Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

We get ‘Dipped in Blue’ during Ford’s recent ride and drive event at the Dubai Autodrome. Fusion Vs Camry; Ranger Vs Hilux!

By Shahzad Sheikh

This was sort of the launch of the all-new Ford Fusion for the Middle East. The Fusion will be a crucial car for the Blue Oval and, we think, a very strong new competitor in the fiercely fought medium saloon car category. It’ll go up against the likes of the Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima and of course it’ll have to set its sights on, and take down, the big-selling Toyota Camry.

Since this event was just an introduction to the new car, we’ll bring you a more comprehensive review on it soon. I have previously driven a test prototype of the car, which was part of a GCC testing programme a couple of years ago – read about that here.

This ‘Dipped in Blue’ or ‘Brand Immersion’ event held at the Dubai Autodrome ran for two weeks (we did the Media rotation at the beginning of month) and included opportunities to experience both the 2014 Ford Fusion and Ford Ranger truck.

Ford Ranger

Somewhat unusually, Ford had laid on competitor vehicles for this event, so lined up alongside the spanking new Rangers were Toyota Hiluxes. At the outset though, it has to be said that the Toyotas were older vehicles with substantial mileages on them and, shall we say, very loosened up.

Nonetheless they held their own very well indeed on the test activities including 30-degree ascent and decent and short slaloms.

The Rangers, of course, acquitted themselves with aplomb. Driving the 2.2-litre diesel (AED90k, $25k) – the 2.2 and 3.2 (AED112-120k, $31-33k)diesels are available locally alongside the 2.5 Petrol (AED69-100k $19-27k) – it barely need any revs at all in low range to just crawl up the hill and then the hill descent took over to smoothly get it down. The Hilux needed a bit more footwork to do the same.

However I have also driven the Ranger previously on proper off-road conditions and found it very keen and good fun to hurl about – read that here .

So a great, very modern, practical and enjoyable to drive junior pick-up truck available in single and double cab formats in two and four-wheel drive with manual transmission apart from the 3.2 diesel. The diesels can tow up to 3350kg with a payload capacity of 1350kg on the two-wheel drives, plus ground clearance of up to 241mm means the 4×4 variants have a wading depth of 800mm.

Developed mostly in Australia is seems to be well suited to our region and Ford Middle East has seen sales grow by 200%. And with questions being asked recently of commercial vehicle safety in the UAE, it’s also of interest to note that this is the first and only pick-up to earn a 5-star crash safety rating from EuroNCAP.

Ford Fusion

Similarly the Ford Fusion was lined up alongside Toyota Camrys and again the point has to be made that these were well used Camrys, possibly ex-rentals.

However, doing some high-speed laps, including hard lane changes and an autocross-style slalom sprint, it became apparent that the Fusion is impressively responsive and eager despite its key market ambitions, with good performance from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder and decent brakes.

The steering in particular felt crisper, keener, well-weighted and delightfully accurate and responsive – dare I say ‘sporty’ even. So faithful was it in fact that I ended up winning the fastest time of the day, without even really trying! Watch the video.

Fusion will of course be packed full of kit including drivers aids like lane-keeping assist, blind-spot alerts, adaptive cruise control, self-parking and, emphasising safety again, Ford were keen to point out that the car has earned a Top Safety Pick+ recommendation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The eight airbags include seat-mounted side bags which deploy lower to help avoid pelvis injuries and it also gets the rear inflatable seat belts already available in the Explorer, Fusion, Flex, Taurus and the Lincoln MKT and MKZ – the only car in this segment to offer them.

Of course it’s one of the best looking cars in its segment too, and let’s be honest, having an Aston Martin-like front grille has done it no harm at all, giving it an instant prestige look at the front. With prices starting from AED84k ($23k) expect it to be very competitive. It’s on sale now – watch out for a full review soon.