No SHO: Ford offers Sport Appearance Package for 2008 Ford Fusion
In an effort to freshen up its midsized sedan offering, Ford has introduced a Sport Appearance Package for the 2008 Fusion. The package is designed to spruce up the vehicle's exterior and interior and tighten up the suspension.
A rear anti-roll bar, along with stiffer springs and upgraded struts and shocks, are the package's featured suspension upgrades.
On the outside, Ford's chrome-tastic three-bar grille (and the two-bar grille below it) receive a toned-down "black chrome" look. The 18-inch machined aluminum wheels are tastefully done. Other subtle touches include body-color fog-lamp surrounds and a unique rear lip spoiler out back.
Things are slightly more flashy in the cabin, whether you want a Fusion SE or SEL. Regular Fusion cloth and leather give way to seats featuring bright-red inserts and red stitching on leather-equipped models.
No changes have been made to the Fusion's choice between a 2.3-liter 160 horsepower four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter 221 horsepower V-6, but all 2008 Fusions come standard with six airbags and get the option of Ford's new SYNC electronics system, a DVD-based Navigation System, ambient lighting, and Sirius satellite radio.
While a 2008 Fusion with the Sport Appearance Package is no Fusion SHO or SVT, the $895 grouping of goodies strikes us as a hard-to-pass-up deal for those in the market for Ford's popular sedan.