Coming off the excitement of the Mustang introduction the night before, Ford moved close to the mainstream with the introduction of a freshened Fusion and the addition of a Fusion Hybrid. And Ford execs made it quite clear that beating the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry is the goal.

The Fusion’s styling has been updated with a larger version of the three-bar grille, wraparound projector-beam headlights and integrated fog lights. Taillights and the trunk lid have also been revised.

“Customers love the appearance of the Fusion, but we knew we could improve it,” said Darrell Behmer, Fusion chief designer. “From a design standpoint, we wanted to amplify the sporty look and make it more modern.”

Inside, the seats have been redesigned with contrasting stitching and better support. The instrument panel features new metal finishes on control knobs, while the steering wheel and center console also get more modern styling.

New Engines

But the big news for Fusion is what’s under the skin. According to Ford, the front sway bar and rear suspension link geometry have been revised to improve steering, handling and ride comfort. Ford now offers four different powertrains for the 2010 Fusion, revising the two existing and adding two new powertrains to the lineup.

The base engine is now a 2.5-liter Duratec 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower – a jump of 15 over the outgoing 2.3-liter powerplant. According to Ford, this is enough to drop a full second off the time it takes this car to reach 60 mph, while achieving an estimated 33 mpg on the highway.

The Fusion SE and SEL get an improved version of the 3.0-liter V6, which gets a 19-horsepower boost for a total 240 horsepower. Fuel economy is also expected to improve with this engine, and it is also capable of running on E85.

Ford has also added a performance version of the Fusion for 2010: the Fusion Sport. Powered by a 3.5-liter Duratec V6, the Fusion Sport gets 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque.

All engines will be teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the option of a 6-speed manual on 4-cylinder models, and V6 models can also be equipped with full-time all-wheel drive.

Fusion Hybrid

But for the ultimate in fuel efficiency, Ford offers the Fusion Hybrid, which will be the first vehicle in the Ford lineup to utilize the company’s next-generation hybrid system. The new system uses a new Atkinson Cycle 2.5-liter 155-horsepower engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This is teamed with an electric motor that benefits from a new, smaller, nickel-metal hydride battery that produces 20 percent more power.

With the more efficient batteries, fewer cells are needed, which reduces the weight of the system by 145 lbs. This has also made it possible for the Fusion to reach speeds up to 47 mph on just electric power – almost twice as fast as the competition. This means the gasoline engine can remain off for longer periods of city driving, and Ford claims the range of the Fusion Hybrid is expected to be more than 700 miles.

Helping drivers get more out of the Fusion Hybrid is the new SmartGauge with EcoGuide. This unique system features two high-resolution, full-color screens on either side of the speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels and average and instant miles per gallon. Designed to be entertaining as well as informative, the gauge can show “Efficiency Leaves” -- leaves and vines that grow on-screen to reward customers for efficient driving.

Also on display was the revised Mercury Milan. The sister vehicle to the Fusion, the Milan will receive all the revisions of the Fusion, including the hybrid powertrain.