Charlotte, N.C. — In a grand presentation in the Booth Playhouse in downtown Charlotte, N.C., Ford Racing and Ford Motor Company revealed its Fusion brand as its stock car competition model for 2006 and beyond. The Fusion, with its distinctive grille and side glass, replaces the Taurus, Ford's ground-breaking 1998 model.
As important as the NASCAR announcement is Fusion's entry into the mid-wheelbase market, where competition among half a dozen manufacturers is fierce. Ford and Ford Racing officials chose Fusion over other models in part because of the competitive pressure in that environment.
As with all NASCAR models, Fusion was the result of cooperation between the manufacturer—Ford in this case—and NASCAR. NASCAR is extremely specific about its formula, requiring a V8-powered, rear-drive platform with a wheelbase of 110 inches and with the car body constructed according to strict NASCAR dimensions.
No model of any manufacture in Fusion's market segment matches those requirements. Therefore, development of the Fusion model, which began late last summer, was done in close harmony with NASCAR.
“Our guys did a terrific job of getting the NASCAR Fusion to where it needed to be, and we actually were ahead of schedule in getting it to NASCAR,” said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing. “The goal of any new car is to take the lessons learned from the previous model and, working within the NASCAR guidelines, bring forth a better product. I think we accomplished that."
Fusion will have a tough act to follow, with the Taurus winning 100 races (including non-points events such as the Budweiser Shootout and Nextel Challenge) and three championships in its eight-year run. In addition, the Taurus helped set the template for a NASCAR race car, with all subsequent factory presentations following the Ford Taurus model.
Dodge introduced its Intrepid model in 2000, with that car being developed along the template lines of the Taurus. Chevrolet's revamped Monte Carlo, brought out in 2002, also was built according to the measurements that produced the Taurus. The same will be true for any new model or manufacturer entering the game.
Dodge in 2005 brought out its Charger model, which again followed the contours of the 1998 Taurus. Chevrolet will bring a new Monte Carlo to the tracks in 2006, which also will follow the Taurus templates.
Ford touted the new model as the first new marque it has introduced simultaneously for racing and street since 1968, when it brought out its dramatic Torino muscle car. Fusion will begin to appear on dealer lots in September. Track testing of the NASCAR version begins next month.
"The Fusion represents the new face of Ford cars," said Marty Collins, general marketing manager/Ford division. "Racing involvement will play a key role in the launch and marketing of the Fusion throughout the rest of this year and into 2006."
The other manufacturers have endured teething pains in accustoming their models to the tracks. The new Dodge, for example, has won just one race in 2005, and various deficiencies have been identified. NASCAR, of course, works constantly to keep the various factory models as competitive as possible.
Fusion will begin its NASCAR life at Daytona in February 2006. Ford team officials, however, are sanguine about the progress of the new Ford. The Taurus, was a rush project in 1997-98, given Ford's immediate need for a replacement for the Thunderbird. Fusion has been a thoughtful, long-term project, with the best minds on both sides bringing weight to the matter.
