Autoblog

NHTSA investigating 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan for accelerator pedal entrapment due to floormat stacking *UPDATE

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Mercury

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

After the big mess that was the Toyota recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking quick action when any reports of accelerator pedal entrapment are reported. Case in point: The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are being investigated after NHTSA received only three instances of floor mats hindering the gas pedal's movement. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

A grand total of 249,301 cars are being investigated over this potential problem with Ford's all-weather floor mats, and we'll have more details as they arise. Here's hoping we don't have to relive the Toyota debacle all over again.

*UPDATE: We spoke with Said Deep, Ford's global product communications manager, who points out that NHTSA's investigation relates to instances where the optional all-weather floor mats have been stacked on top of the factory-installed carpeted mats. Deep further outlines this, saying:

Ford does not recommend stacking floor mats in any vehicle from any automaker. In fact, Ford's all-weather floor mats have these instructions printed on the top of every driver's mat. We are not aware of any customer complaints or any accidents related to 2010 Fusions and Milans with properly installed floor mats.

Ford will be fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport

[Source: The Detroit News]

NHTSA investigating 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan for accelerator pedal entrapment due to floormat stacking *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest

Nik Bristow — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford

2010 Ford Fusion - Click above for to enlarge

For about the first 110 years of the automobile, the gold standard of eco-thriftiness was a car's miles-per-gallon rating. With the rise of hybrids, plug-ins, biofuels and the like, cost-per-mile might be the better measurement of road-going value. The idea is simple: if a car is powered by a Mr. Fusion or Dilithium crystals or the laughter of children and only costs $.01 per mile to operate but it carries a sticker price of $500,000, its efficiency is never going to balance out its initial cost.

Well, the San Francisco Chronicle has compiled a list of seven popular hybrids along with estimates of how long it would take for each car to pay for its higher cost compared to non-hybrid models in gasoline savings. The winner by a long shot is the Ford Fusion Hybrid at a mere 5.6 years. Which car fared worst? The Nissan Altima Hybrid at a whopping 21 years. We have to wonder, 21 years from now, will they still be making batteries for a 2010 Altima Hybrid?

In short, if you're going by gas savings alone, hybrids don't really pay in the short term. Then again, if gasoline taxes shoot up or peak oil really is right around the corner, the cost per mile of these vehicles could very quickly tip in their favor. Read the full article here.

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle]

Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010

Chris Paukert — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Truck, Work, Ford

Mark Fields, Ford's President of the Americas, accepts the hardware from Tony Swan of Car and Driver

For just the third time in the 17-year history of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, one manufacturer has taken home both pieces of etched glass. Ford's 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect have yielded the hardware for the Dearborn automaker here at the Detroit Auto Show, with the Fusion emerging victorious over the shortlisted Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf, and the Transit Connect besting the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback.

The last time a single manufacturer won both the Car and Truck of the Year awards was back in 2006, when Honda did double duty with its Civic compact and Ridgeline pickup. In total, a U.S. automaker has won the car award nine times, and the truck award, 11 times. Official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

[Source: Ford]

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Continue reading Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010

Detroit 2010: Ford sweeps North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car and Driver announces 2010 10Best Cars

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

Our pals over at Car and Driver, now helmed by our esteemable buddy Eddie Alterman, just released their 2010 10Best Cars. Quite an undertaking. As they put it, "58 contenders. $2.5 million total. 12,000 test miles logged." For those keeping track, this is the 28th time C/D has published their 10Best. Surprises this year? No not really. The BMW 3 Series continues its unabated drive of dominance to 10Best history with an impressive, will-probably-never-be-duplicated 19th straight win. Not to be too outdone, the Honda Accord also makes the cut for a 24th time, though not consecutive.

Also note that while the Audi S4 makes the grade, the run-of-the-mill (so to speak) A4 does not. We're also pleased to see the Ford Fusion Hybrid getting its just dues (again, it's interesting that the gas-only version doesn't). And of course, you've got your yearly appearance by the Mazda Miata MX-5, Porsche Boxster / Cayman and Volkswagen GTI. Falling off the list this year? The Chevrolet Corvette, Infiniti G37, and the Jaguar XF.

Would we have done things much differently? Probably not much, though we must admit we were pulling for the highly impressive Suzuki Kizashi to make its debut and we're a bit surprised to not see one of the new crop of pony cars on the list. Maybe next year. Alphabetical list of winners after the jump.

[Source: Car and Driver | Image Source: R.S. Owens]

Continue reading Car and Driver announces 2010 10Best Cars

Car and Driver announces 2010 10Best Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford debuts slew of new Drive One commercials starring real people

Chris Shunk — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Ford is feeling pretty good about its products right now, and the Blue Oval is spreading the word by doubling down with a multitude of new ads for print, web and TV. Ford's newest ads feature real Ford owners talking about features they like in their new vehicles. The 15-second spots highlight the company's new technologies featured in much of its 2009 and 2010 lineup including SYNC, Travel Link and even the second row refrigerator in the Ford Flex.

Hit the jump to watch Paul, Becky, Hayley, Kristen, Jonathon, Amie and Adam talk about their favorite new features. We're thinking it's a little annoying that everyone in the commercial is under 30 and Ford found it necessary to use the lame shaky camera bit to give the quick ads that viral YouTube look, but that seems to be all the rage these days. On the bright side, Becky loves her Fusion Hybrid so much that she can't help but mumble at the end.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford debuts slew of new Drive One commercials starring real people

VIDEO: Ford debuts slew of new Drive One commercials starring real people originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - What a difference 60 degrees makes

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, New Car Reviews

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Recently, we had our third opportunity to drive the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Actually, the last go around was with a Mercury Milan Hybrid, but aside from a different nose and fanny, it is the same car. Even though we did a full review of the Milan, we asked Ford for another go around because of the difference in fuel efficiency compared to the first drive we did last December in California. We managed to achieve 43.1 mpg driving around Hollywood, beating the EPA city rating of 41. But back home in Michigan, a week of driving around Ann Arbor yielded only 29.4 mpg with the first several days actually barely managing to crack 27 mpg.

Why the big drop? It wasn't that we drove the Milan like a race car, although the Fusion and Milan do have some very nice dynamic properties. No, this was all about climate. While the temperatures in Hollywood were a very temperate mid-70s in December, six weeks later in Michigan, we were barely breaking out of the teens with overnight and early morning temps in the single-digit range. What we're about to say is heresy to the hybrid true believers, but hybrids are not the best solution for every driving condition. Find out why after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - What a difference 60 degrees makes

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - What a difference 60 degrees makes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John McCain tweets plans for next automobile purchase

Chris Shunk — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Green, Ford

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're a politician worth your own salt, you apparently have to buy a car that contains both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain is finally getting on the bandwagon and picking up his own little slice of green heaven, as he's announced on his Twitter page that he's buying a Ford Fusion Hybrid.

McCain's decision to go Blue Oval for his hybrid choice is a publicity boon for the Ford Motor Company, as the Arizona Senator's 777,000 Twitter followers have no doubt taken note of the make and model of the war hero's new ride, much like then-candidate Barack Obama did when he turned in his Chrysler 300C for a Ford Escape Hybrid. With his new Fusion hybrid, McCain will be able to patrol the streets of Washington while achieving a best-in-class 41 mpg city. Now... what will Sarah Palin buy next?

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Los Angeles Times Blog]

John McCain tweets plans for next automobile purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion Hybrid the most patented car in history?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Ford

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery

More technology than ever before is being added to modern automobiles, and much of this whiz-bang tech has been created to cut down on fuel consumption and reduce emissions. This being the case, it's not particularly surprising to hear that the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid holds the title of The Most Patented Car in History. So says Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, a firm that tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally:

Ford's patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors. Ford's overall patent portfolio plays a significant role in serving as a foundation for other technology innovation as shown by receiving 20 percent more citations than the average portfolio in this industry.

Just how many patents are we talking about? According to the Blue Oval, there are 119 total patents and patent applications for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid alone, including patents related to Ford's proprietary hybrid technology, SmartGuage with EcoGuide, Blind Spot Information System and EasyFuel Capless Fuel-Filler System. Want to know more? Make the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Fusion Hybrid the most patented car in history?

Ford Fusion Hybrid the most patented car in history? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion Hybrid set to attempt to travel 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Ford

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

How far can you get on a single tank of gas? That depends on such details as how much fuel you can fit in your tank, the efficiency of your vehicle and how much control you have over your bladder. Ford seems to think you can eke 1,000 miles out of a single tank of 87-octane with its new 2010 Fusion Hybrid - a figure that seems nearly impossible at first blush.

To meet this rather impressive goal, the aforementioned hybrid sedan would need to average 57 miles per gallon, an attainable figure since Ford's preliminary testing indicates the Fusion Hybrid can manage up to 70 mpg when driven by a hyper-miller like Wayne Gerdes, who will join NASCAR racer Carl Edwards and a few assorted engineers as drivers.

Ford estimates that it will take 43 hours to get from Mount Vernon, VA to Washington, DC - a trip of about 20 miles as the crow flies (yes, you read that right). In fact, the crew could almost make it to Miami, Florida, from their starting point in Virginia using that same tank of gas. Obviously, Ford has a meandering route in mind.

Besides attempting to prove how fuel efficient its hybrid is and how the way you drive is nearly as important as what you're driving, the Blue Oval will also be raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Full press release after the break.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Continue reading Ford Fusion Hybrid set to attempt to travel 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas

Ford Fusion Hybrid set to attempt to travel 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mullaly rings man who chooses Ford Fusion Hybrid over Toyota Prius

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Ford

When applicants were first being interviewed to replace Bill Ford as the top man in the Blue Oval Office, we wonder what exactly the process included. It turns out that in addition to being a pretty good salesman, Alan Mulally is also adept at making house calls. The FoMoCo CEO personally phoned Michael Snapper, a lawyer hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to thank him for purchasing a Ford Fusion Hybrid over a Toyota Prius.

To put this into perspective, could you imagine getting a personal call from Honda's Takeo Fukui, personally thanking you for purchasing a Honda over a Harley? Or from Steve Jobs, congratulating you for choosing an iPod in lieu of a Zune? Ridiculous, no?

If this seems like nothing more than a publicity stunt, well, it's exactly that. Regardless, Ford is a company that can use all the positive pub it can get right now, and a phone call from the very top of the company symbolically sets an example that customer service is among the highest of priorities for the automaker - from the top down.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Detroit News]

Mullaly rings man who chooses Ford Fusion Hybrid over Toyota Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Fusion hybrid earns full $3,400 federal tax credit

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

In the market for a fuel-sipping mid-size sedan? Now, and for a limited time only, buyers of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid will be eligible for the $3,400 federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles. Late last year, Ford hit the magic 60,000 limit on individual hybrid sales that's been imposed by the Feds, so the tax credit for all of the Blue Oval's hybrid machines will be halved beginning on April 1st. Beginning in October, the credit will again be cut in half to $850 and the entire amount will be gone starting January 1st of 2010.

Tax credit or not, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid's EPA rating of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway bests the Toyota Camry Hybrid by a whopping eight mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway. For what it's worth, hybrid tax credits for Toyota (and Honda, for that matter) have already expired.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid earns full $3,400 federal tax credit

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid earns full $3,400 federal tax credit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion Hybrid rated 41 city/36 highway

John Neff — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Green, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Sure, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid may have a base price that's more expensive than a Toyota Camry Hybrid ($27,270 vs. $26,150), but you get oh so much more. Aside from more interesting styling and a trick LCD display called SmartGauge, Ford Fusion Hybrid owners will be able to travel 41 miles in the city for every gallon of gas they use. So says the Environmental Protection Agency, which has finally released official fuel economy numbers for Ford's most miserly vehicle. The 2010 Fusion Hybrid's official rating of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway bests the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg and 2 mpg, respectively. Ford points out that it even beats the smaller Honda Civic Hybrid by 1 mpg in the city. Credit goes to Ford and its engineers who developed the Fusion Hybrid's new hybrid drivetrain, which is based on the same one used in the Ford Escape Hybrid but features many advances like smaller and lighter nickel-metal hydride batteries and the ability to run up to 47 mph on electric power alone. That last ability alone raises the bar substantially for hybrids and puts the Fusion Hybrid in a class of its own... for now. The next-generation Toyota Prius will debut in January at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and we expect the Toyota Camry Hybrid to benefit greatly from adopting its new Synergy Drive hybrid drivetrain. In the meantime, check out our First Drive of the 2010 Ford Fusion by clicking here.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Fusion Hybrid rated 41 city/36 highway

Ford Fusion Hybrid rated 41 city/36 highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport/SEL

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, First Drives

2010 Ford Fusion SEL - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last month at the LA Auto Show, Ford finally took the wraps off its refreshed 2010 Fusion and this week we returned to LA to actually drive it. For a car meant to compete in the heart of the highest volume segment in the U.S. market, Ford chose a rather surprising way to show it off. This is after all a segment long dominated by cars that typically have more in common with a Kenmore refrigerator than a Corvette.

We kicked off the festivities with a mileage challenge through downtown Beverly Hills and Hollywood in the Fusion Hybrid, but then things got really interesting. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have seemingly been the top selling cars in America since they supplanted the Model T early in the last century. After a similar number of decades of soulless, unattractive and unreliable alternatives, U.S. automakers have been battling back in recent years with mixed success. Since the Fusion debuted in 2006, it has earned a reputation of being among the most fun to drive offerings in the segment, as well as having quality on par with the Japanese brands. For 2010, the crew in Dearborn have focused on enhancing what was already good and getting best in class in efficiency with more style. Read on to find out if they succeeded.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion SEL

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport/SEL

First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport/SEL originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

John Neff — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford, First Drives

C2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to our own reviews of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT and Fusion Sport/SEL, AutoblogGreen has also published its First Drive of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The new gas-electric version of Ford's mid-size sedan feature more advanced tech than its competitors, specifically the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and should have best-in-class fuel economy when the official EPA numbers are finally revealed. ABG averaged 43.1 mpg during its First Drive of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which tells you that Ford has managed to pack Prius-like mileage in a larger, more useful and fun-to-drive package. Click on over to ABG to read the full review.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen achieves 43.1 mpg in 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

We're in the City of Angels this week to drive a bunch of new Fords, including the new 2010 Mustang and Fusion. We started off Monday afternoon with a mileage challenge in the new 2010 Fusion Hybrid. We can't share our driving impressions until Saturday, but we can tell you the results of the mileage contest. Ford hybrid applications manager Gil Portalatin used his intimate knowledge of the car to set some benchmarks the day before. Ford claims the Fusion will get at least 39 mpg city/ 37 mpg highway when the EPA numbers are calculated in the coming weeks. Portalatin got 46 mpg on the first segment of the drive route and 43.5 mpg on the hillier second part. Among the journalists on hand, Car and Driver's Steve Siler recorded a 43.6 mpg result on the first part. After Drew Phillips and I switched places for the second segment, I achieved 43.1 mpg, which is a very impressive number for Ford's new mid-size sedan.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

AutoblogGreen achieves 43.1 mpg in 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to wave NASCAR's green flag this weekend

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford

Click above to enlarge the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid pace car

For the first time ever, a NASCAR Sprint Cup event will be paced by a hybrid, Ford's fresh-faced 2010 Fusion Hybrid to be exact. The race is scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The box-stock Fusion hybrid will be able to travel on electricity alone for up to 47 miles per hour, which isn't quite fast enough to kick off the race, so this one will be burning some gas. One thing that the hybrid can do that the Sprint Cup cars only wish they could is travel up to 700 miles per tank of fuel. Anyway, the leafy-camouflaged hybrid will lead the race cars to the green flag (waved by none other than Mark Fields) to kick things off, after which a 2010 Ford Fusion Sport will pick up the mantle as pace car for the rest of the event.

Both the 2010 Fusion hybrid and Fusion Sport will see their formal debut at the LA Auto Show on the 19th. Both models are new for '10, with the hybrid posting a rumored best-in-class fuel mileage of at least 38 mpg in the city, while its Sport sibling gets Ford's new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 263 hp and 249 lb-ft of torque. Best of all, every Fusion model will come standard with a six-speed automatic.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to wave NASCAR's green flag this weekend

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to wave NASCAR's green flag this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid expected to get 38 mpg city

John Neff — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Ford

Over on AutoblogGreen, our man Sam has published a thorough breakdown of all the new powertrains announced for the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. There's a new 2.5L four-cylinder with more power, a revised 3.0L V6 and Ford is making its 3.5L V6 available in these mid-size sedans for the first time, as well. But the most impressive may be the latest revision of Ford's hybrid powertrain that will debut in the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid next year.

Based on the same system in the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the latest version is smaller, lighter, more powerful and less expensive to produce. While it still employs nickel-metal hydride batteries, the number of cells has been reduced but the power output remains the same. The battery pack is now 30 percent smaller in volume than the Escape Hybrid's pack and weighs 23 percent less, and this one doesn't need its own AC system to stay cool. The main numbers that everyone wants to know is MPG. Ford expects its new hybrid sedans to achieve 38 mpg in the city, which is 5 mpg better than its most obvious competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Click here to read Sam's explanation of what Ford did to improve its hybrid powertrain so much.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid expected to get 38 mpg city originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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