Ford believes Fusion Hybrid can get 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Apr 22nd 2009 at 11:51AM 
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
How far can you get on a single tank of gas? Well now, that depends on such details as how much gas you can fit in your car's tank, how fuel efficient your automobile happens to be and how much control you have over your bladder if you want to do it all in one drive. Ford seems to think you can eke 1,000 miles out of a single tank of 87-octane with its new 2010 Fusion Hybrid – a figure that seems nearly impossible at first blush.
To meet this rather impressive goal, the aforementioned hybrid sedan would need to average 57 miles per gallon, an attainable figure since Ford's preliminary testing indicates the Fusion Hybrid can manage up to 70 mpg when driven by a hypermiler like Wayne Gerdes, who will join NASCAR racer Carl Edwards and a few assorted engineers as a driver for the event.
Ford is estimating that it will take 43 hours to get from Mount Vernon, VA to Washington, DC – a trip of about 20 miles as the crow flies. In fact, the crew could just about make it to Miami, Florida, from their starting point in Virginia using that same tank of gas. Obviously, Ford has a meandering route in mind.
Besides attempting to prove how fuel efficient its hybrid happens to be and how the way you drive is nearly as important as what you're driving, the Blue Oval will also be raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Full press release after the break.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
Ford Team Aims To Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Miles on a Single Tank of Gas
- The Ford Fusion Hybrid team will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles for more than 43 continuous hours - on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process
- The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America - the Fusion Hybrid driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, will have to achieve an average of at least 57 mpg on the challenge to reach its goal
- By using Eco-Driving techniques engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Ford Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the challenge
- Consumers can improve their own vehicle's fuel economy performance is by adopting Ford's "Eco-Driving" tips used for the 1,000-Mile Challenge
DEARBORN, Mich., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This weekend, the 2010 Ford (NYSE: F) Fusion Hybrid is being put to the ultimate fuel-efficiency test. A team of drivers, including NASCAR star Carl Edwards and world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes, will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.
The 1,000-Mile Challenge starts at around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ends the morning of Monday, April 27, in Washington, D.C. The team will drive for more than 43 hours continuously to reach the 1,000-mile goal. The drivers will do stints of between two and three hours each and will have regular breaks to ensure safe driving is maintained. Already rated as the most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America, the Fusion Hybrid will need to average at least 57 mpg to achieve its goal. During preliminary testing in preparation for this challenge, Ford engineers have reached as much as 70 mpg in the Fusion Hybrid by using Eco-Driving techniques.
The team will run clinics for media and customers over the weekend in the Fusion Hybrid, conducting interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers.
The Fusion Hybrid being used in the challenge will be a factory produced model with no modifications or alterations and will run on regular 87 octane gas.
The team will be uploading regular images and video to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/fordstory), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristopher-Spencer/1228149870), Twitter (http://twitter.com/Ford), and www.media.ford.com.
Ford is taking on the 1,000-Mile Challenge for a number of reasons:
* To demonstrate Ford's commitment to be the best or amongst the best in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes;
* To highlight the crucial role the driver plays in maximizing fuel economy and demonstrate how consumers can make a difference through Eco-Driving;
* To raise awareness about Eco-Driving and how the Fusion Hybrid contributes to it with the ability to run up to 47 mph in pure electric mode; and
* To raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
The 1,000-Mile Challenge team comprises of:
* Wayne Gerdes, the world-record breaking hypermiling champion and founder of www.cleanmpg.com;
* Carl Edwards, the NASCAR race star who recently bought his own 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid;
* Sherif Marakby, graduate of Maryland University and Ford hybrid chief engineer;
* Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager and Ford Fusion Hybrid team leader;
* Tom Rolewicz, one of Ford's top calibration experts and hybrid system expert; and
* Steve Burke, Ford product expert on hybrid applications
The mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team will use and pass on to consumers include:
* Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
* Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
* Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
* Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
* Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
* Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
* Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
* Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
* Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum
Click here (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=28946) for more Eco-Driving tips
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paulwesterberg 12:55PM (4/22/2009)
So they are going to perform this feat while traveling a blistering average speed of 23.26 miles per hour.
The ford fusion hybrid gas tank holds 17.5 gallons. So if they can average 70mpg they should be able to drive 1225 miles on one tank.
Japanese ratings(uses ridiculously low speeds) put the 2010 prius at 89.4 mpg, so with its fuel tank of 11.9 gallons it should be able to go 1063.86 miles.
I think we should have a 1000 mile race, no refueling except via solar cells allowed.
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Yikes 2:22PM (4/22/2009)
I'll take a diesel then for the 1000 mile trip.
Kris 3:17PM (4/22/2009)
I've ridden in a Fusion Hybrid -- very impressed with it. The Smartgauge cluster helps you drive more efficiently. I think a lot of people take driving style for granted when they grouse about getting better fuel economy. It isn't just the machine -- it's the driver too! If I were shopping for a new car right now the Fusion Hybrid would be at the top of my list.
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Mark 3:47PM (4/22/2009)
Best I've managed in my Prius is 710 miles on a tank (and really, the last 50 miles of that was spent saying "please let there be a gas station at the next exit, please let there be a gas station at the next exit, please..." out in the middle of nowhere).
But the big hypermilers on the Prius side have racked up a lot of 4-digit tanks, and that's on less than 12 gallons. Still, it's nice to have the Fusion as another viable option.
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Nick 4:50PM (4/22/2009)
Isn't Mr. Vernon at a higher altitude than D.C. ?
That would mean they're driving downhill for the test
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Luke 8:08PM (4/22/2009)
It can be done.
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Matt 11:54PM (4/22/2009)
"Isn't Mt. Vernon at a higher altitude than D.C. ?
That would mean they're driving downhill for the test"
lol very good point!
As for this car, I have to admit I am VERY impressed. It's North American yet it has outstanding fuel economy, an intelligently designed interior, and looks modern and progressive on the exterior. Is this allowed? My brain hurts! :P Kudos to the team behind this thing. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the roads! The Prius has some major competition this year!
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CJ Pappas 12:08AM (4/23/2009)
The only way I'll believe the 1000 mile test is if the car is always driven above 50MPH. If the car can propell itself in 'electric' mode up to 47 MPH, and most of the driving is at or below that speed, of course you can get 1000 miles on a tank. I bet if you figured the miles the gas engine is on vs. gallons, it's no different than a regular car.
To add to the 'downhill' question, if they make it one way, they should go the opposite direction!
In any event, I think Ford is doing a great job and hope it will get Toyota and Honda sweating. Now if they could get a 7 passenger crossover or minivan that got, say, 30-35 MPG??? How about a hybrid Flex?
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charlie 12:34PM (4/23/2009)
Exactly right. A Hybrid Flex should already be in the works. Heck it should already be on sale. Its a no brainer for that vehicle.
tom engineer 11:31PM (4/23/2009)
CJ...whether the car goes over or under 47 mph doesn't make a big difference. The only fuel that ever goes in the car is gasoline, so battery is charged using energy that came from gasoline one way or another. When a hybrid is powered by battery power alone, it momentarily doesn't use any gasoline, but is draining the battery that will be recharged using energy from gasoline at the next opportunity. as long as the amount of energy in the battery at the beginning and end of the test is about the same, test is "fair" and all the net energy for the trip came from gas. Driving under 47 would allow more strategy of when to turn the engine on/off to maximize FE, but it doesn't automatically allow travellling 1000 miles without gas! Think about it.
as for elevation change...Mt. Vernon, VA, actually lies just 115 ft above sea level. descending 100 ft in 1000 miles... insignificant.
WB 6:39PM (4/23/2009)
iF Ford dealership's can get enough Fusion Hybrid's on there lot's, It might be the best come back for Ford since the the F150! Were all tried of paying high prices at the pump. I would buy the new Ford Fusion in a New York minute, remember people Ford didn't take bailout money! G0 Ford, Go Green, Go Fusion. :-)
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hs 11:51PM (4/23/2009)
hmm? is this the same car as this http://www.edmunds.com/ford/fusionhybrid/2010/testdrive.html ? that article says 37mpg... not even close to 57. what am i missing?
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Felipe Galoppini 2:31PM (5/08/2009)
Not only have they successfully achieved their goal of getting more than 1,000 miles with a single fuel tank, as they also have set a new world record: 1,445 miles with a tank of fuel. Here's the official press release: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-fusion-hybrid-averages-815-mpg-30289 .
Congrats to Ford!
Felipe
http://thinkingandacting.wordpress.com/
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Randy May 1:19AM (6/01/2009)
Dick's Mackenzie Ford in Hillsboro Oregon got one in. I saw it and drove it before it sold. It lasted on the lot less than 24 hours. It is an awesome car in every way. It has style, comfort, space and obvious quality. The fit and finish are the best I have seen on a domestic product. I am sure there are others as good or even better, I just have not seen them. The seats are comfortable and the dash cluster clear and easy to understand, once you understand what it is you are looking at that is. Oh yea, BTW, it gets great fuel economy! All joking aside, after the Escape, we expected it to do well in the economy area and to provide a huge impact into the process of keeping our enviornment green. What came as a shock is the level of quality seemingly in every area of this car. I assumed since fuel economy was going to be such a critical focal point that there would be compromises in all the other areas. It rides and drives like a luxury car. Not a light weight beer can on wheels cutting corners in every area to sqeeze out a few more MPG.
Great Job Ford...
I think they have two more incoming into inventory. You can click here to search http://mackenzieford.com
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