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· The all-new 2013 Fusion Hybrid and popular EcoBoost F-150 pickup truck will serve as official pace vehicles for the Ford EcoBoost 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series and Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events, respectively, at Ford Championship Weekend on Nov. 16-18.
· The Fusion Hybrid and EcoBoost F-150 join the all-new 2013 gasoline-powered Fusion Titanium, which will serve as pace car for the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 on Nov. 18.
· This is the 11th year Ford has served as title sponsor of Ford Championship Weekend, which annually marks the final NASCAR weekend of the season.
DEARBORN, MI, (Nov. 12, 2012) – The all-new 2013 Fusion Hybrid and popular EcoBoost F-150 pickup truck have been added as pace vehicles for Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 16-18.
The EcoBoost F-150 will serve as pace vehicle for the Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Nov. 16 while the 2013 Fusion Hybrid leads the field for the Ford EcoBoost 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series event on Saturday, Nov. 17.
They join the gasoline-powered 2013 Fusion Titanium, which will pace the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Nov. 18.
“We’ve always used Ford Championship Weekend as a showcase for our new vehicles and technologies,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “This year we’re highlighting the 2013 Fusion because it’s the first midsize sedan that provides customers with the power of choice – a choice between gasoline, hybrid and plug-in models; while the EcoBoost F-150 offers an increase in fuel efficiency without sacrificing power.
“Since being the first manufacturer to show our 2013 NASCAR Fusion we will be using in competition next year, we have received tremendous positive feedback from our fans,” continued Allison. “We think they’ll be even more excited once they see the sleek and stunning all-new production Fusion furthermore, and we know NASCAR fans love our trucks so the EcoBoost F-150 is sure to be a hit as well.”
When it debuted in 2008 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Fusion Hybrid became the first such vehicle to pace the start of a NASCAR race. That served as a prelude in following years to other innovative Ford vehicles as pace cars.
Last year, Ford highlighted its Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle to pace Ford Championship Weekend and, prior to that, new models such as the 2012 Focus, 2012 Mustang GT 5.0L V8 and 2011 Explorer SUV took turns leading the field around the 1.5-mile South Florida facility.
This is the 11th year Ford has served as title sponsor of Ford Championship Weekend, which annually marks the final NASCAR weekend of the season.
ABOUT FUSION
Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.
Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.
The new Fusion is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across customers’ choice of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sub-segments, following through with the commitment by Ford to be the fuel-efficiency leader – or among the leaders – with each new model brought to market.
These five elements provided direction for the design team behind the all-new Fusion.
· Silhouette innovation: Fusion’s sleek profile sets is apart from the powertrain/cabin/trunk “three-box” designs synonymous with midsize sedans.
· Perceived efficiency: Fusion character lines sweeping to the rear and think roof pillars suggest the car is nimble and light on its feet.
· Refined surface language: Fusion demonstrates that a tasteful, well-executed design does not require add-ons or visual clutter.
· Technical graphics: Fusion’s functional design elements such as headlamps, LED tail lamps and polished exhaust tips communicate enhanced technological capability.
· New face: Fusion signals the next evolution in Ford global design language for midsize cars and smaller.
Inside, the new Fusion offers a sport, driver-oriented environment with next-generation seating that brings expanded functionality. A higher center console supports the driver-centric theme and yields clever storage for items a driver wants to keep handy.
Additional passenger space was designed-in by moving the instrument panel toward the windshield, contributing to the cabin’s airy, open environment. Thinner, lighter frames support the comfortable next-generation seats trimmed with fabric using recycled sustainable yarns.
ABOUT ECOBOOST F-150
Ford F-Series continues its 35-year record as the best-selling pickup in America and is on pace to be the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 straight years. The latest honor for F-Series came last week when it was recognized as the “Hottest Truck” at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV.
The EcoBoost F-150 hit the market in 2011 and has become a popular choice for customers looking to improve their fuel mileage while maintaining the power they’re accustomed to under the hood. More than 200,000 EcoBoost-powered F-150 pickups have been sold. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine incorporates established heavy-duty truck diesel engine technologies of turbocharging and direct fuel injection in a gasoline engine.
EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford’s strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, small-displacement powertrains that deliver uncompromised performance and fuel economy. EcoBoost engines deliver fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent, compared with larger, less-efficient engines.
About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit .
