The Fusion shares the same Fiesta platform on which the Ikon is also built and the three have an identical wheelbase.

The premise of Fusion's engineering is that it should be well in tune with the demands of city driving. Tailored blanks with high-strength steels have been used in the body structure to create stiff mounting points for the chassis systems.

The front suspension features a rigid subframe, which supports the lower A-arms of the suspension as well as the steering rack. This lays the foundation for Fusion's handling, and also helps to isolate road harshness from the body.

Since the Fusion was developed in 2002, after a lot of work had been carried out to optimise the suspension geometry of the Mondeo and the Focus, the car's MacPherson strut front suspension incorporates Ford's newly developed techniques for better road performance and handling speed-breakers. These techniques include dual-path top mounts that enhance steering precision as the large-diameter springs are offset to be in line with load inputs. This full lateral compensation reduces operating friction and facilitates optimal damper operation.

Fusion's ground clearance of 198mm will delight everyone in India as even the worst of roads will not prove too challenging. However in this case it is not just the ground clearance that has been raised to suit India but the whole suspension geometry has been designed around this ground clearance. In addition, suspension has been designed to provide more travel, for better comfort on bad, undulating roads.

In keeping with its role as a city vehicle, the standard power-assisted steering system has been optimised for significantly improved steering feel and for reduced effort in low-speed manoeuvres. A hydraulic power-assisted steering system, with a high-pressure/low-flow engine-driven pump, gives Fusion superior feel and strong linear response characteristics plus low parking effort. The optimised steering gear combined with its very low turning circle of 9.8 metres is ideal for making it a very handy vehicle around the city. Its leather-wrapped steering wheel takes only 3.3 turns from lock to lock.

Fusion features a compact semi independent rear suspension design with a twist beam, low package height coil springs which are separate from the dampers. Dampers are positioned upright to the outboard edge of the vehicle body, while the compact springs are positioned underfloor. Beyond the package benefits, the new compact suspension design also separates spring and damper forces into the body, making for a better ride quality.

With a view to provide the driver with the confidence of predictable handling characteristics the twist-beam's toe-correcting pivot bushings have been optimised at an angle of 25° to achieve strong lateral compliance.

Monotube dampers are fitted as standard equipment on Fusion's rear suspension. The monotube design features more sophisticated valving, giving the dampers the ability to react more sensitively to small, frequent road inputs. The dampers are also compact, which helps to minimise their intrusion into the vehicle's luggage space.

Fusion is fitted with 15-inch wheels (7 double-spoke alloys on the Fusion + that we had on test) and tyre combination - 195/60R 15 tyres.

Stopping power is applied through 22mm thick, 258mm diameter ventilated discs, operated by sliding single-pot calipers, and long-life asbestos-free pads. Rear brake drums measure 203mm in diameter and feature 36mm brake shoes. An incremental self-adjustment mechanism compensates for lining wear.

Fusion's body structure has been designed to minimise footwell intrusion in a frontal crash and a decoupling brake pedal assembly has been designed to minimise the potential for injuries to the lower extremities.

The tailored blanks incorporate different gauges of steel joined by laser-welding to create strength without adding weight.

The B-pillar has been designed to provide high strength in its centre and crushability in its lower and upper joints. This ensures that the structure has inherent capability to absorb crash energy.

Fusion also features a rigid cross car beam that anchors the dashboard, instrument panel and steering column to the vehicle's lower A-pillar which adds rigidity and prevents the engine compartment from intruding into the passenger compartment in times of a crash.

Unfortunately, the intelligent protection system that comes as standard on the Fusion in Europe is missing in India. Airbags are not even an option while ABS is. Fully kitted out the Ford Fusion has a 4-star Euro NCAP rating.