xcel
03-27-2009, 01:22 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg With the Fusion’s IIHS crash test performance, Ford now has more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” than any other automaker. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=197073)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Mercury_Milan_Hybrid.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Mar. 26, 2009
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (twin of the Fusion Hybrid) – MSRP of $27,500 and 39 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Having previewed the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19886) for a few short days earlier this month, I have to say it is an excellent mid-sized sedan with what has to be described as outstanding fuel economy for a 3,800 pound sedan. Featuring an innovative SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, Fusion Hybrid drivers should find it easy to achieve the EPA rating for their particular type of drive. The only thing left to discover was how it performed in crash tests.
Like all Ford vehicles from their full-sized trucks to their small cars, they are hitting a home run after home run when it comes to crash tests and the Ford Fusion Hybrid proved to be no different.
With the embargo released, let’s take a closer look at the safety aspects of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and its ability to protect you while offering top of its comfort, convenience and class leading fuel economy.
DEARBORN, MI. -- The all-new 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), giving Ford best combination of safety and fuel-efficient lineup of hybrids after the Escape earned the top rating back in 2008.
Fusion and Milan Hybrids offer both Safety and Fuel Economy
Ford is the only automaker to offer two hybrids that have segment-leading fuel efficiency, “Top Safety Pick” awards and exclusive safety technologies. The Fusion Hybrid offers 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway and a 39 mpg combined rating on the 08 EPA.
“Customers no longer have to choose between fuel economy and safety – now they can have both with the Fusion and Escape hybrids,” said Susan Cischke, group vice president, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
How Ford did it
The highlight - Side impact protection – The 2010 Fusion and Milan’s receive some of their crash protection prowess by the use of lightweight high strength steels in the body structure. The use of high strength steel in the B-pillars is only part of their robust safety profile. Ford engineers also located the side door intrusion beams to help manage and absorb energy during side impact crashes.
“The new Fusion and Milan continue to build on Ford’s leading safety heritage and prove yet again that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package,” said Steve Kozak, chief engineer, Ford Safety Systems.
Fusion’s side-protection elements include:
Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants’ chest and hip.
Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas
Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness—nearly a quarter inch of solid steel—above the beltline.
Seat-deployed thorax air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.
The structure of the Fusion was also designed to withstand intrusion in a side impact. The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are stronger at the top of the vehicle –from below the beltline upward – than at the bottom. This helps to channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.
All Fusion and Milan’s also include the following safety equipment standard.
Six Standard Air Bags - Six air bags (dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, chest side air bags for front-seat occupants and side-impact air curtains), safety belt pretensioners, seat weight-sensing system for the passenger seat and crash-severity sensing.
BeltMinder® - BeltMinder is a Ford technology that takes over after the initial safety belt reminder stops chiming. If the driver remains unbuckled, the system chimes and flashes a warning lamp for six seconds every 30 seconds for five minutes or until the driver buckles up, whichever comes first.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System - This system warns a driver if one or more tires are significantly underinflated. An active pressure sensor with a radio transmitter is mounted inside each tire. A receiver in the vehicle monitors each transmitter, and if tire pressure is not within specific limits, it will activate a visual warning light.
Additional “available” safety features beyond the norm for a vehicle in the Mid-sized class
The new 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids and non-hybrids can be equipped with Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and 911 Assist.
BLIS with CTA uses two multiple-beam radars in the rear quarter panels (one per side) for two different – but important – purposes. BLIS checks the defined blind spot zone, which is about 10 feet from the back of the bumper to the outside mirrors. When a vehicle is detected, an amber light in the outside mirror of whichever side the vehicle is on lights up. The driver is still responsible for any lane changes, but the BLIS is there to help.
Cross Traffic Alert notifies the driver of impending traffic when backing out of a parking spot and warns the driver when a vehicle is detected within three car widths of either side of the car. As with BLIS, the driver is warned with a light in the outside mirror on the side of the traffic. A warning beep also is sounded.
An additional safety feature tied to Ford’s award winning SYNC system is 911 Assist. 911 Assist is designed to aid occupants in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator if an accident that activates an air bag or the emergency fuel cutoff occurs. Unlike competitors systems that have to be routed through an intermediate call center, 911 Assist places the call directly to the 911 operator to speed response time.
An internal Ford study shows that SYNC’s hands-free operation significantly reduces the level of distraction when drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player.
“We know people want to stay connected in their vehicles, so we’re delivering that connectivity for them responsibly and safely,” Cischke said. “Our research backs up what most of us instinctively know – that it’s better while driving to place a call using a voice interface than dialing manually, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Both the 2010 Fusion and Milan include AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control as standard equipment. The safety system uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When AdvanceTrac® senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help the driver keep the car tracking on its intended path.
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Ford Fusion/Milan Hybrids IIHS ratings in detail
Frontal crash protection - In the Institute's 40 mph offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver side. The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles of the same weight, each going just less than 40 mph. 40 mph frontal offset crash tests are good assessments of vehicles' structural designs.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Structure/safety cage – Good
Head/neck: Average
Chest: Good
Leg/foot, left: Good
Leg/foot, right: Average
Restraints/dummy kinematics: Good
Side crash protection - The three factors evaluated in the Institute's side impact test — driver and passenger injury measures, head protection, and structural performance — determine each vehicle's overall side crashworthiness evaluation when vehicles are struck in the side by SUVs or pickups.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Structure/safety cage: Average
Head/Neck (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Torso (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Pelvis/Leg (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Head Protection (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Rear crash protection - For each seat/head restraint, rear-end crash protection is an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren't serious, they occur frequently.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Dynamic rating: Good
Seat/head restraint geometry: Good
IIHS Ratings are listed as follows: Top rated = Good, then Average, Marginal and the lowest rating = Poor.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Mercury_Milan_Hybrid.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Mar. 26, 2009
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (twin of the Fusion Hybrid) – MSRP of $27,500 and 39 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Having previewed the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19886) for a few short days earlier this month, I have to say it is an excellent mid-sized sedan with what has to be described as outstanding fuel economy for a 3,800 pound sedan. Featuring an innovative SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide, Fusion Hybrid drivers should find it easy to achieve the EPA rating for their particular type of drive. The only thing left to discover was how it performed in crash tests.
Like all Ford vehicles from their full-sized trucks to their small cars, they are hitting a home run after home run when it comes to crash tests and the Ford Fusion Hybrid proved to be no different.
With the embargo released, let’s take a closer look at the safety aspects of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and its ability to protect you while offering top of its comfort, convenience and class leading fuel economy.
DEARBORN, MI. -- The all-new 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), giving Ford best combination of safety and fuel-efficient lineup of hybrids after the Escape earned the top rating back in 2008.
Fusion and Milan Hybrids offer both Safety and Fuel Economy
Ford is the only automaker to offer two hybrids that have segment-leading fuel efficiency, “Top Safety Pick” awards and exclusive safety technologies. The Fusion Hybrid offers 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway and a 39 mpg combined rating on the 08 EPA.
“Customers no longer have to choose between fuel economy and safety – now they can have both with the Fusion and Escape hybrids,” said Susan Cischke, group vice president, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
How Ford did it
The highlight - Side impact protection – The 2010 Fusion and Milan’s receive some of their crash protection prowess by the use of lightweight high strength steels in the body structure. The use of high strength steel in the B-pillars is only part of their robust safety profile. Ford engineers also located the side door intrusion beams to help manage and absorb energy during side impact crashes.
“The new Fusion and Milan continue to build on Ford’s leading safety heritage and prove yet again that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package,” said Steve Kozak, chief engineer, Ford Safety Systems.
Fusion’s side-protection elements include:
Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants’ chest and hip.
Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas
Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness—nearly a quarter inch of solid steel—above the beltline.
Seat-deployed thorax air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.
The structure of the Fusion was also designed to withstand intrusion in a side impact. The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are stronger at the top of the vehicle –from below the beltline upward – than at the bottom. This helps to channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.
All Fusion and Milan’s also include the following safety equipment standard.
Six Standard Air Bags - Six air bags (dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, chest side air bags for front-seat occupants and side-impact air curtains), safety belt pretensioners, seat weight-sensing system for the passenger seat and crash-severity sensing.
BeltMinder® - BeltMinder is a Ford technology that takes over after the initial safety belt reminder stops chiming. If the driver remains unbuckled, the system chimes and flashes a warning lamp for six seconds every 30 seconds for five minutes or until the driver buckles up, whichever comes first.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System - This system warns a driver if one or more tires are significantly underinflated. An active pressure sensor with a radio transmitter is mounted inside each tire. A receiver in the vehicle monitors each transmitter, and if tire pressure is not within specific limits, it will activate a visual warning light.
Additional “available” safety features beyond the norm for a vehicle in the Mid-sized class
The new 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids and non-hybrids can be equipped with Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and 911 Assist.
BLIS with CTA uses two multiple-beam radars in the rear quarter panels (one per side) for two different – but important – purposes. BLIS checks the defined blind spot zone, which is about 10 feet from the back of the bumper to the outside mirrors. When a vehicle is detected, an amber light in the outside mirror of whichever side the vehicle is on lights up. The driver is still responsible for any lane changes, but the BLIS is there to help.
Cross Traffic Alert notifies the driver of impending traffic when backing out of a parking spot and warns the driver when a vehicle is detected within three car widths of either side of the car. As with BLIS, the driver is warned with a light in the outside mirror on the side of the traffic. A warning beep also is sounded.
An additional safety feature tied to Ford’s award winning SYNC system is 911 Assist. 911 Assist is designed to aid occupants in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator if an accident that activates an air bag or the emergency fuel cutoff occurs. Unlike competitors systems that have to be routed through an intermediate call center, 911 Assist places the call directly to the 911 operator to speed response time.
An internal Ford study shows that SYNC’s hands-free operation significantly reduces the level of distraction when drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player.
“We know people want to stay connected in their vehicles, so we’re delivering that connectivity for them responsibly and safely,” Cischke said. “Our research backs up what most of us instinctively know – that it’s better while driving to place a call using a voice interface than dialing manually, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Both the 2010 Fusion and Milan include AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control as standard equipment. The safety system uses sensors to detect and measure yaw, or side-to-side skidding conditions, by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When AdvanceTrac® senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help the driver keep the car tracking on its intended path.
***********************************
***********************************
Ford Fusion/Milan Hybrids IIHS ratings in detail
Frontal crash protection - In the Institute's 40 mph offset test, 40 percent of the total width of each vehicle strikes a barrier on the driver side. The barrier's deformable face is made of aluminum honeycomb, which makes the forces in the test similar to those involved in a frontal offset crash between two vehicles of the same weight, each going just less than 40 mph. 40 mph frontal offset crash tests are good assessments of vehicles' structural designs.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Structure/safety cage – Good
Head/neck: Average
Chest: Good
Leg/foot, left: Good
Leg/foot, right: Average
Restraints/dummy kinematics: Good
Side crash protection - The three factors evaluated in the Institute's side impact test — driver and passenger injury measures, head protection, and structural performance — determine each vehicle's overall side crashworthiness evaluation when vehicles are struck in the side by SUVs or pickups.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Structure/safety cage: Average
Head/Neck (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Torso (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Pelvis/Leg (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Head Protection (Driver/Passenger): Good/Good
Rear crash protection - For each seat/head restraint, rear-end crash protection is an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren't serious, they occur frequently.
Overall rating: Good
Individual detailed ratings
Dynamic rating: Good
Seat/head restraint geometry: Good
IIHS Ratings are listed as follows: Top rated = Good, then Average, Marginal and the lowest rating = Poor.