Fusion Hybrid sets gas mileage record

Imagine driving the equivalent of round trip to Denver or one way to Houston from Las Vegas on just one tank of gas. You may have to stop for other reasons, but it won't be for fuel if you're behind the wheel of a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Logging 1,445.7 miles on a single tank, a driving team that included NASCAR Sprint Cup star Carl Edwards, who was so impressed with the car he bought one, and "hypermiling" expert Wayne Gerdes, recently spent 69 hours and $37 driving a bone-stock Ford Fusion Hybrid to set a new record for fuel efficiency.

A recently released Environmental Protection Agency certification rates the Fusion at 41/36 miles per gallon (city/highway), making it America's most fuel-efficient midsize car. The tank carries 17.5 gallons of gas and Ford set its initial range at 700 miles.

The "Ford Fusion 1,000 Mile Challenge" crew, however, wanted to demonstrate how simple techniques, such as smooth acceleration, following the speed limit and limiting use of the heater and air conditioner, could significantly boost fuel efficiency.

The team doubled Ford's full-tank range estimate by, among other things, keeping the car below 47 miles per hour whenever possible to avoid switching to the gasoline mode and maximize all-electric driving. They also practiced smooth accelerating and braking, kept the windows up to reduce drag and coasted to a stop at traffic signals.

Ford admits extreme driving techniques were used to achieve the record gas mileage, but the results prove how much driving habits affect a car's fuel economy.

"Not only does this demonstrate the Fusion Hybrid's fuel efficiency -- it also shows driving technique is one of the keys to maximizing its potential," said Nancy Gioia, director of Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs.

There are two types of gasoline-electric hybrid cars: the parallel hybrid and the series hybrid.

In a parallel hybrid car, a gasoline engine and an electric motor work together to move the car forward, while in a series hybrid, which is the technology used in the Ford Fusion, the gasoline engine either directly powers an electric motor that powers the vehicle or charges batteries that will power the motor.

Both types of hybrids, including the Ford Fusion, use a process called "regenerative braking" to store the kinetic energy generated by brake use in the batteries, which will in turn power the electric motor.

What also helps is Ford's new "SmartGauge with EcoGuide" that instructs drivers how to get the most "green" out of the Fusion Hybrid. SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster on the dashboard that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge's dual color screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information, including fuel and battery power levels and average and instant miles per gallon. When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel "grows" leaves and vines on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being saved.

The Fusion Hybrid is driven by a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine, which is married to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, and uses the efficiency-improving Atkinson cycle design in the powerplant. It produces 156 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,250 revolutions per minute.

The hybrid system also features a smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford's previous hybrid system. The battery's improved chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and is cooled using cabin air. An enhanced electronic throttle control reduces airflow on shutdowns, thus trimming down fueling needs on restarts. Also, the Smart climate control system monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric airconditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.

"Ford's commitment to building an efficient and affordable hybrid shows the positive progression of our products," said Gaudin Ford general manager Tim Hovik. "Even with a challenging economy, it's an exciting time to be a Ford dealer. We take a lot of pride in our products, especially the new Ford Fusion Hybrid."

Roomy, comfortable and sporty-looking, Ford has added nice touches, but maintained the Fusion's practicality.

"This was no accident," Hovik said, referring to the Fusion's target customer. "We have a hybrid for every need from an SUV (Escape), a midsize car (Fusion) to a compact (Focus). These are vehicles designed and built to service people's needs."

Pricing for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at around $27,500. For more information, visit Gaudin Ford at 2121 E. Sahara Ave., call 731-2121 or go to www.gaudinford.com.