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All new Ford Fusion Hybrid will soon be America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size car. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=175889)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Ford_Fusion_Hybrid1.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Dec. 23, 2008

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid combines second-generation hybrid technology, class-leading styling and features along with the exclusive SmartGauge with EcoGuide instrument panel to help customers achieve maximum fuel economy.

Dearborn, MI – WOW! The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now officially ready to be named America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with an EPA certified 41/36 mpgUS city/highway (39 mpgUS combined) on the 08 EPA. This tops what was considered the most fuel efficient US midsized model, the Toyota Camry Hybrid by a mind boggling 8 mpg city and 2 mpg on the highway!

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership, quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high – to develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan – and that’s what they delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final FE certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, MI. The Fusion Hybrid, beats even the compact Honda Civic Hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving!

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to travel up to 47 mph in pure electric mode. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader.

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:
Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin air.

New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.

Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.

Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6 percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes.
SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving

The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

Ford designs their own high end FCDs for the new Fusion/Milan Hybrids. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17072)

http://www.youtube.com/v/wgFuleMnptg&hl=en&fs=1
SmartGauge w/ EcoGuide walk through.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved. In recent tests, automotive journalists at the LA Press launch exceeded 50 mpg with the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Too bad it will drop like a rock in depreciation in the first three years. One sad note with American cars.

Right now a 07 4 cylinder SEL Fusion with 24K miles and in excellent condition is only pulling $10,450 trade in. New Fusions are $24K and in two years they are going to be worth $11K. Taking a $6,500 a year depreciation hit doesn't make economic sense no matter how high the gas mileage is.

GM and Ford are going to need at least two buying cycles to get the American people to embrace their cars as they did back in the sixties. The quality has greatly improved but talk is cheap. The American people will have to see the quality improvements for themselves.

Kudos to Ford for putting this car on the road. Now lets hope the American public embrace it and it sells well for them.

Hi ALS,

Well, that much depretiation is not a forgone conclusion. Why do cars depretiate? I think its because of the cost of maintenance that needs to go into them , and the uncertain timing of much of that work causing extra costs. People will pay more for a more reliable car. If the hybrid system in the new Fusion hybrid is reliable, then the maintnance costs will be small on a 2 year old Fushion Hybrid. No brakes, no alternator, no starter failures to wory about. Only tires and fluid changes.

Hi ALS,

Well, that much depretiation is not a forgone conclusion. Why do cars depretiate? I think its because of the cost of maintenance that needs to go into them , and the uncertain timing of much of that work causing extra costs. People will pay more for a more reliable car. If the hybrid system in the new Fusion hybrid is reliable, then the maintnance costs will be small on a 2 year old Fushion Hybrid. No brakes, no alternator, no starter failures to wory about. Only tires and fluid changes.

Oh really? Take a look at the Chevy Prizm vs. Toyota Corolla. All things being equal, the Prizm will always be priced lower than the Corolla. It's not due to lack of quality either. It's more a perception of decreased quality due to brand. ie, most people are idiots, and you can take advantage of this too.

Well, that much depretiation is not a forgone conclusion. Why do cars depretiate? I think its because of the cost of maintenance that needs to go into them , and the uncertain timing of much of that work causing extra costs. People will pay more for a more reliable car. If the hybrid system in the new Fusion hybrid is reliable, then the maintnance costs will be small on a 2 year old Fushion Hybrid. No brakes, no alternator, no starter failures to wory about. Only tires and fluid changes.

Depreciation is the loss of resale value that is largely dependent on how much the public wants the car after it has been used a few years. My observation is that the lower trade-in value of domestic vehicles is the result of the fact that the US automakers spent so many years throwing cash on the hood, selling at or below invoice, and offering 0% for up to 6 years

The Prizm vs Corolla comparison was mentioned above. You can bet that the Prizm sold for 10% less than the Corolla thanks to huge incentives to keep the sales volume up. At resale, the money saved in the lower purchase price is lost during trade in. You paid $1500 less to buy it, you get $1500 less when you trade it. I ran similar numbers for my 3 year old domestic car, comparing it to a Camry with similar equipment, and found that the money "lost" by the lower trade value of my Chevy is pretty much the same as the money I saved by getting the Chevy instead of the Camry. Many readers will want to follow that line of logic to compare the perceived quality of various brands of cars, stating that with the initial price and resale value washing out, that living with a "better" car or a "nicer interior" makes one brand a wiser choice than another. But the car I have has treated me very well, it has been faultless, and I don't mind having plastic that the auto press snidely describes as "looking too much like plastic". It is plastic - and it's durable and it looks good enough to these tired old eyes.

If and when the domestic cars reach parity in long term quality and durability (beyond "initial quality"), and do so consistently, the resale value gap will begin to narrow quite a bit. But I suspect it will never disappear until both import and domestic models are selling for about the same out-the-door price and with equivalent finance rates. After all, you can't expect a Chevy Malibu (sticker $24k, Red Tag Price $21k) to sell for as much after three years as a Camry that is selling at its $25k sticker. You pocket the $4k when you buy the Malibu, but then you shouldn't wonder why the Malibu trade-in value is $4k lower.

And now back to the original topic. At 41mpg city, I may be taking a second look at one of these new Fusion hybrids. It looks like it is delivering on the hype and promise, and that's something that's refreshing in today's automotive landscape.

These are pretty impressive numbers, it even beats the Hybrid Civic by 1 mpg city and that's a smaller car. I wonder how many Fusion hybrids will be available and also how it will compare with the Honda Insight in terms of fuel economy.

I'm excited about this one. I hope it takes off! :flag:


One other thing I suspect kills resale values. Rental fleets. Ford and Chevy sell (almost give?) thousands of Taurus's and Malibu's to the rental fleets for next to nothing. 2 (or less) years later the rental fleets are turning over flooding the market with 2 year old cars. Supply and demand. High supply of reasonably new domestics at low (just off "program", or just out of rental fleet) prices will wash out the resale value.

Before Hybrids and fuel economy got big, how many Toyota's or Honda's did you see sitting at enterprise?

These are pretty impressive numbers, it even beats the Hybrid Civic by 1 mpg city and that's a smaller car. I wonder how many Fusion hybrids will be available and also how it will compare with the Honda Insight in terms of fuel economy.

I would be interested to see what a hypermiler could do in a Fusion. I beat the 40mpg City EPA on the Civic by a good 10mpg, but it's not as easy in my Mariner. I usually get 32 or so city in the Mariner vs the 29mpg sticker. In other words, I beat the EPA by 25% in the Civic, but only 10% in the Mariner.

Note: The Mariner has a green engine (6,900 miles) and I drive it WAY less than the Civic so that is far from a scientific comparison...it probably points to a lack of skill on the part of the driver.