2010 Ford Fusion Facelift Revealed

Ford has just released the first picture of the 2010 Fusion, a facelifted version of the current car. While the Fusion we have now is a decent ride, it�s just decent. The refreshed Fusion attempts to rectify the current model�s below-class horsepower, among other improvements:

�The current 2.3 liter 4-cylinder is replaced with a �new� 2.5 liter 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower (the same engine that�s in the Mazda6 4-cylinder), a jump of some 14 ponies. Torque for the 4-cylinder is also up to 172 lb ft now, an increase of 16 lb ft. The 4-cylinder also has variable cam timing, a nice addition.
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U.K. Pricing Announced for New Ford Ka

Ford has announced UK pricing for the brand new Ka will start at �7,995, when it goes on sale this January. The new model features four different trim levels and a choice of either a petrol or diesel engine.


The top of the range Ka Zetec starts at �9,495 with the petrol engine, while a 1.3 liter diesel version that makes 75 PS and returns 67.3 mpg is priced from �10,195. Both come equipped with the features from the Style + as well as 15" alloy wheels, front fog lights, theatre dimming interior lights, and upgraded instrumentation.


In the �7,995 Studio level Ka, standard features include electric power steering, an adjustable steering wheel, ABS brakes, body-color bumpers, and a six speaker stereo system with a CD and an AUX input.


Style editions start at �8,495 and include heated body-color door mirrors, body-color door handles, remote/central locking, electric front windows, a 50/50 split rear seat, and driver seat memory. For an additional �500, customers can upgrade to the Style + which adds air conditioning and a heated windscreen. All these models can only be equipped with a 1.2 liter petrol engine which produces 69 PS and returns 55.4 mpg in the combined cycle.
Source: Ford via World Car Fans



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Back to the track

The driver returns to the track with his new set-up. If he finds that the problem hasn�t been cured at all he may return to the pit and ask for the necessary changes. If oversteering is the problem, for example, and changing the downforce didn�t help, the driver may suggest that the front-suspension be altered to see whether that makes any difference. After several more laps �and several more pit stops � the driver may finally be happy with the performance of his car.

Working through problems in the garage

After the car is pulled back into the garage the driver speaks to his race engineer to let him know his feelings. (The driver speaks to his team through special radio systems that allow quick communication.) The race engineer talks through the options with the driver and the two may, for example, simply decide that he needs a little more downforce on the front of the car. Decisions must be made quickly during practice because practice time is limited. It�s also important that the driver be happy with the car before qualifying or the race.

Arrival and initial laps

The driver gets dressed into his racing overalls and turns up at the garage, putting his balaclava and helmet on just before he climbs into his car. When the session starts he often goes out onto the track for a reconnaissance lap before returning to the pits. This lap allows the driver and team to check that the car is working fine and that nothing is broken and that there are no fuel or oil leaks. The driver then goes out for a handful of laps to see how the car feels at speed. During these laps he may find, for example, that the car is understeering (the front of the car slides more than the rear in corners) so he returns to the pits to tell the team what he thinks.

A typical practice session

To make sure that the car�s ready when it counts, it�s vital that the team and driver work perfectly together in practice. The driver must communicate well with the team, letting them know just how the car feels and whether any changes they�ve suggested have made a difference. The following sections explain what goes on between a Formula One driver and his team during a typical practice session.
Sometimes drivers only do short runs with light levels of fuel to simulate the conditions of qualifying. At other times, the team will fill the car up with petrol and will want the driver to run for more than 10 laps to work out how the car feels in race conditions.

Wednesday for F1 Driver

Another day of testing, although a driver may be able to fly home this evening to get ready for the following week�s Grand Prix. Big teams usually have one or two test drivers who help ease the workload on their regular drivers, because there�s no point getting their stars completely shattered before the next race.
Despite everything else he has to do in his life, being fast in a racing car and working with his team is still the most important part of a Formula One driver�s job. At the end of the day, a Formula One driver is the single person who determines whether the team wins or loses. He is the one risking his life out on the track, he is the one who decides how the car should be set-up, and he is the one who gets the credit � or the blame � for how things go on Sunday afternoons.