Ford designs their own high end FCDs for the new Fusion/Milan Hybrids

[xcel]

SmartGauge w/ EcoGuide, Ford’s idea as to rewarding better driving behavior for much higher fuel economy.

Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Oct. 29, 2008

Ford's new SmartGauge with EcoGuide -- A unique design with two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens within the instrument cluster.

DEARBORN, Mi. – Maximizing a vehicles fuel consumption takes on a new meaning in the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, courtesy of Ford’s new SmartGauge with EcoGuide.

“SmartGauge with EcoGuide gives the customer real-world feedback to make the most of their hybrids,” said Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager. “Unique to Ford and Mercury hybrid sedans, this instrument cluster acts as a good ‘coach,’ engaging drivers real-time to help them achieve maximum fuel economy.”

“The main question hybrid drivers had was, ‘How do I know I'm getting the most out of my hybrid?’ ” said Jeff Greenberg, Ford senior technical leader. “We needed to create a system that better communicates with drivers and gives them the tools to maximize fuel efficiency. That’s what SmartGauge with EcoGuide does.”

The somewhat advanced driver feedback is provided by two displays located on either side of the center-mounted analog speedometer. The standard instantaneous Fuel Consumption Display (iFCD) and averaging Fuel Consumption Display (aFCD) layouts plus SoC and an energy consumption like vertical EV bar graph.

The EcoGuide uses a coaching approach to help the driver learn about their hybrid in a way that is said “not to overpower.”

Four data screens

• Fuel level and battery charge status (SoC)
• An electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer
• Engine output power and battery output power (Energy Screen)
• Propulsion and Accessory power use including power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption

All levels can display the iFCD, aFCD history, odometer, engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data (aFCD for a given segment, time-elapsed fuel economy and miles to empty). The engine coolant temperature indicator turns green when engine coolant temp has reached the level that allows Engine Shutdown (ICE-Off for us).

Besides accessory power consumption, the real advance is in end user customization. The four components can be customized to fit your wants, needs or a given situation. The standard aFCD, iFCD, SoC and EV displays can be viewed under most conditions. When in the city, the SoC status and ICE-Off/ICE-On threshold information will be a key far beyond anything we have seen from a consumer based display. The not yet available, OEM Toyota Prius PHEV can display a power output threshold before ICE-On operation and is the closest we have seen to this all-new, Ford high end instrumentation.

After your trip is complete, a new shutdown screen reveals fuel consumption information about your latest trip.

Gimmic’s

Similar to the FEH, longer-term average fuel economy can be displayed via a chart and not a gimmick by any means. There is an additional display however and one that Ford calls “innovative” which shows “growing leaves and vines” on the right side of the instrument cluster. The more efficient a customer is, the more lush and beautiful the leaves and vines. I will not bother telling you about the more superfluous adjectives used to describe this "plant growth"

Customization

Similar to the Honda Insight, The iFCD can be hidden as each of the EcoGuide levels are brought up or removed to suit the needs of individual driver and minimize distraction.

Note on the upcoming FFH/MMH (Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrids). Along with the new displays, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids are expected to offer class-leading fuel economy and include a newly designed drivetrain featuring a higher speed 47 mph EV/Glide threshold They will be arrive in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2009.

Close-ups


Welcome screen.


ICE-Off


ICE-On


Inform: Fuel level and battery charge status


Empower: Adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption


Engage: Adds engine output power and battery output power


Enlighten: Adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer

[Kacey Green]

Beautiful, do the Fords suport FASs? Does this system come backonline fast enough if they do?

[KrazyDawg]

Great pictures!

[GaryG]

Originally Posted by Kacey Green

Beautiful, do the Fords suport FASs? Does this system come backonline fast enough if they do?

In my '09 FEH manual it warns against shutting the engine off and starting the engine on the move. The '09 FEH also has a Black Box ability to record your driving history now. I wouldn't want to void my warranty by using the FAS technique myself.

The new gauges fall short in my opinion because again Ford limited the MPG to 60 as a maximum. The SoC gauge should have been in easier to read percentages like the SGII X-gauge SoC. I'm wondering if Ford increased EV speed to 47mph with axle gearing which is acceptable to me.

I'm very seriously thinking about getting this vehicle for my wife since it will have the new electric A/C for EV driving. I still need to compare the 2010 Prius, but I am a Ford man and that 47mph EV mode and electric A/C is looking great. I'm sure a SGII can solve the gauge issues also.

GaryG

[antrey]

"Gimmick"? What are you talking about? The growing leaves and vines are the best feature! I'd make sure to always have a full jungle to help absorb CO2 emissions. As a video game player I appreciate this feature.

[SLPilot]

Why would you want to FAS a hybrid like this? I assume that if the engine is not being used it would turn off by itself, unless the battery needed charging.

They should create a gauge that shows how fast the batteries are being charged. It is my understanding that in general, the batteries can not accept all the power generated by a fast stop.

Colin

[xcel]

Hi All:

___I added another (4) displays as it seems some like them

___Kacey, since the FFH/MMH have the same (similar ) transaxle as the Prius, you do not really receive a benefit form FAS’ing like you would in a Honda or other mild/non-hybrid. At least that is my experience in the 04 – 08 FEH’s. The FE is lower…

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[MaxxMPG]

Originally Posted by antrey

"Gimmick"? What are you talking about? The growing leaves and vines are the best feature! I'd make sure to always have a full jungle to help absorb CO2 emissions. As a video game player I appreciate this feature.

Too bad they can't use a modified version of this panel in the Expedition/Navigator. Instead of little green leaves, use little green dollar bills. Depending on TPS and road speed readings, the little dollars burst into flames and the ashes settle to the bottom. The more ashes you have at the end of your drive, the more you can brag about towing capacity, all that room you have inside for those items you need to bring along for every trip (like that kayak you need when driving through Nevada), and 0 to 60 times. Instead of hybrid battery SoC they can reuse that space to offer a watt meter that shows how much power the stereo is pumping out to the 15 speakers.

[Earthling]

Originally Posted by MaxxMPG

Too bad they can't use a modified version of this panel in the Expedition/Navigator. Instead of little green leaves, use little green dollar bills. Depending on TPS and road speed readings, the little dollars burst into flames and the ashes settle to the bottom. The more ashes you have at the end of your drive, the more you can brag about towing capacity, all that room you have inside for those items you need to bring along for every trip (like that kayak you need when driving through Nevada), and 0 to 60 times.

Perfect!

It should be required by law!

And every time you floor your gas-hog, a female voice should yell out, "Dumbass, dumbass..."

Harry

[aca2983]

I'm a little traditional and would prefer a conventional tach, but overall this is pretty good.

Credit Ford for having the design sense to know that gauges and displays belong in front of the steerting wheel, not in the center of the dash.