Paddle shifters are pretty impressive

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SHOTom

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Have to say the paddle shifters are really good in the SHO. I had a chance to drive some exotic cars in Florida last February, Dream car tour. Lots of fun, get to drive six different cars for the day. Anyway in comparison, the SHO paddles are very close in speed to the Ferrari F430. Those worked a little different though as the right side was for upshift and the left for down shift. No pushing, just pull on the paddles. I like how the shifting in the SHO matches revs for down shift just like the more expensive cars from over-seas too........
 

hawkeye18

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Did somebody just compare a SHO to a Ferarri?

I've got someone I want you to meet.

conan_sho.jpg
 

wchain

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Motor trend last month said the Fusion handles like a 3 series.
 

hawkeye18

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Motor trend last month said the Fusion handles like a 3 series.

I would almost believe it. I drove a Fusion for 3 weeks in St. Louis (Hi James! :wave:) in Feb. 2009 and it handled very well. The heated seats seem to stick out most in my mind, though.
 

esfoad

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It seems that on my SHO, the engine rev-matches upon downshifting to all gears except 1st. Feels like an old style downshift to first with some lag and a deceleration tug when it engages. Anyone else feel this as well?
 

roland

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a lot of reviewers were comparing the MK4 Mondeo to the 3 series too when it debuted in 06. Ford can make some good cars, but I'm really interested in the new Regal. 2.0 turbo, AWD, possible manual transmission? It'd be nice if the Fusion or MKZ went in that direction.
 

hawkeye18

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a lot of reviewers were comparing the MK4 Mondeo to the 3 series too when it debuted in 06. Ford can make some good cars, but I'm really interested in the new Regal. 2.0 turbo, AWD, possible manual transmission? It'd be nice if the Fusion or MKZ went in that direction.

The regal will indeed have a manual, and if it shows any promise at all, Ford will very seriously have to look at putting a manual in the Fusion (direct competitor).
 

SHOTom

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I don't think the shift action is as fast as the Ferraris but sure seems quick. Most cars that I have driven with shift yourself autos were pretty bad. Even my G8 GT was bad. I was not expecting much with my SHO but when I gave it a try I said holly s$#$, it actually works very well. Thumbs up to Ford guys, they did a great job. Pretty funny today, took my sister to the Buick dealer to pick up her Lacross and about 5 gives came out to see my SHO. They could not figure out how I got in the door too, it was very funny! Just ran my finger on the key pad and ****, the door unlocked! LOL
 

typhoon5000

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The regal will indeed have a manual, and if it shows any promise at all, Ford will very seriously have to look at putting a manual in the Fusion (direct competitor).

The Fusion is available with a 6-Speed Manual, just in base or SE trim with the 175hp 2.5L and FWD. I actually drove an AWD sport and a FWD manual SE with sport appearance pkg back to back and I preferred the manual much more. The Sport didn't feel that quick with its slushbox and the handling was not very precise (it's 3800lb curb weight probably didn't help). The 3300lb manual Fusion felt much more lively and quicker to driver around town.

When I've driven the new SHO I found the paddle shifters on all of them to have way too much delay from the time you hit the paddle to the time it actually shifts for my liking. The rev-matching on the downshifts were nice, but nothing spectacular IMO. I like how when you were in manual mode, it locked the torque converter more often during deceleration, which works as engine braking, saving your hydraulic brakes as well as engaging fuel shut-off so you're getting infinite fuel economy too.
 
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