BRILLIANT DYNAMICS MARRED BY LOW-SPEED RIDE
Within a few metres of driving the Fusion we discovered its most serious weakness — an appalling low speed ride. The Fusion crashes through potholes and ruts, jarring the passengers to the point of discomfort.
Ford says it has softened the ride for Indian conditions to make it more comfortable but it’s not the suspension that’s the culprit here. It’s the low profile 195/60-R15 tyres whose shorter and stiffer sidewalls simply don’t have enough cushioning to absorb sharp obstacles.
As speeds build up, there is a dramatic improvement with the suspension and chassis attributes coming into play. On an uneven road with long-wave undulations, the Fusion feels well planted and remarkably composed.
Straight-line stability is fantastic, irrespective of the road surface and though a sharp pothole results in an explosion from the wheelwells, it never chucks the Fusion off its intended line. This surefootedness coupled with the strong engine makes the Fusion an effortless car to drive on the highway.
The generous ground clearance and short overhangs allow you to drive the Fusion with the abandon of an SUV. Not once did we have to worry about the Fusion scraping its underbelly.
The Fusion with its tall proportions does roll a fair bit and is nowhere near as agile as the Ikon. The softer-sprung rear end also tends to step out of line near the limit or if you’re punting around a bumpy corner. However, the delightful steering allows you to tie the Fusion down. The steering, like in most Fords, is utterly brilliant. It is responsive and accurate and gives you a terrific sense of control at all speeds.
In the city, the Fusion is extremely user-friendly. It’s easy to thread through city streets mainly because you get a better view out, thanks to the high driving position. The compact proportions and the tight turning circle make parking pretty Within a few metres of driving the Fusion we discovered its most serious weakness — an appalling low speed ride. The Fusion crashes through potholes and ruts, jarring the passengers to the point of discomfort.
Ford says it has softened the ride for Indian conditions to make it more comfortable but it’s not the suspension that’s the culprit here. It’s the low profile 195/60-R15 tyres whose shorter and stiffer sidewalls simply don’t have enough cushioning to absorb sharp obstacles.
As speeds build up, there is a dramatic improvement with the suspension and chassis attributes coming into play. On an uneven road with long-wave undulations, the Fusion feels well planted and remarkably composed.
Straight-line stability is fantastic, irrespective of the road surface and though a sharp pothole results in an explosion from the wheelwells, it never chucks the Fusion off its intended line. This surefootedness coupled with the strong engine makes the Fusion an effortless car to drive on the highway.
The generous ground clearance and short overhangs allow you to drive the Fusion with the abandon of an SUV. Not once did we have to worry about the Fusion scraping its underbelly.
The Fusion with its tall proportions does roll a fair bit and is nowhere near as agile as the Ikon. The softer-sprung rear end also tends to step out of line near the limit or if you’re punting around a bumpy corner. However, the delightful steering allows you to tie the Fusion down. The steering, like in most Fords, is utterly brilliant. It is responsive and accurate and gives you a terrific sense of control at all speeds.
In the city, the Fusion is extremely user-friendly. It’s easy to thread through city streets mainly because you get a better view out, thanks to the high driving position. The compact proportions and the tight turning circle make parking pretty