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2014 Ford Fusion order guide reveals new base Hybrid model, equipment changes

We've gotten our grubby little digits on the dealer order guide for the as-yet-unreleased 2014 Ford Fusion thanks to an anonymous tipster, and while there isn't much that's unexpected, there are some meaningful equipment changes to report after the rakish sedan's first year on the market.
Mechanically, the big news is, of course, the recently confirmed availability of the 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic. The powertrain replaces the 1.6-liter automatic setup of 2013, though if you want a manual transmission, you'll still get the extra .1-liter of displacement.
On the equipment front, there are newly available rear inflatable seatbelts - as seen previously on the Explorer - along with a new heated steering wheel and cooled seat option on Titanium and Titanium Hybrid models (the latter two options will be late availability).

Driving the Kia K5 and Mini Cooper JCW GP, plus an interview with Jimmy Chin | Autoblog Podcast #637

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. They veer off right away into talking about their dream project garages. Next up is news, including some info on the next Nissan Z car, the Honda Fit being discontinued in the U.S., new Mercedes-Benz EQS details, and some talk about the new, electric GMC Hummer being adapted for the military. Then they talk about driving the new Kia K5 sedan and the Mini Cooper JCW GP, before they opine about the 1966 Pontiac GTO. Autoblog Senior Producer Chris McGraw interviews Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin about his collaboration with Ford for the Bronco reveal, and more. Finally, our editors help a listener in the U.K. pick a used vehicle in the "Spend My Money" segment. Autoblog Podcast #637 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Some thoughts on project cars News Nissan suggests the next-generation Z won't be electrified at launch Fit Is Gone! Honda drops subcompact hatch in U.S. Mercedes-Benz announces the electric EQS will offer over 435 miles of range GMC's electric Hummer could someday serve alongside the Humvee in the U.S. Army Driving the 2021 Kia K5 Driving the 2020 Mini Cooper JCW GP 1966 Pontiac GTO: Love it or hate it? We talk Ford Bronco and other adventures with Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:

Here's more of the Ford GT soundtrack

You probably won't be surprised to find out that that while we outsiders were speculating on the racing plans for the new Ford GT, the automaker was already testing the American exotic on track. Ford Performance has just posted some footage from one of those tests and it's worth a watch. In spite of that early exhaust promo and Xcar's two in-depth videos on the racer and the road-going coupe, this is the first time we've been treated to sustained looks at the track version just laying in laps and roaring by. Now that we know Ford's plans include running four cars throughout the 2016 season, the early testing makes sense. Ford will have two cars running in the GTE-Pro class in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship and another two in the same class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, all of them campaigned by Chip Ganassi Racing with the Felix Sabates team. Then the company plans to have all four cars at Le Mans, which will be Chip Ganassi's first ever tilt at the French event. If you want some practice picking out exhaust notes come 2016, check out the video above. Related Video: Featured Gallery Ford GT LM GTE Pro View 18 Photos News Source: Ford Performance via YouTube Motorsports Ford Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Videos ford performance