Ford took a bold step Tuesday afternoon on the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour when it unveiled the new 2013 Ford Fusion body style at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The first manufacturer to debut the new design, Ford’s announcement drew NASCAR brass, Ford design team members and Sprint Cup Series drivers.
Focusing on making the car look more like the product sold in the showroom and parked in the driveways, Ford made a concerted effort to produce a sleek, eye-catching car, while remaining in the limits placed on them by NASCAR.
The entire process of developing a new body style began when Ford introduced the Mustang into Nationwide Series competition. Jamie Allison, the Director of Ford Racing, called the use of the Mustang in the series a “tipping point in the sport” that generated tremendous excitement within the company and with fans in the stands.
Originally planning on introducing the Mustang as the next Sprint Cup Series model, Allison explained that decision was scrapped once they saw the design of the 2013 production model Fusion.
