Autoblog

2014 Ford Fusion order guide reveals new base Hybrid model, equipment changes

Chris Paukert — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:43:00 EST

We've gotten our grubby little digits on the dealer order guide for the as-yet-unreleased 2014 Ford Fusion thanks to an anonymous tipster, and while there isn't much that's unexpected, there are some meaningful equipment changes to report after the rakish sedan's first year on the market.

Mechanically, the big news is, of course, the recently confirmed availability of the 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic. The powertrain replaces the 1.6-liter automatic setup of 2013, though if you want a manual transmission, you'll still get the extra .1-liter of displacement.

On the equipment front, there are newly available rear inflatable seatbelts - as seen previously on the Explorer - along with a new heated steering wheel and cooled seat option on Titanium and Titanium Hybrid models (the latter two options will be late availability).

On the 2014 Fusion's color and trim palette, new paint hues include DarkSide and Sunset (replacing Bordeaux Reserve and Ginger Ale), and later in the model year, a light gray ("Soft Ceramic") interior will become available on Titanium models. Brick Red leather seating is optional for Titanium Hybrid models.

Speaking of the gas-electric variant, there will also be a new entry-level Hybrid S model joining the SE (2013 model shown) and Titanium variants - presumably it will come with a lower price tag, but we don't have MSRP information as of yet. However, we do know it will go without equipment including a power driver's seat, rear seat HVAC ducts, keyless-entry pad, satellite radio and heated side mirrors - integrated turn signals and all.

2014 Ford Fusion order guide reveals new base Hybrid model, equipment changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Zach Bowman — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST

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

Your Mileage May Vary

As difficult as it is to write this, I was actually excited about the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. With the beautiful looks of the newest midsize fighter from Ford and a fuel economy estimate capable of shaming even the stalwart Camry Hybrid, the battery-augmented four-door seemed like a recipe for unabashed success. But appearances love nothing more than swapping our boundless enthusiasm for cold platters of disappointment. The 2013 Fusion Hybrid gets hobbled right out of the gate with a lofty price tag, and real-world driving keeps the sedan from even approaching those EPA figures.

With so many excellent midsize hybrids on the market, is there any reason to consider the newest Fusion Hybrid? Are sharp aesthetics, a well-executed interior and capable driving dynamics enough to overcome the machine's shortfalls? Not from where I'm standing.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lincoln

Just how important are all the luxury touches of a Lincoln compared to a Ford? They'd better be worth a two-miles-per-gallon penalty, since that's what buyers will be hit with if they choose the MKZ Hybrid over the 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid. Ford announced today that the MKZ Hybrid has been certified by the EPA to get 45 mpg in the city, 45 mpg on the highway and 45 mpg combined.

Granted, 45 mpg does put the MKZ into the top-of-its-class fuel economy range, beating the Lexus ES Hybrid by five mpg combined and delivering "more miles per gallon than any luxury vehicle in America." The MKZ Hybrid is also available for the same price as the non-hybrid model. The more efficient 2.0-liter, four-cylinder automatic MKZ gets 26 combined mpg, 22 in the city and 33 on the highway. The MKZ Hybrid will go on sale later this year and the press release is available below.

Continue reading Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid rated at 45 mpg, below 47-mpg Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford teasing 2013 Fusion with new interactive app

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:31:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Ford

Ford is gearing up to unveil the 2013 Fusion at the Detroit Auto Show, and the hype machine starts with a new app for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

After downloading the app, you can point the device's camera at any Ford logo - be it on a car or a screen - and it opens to reveal a 360-degree view of an artfully pixelated Fusion and the ability to drive the new sedan along a series of courses.

Between now and the big show in January, a new course, feature and video clip will be unlocked, but you can get your first taste of the app in the video after the break.

Ford teasing 2013 Fusion with new interactive app originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Hyundai spotlights Elantra and Sonata Hybrid for Super Bowl

David Kiley — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising

Hyundai Elantra Super Bowl ad - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Hyundai will run three TV ads in this weekend's Super Bowl, all supporting the 2011 Elantra and Sonata Hybrid.

The ads for the Elantra continue a theme begun two weeks earlier in the NFL Conference Championship games in which Hyundai is trying to show that the Elantra surpasses expectations most consumers have about compact cars. Both ads play to a theme of hypnosis and the idea that people need to "snap out of it" and get deprogrammed about their ideas of what a compact car can and should be. A third ad, which has already aired, shows a sheep driving an Elantra. The 40-mpg highway rating of the Elantra plays prominently, and may, indeed, be the most memorable bits of these ads... though the driving sheep is a pretty good image too.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a stronger idea behind it, putting across the message that we should never settle for the first thing to come along an indirect jab at Toyota Prius and perhaps Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Images of bikes with enormous front wheels circa the 19th century, a stoner carrying a stereo turntable around his neck, and a guy using a cellphone the size of a raccoon provides some decent visual jokes. This spot will probably get remembered better than the hypnosis Elantra ads.

Hyundai's in-house ad agency, Innocean, created the ads. Follow the jump to see the videos and read Hyundai's official press release.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Videos: Hyundai spotlights Elantra and Sonata Hybrid for Super Bowl

Videos: Hyundai spotlights Elantra and Sonata Hybrid for Super Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meet the man who quietly profits from every hybrid sold

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Ford, Toyota

Alex Severinsky is a Russian man who came to the United States in 1978. He graduated from Ukraine's Kharkiv University of Radioelectronics in 1967 before moving on to an Electrical Engineering Ph.D. from Moscow's Institute for Precision Measurements in Radioelectronics and Physics in 1975. That's the background. Here's the important bit.

In 1994, Severinsky patented an invention he called Hyperdrive, which allows for a seamless transition between drive systems - what essentially allows hybrid vehicles to operate smoothly while switching between gas and electric power. Toyota uses a system similar to Hyperdrive in its hybrid vehicles yet the automaker states they developed this technology independent of Severinsky's research. Regardless, thanks to a lengthy lawsuit, the automaker is now forced to pay Alex Severinksy for every single hybrid vehicle it sells.

Toyota has sold over one million hybrids in the United States and more than two million around the world. It's ordered by the court to pay Paice, an organization which exists solely to litigate companies that may be infringing upon Severinsky's patents, $98 for every single hybrid it sells.

We've followed the court battle between Paice and Toyota for a few years now. Two years ago, the automaker lost its appeal case over the patents for hybrid technology. Just three months ago it settled the dispute with Paice, ahead of a scheduled hearing with the International Trade Commission. Ford, who was pending legal action for the hybrid system in its Fusion, also settled with Paice.

AOL Autos outlines the facts of Alex Severinsky's patents, the Paice organization and how one mans Hyperdrive system has affected numerous automakers. It's an interesting look into the world of patent law and is well worth the read.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Meet the man who quietly profits from every hybrid sold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Lincoln, Luxury

When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an updated version of the SmartGauge that debuted last year on the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The basics of the SmartGauge remain the same, with a pair of 4.3-inch LCD displays flanking a central speedometer. The LCDs can display several layers of information to help coach the driver to be a more efficient motorist.

The most obvious change is the color palette for the LCD gauges. They have been changed from a predominantly blue color scheme to what Lincoln officials describes as a more upscale-looking green and gold. The leaves on the right of the display have been present since the introduction of system on the Fusion and provide a graphical representation of the driver's short-term average fuel economy. The more thrifty your driving style, the more leaves you get. Behave like a lead-foot and they dissolve.

The SmartGauge in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will also add some new flora to the mix in the form of a long-term fuel efficiency indicator. The indicator takes the form of apple blossom flowers (the state flower of Michigan) that appear amidst your tangle of digital leafs. If your average fuel economy is sufficient (Ford won't say what number you actually need), the first flowers will begin to appear after 4-6 weeks of driving. They first appear as buds and then grow into small and finally large flowers. More flowers appear over time, but the more you get, the more time it will take to earn more. If you earn all of the flowers, then you'll have saved about $8,000 in fuel costs and 30 tons of CO2 over the life of the car.

Aside from adding a whole new element to the game of achieving high MPG that we all play when behind the wheel of a hybrid, Ford's new long-term flower indicator also may serve a second, more practical purpose. If you decide to sell your MKZ Hybrid a few years down the road, a full bouquet of flowers in the SmartGauge proves you were a slow, careful driver and may fetch you a higher price on the used car market.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Report: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will debut in New York

Chris Shunk — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

When we take a hard look at the current Lincoln lineup, we see some issues. For starters, the Navigator, MKS, MKT, MKX and MKZ aren't exactly setting the sales charts on fire. Come to think of it, we just listed the entire Lincoln lineup. Okay, so Ford's luxury marquee can easily be likened to a well-heeled slice of Swiss cheese, but we have proof that The Blue Oval is trying to breath new life into the brand. We loved the MKT, the 2011 MKX looks extremely promising and it looks like the four-pointed star is getting into the hybrid business as well.

The Detroit News reports that Lincoln will debut a hybrid MKZ this week at the New York Auto Show. The MKZ will likely share the same powertrain as the Ford Fusion Hybrid; a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle mill mated to an eCVT transmission, along with an electric motor drawing power from a 275-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack. The MKZ hybrid will be the first battery-assisted model in the Lincoln lineup, giving Ford a luxury hybrid competitor to the Lexus HS 250h.

And if the MKZ does in fact carry the same powertrain as its more pedestrian sibling in the Ford dealership, the Lincoln should have more than competitive fuel economy. The HS 250h is rated at 35 miles per gallon city and 34 miles per gallon highway, while the Fusion Hybrid manages a 41/36 mix. The MKZ is a big bigger, too, and price should be comparable. Also helping the MKZ's case for life is the fact that Lincolns carry higher MSRPs than the typical Ford or Mercury, giving The Blue Oval a theoretically bigger margin with which to make a profit.

The down side to the MKZ hybrid is the fact that Ford is pretty well restricted on how many hybrids it can produce. Unless Ford has struck a deal to increase its hybrid powertrain output, the MKZ will simply shift the allocation of hybrids in the Ford family instead of adding to the overall totals. We're also very interested to see if Ford strives to differentiate the MKZ from its more pedestrian siblings to better-justify the undoubtedly higher price tag that comes with the Lincoln badge. We'll be staked out at the New York auto show for the chance to know for sure.

[Source: The Detroit News via The Truth About Cars]

Report: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will debut in New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford wires up two millionth Sync system

Chris Shunk — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford

When Ford's Sync infotainment system went live in late 2007, the technology looked promising to us but we weren't ready to bet the farm that customers were going to adopt it in large numbers. Two and a half years later, Ford and partner Microsoft are celebrating the two millionth Sync system installed, which happened to go into a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The rate of Sync adoption is increasing over time too, as the two millionth unit was installed less than one year after Ford hit one million Sync-equipped vehicles sold.

While Ford has increased the availability of Sync in its vehicles at a torrid pace, the big question is whether customers really like the tech. The automaker says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 80 percent of potential customers saying Sync improves their overall image of the company, while 70 percent say it makes them more likely to purchase a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury. Further, Ford says 87 percent of customers who use Sync are satisfied with how the system works and 88 percent would recommend the purchase of a vehicle with SYNC to others.

Sync is also making a difference on the used car lot, as Ford claims one-year-old vehicles equipped with the technology sell for $240 more than Ford without it. After two years, Sync-equipped vehicles are still worth $200 more. Part of the reason Sync is helping residual values is that Ford and Microsoft continue to improve the system. Upgrades like 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report, iTunes tagging for HD radio and Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI) make Sync a great deal at $395. Hit the jump to read over Ford's understandably brag-infested press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford wires up two millionth Sync system

Ford wires up two millionth Sync system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Ford, Electric

Ford Transit Connect Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has big plans for electrification of its fleet over the next decade, and while most of the emphasis has been on North America so far, Europe will be joining in on the party starting in 2011. Nancy Gioia has announced that between 2011 and 2013, Ford of Europe will get five new hybrid and battery electric models added to its lineup. About six to nine months after each of the new models rolls out in North America, they will be introduced in Europe.

Ford's first new battery-powered vehicle, the Transit Connect Electric goes on sale this fall in North America followed by a European launch in the middle of 2011. The battery powered van is just the beginning of Ford's global electrification plan. Read more about it after the jump.

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Eletric at Chicago Auto Show

Photos by Drew Phillips, Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011

Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion/Milan Hybrid models [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST

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

Consumer Reports explains Ford Fusion Hybrid braking issue - Click above to watch the video after the break

It would seem that Toyota isn't the only automaker with braking issues on its hybrid vehicles, as Ford has reportedly issued a technical service bulletin (or "Customer Satisfaction Program" in Ford-ese) outlining a software update for its 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid sedans. The problem was experienced and reported by Consumer Reports a little while back; here's their explanation of what happened:

As one of our senior engineers slowed for a stop sign at the turnoff to our test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut, the brake pedal went unexpectedly further down than normal but the car barely slowed. He zoomed through the turn, with brake-system warning lights illuminated on the dash. The car more or less coasted to a stop, with what our engineer described as minimal brake feel.

After switching off the engine and then restarting it, everything returned to normal - no warning lights and full braking capability.

That doesn't sound very good, eh? As it turns out, Ford was aware of the potential problem. Sayeth the Blue Oval: "The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily." Fortunately, Ford claims that while drivers "may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes... the vehicle has full braking capability. When this occurs, our system maintains full conventional brakes and full ABS function."

In an effort to resolve the issue in a timely manner, Ford has initiated a repair program and will notify all known owners by mail starting in early February 2010. Anyone who owns a Fusion or Milan Hybrid made on or before October 17, 2009 can see their dealer regarding Ford's "Customer Satisfaction Program 10B13." Click past the break for a video explaining the issue and the official statement from Ford regarding the solution.

[Sources: Consumer Reports, Ford]

Continue reading Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion/Milan Hybrid models [w/video]

Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion/Milan Hybrid models [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 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]

Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

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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Ford Taurus SHO and Fusion Hybrid awarded 2010 Urban Autos of the Year

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Ford

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's seemingly no end to the lists and awards that can be dolled out to (sometimes questionably) deserving cars and trucks at the end of the year. Take, for instance, the Urban Automobile of the Year Award by On Wheels Media. This is the 14th year in a row the award has been passed out, and this year top billing goes to the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.

Athletic, upscale, class-leading, confident, engaging and impressive are all words that seem befitting of an award winner, and you'll find all of them in the press release after the break describing the new SHO. But wait - there's more! We have a second Urban AOTY, this one on the green side of the coin. With the latest Toyota Prius and Honda Insight obvious choices for such an award, Ford is surely happy to see that its 2010 Fusion Hybrid - the most fuel efficient midsize sedan in America at 41 city, 36 highway - earned the trophy, giving the Blue Oval a total sweep of the ceremony.

So, what qualifies a vehicle to be an Urban Automobile of the Year, anyway? Glad you asked. According to Randi Payton, president and publisher of On Wheels Media, "The Urban Automobiles of the Year resonate with the majority of new car buyers who live in urban and suburban areas. The vehicles chosen are cost and fuel-efficient and have performance and safety characteristics relevant to consumers in metropolitan areas." So, there you have it.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Taurus SHO and Fusion Hybrid awarded 2010 Urban Autos of the Year

Ford Taurus SHO and Fusion Hybrid awarded 2010 Urban Autos of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford recreating Fiesta Movement with Fusion 41 program

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

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

Ford is diving into the burgeoning social media world head first. Based on the success of its Fiesta Movement, the Blue Oval has decided to launch a new program called Fusion 41 - so named because of the Fusion Hybrid's 41 mile-per-gallon EPA estimate in the city and the fact that Ford is looking for 41 participants to take part in its new game.

A total of eight Fusion or Fusion Hybrid owners will be chosen from all applicants received based on their social media presence, and those drivers will each choose four friends or family members to join their team. Ford will then hand out assignments that must be completed with photo and video proof that is to be uploaded to the driver's Facebook profile. Ford is calling the program an "automotive relay race," whatever that means.

So, what's the incentive to participate? For starters, each team will be given a new Fusion for the challenge, and the winning team captain will have their own Fusion or Fusion Hybrid paid off by Ford. Not bad, eh? Plus, participating team members from the winning group will earn free gas for one full year. Want to know more? Click past the break for the press release and visit www.fusion41.com before November 6th to enter the contest.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford recreating Fiesta Movement with Fusion 41 program

Ford recreating Fiesta Movement with Fusion 41 program originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S.

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Honda, Toyota

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no doubt about which automaker leads the hybrid vehicle race. Toyota - and particularly the Japanese automaker's Prius hybrid - outsells all other manufacturers combined. In total, Automotive News calculates that Toyota sold 144,351 hybrid vehicles in the first nine months of 2009, which actually represents a 28-percent drop from the previous year.

So far this year, Honda has come in second with its new Insight, but that position is currently in jeopardy. The 26,016 hybrid vehicles sold by Ford in the first nine months of the year represents an impressive 73-percent gain from last year. Honda has sold 29,958 hybrids so far in '09, representing a much smaller eight-percent increase. In both July and September, Ford actually sold more hybrids than Honda.

In other words, Ford, led by its Escape Hybrid and new-for-2010 Fusion Hybrid, is gaining on Honda at a very rapid pace. Moving on down the line, General Motors slots in at number four with 12,556 total hybrid so far this year and Nissan's 7,713 units make it the number five hybrid seller in the U.S.

Gallery: ABG Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Ford may pass Honda as second best hybrid seller in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Act silly, get a Ford Fusion Hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:39:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

Mark Malkoff lurves the Fusion Hybrid - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Ford has already demonstrated strong, puppetmaster-like abilities with the whole Fiesta Agent thing. In exchange for agreeing to go on secretive "missions," a few dozen people were given a Ford Fiesta for six months this year (they're about due to give them back). Building from of that idea, comedian Mark Malkoff - yes, the guy who slept in an IKEA store for a week - is trying to collect the "Keys to the City" from as many cities as possible this month. Malkoff has convinced Ford to loan him a new Fusion hybrid while he travels around and performs a few stunts to earn those keys - including collecting all of the coins from a fountain in Fairfax, VA and cleaning up after the police horses in Harrisburg, PA.

We're not quite sure who's pulling who's strings here, but it seems someone's getting played. At least it's all in good fun. There's a video of Malkoff figuring out what the keys to the city are all about after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Act silly, get a Ford Fusion Hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Act silly, get a Ford Fusion Hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:39:00 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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Consumer Reports says Ford's Fusion Hybrid is equal to Toyota Camry, only sportier

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST

2010 Ford Fusion hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery

Ford's new 2010 Fusion Hybrid has earned plenty of accolades since it debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show last fall, and the latest praise comes from Consumer Reports. In its most recent round of testing, the entire Fusion lineup did well, but CR singled out the hybrid model and declared it "essentially tied" with long-time favorite, the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Fusion racked up 34 mpg, beating out the Kia Optima in a test of mid-size family sedans.

Compared to the Camry, CR agreed with most other reviewers that the Fusion felt sportier:

"The new Fusions are very impressive especially the Hybrid," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Hybrid successfully blends excellent fuel economy with driving pleasure, something all other hybrids have failed to do."

Although we've disagreed with some of Consumer Reports' previous assessments, this is one case where we're of the same mind. Check out the official press release after the jump for more of CR's thoughts.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Consumer Reports]

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