Ford Fusion Hybrid EPA Certified to 41 mpg City, 36 mpg Highway
23 December 2008
The Ford Fusion Hybrid (earlier post) will be the most fuel-efficient mid-size car on sale in the US next spring, with an EPA certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. This tops the Toyota Camry hybrid rating by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, and even beats the smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving.
The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich.
The Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids to travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than offered the Toyota Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.
In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines: the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry.
Looks like Ford did a nice job with this hybrid. Now the only question is whether they'll make more than a token number of them (as they do with the Escape). It would be a shame if they didn't.
However, while the Fusion will be the most fuel efficient car that looks like a Camry/Fusion/Accord type sedan, it is NOT the most fuel efficient midsize car.
The Prius is a midsize car by most definitions, such as the one that classifies them by interior volume (110 in3). In the EPA MPG classifications, it's a family car, just like the Camry and Fusion. In Europe, it's a "Large Family car".
Perhaps you could rewrite it as the "most fuel efficient midsize SEDAN".
Posted by: Karkus | 23 December 2008 at 08:56 AM
What? Henry Ford's great grandson is trouncing the revered MPG achievements of Honda and Toyota???
The Ford Fusion hybrid gets 8 MPG BETTER than a Toyota Camry hybrid??? And BEATS the Honda Civic hybrid??? Has someone spiked the eggnog?
Now, if Mr. Ford and Co. can lower the huge health care costs of their UAW retirees - they might get back in the black.
Posted by: sulleny | 23 December 2008 at 10:07 AM
With the economy the way it is, I don't think they'll have an issue making enough of them - at least initially, and especially considering the base price of $27k. The car really needs to be at least $3k less expensive to sell in large numbers. If it was $5k cheaper, they'd sell a ton for sure. It'd be interesting to see what their sales forecasts are.
The fuel economy numbers are very impressive, and it's good to see someone beat on Toyota a bit.
Posted by: Dave R | 23 December 2008 at 11:01 AM
Now, let's just wait for GM and Chrysler.
Posted by: Peace Hugger | 23 December 2008 at 03:35 PM
Couple of car magazines actually conducted real world testing and they managed 43~44mpg which is better than EPA rating
Posted by: Sean Lee | 23 December 2008 at 04:43 PM
Good to see an american company back on track with the top of the technology. I won't save them but it is important for their image, and they really need to improve their image to survive.
Posted by: Treehugger | 24 December 2008 at 12:08 AM
In the past few years, Ford went from "hybrid everything" to "hybrids are a fad" to this. Had they had this on sale 4.5 years ago, I would probably have one instead of a diesel.
With a top all-electric speed of 47 MPH, the hybrid Fusion is a better PHEV platform than the Prius.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 24 December 2008 at 02:26 PM
Atten: Ford Motors... If EP likes your product enuf to give it a thumbs up over the Prius - you have a winner. Really. Congrats on a good job.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 26 December 2008 at 09:44 AM
I didn't say I like the Fusion better than the Prius (I haven't driven either one, nor do I know any of the specs for the hybrid Fusion drivetrain). PHEV potential is only one of my criteria. A critical factor will be if Ford actually attempts to satisfy demand or makes a token few, like the hybrid Escape.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 26 December 2008 at 06:57 PM
That will require some clever marketing to position the Fusion against its direct competition like Camry Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid.
It appears that by upping the battery energy while lowering weight: 145lb NiMh, they increased the AE speed, but not to EV ability at 4-5 mi AER.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 27 December 2008 at 04:03 PM