The spy photographers at KGP have come up with a set of revealing images, showing Ford’s updated Fusion sedan out for some testing near Dearborn, MI.

Though heavily camouflaged, this example is no longer a development mule, but rather a complete prototype. The new Fusion seems to be wearing a completely new grill and front fascia. The familiar three-bar grill is still in existence, but the spacing and orientation of the thick bars have been revised. The grill is also lower, and trapezoidal in shape, with a set of large air intakes, and a pair of fog lamps.

(Click on the thumbnails below to check out the spy pics or on the jump to read more, including a summary of the car by KGP’s Glenn Paulina.)

Though changes to the Fusion's rear section are less dramatic, it’s clear that the rear bumper has been revised. The tail lights seem to be a little different as well, but are a bit tough to make out on this example.

There are no images of the new Fusion’s interior, but a dash cover would suggest that something is in the works there as well. Thought's on Ford's latest effort? Have your say in comments.

Ford's revamped Fusion has now progressed from mule stage, into a
fully-finished confirmation prototype. This prototype, caught
roaming the streets of Dearborn, displays covered front- and rear
fascias, and the "blurry jellybean" camouflage--always a favorite at
Ford. Earlier mules consisted of bone-stock Fusions with rough
versions of the car's new nose grafted on, while the rear-ends were
unchanged.

Clear differences are visible through the frontal camouflage,
pointing to a significantly altered face for the car that launched
Ford's three-bar grille design theme into showrooms. Traces of the
thick horizontal bars remain on the new Fusion's grille-opening, but
their spacing and orientation look quite different. A heavily
revised front bumper design reveals a more angular, trapezoidal low-
center-grille, and bold new air-intakes are placed wide--above the
front fog lamps. Sporty honeycomb mesh fills both of these secondary
air inlets, thus replacing the two chrome bars that sit in the low-
center intake on the current Fusion. The new look suggests that the
influence of Ford's 427 concept will be greatly de-emphasized on the
Fusion follow-up.

The changes to the rear-end are less apparent. A new rear bumper
design and some tail-light tweaks are definitely in the cards, but
the extent of the changes can't be fully discerned on this
prototype. A dash-covering can be seen through this tester's
windshield, suggesting that some changes to the Fusion's interior are
also in the works.

We expect this updated Fusion to go public a year from now, at the
2009 Detroit Auto Show. With an all-new Accord entering the market,
the ever-present Camry luring buyers, and vastly improved
alternatives now in General Motors' showrooms, an updated Fusion will
certainly be a welcome addition for Ford dealers.