In the United States he is Ford Fusion, with us it will be almost unchanged as the Ford Mondeo in the market. The NASCAR racing version is however limited to the Americans. The massive proportions of the U.S. Stockcars find enough spout only on huge ovals.
To make a real NASCAR car from the production model, the engineers in the Ford Design Center had to overcome some hurdles. 5,28 Metres in length, the Sprint Cup cars are whopping 41 inches longer than the series. In width, the chassis had to be extended to 13 inches. The height of the roof for less fails: 1.35 metres instead of 1.48 meters.
The powerful 850 HP 5.9 L V8 sits while also front under the (extended) hood, is on the track but on the rear axle driven. The NASCAR car is thus a pure-bred race Bolide and no series fusion with a few labels on the sheet metal.
Nevertheless, the designers have tried to get the look of the sedan. Since the aerodynamics at the high speed race in ovals but plays a particularly important role, the possibilities of the engineers were limited. With a 40 percent model of clay was each fold in the sheet metal in the wind tunnel checks and if necessary smooth ironed.
After all, the aggressive Grill as the new trademark of the Fusion series could be taken over. Ford is pleased with the success. The relationship with the series is to recognize at first glance. "The fans will have a smile on the lips, when they see the car", prophesied Jamie Allison, the Director of Ford Racing.
"It will make better the sport". It has some natural, if the race car as well look like the cars in the driveway in front of the House. The 2013er merger so already stunning looks and the NASCAR version is even better. "I can wait to see him on the ground and to observe how the fans react to him."
A year of development has the NASCAR Ford Fusion behind. On the line, he comes but only in the season 2013. Ford the famous Daytona aiming at 500 in February next year as a debut. Until then, you want to test the new Sprint Cup racer still on paces.
