Ford Fusion previews Mondeo and Falcon

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.

The 2013 Ford Fusion - which will also provide the platform for the next Mondeo for Europe under Ford boss Alan Mulally's "One Ford" mandate - is the vital C/D segment car that will spawn the sedan, an SUV and a sports variant.

It will also become the platform for a hybrid version and one called the Energi - a plug-in hybrid with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor.

Fusion picks up some design cues from the Evos concept shown at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show by Ford's style chief J Mays. Mays, interviewed also at last week's Delhi motor show, says the Fusion's lines - and especially the Territory/Falcon grille - will carry over to most Ford products within five years.

The Fusion will come in three trim levels - S, SE and Titanium - and three engines. They are a 2.5-litre petrol four; 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol four; and 2-litre EcoBoost four. The latter engine will this year be added to the Falcon powertrain lineup.

There's no V6 but other markets may get a diesel in the version badged Mondeo. All are front-drive but - and this will prick up attention in Australia - there will be an all-wheel drive option.

In a statement, Ford says: "Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford - following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars - developed to satisfy customers everywhere looking for leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks. It claims Fusion will deliver "best-in-class fuel economy".

"Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment.

"It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

"The 1.6-litre EcoBoost is expected to deliver best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency.

"The 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine - paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic (dual-clutch) transmission, available 19-inch wheels and tires and all-wheel drive with the ability to send additional torque to the rear - is the Fusion performance option."

The Fusion Hybrid gets lithium-ion batteries to save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, while raising maximum speed under electric-only power from 75km/h to 100km/h.

Fusion Hybrid has a new 2-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-litre unit, while maintaining performance standards.

Ford says its hybrid will "outperform the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid".

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is planned by Ford to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world.

On the market in the third quarter of 2012, Fusion Energi is anticipated to deliver better economy that the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.

Fusion will be built at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico, and then additional production will be sourced from the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.

Fusion goes on sale later this year and Mondeo will follow early in 2013.

The car will appear in Ford showrooms in North America and South America and Mondeo will follow for Europe and Asia and Australia early in 2013.