Ford is developing a redesigned Fusion sedan, as evidenced by recent spy shots of a prototype. Contrary to earlier assumptions suggesting a hatchback model for the U.S. market as the Fusion Active, the latest sightings clearly indicate a traditional sedan body style. This development suggests that the new Ford Fusion 2023 sedan is less likely to be offered in the United States, given Ford’s current strategic focus on SUVs, pickup trucks, and utility vehicles in the region.
The Ford Fusion 2023 sedan is strongly anticipated to cater to the Chinese market, where sedans continue to be a popular choice. China also benefits from a redesigned Taurus sedan, highlighting the region’s preference for this vehicle type. Furthermore, there’s a possibility that this model could be introduced in Europe as a successor to the Ford Mondeo, the name under which the Fusion was marketed outside of North America.
This new Ford Fusion 2023 shares close ties with the Lincoln Zephyr, a model specifically designed and launched for the Chinese market last fall. Consequently, it’s expected that the Fusion will have similar dimensions to the Zephyr, which boasts a 114-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 196 inches.
Front view of the 2022 Lincoln Zephyr showcasing its design and features
Initially, the Lincoln Zephyr will feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s highly probable that the Ford Fusion 2023 will adopt the same powertrain configuration. Moreover, a hybrid powertrain variant might be introduced at a later stage, aligning with industry trends towards electrification.
The design of the Ford Fusion 2023 is expected to mirror design cues from the Ford Evos crossover, another model primarily developed for the Chinese market. The official unveiling of the Fusion is anticipated later this year.
For the U.S. market, while a direct Ford Fusion 2023 sedan replacement seems unlikely, Ford is projected to offer an alternative vehicle that merges characteristics of both cars and crossovers, often referred to as a soft-roader. It’s plausible that such a model could be branded as a “Fusion Active,” following Ford’s naming convention for soft-roader models sold internationally, such as the Fiesta Active and Focus Active.
Further details are expected to emerge as the development of the Ford Fusion 2023 progresses. Stay tuned for future updates.
