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The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, two near-identical family sedans that are more loosely based on the previous generation of the Mazda 6, are being overhauled for the 2010 model year, as is the related Lincoln MKZ entry-luxury sedan.
The Ford and Mercury get new front ends, some changes to the rear ends, some new engines (including a hybrid version), and a few other relatively minor changes.
But although neither car has been a major sales success, they join many other recent Ford redesigns as updates of existing cars rather than full redesigns. These include the 2009 Ford F-150, 2008 Ford Focus, 2008 Ford Taurus and Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2008 Ford Escape, 2007 Ford Expedition, 2006 Ford Explorer, 2004 Ford Freestar, and quite a few more. And even when the first Fusion and Milan came out in 2006, they were based on a Mazda 6 that had already been on the market for three years.
A fully redesigned Mazda 6 is already on sale as a 2009 model.
However, when you have a good starting point, you don't necessarily need to start from scratch. Reviewers continue to praise the Fusion/Milan's driving dynamics and interior comfort, and the fresh look, presumably improved refinement and interior quality, and improved gas mileage will keep it alive in the market. Like those other partial re-dos -- especially the Focus -- it may see quite a pranging from auto reviewers who feel cheated when an automaker doesn't bring out something completely different every five years.
It's worth noting though that the 3.0-liter V6, which was midpack at best in a competitive class three years ago, will remain in the new Fusion and Milan. Despite a few changes, it could be the cars' weakest point. The 4-cylinder is new, however, and will offer excellent gas mileage for a midsize sedan if Ford's initial estimates hold true. The hybrid version of the two cars improves further, besting Toyota's current midsize mileage champ, the Camry Hybrid.
The Lincoln MKZ gets a big new grille and new taillights, as well as a redesigned interior, but it doesn't have as many mechanical updates as the Fusion and Milan. The MKZ had been criticized for feeling too much like its downmarket brethren, and the new interior may help give it more of a luxurious feel.
The new sedans go on sale this spring, and will be exhibited at the Los Angeles International Auto Show this month.
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