Autoblog

Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode

Michael Harley — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST

The Ford Fusion Energi, the automaker's second production plug-in hybrid after the Ford C-Max Energi, officially boasts a range of 620 miles between fuel stops when calculated with EPA-rated figures (108 miles per gallon equivalent in the city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined). Of that distance, the sedan is capable of running 21 miles in electric-only mode.

To eliminate confusion for those who are numerically challenged, Ford's press release defines the range in more real-world terms, mentioning that its "Fusion Energi can travel from Boston to Virginia Beach on one tank of gas and one full charge or traverse the West Coast's scenic Highway 101 from Sacramento to San Diego." That's impressive, especially since we don't know of many passengers who can handle ten hours in the seat without a pit stop.

This good news about the Fusion Energi comes just one month after the EPA announced it will be investigating the Ford C-Max and Fusion Hybrid for overstated fuel economy claims. Regardless of any automaker's stated efficiency, we reinforce Ford's claim that "driving styles, driving conditions and other factors can cause mileage to vary."

Continue reading Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode

Ford Fusion Energi boasts 620-mile total range, 21 in EV mode originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Fusion Energi to start at $39,495

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Electric

Car and Driver reports the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi will carry an entry price tag of $39,495 before a $4,000 federal tax credit. That chunk of coin will land you behind the wheel of an SE trim plug-in hybrid, though if you feel like spending a few more pennies, the Fusion Energi Titanium can be had for $40,995. Those both offer a combined driveline output of around 188 horsepower and an all-electric range of around 20 miles depending on driving habits and ambient temperature.

Still, Ford may have a hard time convincing buyers to spend their money on the Energi when the (albeit smaller) Chevrolet Volt lands at $39,145, plus destination, and offers 40 miles of all-electric range. Throw in the fact that the Fusion Hybrid comes in a full $11,500 cheaper than its plug-in sister, and the argument for the Fusion Energi becomes even thinner.

2013 Ford Fusion Energi to start at $39,495 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV will plug-in the mid-size segment [w/video]

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Electric

Along with the standard and hybrid versions of the 2013 Fusion, Ford brought something completely different - for the mid-size segment, anyway - to the Detroit Auto Show this morning with the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. It's the cleanest of the trio and it shows that Ford is ready to introduce a big change to the competitive (and somewhat staid) mid-size class.

Ford says it expects the Fusion Energi to get better MPGe ratings than both the Chevrolet Volt (93 MPGe, EPA rating) and the Toyota Prius Plug In (112 MPGe, but that's on the European rating cycle). Ford won't say for certain - the Energi isn't due for another 8-12 months, after all - but the automaker is saying the plug-in should get "up to more than 100 MPGe." That's a convoluted way to say, "we think we win."

Ford isn't talking about all the details of this powertrain just yet, but we do know use the Fusion Hybrid's 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine at its core, matched with a lithium-ion battery. We'll have to wait until later to learn about charging times, battery size and all-EV range.

In a short video about the different powertrains available in the 2013 Fusion, Eric Kuehn, chief engineer of Ford's Global Electrified Vehicles says, "With a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, it allows the consumer to be a lot more empowered." Given Ford's emphasis on the whole "Power of Choice" thing, we're glad powertrains were not excluded in the options matrix. Ford representatives are also answering questions about the car today on Twitter. Use the hashtag #FordAtNAIS to join in.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV will plug-in the mid-size segment [w/video]

2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV will plug-in the mid-size segment [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Fusion debuts along with 47-MPG Fusion Hybrid, 100-MPGe Fusion Energi

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Electric

Your eyes do not deceive you - the sleek, pretty, low-slung sedan you see above is indeed the 2013 Ford Fusion. But don't think that the 2013 Fusion is all beauty and no brains. Ford is preparing the new Fusion, as well as its Hybrid and Energi fuel-mizing siblings, to be the most fuel-efficient, best-driving, tech-packed range of sedans in the mid-size segment.

Thanks to vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, we've seen that mid-size sedans don't necessarily have to be conservatively styled three-box appliances, and this new Fusion is certainly a looker. Combining elements of the Ford Evos concept, not to mention a front fascia that's decidedly Aston Martin-esque in approach, the Fusion has a wide, flat stance with strong character lines down the side that wrap around to a sleek rear end. Clearly the design builds upon the Kinetic language of the European Mondeo rather than the Fusion we've lived with in North America since 2010.

The standard Fusion - available in S, SE and Titanium trims - will be available with three engines. The base mill is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, mated solely to a six-speed automatic transmission. We're sure it's a fine powerplant, but our interest is more settled on the next two: a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four with 179 hp and 172 lb-ft, and the range-topping 2.0-liter EcoBoost four with 237 hp and 250 lb-ft. Both engines can be had with the same six-speed automatic, though the smaller 1.6-liter engine can be mated to a six-speed manual box. Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, but top-of-the-line Fusions with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine can be had with all-wheel drive.

Ford is ditching a V6 for an all-four-cylinder lineup.

Like many other automakers, Ford is ditching a V6 for an all-four-cylinder lineup. That's par for the course these days, and with the Fusion weighing in at just over 3,300 pounds (loaded, AWD Fusions will likely weigh as much as 3,600 pounds), fuel economy is expected to be best-in-class. Ford hasn't released complete - or official - economy numbers, but Fusions equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine (complete with start/stop technology) are expected to achieve 26/37 miles per gallon city/highway, while front-wheel-drive, 2.0-liter-equipped cars should net around 23/33 mpg.

But if fuel economy is your thing, Ford has two even more efficient examples of the 2013 Fusion. Their names? Hybrid and Energi.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion debuts along with 47-MPG Fusion Hybrid, 100-MPGe Fusion Energi

2013 Ford Fusion debuts along with 47-MPG Fusion Hybrid, 100-MPGe Fusion Energi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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