EcoBoost

Yeah, I guess it won't be "JUST ME" who is going to have an issue with that. A 4-speaker system on a vehicle exceeding $35K is simply not acceptable. Not in 2012 and not even on a Ford. Period.

Oh, many car-manufacturers thought they made a smart move in the past that turned out to be bad. I feel sorry for the guys on Ford's dealer-lots, trying to sell these cars. First, they have to explain returning Hybrid-owners that the price of a fully loaded vehicle between 2012 and 2013 went up by more than $4,000(!!!) - BTW, that's more than 12%(!!!) and then, they have to tell them that they have to say goodbye to their 12-speaker system and "enjoy" their new 4-speaker system as a reward. A smart move indeed... I'm sure it's only a matter of time until Ford has to react and make that feature available at some point in time. The market in this segment is very competitive and when you're asked to cough out an additional $4K, you will certainly take a close look on what you will be getting in return. The increased MPG-numbers won't be making up for that - that's for sure..

Of course I read what others post - but you obviously didn't understand what I posted. IMO, it is a BAD MARKETING DECISION from Ford to not make the Audio-System available on the Hybrid - or in other words (so that you are able to understand my post correctly), that Ford is limiting the Hybrid-Model to the SE-Package. Do you honestly think people care WHY this is the case? Potential buyers don't care if it's called an "SE-Model" or whatever - Ford could even call it "James Bond Edition" - the CONTENT OF FEATURES is what counts and if a significant option simply disappears on a new car that was available before, this is NOT positive - no matter how Ford is calling their Model. Potential customers are looking for more and improved options - and if possible, as much standard features as possible. I'm sure that a Titanium-Based Hybrid would easily outsell an SE-Based Model. We all know that the Hybrid is quite expensive - and that's why the availability of specific features matter. This is not an entry-Model Fusion and the fact that the SE-Hybrid is already significantly more expensive than the gas SE-Model poses a potential problem. The higher the price-tag, the pickier the customers get. A fully loaded SE Hybrid is about $37K - and comes with a 4-speaker system. I think that says it all. The fully loaded Titanium AWD is only about $1,700 more. Ford is probably going to offer incentives on the Titanium at one point, making up for that difference. Based on my experience, that won't happen on the Hybrid any time soon. So for the same amount of money, You can get an AWD vehicle with much more power, 19"-wheels instead of 18" and a sound-system with 8 additional speakers. The exterior with chromed exhaust pipes is much more attractive, too. The "competition" between these two models gets even worse for the Hybrid if you are looking at a lease. Leasing is probably not going to be supported by Ford on the Hybrid - but it will be on the Titanium. The 2013 Hybrid is going to have an improved MPG-number over the 2012 - but the same applies to the Titanium. So in 2012, customers could chose between (almost) equally equipped models - the one was a Hybrid, the other one gas. For 2013, Ford decided to strip down the Hybrid WITHOUT reflecting that in the price which makes it less attractive to some potential buyers - including me. Under these circumstances, leasing the Titanium is a no-brainer. And I can assure you that people will be asking for a better sound system on a Hybrid. This is a must on a car at this price-level. Just because Ford elected to base the Hybrid on the SE-Model doesn't mean that potential buyers are going to accept the lack of major features on a $35K-vehicle - and THAT'S what I'm claiming since my first post in this thread - whether you want to understand it or not.

It is still strange that this wasn't an issue on the current Fusion. My guess is that they think that Hybrid-owners are these eco-guys that only care about getting from A to B with as little gas as possible - but I believe these times are over. It is simply a step back from the previous generation where you can basically get all the (technological) options on the Hybrid as well. If I would be a current Fusion Hybrid owner, I would be very disappointed to lose this Audio-System... And if the CAFE weight classes pose a problem, why did they elect to offer bigger wheels as an option? Shouldn't their additional weight be more than the weight of the sound-system? I can always change wheels without a problem - but changing a sound-system on such a car is everything but easy.

This is not a valid point because we are talking about an OPTIONAL feature. This might be a reason to exclude it as a standard - but certainly not to make it unavailable as an optional feature. Otherwise, why can you order the Hybrid with bigger wheels? Are they more fuel-efficient as well?

This is a joke, right? :hysterical3:

And that's the problem. I don't know why a buyer would have to sacrifice on features just to get the most fuel efficient engine. Correct me if I'm wrong - but as far as I know, the current Fusion Hybrid is available with all major features as well - so I don't understand this "downgrading". I'll probably get the Titanium anyway since lease-incentives and manufacturer-rebates are going to make up for the difference in gas between the (still quite fuel-efficient) Titanium and the Hybrid - but I have my doubts that sripping features compared to the CURRENT Fusion Hybrid is a wise move.

Thanks! So no Sony Sound-System on the Hybrid - strange...

Congrats! Good to hear that the upgrade of the 2013 MKS worked out so well for you! When I'm in the market for a replacement of my 2009 MKZ sometime in 2014, I will have to make a decision between the new MKZ and the (hopefully) all-new MKS.

True. There is talk out there that Lincoln is also considering a program to "personalize" your vehicle - just like Mercedes' "designo" or BMW's "individual" options. That's why I mentioned the higher price. If you compare a fully loaded Fusion to a base MKZ, i also doubt the difference will be much grater than $5K.

On the 2013 MKZ, rumors are that it might be even more than a $10K figure.

To my knowledge, the hybrids are selling quite well...

Great pictures! This car in black metallic with light interior - simply awesome. They did everything they could in this facelift and I think they did a great job! :happy feet:

Wow, that's early!

Cool, so there is hope after all... :happy feet:

+1 Hopefully, we'll see some kind of Black Metallic again.

Will be interesting to see the final MPG- and performance-numbers on the EcoBoost and the possible premium for the engine to evalute the "Eco-package".. :reading:

It's very likely there will be no towing package at all available on the I-4 EcoBoost. Edit: Fixed spelling-error from "now" to "no"..

I'm probably going to order my Lincoln (probably MKX or maybe MKZ Hybrid) in December or January. Hopefully, I can get the Tuxedo Black by then. Right now, the 2012 (at least the MKZ) is only available in "Black" but if it's not metallic, I don't want it..

Hopefully, they'll bring it back someday. The earthquake in Japan shouldn't bring an end to Ford's Black Metallic choice...

Hmm, no Tuxedo Black Metallic? It isn't listed as color but not listed as discontinued, either... :shrug:

It's Ford's fault. If they can't keep up with the demand, their calculations were wrong. It's that easy...

The question is: How did the dealership handle the issue: Acceptable: The OP was informed and it was EXPLAINED why the order was declined. NOT acceptable: "Your oreder was declined. Have a nice day.."

My dealer told me Ford isn't offering a lease on the Fusion Hybrid. Does anybody know why? Thanks! :shades:

I'm not surprised by that. Lincoln even published wrong HP-numbers for the current MKX on their website. That shows that the people who have the knowledge to set up a website don't know much about the products. Happens all the time - even at BMW USA.