2016 NASCAR Fusion
The American marque has unveiled its latest
NASCAR entrant inspired by the new car. As with all NASCAR models,
the new Fusion racer isn't actually based around the road car. Instead, it is a
completely bespoke racer and simply adorned with bodywork mimicking the
production model.
For the new NASCAR Fusion, Ford has
drawn heavily on the facelifted model's revised front fascia and therefore
installed the same headlights, the same front grille and air intakes, albeit
they're all simply stickers rather than the real deal. Nevertheless, there
certainly won't be any confusing the new Fusion with other competitors on the
NASCAR grid this season.
This year, drivers will enjoy an
improved interior complete with a digital dashboard which allows teams to
switch between as many as 16 different present screens. This new digital gauge
cluster will be featured across all cars on the grid.
Beyond that change, the 2016 NASCAR
Fusion remains the same as previous model's therefore utilizing a screaming V8
engine delivering 750 hp at 9,000 rpm.
According to global director of Ford
Performance Dave Pericak, “There’s no mistaking we’re here to win races and
championships. And we believe the new NASCAR Fusion will be a powerful tool in
the hands of our teams and drivers. Aerodynamics are more important than ever
in this sport at the speeds these cars are running, so we used some of the best
wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics technology available to help
create this new Fusion, and fortunately the Ford design team gave us a great
vehicle to work with from the start.”
The new Fusion will make its race debut
at the Daytona 500 on February 21.
