Ford’s Smart Hybrid Car – The Fusion

There has been a gaping hole in the mid-sized car segment from Ford with the loss of the Taurus a few years back.  Originally introduced in Ford’s 2006 line-up, the Fusion has new modications including the new Hybrid power plant.  What makes this Ford so special is the excellent in-town gas mileage that the hybrid can get.  The Environemetal Protection Agency gives the Fusion a rating of 41 Miles Per Gallon which is much better than the Toyota Camry, and even better than the fuel efficient Civic Hybrid; all this from a medium sized hybrid car.  The electric engine can get the Ford moving and can continue to power the car up to a limit of 47 mile per hour before the gas engine kicks in.  This system has been used by many to get better MPG than the EPA says is possible.

By using new technology, the Fusion Hybrid can help drivers know which driving style receives the best fuel economy.  They have created an ingenious system which is built into the instrument cluster called the SmartGauge. The driver is innundated with info from the dual data monitors next to the gauge cluster. The 1st display in the Fusion gauge cluster tells the power left in the battery packs and the remaining amount of fuel.  The 2nd information monitor shows the tachometer and the electric mode function.  The third screen displays engine and battery output power.  Additional power consumption and power to the wheels are shown in the last data screen.  Knowledge centers in the Fusion have data that consists of Miles Per Gallon, fuel efficiency report, travel chart, and changes in radiator temperatures.  Real time Mile Per Gallon information lets the driver know which driving style gains best fuel economy.

Check the Fusion nav display to see the cool hybrid Energy Flow stuff.  These smart gauges will display the different features of the hybrid powerplant including the 2 drives (electric and hybrid), the boost, charging while idle, and of course regenerative braking.

What is really cool about the Fusion Hybrid is that ford used reclaimed yarns to make the seats, no other hybrid can claim this.  Toyota and Honda have been selling thousands of hybrids per year unchallanged, better late than never with Ford.