 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Toyota and Lexus have been the big players in what is still seen as a niche market, with Honda second in line, but with every introduction there is new technology that does things better, faster and more economically. Now Ford has introduced the newest hybrid on the market – the 2010 Ford Fusion.
The Fusion is available in hybrid and non-hybrid models. The gasoline engine in the hybrid model shares the same 2.5-litre displacement as the four-cylinder engine in the regular models but there are significant internal changes. While both use variable cam timing and electronic throttle control, the hybrid engine uses the Atkinson cycle principle to optimize fuel economy. The Atkinson cycle delays the closing of the intake valve during the engine’s compression stroke. As the piston is starting its upward travel, there is no restriction because some of the air in the cylinder is pushed back into the intake port. Then the valve closes. By reducing this restriction, less energy is wasted on the compression stroke.
The Atkinson cycle unfortunately also reduces low-end torque. One way of compensating for that is to increase the compression ratio so that the air remaining in the cylinders has more pressure when combustion occurs. The Fusion Hybrid has a compression ratio of 12.3 to 1 compared to the 9.7:1 compression ratio of the regular Fusion engine. Even with this high compression ratio, the engine can still operate on regular fuel.
Another method of compensating for the lower torque produced by the Atkinson cycle is to assist the engine with electric motors. Electric motors are great at producing high torque at low rpm, so combined with the gasoline engine they can provide excellent drivability.
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at 10:53 am
It would be terrific if Canadian auto journalists would start asking questions about hybrid/battery performance in cold climates. Some people say ambient temperature does not affect the latest batteries, but I wonder if that’s really so.
at 12:59 pm
I believe AutoBlog had a tester and they used it in Michigan in winter and came away with a negligible improvement over a regular 4 banger. I’d like to see too what a difference there realy is. Maybe Cdn Driver (hint hint!!) will throw together another one of their 50 liter challenges of sorts. Pit some hybrids against their gas only brethern (in this case easy enough to do!!) and see what they do in real world traffic, summer or winter. Or both.
Having owned Fords most of my life, none have ever lived up to their ratings save the SHO or the 5.0 back in 89. My current Taurus (2000) has yet to achieve anything over 30 mpg (easily beaten by both of the 2 performance cars!) and my 08 F150 can’t get 14 in winter. Shoulda kept the Chevy. At least it averaged 17+ in winter.
I really like the looks of the new Fusion, especially the Sport, but it’s only rated at 34 on the highway, which means it won’t get 26. And granted it has more power and AWD and is by far a nicer car than my dad’s 3.8 Impala, but it does over 40 mpg to Medicince Hat and back, and the father in law’s 3.1 Buick get’s closer to 45. Why buy a hybrid when you can just buy a GM product (for now anyway) that already kills ‘em (assuming they don’t actually get what they say they get, which they don’t…it’s a Ford. It can’t) without the added cost of electric motors etc.? Except I’m drawn to Ford’s…so mileage be damned. I’ll spend extra on gas instead of intake gasket failures every 100,000km. Probably come out ahead.
at 4:46 pm
Just a little correction here:
Ford did not train the four drivers that set the new record on the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Instead, one of our people at CleanMPG (Wayne Gerdes, the CleanMPG founder) was asked to train the other drivers before embarking on this promotion fuel economy trip. Again, Wayne was also one of the drivers.
Here are the details:
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21523
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21910
MSantos
at 5:01 pm
Hi Ratpick;
I seriously doubt the press would be up to the task, as they can barely make adequate use of the existing crop of hybrids in their testing. You are better off asking the more knowledgeable members of the online community that actually own, drive and even support these hybrids.
Sadly, many in the mainstream press appear to remain ill equipped to provide any such details with authority and let alone first hand knowledge.
Cheers;
MSantos
at 7:21 pm
RE MSantons comment posted on May 20, 09 @5:01pm
Pitty but true. It is quite hard to find even remote “independent” article about cars… To me it looks that most of them are on the someone’s payroll.
And everyone takes car industry as-is. Again, quite rarely is found comment that is trying to actually influence the industry and build people’s opinion toward something progressive, more effective and simply -better.
That’s one of (many) reasons why auto industry ended up where it is now… But I belive ..let’s see how this “promise of change” will impact the “big guys”.
Regards to all
at 6:02 pm
Dunno about all the fine points of the above arguments. Just know that so far I’m getting over 43 mpg with my Fusion Hybrid, real world driving. On some short urban segments, 50 mpg plus has not been uncommon, even 60 mpg. I just smile a lot knowing that I have a mid-size hybrid with near luxury options (12-speaker stereo, Sync (music, travel) by Microsoft, a nav system, a message center that interrupts my driving to tell me my favorite artist in now on Channel 4, do I want to listen?, several audible warning systems,etc.) Have long liked the idea of hybrids, but wanted a larger vehicle than the Prius. The Fusion came along and I snagged one with a $3400 tax credit. Did it cost more? Big time, but I don’t care. It’s what I wanted and Ford knew it.
at 11:10 pm
Thanks for the honest, down to earth reviews.