The first
thing you need to know about the 2010
Ford Fusion hybrid is that it’s
the best mid-size hybrid sedan on the
market. Yes, that’s right: it wipes
the floor with the Toyota Camry hybrid.
Like the Camry, it mates
a four-cylinder gasoline engine with two
battery-driven electric motors and a continuously
variable transmission. The Fusion has
a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle
engine that makes 156 hp and 136 lb-ft
of torque.
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Although the Atkinson cycle, where
the intake valve is held open longer during
the intake stroke, is more efficient than the
usual Otto cycle, it doesn’t produce as
much power and torque. In a hybrid’s case,
electric motors augment the gas engine so that
acceleration isn’t compromised. Here,
the hybrid system puts out a combined 191 hp.
Ford has worked hard to significantly
improve the system in the Fusion over the one
in the Escape hybrid, and the company says that
the technology is not licensed from Toyota,
as Nissan does for the Altima hybrid. The Fusion's
trunk-mounted nickel-metal-hydride battery pack
is smaller and lighter, for instance, and uses
a different chemistry so that it doesn’t
need a separate cooling system, simply drawing
air in from the cabin to manage temperatures.
The pack also produces 20 percent more power.
Variable timing on the intake cam allows the
vehicle to more seamlessly transition between
electric and gas modes, according to Ford, and
the Fusion can be driven up to 47 mph on electric
power alone, depending on how leadfooted a driver
is. Most hybrids can pull off the electric-only
trick only as high as 25 mph or so.
Sharp-Looking Exterior,
Techy Interior
The all-new Fusion hybrid benefits
from many of the changes that were made to the
2010 Fusion range. Externally, the Fusion gets
new headlamps, a new front fascia, and a reworked
version of the three-bar grille that Ford now
uses across its North American offerings. At
the back, there’s a new decklid and taillights.
The hybrid gets “road and leaf”
badging to differentiate it, along with unique
eight-spoke, 17-inch wheels. The refresh makes
the Fusion sharper looking, particularly since
the weird headlamps of the original have been
replaced.
Inside, the Fusion also receives
a new instrument panel, redesigned seats, and
more stylish trim, although the quality of some
of the materials isn’t yet on par with
those of the class leaders. The hybrid gets
what Ford calls SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a
unique instrument cluster that is designed to
bring out the mileage geek in everyone. Our
tech department went gaga over this one, gurgling
like toddlers who’ve been allowed outside
on their own for the first time. The gauge has
four modes—each with touchy-feely names
like Engage and Empower—although our more
nerdish drivers quickly switched into the expert
mode (Enlighten) that shows battery charge level
alongside two columns of discharge meters, one
for power consumed and the other for the sum
of all the accessory loads. The fun is in trying
to keep the vehicle in electric mode as long
as possible. For non-techies, the Efficiency
Leaves feature shows leaves growing on a vine
if you’re driving efficiently. It’s
actually quite cool.
Hybridization and Driving
Fun Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
The other impressive achievement
is that the Fusion is reasonably entertaining
to drive. While most hybrids squeeze the fun
out of driving, the Fusion has nicely weighted
steering, a nimble chassis, and rides in a controlled,
supple manner. You can hustle the car down a
back road and get a smile on your face, which
is not something one can say about the Camry
hybrid.
VEHICLE TYPE:
front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger,
4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED:
$32,555 (base price: $27,995)
ENGINE TYPE:
2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 156 hp, 136
lb-ft; AC permanent-magnet electric motor, 106
hp, 166 lb-ft; combined system, 191 hp
TRANSMISSION: continuously
variable automatic
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 107.4 in Length: 190.2 in Width:
72.2 in Height: 57.2 in Curb weight: 3805 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 8.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 21.5 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.5 sec @ 88 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 108 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.80 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 39/37 mpg (est)
C/D-observed: 34 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.
Contact Lakeview Ford
Lincoln Mercury Mazda, and test drive yours
today!
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