Ford Fusion Hybrid. 38 mpg........ IN THE CITY!!!!
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Ford Fusion Hybrid. 38 mpg........ IN THE CITY!!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Scott Burgess: Fuel efficiency faceoff
Ford's midsize takes on Toyota
2010 Fusion, Milan lineups get hybrid models, new powertrains, improved mileage
DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Co. will take the high mileage fight to Toyota Motor Corp. next year when it launches the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which the automaker says will top Toyota's Camry hybrid in city and highway mileage.
"It's going to get at least five miles per gallon better than the Camry," Gil Portalatin, manager of Ford's hybrid propulsion systems, said Wednesday of the Fusion hybrid's performance. "It's going to be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the road."
[b]Ford says the hybrid Fusion will get at least 38 mpg in the city, compared with 33 mpg for the Camry. The Fusion will be able to cruise at 47 mph on electric-only power.[b]
Ford has not placed all of its bets on one powertrain, though. The hybrid version joins the Fusion and Mercury Milan family of vehicles, which was updated for 2010 and hosts three new powertrains. Ford, which began offering its new 2.5-liter I-four engine and overhauled 3-liter V-6 engine in the 2009 Escape, will offer both powertrains in the Fusion. Additionally, Ford will add a 3.5-liter V-6 to the mix under a Fusion Sport model.
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Every Fusion will feature a six-speed automatic or manual transmission in 2010. "We expect six-speed transmissions across our entire lineup by 2013," said Barb Samarezich, Ford's vice president of powertrains.
Ford also gave the Fusion a cosmetic makeover, changing out the car's front end and giving it a more muscular look than its predecessor. The final production version will debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November.
The hybrid Fusion gets new lightweight batteries, refined energy regeneration braking and electric air-conditioning. A new instrument panel, known as SmartGauge with EcoGuide, includes technology that can coach a driver to better road performance.
The system uses liquid crystal displays on each side of the speedometer. The screens display the car's fuel level, battery level, accessory consumption, and engine and electric motor output. If a driver drives well, a tree behind the digital gauges grows -- symbolically suggesting the benefits of the hybrid and better driving. The display screens also will track instant fuel economy, fuel economy history and miles to empty.
The myriad changes to the Fusion, however, may not give Ford much traction with consumers. As the nation struggles with financial crisis, potential car customers are sitting on the sidelines, opting to wait and see instead of spend and drive, analysts said.
"I can't think of a worse time to buy a car," said Stephanie Brinley with the research and marketing firm AutoPacific Inc. "Everyone is waiting to see what's going to happen."
But if consumers are willing to take a risk, hybrids are on their shopping list.
"Our research indicates that more than 50 percent of people considering a car want a hybrid," Brinley said.
Jim Hall, an analyst with research and consulting firm 2953 Analytics LLP, said he liked the improvements to the Fusion, but many are arriving too late.
"Where were these engines when the Fusion first arrived?"
Scott Burgess: Fuel efficiency faceoff
Ford's midsize takes on Toyota
2010 Fusion, Milan lineups get hybrid models, new powertrains, improved mileage
DEARBORN -- Ford Motor Co. will take the high mileage fight to Toyota Motor Corp. next year when it launches the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which the automaker says will top Toyota's Camry hybrid in city and highway mileage.
"It's going to get at least five miles per gallon better than the Camry," Gil Portalatin, manager of Ford's hybrid propulsion systems, said Wednesday of the Fusion hybrid's performance. "It's going to be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the road."
[b]Ford says the hybrid Fusion will get at least 38 mpg in the city, compared with 33 mpg for the Camry. The Fusion will be able to cruise at 47 mph on electric-only power.[b]
Ford has not placed all of its bets on one powertrain, though. The hybrid version joins the Fusion and Mercury Milan family of vehicles, which was updated for 2010 and hosts three new powertrains. Ford, which began offering its new 2.5-liter I-four engine and overhauled 3-liter V-6 engine in the 2009 Escape, will offer both powertrains in the Fusion. Additionally, Ford will add a 3.5-liter V-6 to the mix under a Fusion Sport model.
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Every Fusion will feature a six-speed automatic or manual transmission in 2010. "We expect six-speed transmissions across our entire lineup by 2013," said Barb Samarezich, Ford's vice president of powertrains.
Ford also gave the Fusion a cosmetic makeover, changing out the car's front end and giving it a more muscular look than its predecessor. The final production version will debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November.
The hybrid Fusion gets new lightweight batteries, refined energy regeneration braking and electric air-conditioning. A new instrument panel, known as SmartGauge with EcoGuide, includes technology that can coach a driver to better road performance.
The system uses liquid crystal displays on each side of the speedometer. The screens display the car's fuel level, battery level, accessory consumption, and engine and electric motor output. If a driver drives well, a tree behind the digital gauges grows -- symbolically suggesting the benefits of the hybrid and better driving. The display screens also will track instant fuel economy, fuel economy history and miles to empty.
The myriad changes to the Fusion, however, may not give Ford much traction with consumers. As the nation struggles with financial crisis, potential car customers are sitting on the sidelines, opting to wait and see instead of spend and drive, analysts said.
"I can't think of a worse time to buy a car," said Stephanie Brinley with the research and marketing firm AutoPacific Inc. "Everyone is waiting to see what's going to happen."
But if consumers are willing to take a risk, hybrids are on their shopping list.
"Our research indicates that more than 50 percent of people considering a car want a hybrid," Brinley said.
Jim Hall, an analyst with research and consulting firm 2953 Analytics LLP, said he liked the improvements to the Fusion, but many are arriving too late.
"Where were these engines when the Fusion first arrived?"
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I've driven the Camry and both the Fusion and the Milan. One was a stripper, the other loaded. They both sucked and were weak competition to the Camry. I think they both look better, and the Camry isn't exactly a work of art or anything; I just hope that the new 6 speeds and engines are more refined and don't sound like a gerbal weezing.
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I drive 6 miles to work on a 45mph road that has a 20 stop lights, that car would be perfect for my commute.
I'd love to see this powertrain in the Edge and Taurus too. Stretch 3" Taurus with this hybrid setup would be prefect for NYC cab duty.
I'd love to see this powertrain in the Edge and Taurus too. Stretch 3" Taurus with this hybrid setup would be prefect for NYC cab duty.
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This is the new Gen 2.0 Hybrid system. It is basically a "plug and play" type of system, and can be installed in almost any vehicle that Ford chooses.
I get a kick out of the last sentence in the article............. "where were these engines when the Fusion first arrived?"
Let me take a stab at that................ in development. The same place that all new and updated engines are. Did the Camry hybrid come out when this iteration of Camry was introduced. No.
I get a kick out of the last sentence in the article............. "where were these engines when the Fusion first arrived?"
Let me take a stab at that................ in development. The same place that all new and updated engines are. Did the Camry hybrid come out when this iteration of Camry was introduced. No.
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I like that Ford is raising the MPG bar with this car and technology, but I have to wonder is this a $20,000 fusion or a $30,000 Fusion. Probably closer to $30,000. And I keep feelin that this technology would be better introduced into a car like the Focus. Where people are running to fuel efficient cars at the cheapest price point. Then Transfer the technology up models to fusion and Suv's. Toyota has had great success transfering its hybrid up to Camry instead of Detroit starting bigger and working their way down.
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People are more willing to pay the extra for the hybrid, when they are getting more car.
My understanding is that the base Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995, and that is with alot of standard equipment.
My understanding is that the base Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995, and that is with alot of standard equipment.
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This is quite awesome, and really makes me wonder why GM didn't take its superb Two Mode system and shoehorn it into a Malibu or Aura.
My hat is off to Ford for "doing" instead of talking.
My hat is off to Ford for "doing" instead of talking.
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I disagree that a significant amount of people are willing to pay that much more for the hybrid. Maybe someone who is used to driving a $40,000 suv or truck. BUt to the average person that needs mpg and a decent family sedan, $30,000 anything, or $28,000 is a ton to pay. When gas prices were up this summer people dumped the trucks running to small fuel efficient, cheap cars. Didnt corrolla become basically one of the best selling cars on the market? I just think Ford should do a hybrid Focus first or at the same time as the fusion.
Eric, I always wondered the same thing with the 2-mode. I was really dissapointed it never made its way into normal cars.
Eric, I always wondered the same thing with the 2-mode. I was really dissapointed it never made its way into normal cars.
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I will say that Ford is no longer willing to produce a vehicle that they will sell for a loss.
$27,995 in a car that ranges from $20k to $33k is very reasonable to ask. $25,000 for a Focus hybrid would make money, but few would buy. $20K for a Focus hybrid would sell, and would make no money for Ford, and would probably lose money.
This is why you don't see any other C-class cars that are hybrid, except the Civic, which already demands a premium for a C-class car, and borderlines midsize.
Plus, Honda can afford to sell vehicles at a loss.
$27,995 in a car that ranges from $20k to $33k is very reasonable to ask. $25,000 for a Focus hybrid would make money, but few would buy. $20K for a Focus hybrid would sell, and would make no money for Ford, and would probably lose money.
This is why you don't see any other C-class cars that are hybrid, except the Civic, which already demands a premium for a C-class car, and borderlines midsize.
Plus, Honda can afford to sell vehicles at a loss.
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