Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Discontinued in 2020 along with the Lincoln MKZ, the Ford Fusion will come back as a station wagon with crossover styling for the 2022 model year. Spotted for the first time clad in camouflage on the streets of Michigan, the prototype in the gallery features a coupe-like sloping roofline and red brake calipers.
Equipped with a fancy-looking grille and LED daytime running lights, the test mule with production-ready parts also features double-spoke alloy wheels in black and a single outlet for the exhaust system. The jacked-up suspension would make the Subaru Outback blush in awe, and knowing the Blue Oval, an eight-speed automatic transmission will come as standard.
Because it shares the C2 global vehicle architecture with the Escape and Bronco Sport, all-wheel drive is likely to happen as well. As for engine options, I’m still torn between the 1.5- or 2.0-liter EcoBoost. On the one hand, 1.5 liters and three cylinders are underwhelming for a mid-size crosswagon. 2.0 liters would translate to a higher starting price, but don’t forget that crossovers are typically more expensive than passenger cars.
My biggest fear is that Ford will take inspiration from what Subaru is doing with the Outback. The 2.5-liter boxer without a turbo develops 182 horsepower while the force-fed version levels up to 260 horsepower. Coincidence or not, the EcoBoost twins are rated at 181 and 250 HP.
Bronco Sport customers and reviewers are aware the 1.5-liter turbo isn’t up to snuff in a compact crossover, which is why the three-cylinder engine would be hugely disappointing in a vehicle as heavy as the Fusion's successor. Oh, and by the way, the standard engine for the 2020 Fusion develops 175 HP.
The fastback-styled newcomer, expected to be called Fusion Evos or just Evos after the Mondeo Evos and Evos trademarks filed in Europe, will be joined by a unibody truck based on the C2 platform. Maverick is how the Ford Motor Company will call the Ranger’s less capable brother with four doors and a SuperCrew cab, which is also expected to hit dealer lots as a 2022 model.
Because it shares the C2 global vehicle architecture with the Escape and Bronco Sport, all-wheel drive is likely to happen as well. As for engine options, I’m still torn between the 1.5- or 2.0-liter EcoBoost. On the one hand, 1.5 liters and three cylinders are underwhelming for a mid-size crosswagon. 2.0 liters would translate to a higher starting price, but don’t forget that crossovers are typically more expensive than passenger cars.
My biggest fear is that Ford will take inspiration from what Subaru is doing with the Outback. The 2.5-liter boxer without a turbo develops 182 horsepower while the force-fed version levels up to 260 horsepower. Coincidence or not, the EcoBoost twins are rated at 181 and 250 HP.
Bronco Sport customers and reviewers are aware the 1.5-liter turbo isn’t up to snuff in a compact crossover, which is why the three-cylinder engine would be hugely disappointing in a vehicle as heavy as the Fusion's successor. Oh, and by the way, the standard engine for the 2020 Fusion develops 175 HP.
The fastback-styled newcomer, expected to be called Fusion Evos or just Evos after the Mondeo Evos and Evos trademarks filed in Europe, will be joined by a unibody truck based on the C2 platform. Maverick is how the Ford Motor Company will call the Ranger’s less capable brother with four doors and a SuperCrew cab, which is also expected to hit dealer lots as a 2022 model.
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