Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
#16
Lexus Fanatic
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Thanks, guys, for the various comments on the questionable Ford-Toyota relationship on the hybrid drivetrain. You convinced me enough that I edited the review, at the bottom, to indicate, that the relationship between the two companies in designing the drivetrain may (?) not be exactly as I described it. Exactly what it IS ,though, seems to be confusing, with several different replies.
#17
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I know you've not test driven the new Prius yet, so obviously you can't judge...but I went with my father (he wants a new car) to test drive the 2010 Prius and I'll just say this: the comfort surprised me. Way better than the outgoing Prius model. I'll dare even say the (leather) seats matched or exceeded those on my ES330 for comfort, at least for the time we drove it.
Rear-seat headroom also did not appear to be a problem, though that's partly due to the Prius' bulbous design.
Rear-seat headroom also did not appear to be a problem, though that's partly due to the Prius' bulbous design.
#18
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(Hopefully, this doesn't turn into too much of a debate...)
Mike, excellent review as usual.
And I want to ask your opinion, as an auto enthusiast and consumer, regarding the CAFE Standards that are set for 2016.
Now, I don't want to argue about the idea, but rather prepare for it.
If the Ford Fusion hybrid is a sample of the "future", what are some concerns regarding automotive engineering and production should we be keeping an eye on? In your opinion, what should automakers focus on as they prepare to build vehicles that need to meet/exceed the CAFE Standards? Do you foresee any "backlashes" regarding these changes?
Mike, excellent review as usual.
And I want to ask your opinion, as an auto enthusiast and consumer, regarding the CAFE Standards that are set for 2016.
Now, I don't want to argue about the idea, but rather prepare for it.
If the Ford Fusion hybrid is a sample of the "future", what are some concerns regarding automotive engineering and production should we be keeping an eye on? In your opinion, what should automakers focus on as they prepare to build vehicles that need to meet/exceed the CAFE Standards? Do you foresee any "backlashes" regarding these changes?
#19
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Originally Posted by PhilipMSPT
Mike, excellent review as usual.
And I want to ask your opinion, as an auto enthusiast and consumer, regarding the CAFE Standards that are set for 2016.
However, the new CAFE standard may (finally) spur on something we should have started to do years ago......develop an alternate-fuel network nationwide that would supplement the gasoline-station network we have now. Brazil did it a long time ago for ethanol, and is reaping the benefits for it today. If we had an adequate refilling-station infrastructure for ethanol, natural gas, propane, compressed-hydrogen, diesel fuel, and advanced, quick-charging stations for electric cars, then CAFE standards would be redundant.....we would have a fleet of cars that used NO gasoline at all.
Ethanol, of course, is not an efficient fuel, as it has less energy per gallon than gasoline and doesn't get the same mileage, but it is extremely clean-burning, non-polluting, and leaves the engine and fuel system much cleaner than gasoline, with no carbon or gum deposits. It is also somewhat safer and less volatile than gasoline....but when it DOES catch fire, it burns wth a very light-blue flame that is very hard to see, as opposed to gasoline's bright orange flame.
Now, I don't want to argue about the idea, but rather prepare for it.
motorcycle....at least in good weather (if you will accept the lack of crash-protection with a motorcycle). But if you, like a lot of people, like classic muscle-cars, high-powered sport sedans, large, heavy luxury cars, and heavy-duty pickup trucks, I'd consider getting one in the next couple of years....by the end of the decade, their existance as we know them could be history.
If the Ford Fusion hybrid is a sample of the "future", what are some concerns regarding automotive engineering and production should we be keeping an eye on? In your opinion, what should automakers focus on as they prepare to build vehicles that need to meet/exceed the CAFE Standards?
Do you foresee any "backlashes" regarding these changes?
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-02-09 at 06:35 PM.
#20
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Nice review!
I'm a big fan of the new Fusion. I still can't believe what Ford has accomplished here (beating Toyota at it's own fuel efficiency game).
And I drool a little bit when I see it's front end - it's perfect imo.
I'm a big fan of the new Fusion. I still can't believe what Ford has accomplished here (beating Toyota at it's own fuel efficiency game).
And I drool a little bit when I see it's front end - it's perfect imo.
#21
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Great review Mike on a great vehicle. Do you think you were really attracted to the dash/odometer as its different? I am assuming under 30k its a steal?
I think its a no-brainer in this segment. You don't lose much and only gain with this car. 700 miles to a tank! Incredible!
I think its a no-brainer in this segment. You don't lose much and only gain with this car. 700 miles to a tank! Incredible!
#22
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great job as always.
you should take the time to learn about sync though. even if not your thing, it would be good fro you to at least be familiar with it. it's state of the art.
you should take the time to learn about sync though. even if not your thing, it would be good fro you to at least be familiar with it. it's state of the art.
#23
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And that number will probably be for the non-conservative drivers.
You can achieve much more with proper efficiency techniques. The recently posted article posted here showed a team getting 1400 miles from a single tank under more extreme measures.
You can achieve much more with proper efficiency techniques. The recently posted article posted here showed a team getting 1400 miles from a single tank under more extreme measures.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It doesn't quite beat the new Prius at the fuel-miser game, but, like I said above, I'll be surprised if the Prius offers this level of comfort.
The multi-chrome-bar grille, to some extent, brings back the 1950s and 60s. In fact, much of the general styling theme, as with the larger Five Hundered (Taurus), comes from the 1965 Ford Galaxie (which I remember well)
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
Yes, The hybrid-gauge package, in general, looks like a circus, both behind the steering wheel and in the center-dash, but I did like the simple, analog, easy-to-read speedometer.
It has a stysem in the electronics that figures out your average driving habits and constantly adjusts things for the best possible mileage. It can be programmed to different levels for those who don't necessarily want the best fuel mileage. With that, and sensible driving, the Ford people say that the EPA ratings can easily be exceeded.
Do you think you were really attracted to the dash/odometer as its different? I am assuming under 30k its a steal?
I think its a no-brainer in this segment. You don't lose much and only gain with this car. 700 miles to a tank! Incredible!
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
Perhaps. I may be good as a general car reviewer, but I'm a good 20-25 years older than guys like you and Mike....and hi-tech stuff is generally not my thing. And, of course, I don't listen much to state-of-the-art music either. I'm a 80s-Metalhead guy, with groups like Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, etc....
But, you have a point............
you should take the time to learn about sync though. even if not your thing, it would be good fro you to at least be familiar with it. it's state of the art.
But, you have a point............
#28
I think there's a lot of potential still as you mentioned. We know Ford will have the Ecoboost V6 out soon for use in the Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex. There hasn't been as much info out on the Ecoboost I4 engine. But it is one Ford is working on. It does seem like you can have quite an incredible engine/powertrain combo if you took an ecoboosted I4 mated with the hybrid system.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atkinson_cycle
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-03-09 at 12:37 PM.
#30