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2017 Ford Fusion facelift comes into focus

The latest generation Ford Fusion has been one of the better-looking members of the mainstream midsize sedan ranks since its introduction for the 2013 model year. In the automotive world, though, even the most attractive designs don't stay fresh for long. These new spy shots shed some light on what to expect when the model is refreshed, possibly for 2017. With only a modicum of camouflage here, it's not exactly hard to see where the Fusion is getting design tweaks. Up front, the wide grille remains, but the lower air dam appears to have restyled recesses for the fog lights. Also, while it's difficult to get an exact look, the headlights seem a little rounder through the concealment. Moving to the rear, the lower bumper shows some tweaks, but those circular pipes are obviously just there for testing. With a light on, you can a good glimpse of the redesigned taillights too. Based on these photos, Ford's stylists know a good thing when they have it, and it doesn't look like the Fusion's general look will have any monumental changes. Still, it's worth a minute to click through the gallery for a preview of the refreshed design. Related Video:

NHTSA probes 2014 Ford Edge Sport 22-inch alloy wheels

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a preliminary evaluation into the 2014 Ford Edge Sport for the possibility its 22-inch wheels could break while on the road. This affects an estimated 20,000 examples of the crossover, according to NHTSA. The case that instigated this evaluation was submitted to NHTSA in November 2014. The driver reported that the front, right corner of the vehicle suddenly dipped, and the Edge went into a field. No one was harmed, but upon investigation, the wheel had broken into two pieces, according to The Detroit News. When this happened, this crossover had been driven an estimated 8,500 miles. NHTSA's preliminary evaluations are meant "to assess the scope, frequency, and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles." If a problem is discovered during the investigation, this process can lead to a recall. Ford spokesperson Kelli Felker told Autoblog, "We will cooperate with NHTSA on this investigation, as we always do." INVESTIGATION Subject : Wheel Separation Date Investigation Opened: MAY 20, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: PE15020 Component(s): WHEELS All Products Associated with this Investigation Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) FORD EDGE 2014 Details Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company SUMMARY: On November 29, 2014, ODI received a complaint (ODI No. 10661278) reporting the sudden failure of an original equipment 22-inch alloy wheel rim that failed on a model year 2014 Ford Edge. The right-front corner of the vehicle suddenly dropped while driving, causing the vehicle to drive off the road and into a field. The right-front wheel rim was found to have broken into two pieces. The owner said that there was no prior warning or wheel related problems with the vehicle. The vehicle had been driven approximately 8,500 miles at the time of the incident. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and safety-related consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Related Video:

Ford partnering with MIT, Stanford on autonomous vehicle research

Ask any car engineer what's the biggest variable in achieving fuel economy targets, and he'll tell you "the driver." If one human can't understand human driving behavior enough to be certain about an innocuous number like miles per gallon, how is an autonomous car supposed to figure out what hundreds of other drivers are going to do in the course of a day? Ford has enlisted the help of Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to find out.
Starting with the automated Fusion Hybrid introduced in December, MIT will be developing algorithms that driverless cars can use to "predict actions of other vehicles and pedestrians" and objects within the three-dimensional map provided by its four LIDAR sensors.
The Stanford team will research how to extend the 'vision' of that LIDAR array beyond obstructions while driving, analogous to the way a driver uses the entire width of a lane to see what's ahead of a larger vehicle in front. Ford says it wants to "provide the vehicle with common sense" as part of its Blueprint for Mobility, preparing for an autonomous world from 2025 and beyond.