1996 Mercury Fusion

Developed and constructed at Ford's California Concept Center, the Fusion was based on a small front-wheel-drive platform. It was conceived to meet the needs and aspirations of two widely different markets: young people and active retirees. The Fusion was designed to blend the toughness of a mini sport utility with the attributes of a passenger car. The design concept was unique in that the rear window and quarter glass were both removable, and the rear portion of the roof incorporated a folding fabric sunroof. When the Fusion sunroof opened, the entire rear was open to the air, though pillars remained in place. The exterior was primarily finished in matte gray plastic cladding for ruggedness and easy maintenance. The body's upper area and roof were finished in sparkling metallic dark blue paint, which carried over to the interior's exposed tubing seat frames. "Tubing" is the interior's motif, with the seats, instrument panel, and center console all built around tube framing.

Source: Concept Car Central

Images: Ford Motor Company