The European Ford Fusion is a stretched version of the Ford Fiesta supermini produced by Ford of Europe since 2002 and sold in Europe and India.
The design includes elements of both estates and multi-purpose vehicles. Its extra height compared with the Fiesta is due to both roof racks, increased ground clearance and taller roof, which makes it roomier and more comfortable for taller drivers than regular superminis, drawing it closer to mini MPVs and mini SUVs. A no-frills XUV version of the Fusion called the Ford EcoSport is produced in Brazil and sold in many Latin American countries. It is similar to the Fusion, but as any XUV it features an increased ride height, off-road suspension, larger wheels and dark bumpers. 1.0 turbo, 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engines and 1.4-litre TDCi diesel engines with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive are available.
Ford also used the name "Fusion" before the launch of the European Ford Focus, in communications with contractors working on elements of that model's launch publicity. Ford did not reveal whether the late change to "Focus" had been the result of a genuine change in its plans, or simply a desire to conceal the real name from the press until the company was ready for the launch. The Fusion is an unconventional car which is difficult to define in a particular sector. Some buyers see it as a Compact MPV to rival the likes of the Vauxhall Meriva and Nissan Note, but some argue that it lacks the versatility of these models.
