The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid




Ford has announced a base price of $27,270 for its new 2010 Fusion Hybrid sedan. Basic features like dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights, keyless entry, power windows, mirrors, and locks, capless refueling, traction control, and ABS are all standard equipment. Also included is a six-speaker stereo, eco-responsible seats, 17-inch wheels, traction control, and a reverse sensor.

Ford has high hopes for the Fusion hybrid, which can operate on the electric power at up to 47 miles per hour. The hybrid features a 2.5-liter inline-four with 155 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque bolted up to a CVT transmission.

The Fusion uses a beefier NiMH battery pack and can travel up to 47 mph in electric mode. The Ford Fusion's strongest selling point will be is city mileage rating of about 40 mpg, which is only topped by the Toyota Prius. All car makers should strive for better city mileages as the majority of commutes entail this type of driving.

Ford has collaborated with design consultant group Ideo to create a new system to monitor fuel economy and other information. The system, clumsily dubbed SmartGauge with EcoGuide, is a reconfigurable gauge cluster made up of a large, centrally located analog speedometer flanked by two 4.3-inch LCD displays. Four default layouts can be chosen as a basis of customization, from a bare-bones look at vital vehicle stats to an information-laden view designed for—and with the help of—hypermilers. Why Ford wants to promote the dangerous driving techniques involved with hypermiling, I'm not sure.

The SmartGauge displays are bright and easy to read, but I worry that this is another step toward total driver distraction. One such distraction is a display featuring a tree branch that grows more leaves as the vehicle is driven in what’s determined to be an environmentally friendly manner. Drive like a hooligan, though, and you’ll kill the tree. This hokey, literal interpretation of efficient driving can be turned off or substituted for a more useful gauge, but it will be interesting to wipe out whole forests once you drive the car.

Again, there is one feature that Ford forgot to add, namely a plug. This car could have been designed infinitely better with the ability to plug in at home and recharge the battery pack. Given a 10 to 15 mile all-electric range and its top speed of 47 mph, imagine running all your errands without the gasoline engine ever starting.

This car will be a winner for Ford and hopefully, they will produce enough of them to meet demand.