face to face, the brain perceives even those who caught a briefly in lateral vision. At the same time, you are constantly pushed, and cacophony from thousands of votes of people and cars crushes on your ears. But there is also an office with regular visitors, a restaurant where you have lunch, and so on. Constant stress, and nothing more. Therefore, for example, I especially appreciate cars for the opportunity to renounce external stimuli. According to this indicator, Fusion showed himself well done. He provides the driver with a large volume of personal space, which can only be encroached on with your permission. Plus it has good sound insulation. You could, perhaps, tinted glass.

Finally, urban off -road. And the general passion of owners of shops, restaurants and offices to enclose parking areas of various kinds of obstacles. For example, a narrow path leads to my house, on which do not part with the oncoming car. Sometimes those who leave cars spend the night at the entrance and completely block the ways of retreat from the yard. If I had Fusion, I would no longer pay attention to this, since another component of its mixture is a SUV. Unfortunately, they did not take all -wheel drive from him, allowing you to feel even more relaxed, but thanks for the high clearance. It allows you to perform such exercises from which another model would have long lost part of the bottom or lower suspension levers. To call on Ford on a curb with a height of 15 centimeters is completely harmless.

Urban style

And take parking from supermarkets? It is important and the trunk door is also important at the opening. According to my estimates, this indicator in Fusion does not exceed the same 20 cm. That is, even in conditions of complete tightness, you will not have to serve forward to gain access to the cargo compartment. True, in itself, it is not so great affected by kinship with compact SUVs with short overhangs. However, behind the rear seats easily fit with a dozen bags clogged with purchases or a couple of sports bags. Things are more overall, like a box with a TV or a large grill, they will fit if you add a smaller part of the rear sofa, divided in a ratio of 40:60.

The sofa itself, I must say, is quite hard, and its back is located almost steeply. The front seats in this regard are much more comfortable. Soft stuffing no longer transfers the road relief to the body. As I said, they are located quite high. In this regard, the steering wheel was installed more hollow compared to the passenger model. Moreover, even the only adjustment in height does not help to put it vertically. By the way, I personally would like to see the second departure adjustment in this machine, because during the trip I never found a convenient position for my hands.

Fusion interior design cannot be called exquisite. However, the purpose of the car does not have this. Stamped inner panels are a dry embodiment of an urban style. Plastic, of course, oak. The maximum compact dashboard, consisting of a pair of round devices and the electronic scales of fuel and coolant temperature inscribed in them, has a strict oval shape and resembles a window in a diving helmet. However, the interior does not deserve a low rating. His style is a matter of taste. Moreover, according to other parameters, it is very good. Its main highlight is functionality. So, the right front chair develops, turning into a desk. The central console is crowned by a roomy niche, covered with a plastic lid. Under the driver's seat, a large drawer is hidden, which can keep valuable things from prying eyes. On this, in fact, a set of containers under the little things ends. Pockets in the doorway do not count. Well, Ford nevertheless created a mixture of different cars, including suitable for travel, and not their exact copy in one body.

Grown Fiesta

The time has come for a story about running qualities. The donor in this regard was Fiesta, which, in my opinion, behaves very reliably on the road, allowing to cause an influx of adrenaline on occasion. Fusion inherited all the best qualities from her. True, they slightly spoiled them with a higher center of gravity and an enlarged clearance. Nevertheless, in corners the car is practically not fired, the opposite effect on the steering wheel equipped with a hydraulic power steering is quite adequate.

At our disposal was a car equipped with a 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 100 forces and a semi-automatic Durashift gearbox. This is one of the latest developments of the company that combines the advantages of an automatic machine and mechanics. The clutch controls the electric drive. A good five -dyapasic checkpoint, I must admit, the programs are not changing too long.

In conclusion about the actual. Fusion safety is ensured by a strong power body. In addition to it, a scattering of airbags is offered, as well as electronic systems that insure the driver in the ABS and EBD movement. In addition to the road, the car is based on a fairly wide 15-inch tires for its class, which help to better keep the trajectory and, in addition, extinguish part of the vibrations.

Finally, about prices. Dealers are asked from 14,600 euros for the Trend equipment with a 1.4-liter engine. The modification of the richer Elegance, equipped with a 1.6 -liter engine, costs from 15,020 euros. Warranty 2 years or 100,000 km of run. Of the direct competitors, I can only recall Suzuki ignis.

Sergey Ilyinsky
Photo by the author

Brief technical characteristics of Ford Fiesta 1.4/ 1.6
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 1388/1596
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4/4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 80/5700: 100/6000
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 127/3500: 146/4000
Acceleration to 100 km/ h, p.: 13.7/ 10.9 (11.5)*
Maximum speed, km/ h: 163/178
Average fuel consumption l./ 100 km.: 6.5/ 6.6 (6.5)
Fuel tank volume, l.: 45
Dimensions, mm.: 4020x1708x1503

*In brackets, data for the semi -automatic gearbox Durashift
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 7 (53), 2004]