After unveiling the 2013 NASCAR Fusion at Charlotte Motor Speedway in January and highlighting the first version of its new car in a team paint scheme on Memorial Day weekend, Ford Racing is using the upcoming race weekend in Michigan to unveil updates to the design of the Cup car which shows even more brand identity through enhanced design cues, including new grille work and hood lines.
The photos attached show renderings of the 2013 Sprint Cup car, alongside the reveal car from January and the 2013 production Fusion, courtesy of the Ford Design Studio, which has continue to play a major role in the exterior look of the car.
One example is the change and updates with the grille since January.
Gone is the stickered front grille from the January reveal and in its place are actual grille bars which will adorn the 2013 Cup Fusion, in addition to several other key tweaks to the front end of the car.
"We had an opportunity to add more personality and detail to the race car," said Garen Nicoghosian, Ford design manager in charge of the NASCAR project.
"We took advantage of this opportunity and sculpted a more aggressive front end and we added grille bars that are identical in design to the production car. We also added more detail to the fog light housings, and created a more detailed headlight area as well.
"In addition, we also sculpted a more aggressive hood, and were able to achieve a closer look to the production car. Our race car is even closer in design to the production car now, and we are very pleased with the results."
The latest enhancements have allowed Ford to more closely match the production Fusion while remaining within NASCAR guidelines as the manufacturers inch closer to submitting their final designs to NASCAR for the 2013 season.
"Both the race and production Fusions speak the same design language," Nicoghosian continued.
"There is a visual premiumness that is apparent in both the race car as well as the production Fusion design. Both cars appear fun to drive, and are the most emotionally desirable in their segments."
