The growing number of Ford Fusion customers, as well as owners of competing vehicles, will have more reasons than ever to check out the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion the debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. We caught up with John Jraiche, Chief Program Manager for the Ford Fusion, at the show and asked him to highlight some of the technology in the new model.

We also flew four Ford fans out to Detroit for the show, and when we unveiled the Fusion, they got to check it out first-hand.

The 2013 Ford Fusion will give customers the power of choice with the widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains ever offer in the Fusion, including EcoBoost™, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology. In fact, the new Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford’s commitment to give customers the power of choice.

The new car is flush with more than just powertrain options. With seven must-have technologies, including a Lane Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch®, the all-new Ford Fusion shows how Ford is delivering features customers truly want and value.

The all-new Fusion also offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond including:

Lane Keeping System:

This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, lane keeping aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position.

Adaptive cruise control:

Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. Adaptive cruise control enables collision warning with brake support to help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected
Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology can identify a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and steer the car to properly position it within the spot. All a driver need do is operate accelerator and brake pedals.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert:

Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic – unseen by the driver – is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vans.

The 2013 Ford Fusion was revealed to media during the auto show on January 9, 2012.