Ford is planning to launch Fusion 1.4 TDCi (Diesel)

May 21, 2007 – 5:56 pm by Banwari Lal Sharma

When to expect: Launched

Estimated Price: Rs.6.25-6.75 Lakh

Ford Fusion is not a successful car in India. Launched in three variants (’Std’, ‘+’ and ‘+ ABS’) in 2004, Fusion always remained a show-piece in Ford showrooms. Reason was very high price.

Actually Ford people had forgotten that they are selling a hatchback for more than eight lakh rupees. Fusion had a fantastic engine, very good handling and a lots of space inside. But fact remained fact, Eight Lakh Rupees for a hatchback? Ford realized the fact, cut the prices. Nothing happened! Withdrew both top-end variants i.e. ‘+’ and ‘+ ABS’ and gave a face-lift to the remaining version, ‘Standard’. Massive price cut was also there. This way they could send a few Fusions on road.

I really have no idea how many people in India were waiting for Fusion’s Diesel version but Ford doesn’t want to let its baby down. They are trying to give it a final try, are launching Ford’s Diesel version and that too very soon. September 2007 latest! The car will get Fiesta’s economical 1.4 TDCi engine. If you think Fusion Petrol is still costly for a hatchback, Ford can’t help it, Fusion Diesel is even costlier and that’s obvious. Consider Fusion TDCi in Rs. 6.5 lakh range unless Ford does something like cutting length to drag it in small-car territory.

Anyone, who doesn’t bother about Ford’s maintenance and wants to keep the car for a longer time, maybe five years or more, Ford Fusion Diesel can be a good option. Forget sedans, give Fusion a try.

Quick Facts

Car Segment/Body style: Premium Hatchback/compact-SUV
Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine: 1.4L (1399cc), 4-cylinder, 8V, SOHC, Diesel
Max Power/Torque: 68ps/160Nm
Dimensions (LxWxH): 4018x1686x1468 mm

CarWale Expects: A very practical, fuel-efficient, spacious premium hatchback/compact-SUV. Ride quality and spares cost are points of concern.

Update: Car launched on 17th July 2007. Check specifications, prices or read latest blog post on Fusion’s launch

More on fors Fusion 1.4 TDCi(Diesel):


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  1. 19 Responses to “Ford is planning to launch Fusion 1.4 TDCi (Diesel)”

  2. If Ford reduce the lenth of this car only 285mm , I think the cost will be very smart(due to low production tax - only 16% for below 4m lenth) to beat the diesel cars in Indian market.

    For better car wash visit http://www.fuller-brush-product

    By Hari on May 23, 2007

  3. If the price will be again close to 6.5/7 lakhs. I still have doubt that people will buy it because the other diesel hatchbacks like Swift and to be launch Getz are in range of 5 to 6 lakhs. For 7 lakhs I will prefer a diesel sedan (may be ford fiesel) rather a hatchback

    By Piyush on May 30, 2007

  4. The Fusion hatchback with a diesel TDCi heart will be a good combination, let’s hope Ford prices it under Rs. 5 lakh where it could give the Swift VDi some competition. For more on Indian auto news readers could see http://www.indimoto.com/blog

    By Anil Tandon on Jun 4, 2007

  5. I have driven the petrol version of this car, it is amazing. Except for the fuel average, there are absolutely no complains in the car. It is a well thought out offering from Ford.

    I think if the company is able to price it attractively,then the car is a sure winner. If you think of the SUV market in India, no good options are available and if they are, they go well above normal price range.

    A price band of 6 - 6.5 would really be great.

    By Amit Malhotra on Jun 12, 2007

  6. Dear Mr. Banwari
    Thanks for the details.
    I am interested in knowing..fuel efficiency for the Ford fusion (diesel. And if its length is reduced to be in small car category.. then what would be its price. kindly reply

    Regards

    Somashekhar

    By Somashekhar on Jun 16, 2007

  7. They should also seriously consider putting the 1.4 Fiesta Petrol Engine in the Fusion along with shaving off the extra length(to get it withing 4 m) and sell it for 5 Lakhs.

    By Arup on Jun 25, 2007

  8. Ford fusion - petrol version was known as great drivers car, because of the power ~100 bhp. Is now ford trying to bring a 68 bhp 1.4L Diesel engine?. I wonder why they do not bring the 1.6 L, 90 bhp version, which is already runing in Europe…This is a much better specifications as compared to 1.4 L and a shitty 68bhp.

    By rohit gupta on Jun 27, 2007

  9. Hi,

    ESPECIALLY FOR FORD AND MD OF FORD.

    Few Tips to FORD to make this vehicle popular and to increase its sale.

    1. Just Cut down the length only 18-20mm (Actual Size 4018mm) so that it can fit for the 16% excise duty.
    See Fiat Grande Punto, which is 4030mm long, is expected to be shortened by 30mm. (To fit for the 16% excise duty) —GOOD MOVE.

    2. Put 1100-1300CC engine (LIKE GETZ PRIME and FIAT STILE) to cut down the price and to make more Fuel efficient Car.

    If you check the width and height it is few mm more than Gets Prime and U-VA, but price wise HUGE DIFFERENCE.
    AND moreover Front and Rear leg room is less than UVA and getz.

    Boot Spacce little bit more than Getz.

    I don’t know why these few things are not coming into their mind, may be these days they are busy promoting FORD FIESTA.(GOOD CAR)

    OR WHAT THEY CAN DO—-MY SUGGESTION

    1. Replace Ford Fiesta Engine-1388CC means they should use this engine in Fusion.THEN SEE………

    2. If don’t want to cut down its price than make it in just a way to competet with SUV.

    I think Ford people make this car in between Car and SUV.

    FORD PEOPLE FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS AND THEN SEE THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE.

    GOOD LUCK to FORD and Managing Director and other OFFICIALS.

    By Sanjeev Sharma on Jul 6, 2007

  10. Ford Fusion is not a successful car in India. Fusion always remained a show-piece in Ford showrooms. Reason was very high price.

    Yes its true………AND ….

    One day will come when this car will no longer even a show piece as SKODA FABIA is going to launch by the end of this year.

    All the best FUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ION.

    By Sanjeev Sharma on Jul 6, 2007

  11. sir
    iam really interested in buying the proposed fusion diesel.could u pl. more details about the milage and performance details and test driving reports
    thank you.

    By babu t s on Jul 9, 2007

  12. CareWale team,
    Please correct the dimension details of Fusion. I think the ones published are of the Fiesta.

    Somewhere I read that Ford now offers two types of tyres for Fusion. Apart from the standard 195/60 on R15, it offers a newer variation that is supposed to give better ride. Is this true?

    Jai

    By jai on Jul 10, 2007

  13. I just went to the website of Ford and found that ford has launched the most awaited Diesel Fusion

    And price is 6.59 L (Entry Modelwith the reduced length and after taking the excise benefit).
    This too much …

    I would prefer a sedan. I beleive ford do not want to sale fusion at all. Price of the car is not making any sense for this no nonsense car

    By Piyush on Jul 17, 2007

  14. I was waiting for this car and would have bought it if it were priced between 5.5 to 6 lakhs. A hatch will not sell at 6.59 lakhs even if it is a premium product.

    Ford does not seem serious about selling Fusion or maybe they are afraid that a lower price would cannibalise Fiesta sale.

    By Ajit on Jul 17, 2007

  15. Ajit ..Do you know they have reduced the length below 4 mtrs to get the excise cut from 24% to 16%. Which means saving of another Rs 50000 approx. Rather than passing the benefit to customer, they hae eaten all of it themselve and added Rs 90000 on comparing their petrol version.

    Very sad.

    By Piyush on Jul 18, 2007

  16. FOOLISH STEP taken by ford.

    Put little more money you can have Mahendra SCORPIO. More reliable then this ford car. I am surprised with this move. NON-THINKING STEP.

    Nobody is going to buy with this price tag.

    Best of luck FORD FUSION FUSSS-ION

    By sanjeev sharma on Jul 18, 2007

  17. FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..FUSION SUCKS…..

    NOT FOR INDIA………

    By GK on Jul 25, 2007

  18. i have seen the car. it is good with comfortable hight. The price wise it may be little higher. If performance is o.k then this will compensate. I donot know how the performance. Let us see its success. That is all about FF Diesel

    By A.R.Reddy on Sep 4, 2007

  19. Ford Fusion is the Middle size of the Hatchback and the SUV. So the price are expected to be more than the HatchBAck. But at the same time I believe the Prices are A bit of OverPriced becos the Dealer eat lots of money. Many time the Dealer will not pass the Benefit to the Customer.
    Also now they have came with plus model at 6LEx-showroom. May be FORD can reduce some more 50K to Give a tight Competetion to Scorpio.
    As per many people Scorpio is also not a Good Vehicle.

    By Arindam on Mar 19, 2008

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