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.
Priced $1000 above the Toyota Camry Hybrid, customers can select an optional GPS system, heated leather seats, and/or a Sony audio system.
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.
Like other hybrids, the system utilizes regenerative braking, an upgraded nickel-metal hydride battery (said to be 20 percent more powerful than previous batteries), and a “smart” climate control system. The new sedan, which Ford says will be in showrooms by March 2009 at the latest, also feature the SmartGuage system to help “coach” drivers into driving more efficiently.
Ford says the hybrid Fusion will be capable of up to 700 miles of in-town driving and it will trump the Toyota Camry Hybrid by at least 5 mpg in the city. The Camry is EPA-rated at 33 mpg.
11/19, 6:32 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
The rear looks ugly from certain angles, but overall its seems pretty good.
11/19, 6:33 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
What say Johnny??
11/19, 8:11 AM
posted by:
DrFill
Sacrificing some power for more economy.
Similar to the Escape Hybrid
Won’t be nearly as drivable as the Camry Hybrid (185+ HP & torque)
0-60 around 9 seconds
But cloase to 40 MPG will build nice traffic
DrFill
11/19, 8:31 AM
posted by:
DrFill
Late breaking news!
THe 175HP Fusion, apparently due to taller gearing, is expected to get 33 MPG Hwy, to beat Accord and Camry, and will 0-60 in 9.5
So the Hybrid will be closer to 11 seconds 0-60.
DrFill
11/19, 8:37 AM
posted by:
Brendino
I think Ford is starting to get it - they really are the best off of the Big 3.
This is a great refresh - the car looks different (moreso than the G6 refresh), improved, and even more unified with the better parts of the Focus design. That gauge cluster is amazing!
Good job, Ford! I hope this sells well for you.
11/19, 8:41 AM
posted by:
sudo95
Dr Fill is the smartest dumb a$$ alive.
11/19, 9:00 AM
posted by:
DrFill
No one can out dumba$$ you, Sudo
Well, around here, that would be quite a scrum
But I believe in you!
DrFill
11/19, 9:37 AM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I would take this over a Camry hybrid any day.
11/19, 11:40 AM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Great corporate fleet vehicle.
11/19, 11:53 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m saying my outstanding Canadian financial institution just e-mailed me this morning with the approval for my online trading account. Give me about a week to unload some do nothing telecom stock and I’m in. I’m thinking ‘blueoval’ would make a nice password.
11/19, 12:18 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@johnnycanuck, will that new Mustang be in the near future?
11/19, 12:36 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Either that or a ‘78 Fairmont. There are still a lot of trees in the forest to get through.
11/19, 2:22 PM
posted by:
Borat
Is this another salvo in “gimme tax dollars” assault?
11/19, 5:49 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
@ Borat
Partially, the Hybrid Fusion/Milan was meant to debut in 09 model well before the Financial crisis the Big 3 are now facing. The debut of these models at the Autoshow will in part show the public and now Congress how serious these company are.
As to the Fusion the front looks great but the side seem weird. The fusion of New (grill/front) doesn’t meld well with the dated side and retro (07 looking Focus sedan) rearend.
11/20, 3:03 AM
posted by:
cereal
It seems to look radically different from the non-hybrid, but when I look again, it is almost exactly the same.
Oh, and anyone notice the OLD Focus-esque fascia there?
I like it though.
-eat your cereal
11/21, 11:04 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Not sure if it’s the lighting, but the grill has a darker-chrome look to it that is far more bad-ass than the bright chrome. I hope this is an option.
11/21, 12:43 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
When they say the batteries are 20% more powerful, do they mean capacity? Or do the motors output 20% more power?
11/21, 2:58 PM
posted by:
Borat
A lot of “Ford says”. Mulaly (Ford CEO) says that Ford is successful company, he just like excursion to our nations capital and ****tail hours with favorite senators.
11/21, 4:28 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
http://www.autoobserver.com/2007/07/2008-toyota-camry-hybrid-price-less-for-less.html
kaizen- They mean the batteries have 20% more capacity. Or else they’ve changed the voltage or something, and with this being the same system as the one in the Escape, I doubt they’ve done that.
11/24, 10:10 PM
posted by:
Anna Lee
As a Christian and an American and a soccer mom, what we need is more oil, not more overpriced wimpiness. What will little boys grow up to act like if all they see is gay marriage and hybrids? I thought Ford was supposed to be masculne. Why is it using hybrids? Not man enough to fight in the war?
12/03, 2:18 PM
posted by:
BennieWi
Hey, Anna, you forgot “complete idiot”