AJC CAR NEWS
2010 Ford Fusion hybrid should be crowd-pleaser
Carmaker hopes to take market share from Camry, Prius
San Antonio Express News
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ford’s redesigned 2010 Fusion sedan will come with a starting price of $19,270 for the gasoline-only version and $27,270 for the gasoline-electric hybrid model, the automaker says.
Ford
The new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is expected to be the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America when it goes on sale in spring 2009 with fuel economy expected to be at least 39 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.
Ford
Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide gives hybrid owners a more-connected, fuel-efficient driving experience by coaching them on how to optimize performance of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids.
Ford
The 2010 Ford Fusion features an all-new model to its line-up, the Fusion Sport, with enhanced performance from its 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, tuned suspension, and 18-inch wheels and tires.
The 2010 Fusion will arrive in showrooms late this month, and analysts and reviewers have already praised it.
Ford said at the Los Angeles auto show in November, where it introduced the Fusion and Milan models, that the hybrids will have best-in-class fuel economy.
Last week, Ford said the Fusion hybrid “delivers 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.”
Gasoline-only Fusion and Milan models will offer a choice of either a four-cylinder or V-6 engine.
The gasoline-only, four-cylinder Fusion S is EPA-rated at 34 miles per gallon on the highway and 23 in the city, “beating both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord,” Ford said. Those models (with automatic transmissions) are EPA-rated at 21 city/30 highway for the Accord and 21/31 for the Camry, although some owners report better mileage.
The Fusion and Milan hybrid versions should be successful for Ford. Its only hybrids up until now have been the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner compact crossover utility vehicles, which entered their second generation last year.
The hybrid versions will come with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine using the so-called Atkinson cycle arrangement for better fuel economy. It will be assisted by an electric motor, and power is transferred to the wheels by an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission.
The gasoline engine is rated at 155 horsepower and 136 foot-pounds of torque.
“Offering consumers more fuel-efficient vehicle choices, including improving and increasing our hybrid vehicle offerings, is part of Ford’s broad plan to deliver technology solutions for affordable fuel economy for millions,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for global product development.
“We are now able to offer even better range of travel on battery power at a greater speed, thanks to a more efficient, seamless transition between the battery-powered motor and gasoline-driven engine,” he said.
Ford said its hybrid team “has developed a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy.”
The system will allow the Fusion and Milan to operate longer at higher speeds — up to 47 mph — in pure electric mode, Ford said. The Toyota Prius, for example, automatically shifts to gasoline power at about 25 mph maximum.
With their city EPA ratings, the Fusion and Milan hybrids should be able to go more than 700 miles between refueling, Ford said. A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been developed for the hybrids that can produce 20 percent more power over the previous generation of this battery.
“Because our hybrid can run at a much higher speed in electric mode, you can do so much more in city-driving situations,” said Gil Portalatin, Ford’s hybrid applications manager. “Under the right conditions, you can drive in your neighborhood or mall parking lots without using a drop of gasoline.”
Included on both models will be Ford’s “SmartGauge with EcoGuide,” which the automaker explains is a “unique instrument cluster … that helps coach [drivers] on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.”
It displays instant fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer, engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data.
Among special features on the hybrids will be unique badges on both sides and the rear of the vehicle; 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels; recycled seat fabric; and a standard 110-volt power outlet.
Ford is hoping it will take market share from both the Toyota Camry, which is the top-selling car in the United States, and from the Prius, the top-selling hybrid.
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