Looking to regain the title of America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan, Ford has unveiled a hybrid version of its all-new 2013 Fusion sedan. The 2013 Fusion Hybrid will join the standard version of the car on dealer lots in just a few weeks.
Like the gas-powered version of the 2013 Fusion, the hybrid model represents a clean-slate redesign, featuring an all-new gas-electric drivetrain.
The most notable change is the car’s switch from a 2.5L four-cylinder engine to a smaller and more efficient 2.0L unit. That Atkinson Cycle engine is mated to an electric motor, combining for a total output of 185 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. Power for the electric motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack, replacing the previous car’s nickel-metal hydride unit.
The 2013 Fusion Hybrid uses an updated version of Ford ’s electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT), allowing for an all-electric top speed of 62mph. For those keeping score, that’s 15mph better than the outgoing car.
But, more importantly, the 2103 Fusion Hybrid’s fuel economy has also been much improved. Ford expects the 2013 Fusion Hybrid to be rated at 47mpg city and 44mpg highway, besting the current segment-leading Toyota Camry Hybrid by 4mpg in the city and 5mpg on the highway.
Ford has yet to announce pricing for the 2013 Fusion Hybrid, but expect a figure close to the $30,000 mark.
