December5
Ford has begun testing prototypes for its Fusion Hybrid, as evidenced by this prototype caught with its hood up. Spies noticed that the parking lot of a facility known to be the primary development site for Ford’s Escape Hybrid was suddenly awash in Fusion test cars.
After some snooping, photographers were able to snap some images of a Fusion prototype with its hood open. A large label inside the engine compartment reads: “HEV AC - DO NOT charge with Oil.” “HEV” is a common acronym for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle, so it appears to be clear-cut proof that this Fusion was equipped with the hybrid powerplant due to arrive in 2008. Closer inspection seems to suggest that this Fusion prototype is using the same 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine found in the Escape Hybrid.
The Escape’s hybrid system provides 94 horsepower via an electric motor at low speeds. When additional power is required, the gasoline engine seamlessly engages, contributing 133 horsepower. The net result is 155 hp with zero to 60 times equal to that of a 200 horsepower V6. Gallery after the jump…
YES! It’s gonna happen…good for you, Ford!
Now I can sit back and listen to the Ford haters marginalize and turn it into a negative thing.
i like ford i just hate hybrids
but i find it acceptable because ford is focusing 80% of their efforts on diesels.
Negative thing? That depends on how much they’re gonna sell this thing for.
Good, now Ford will be able to compete with the Japanese and GM in the sedan hybrid market.
But when are we going to see a replacement for the unloved and ignored 500? In 2012?
Why not spend R&D money on making the diesels sold in the rest of the world cleaner for the US market? They’re already touted in Europe as some of the best.
I mean, hybrids are also a step in the right direction, though. Bravo Ford! Hey, how about a hybrid diesel?
Not only does the HEV label suggest a hybrid, but the Bright orange high voltage power cabling, clearly visible in the first shot, really give it away. Well done Ford. Not only have you already produced a far superior sedan than any of GM or DCX’s comparable cars, but now you’ll be the North American leader in hybrid vehicles. That’s a Bold Move.
Good news for Ford. They need more competitive products. Since the Fusion is one of their better offerings, this seems like a good move. Besides, the Prius has dominated this market for too long–time for customers to have some choices and to give the Prius some competition.
FYI for all of you: Big Brother is, indeed, monitoring this site. Yesterday, I posted a comment on an article & later in the day it mysteriously disappeared from the comment list. All the comments in the immediate vicinity are still there, so it appears as if it never existed at all. Since I do not use graphic sexual commentary and profanity to express my opinions, I can only assume that my comment was nixed because of a link to another site that I added. Apparently, fear of competition is more motivating than improving the quality of commentary on this blog. So now you know…beware!
what was your comment
Isnt this just the same power-train that ford uses in the escape/mariner? Should just be a plug and play deal.
The European market still proves a deisel with a 5- or 6-speed manual is the best overall. Initial cost vs. quick repay in fuel mileage, less techy **** to go wrong.
(Just YouTube JC from Top Gear going 800 miles on one tank of deisel in a twin-turbo oil-burning Audi)
Why carry around 2 power sources?
Good for Ford.
Is the Accord Hybrid moving at all? I’ve only seen one on the street, but it seemed like a far better deal than the Prius - a hybrid that hauls ass with good fuel economy.
Performance hybrids turned out to be a bust…Honda can’t move Accord hybrids.
This is good news, but I’m still holding out for the Fusion ST that was so widely rumored. 270 hp, awd, manual trans….
A4: The comment was in reference to the Lexus F vehicles. I said I’d reserve judgement until I saw them. That part was ok, but I included a link to a video clip from another site of some people trying to use the Lexus auto park system. I think that’s what prompted the removal. The link was to another auto blog, and I guess LLN didn’t like it.
don’t you guys know… only the Japanese can receive praise for building a more efficient, good quality midsize sedan!
/sarc
Oooh nice though I prefer the Accord’s interpretation of the hybrid - an extra engine for more power.
In my opinion, the Accord hybrid, Highlander hybrid and RX400h hybrid are a waste of a technology. The Accord hybrid averages like 22 (same as the regular Accord). The Highlander got 19 in C&D’s test. Pathetic. The RX400h gets like 18. If you want sport and good mileage, they should use a diesel, plain and simple.
The Camry, Prius, Civic, Escape, Mariner and (hopefully) Fusion hybrids are good examples of what a hybrid should be providing: improved fuel efficiency beyond what standard gasoline engines can provide. I reserve judgement on the GM hybrids until I actually drive one, but early indications are not promising that the 80/20 trade-off commonly mentioned in business is working in GMs favor here.
Does anyone know if this is Ford’s own development of the hybrid technology? As I know it, Ford is leasing Toyota’s hybrid system for the the Escape.
Ford developed their hybrid technology separately from Toyota but found that many of their components were similar. To avoid lawsuits, they licensed diesel patents to Toyota in exchange for Toyota licensing hybrid patents to Ford. The hybrid technology has always been Fords, from day one. They are supplied by a Toyota-related supplier, but that is where the Toyota involvement ends, and Ford is looking to move away from that supplier as well in the near future from what I’ve read. This has all been vetted in the media over the last several months.