AutoblogGreen achieves 43.1 mpg in 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (UPDATED real world mpg)
12-09-08 | 09:43 AM
#1
AutoblogGreen achieves 43.1 mpg in 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (UPDATED real world mpg)
We're in the City of Angels this week to drive a bunch of new Fords, including the new 2010 Mustang and Fusion. We started off Monday afternoon with a mileage challenge in the new 2010 Fusion Hybrid. We can't share our driving impressions until Saturday, but we can tell you the results of the mileage contest. Ford hybrid applications manager Gil Portalatin used his intimate knowledge of the car to set some benchmarks the day before. Ford claims the Fusion will get at least 39 mpg city/ 37 mpg highway when the EPA numbers are calculated in the coming weeks. Portalatin got 46 mpg on the first segment of the drive route and 43.5 mpg on the hillier second part. Among the journalists on hand, Car and Driver's Steve Siler recorded a 43.6 mpg result on the first part. After Drew Phillips and I switched places for the second segment, I achieved 43.1 mpg, which is a very impressive number for Ford's new mid-size sedan.
ffpower says: Watch out! Toyota.
Last edited by ffpowerLN; 12-09-08 at 09:50 AM.
12-09-08 | 09:49 AM
#2
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,518
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From: MD
How, Toyota needs to get their new 2.5L in the Camry hybrid. They can't afford to wait like they did getting the 3.5L into the RX.
12-09-08 | 10:25 AM
#4
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,465
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From: Illinois
for Ford! Nicely done. This is significantly better in real world mileage than anything else similar out there.
12-09-08 | 10:31 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,624
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Mike (1SICKLEX): There's the reason, like what we discussed, why GM has to keep the Malibu/Aura hybrids in production......with improvements, of course.
12-09-08 | 11:47 AM
#6
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
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From: Tennessee
The Hybrid Malibu isn't anything close to a traditional/full hybrid vehicle. It's really just a stepping stone in that direction, but as a result its price premium is quite a bit less than most full hybrid vehicles.
I'm not saying I'd buy one, I'm just saying it wasnt' really intended to compete with full hybrids from an engineering perspective.
12-09-08 | 12:29 PM
#7
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 442
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From: California
Nicely done. That's awesome numbers from a mid-sized family sedan. Definitely blows away the other hybrid mid-sized family sedan on the market now. I wonder what MPG a Focus with this engine/drive train combo could achieve?
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12-09-08 | 01:11 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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it will be interesting to see what it gets in real life - trying to get the best mpg possible in any vehicle will result in high milage... I can achieve 30 mpg in my GS350 AWD, my real mpg is 14-15....
I got 74 mpg on one trip (70+ miles) in Prius, i got over >60 mpg million times, and yet my averages were around 48-50mpg...
I could get into very nice Avensis diesel with 126hp and get over 70mpg on any day of the week. It will still average around 40 in normal drive...
I got 74 mpg on one trip (70+ miles) in Prius, i got over >60 mpg million times, and yet my averages were around 48-50mpg...
I could get into very nice Avensis diesel with 126hp and get over 70mpg on any day of the week. It will still average around 40 in normal drive...
12-09-08 | 01:12 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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What's the difference in price, though?
The Hybrid Malibu isn't anything close to a traditional/full hybrid vehicle. It's really just a stepping stone in that direction, but as a result its price premium is quite a bit less than most full hybrid vehicles.
I'm not saying I'd buy one, I'm just saying it wasnt' really intended to compete with full hybrids from an engineering perspective.
The Hybrid Malibu isn't anything close to a traditional/full hybrid vehicle. It's really just a stepping stone in that direction, but as a result its price premium is quite a bit less than most full hybrid vehicles.
I'm not saying I'd buy one, I'm just saying it wasnt' really intended to compete with full hybrids from an engineering perspective.
12-09-08 | 01:42 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
Almost all marketing out there chooses the big dog on the market to put their product next to, whether deserved or not. Not to mention the Malibu hybrid is still a viable competitor to the full hybrids... it's a question of do you want to spend less up front and pay more (for gas) down the road, or pay more up front and pay less for gas? It's a valid question. The malibu occupies the point between the a non-hybrid and a full hybrid both in sticker price and in mileage.
12-09-08 | 06:07 PM
#12
Guest
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Its also a good looking sedan!!! The Fusion has done very well for Ford, this will help even more.
Great job!
Great job!
12-10-08 | 02:15 AM
#13
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
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Almost all marketing out there chooses the big dog on the market to put their product next to, whether deserved or not. Not to mention the Malibu hybrid is still a viable competitor to the full hybrids... it's a question of do you want to spend less up front and pay more (for gas) down the road, or pay more up front and pay less for gas? It's a valid question. The malibu occupies the point between the a non-hybrid and a full hybrid both in sticker price and in mileage.
Thats why they sell 10 of them per month, it is pure marketing so GM can say that they have "7 hybrids on sale".
12-10-08 | 08:40 AM
#14
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,518
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From: MD
I wonder what the demand will be for the Fusion hybrid. I was surprised that my bro's company gave him a V6, 4WD Mariner and not a 2WD Escape Hybrid (Fleet sales I guess). He was allowed to drive anywhere in that thing on the company's dime....maybe thats why him and 1000 of his coworkers lost their jobs.
12-10-08 | 08:52 AM
#15
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,205
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From: The Woodlands, TX
great numbers...but IMO that thing is UGLY...I like the current body style better.