Ford Fusion hybrid tops 80 mpg, 1,000 miles with 1/3 of a tank left
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
The team that set out this past weekend to cover 1,000 miles on a single tank of gasoline succeeded and then some. When the team of race drivers, engineers and hyper-milers crossed the 1,000 mile a little after 9 a.m. on Monday morning, there was still more than a third of a tank left. Over 47 hours of running, the team led by NASCAR driver Carl Edwards and including record braking hyper-miler Wayne Gerdes averaged over 80 mpg. The plan is to drive the bone stock Fusion until the tank runs dry. Along the way team members are running public clinics to help teach people how to drive more efficiently even if they can't necessarily match the antics of Gerdes. They are also raising money for the Juvenile diabetes Foundation. While it is no doubt possible to achieve these kinds of lofty mileage numbers in the Fusion, it certainly isn't something most people will be doing on a regular basis.
Gallery: Ford Fusion Hybrid Challenge
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
ONE THOUSAND MILES AND COUNTING: FUSION HYBRID BREAKS 1,000 MILES ON SINGLE TANK, PRESSES ON
* The Ford Fusion Hybrid team has achieved more than 1,000 miles – over 47 continuous hours – on a single tank of gas, raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
* Passing the 1,000 mile mark at 9:08 a.m. this morning, the team will continue as their unmodified, regular production Fusion Hybrid has nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining
* 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, achieved more than 80 miles per gallon using Eco-Driving techniques
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2009 – At 9:08 a.m. this morning, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team hit the 1,000-mile mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining.
The 1,000-mile mark was achieved with the Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team leader and NASCAR driver, Carl Edwards, behind the wheel. Other team members include world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and several Ford hybrid engineers.
The 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and is expected to end on Tuesday, April 28 in Washington, D.C.
A regular production version of the Fusion Hybrid – the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America – delivered over 80 miles per gallon over the course of 47 hours of continuous driving. The team will continue to drive until the fuel tank is depleted.
The vehicle is being put to the test to demonstrate Ford's commitment to be the best, or amongst the best, in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes and to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.
As part of the event, the team is conducting clinics for media and customers in the Fusion Hybrid, providing interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers. The team also is uploading regular images and video of the challenge to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and www.media.ford.com.
Mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team used and recommend 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 for more Eco-Driving tips.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yikes 9:46AM (4/28/2009)
Too bad the "actual" mileage will vary.
LOL at this publicity stunt. The price of the Fusion Hybrid is way too high to ever be viable. You can get a Honda Insight for about 10 grand less.
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Eric 10:49AM (4/28/2009)
I'm sure this has been said 1,000s of times already in different threads, but I don't believe the Fusion Hybrid is meant to be a direct competitor with the Insight, or even the Prius for that matter. If you compare the 7,000 (not quite the 10 grand mentioned) difference between the base Fusion Hybrid and the base Insight, there are quite a few differences. The Insight contains none of the bells and whistles that the Fusion does. Here are some of the differences:
- No Bluetooth;
- No cruise control;
- No wheel-mounted controls of any kind for audio, etc;
- No center console or armrest;
- No vanity mirrors or map lights;
- No automatic drivers / passengers seats;
- No reverse sensing / backup system;
- Smaller interior volume / passenger volume...
And there are more I'm sure. While the Insight is a great car, it's not in the same class as the Fusion. The Insight is a budget hybrid more on the compact side, while the Fusion comes with more options standard and is clearly a mid-sized vehicle. You go ahead and buy your apples, and I'll buy a much nicer orange.
Throwback 10:32AM (4/28/2009)
I doubt anyone looking at a Insight is cross shopping a Fusion. The Fusion is priced competitively with it's competition. Camry and Altima hybrids.
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UH2L 11:03AM (4/28/2009)
Don't forget that the Insight is an uglier version of the Prius on the outside, whereas the Fusion looks sharp. I haven't seen the interior of the Insight yet, but it looks cheesy and cobbled together whereas the Prius interior looks futuristic. I'm not too keen on the information display of the Fusion, looks too 80'sish for me.
So I've just reduced three hybrids down to their looks, but that's OK, I'm a potential customer so I'm allowed.
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Yikes 11:27AM (4/28/2009)
Actually, the Prius is a rippoff of the Original Insight/CRX.
I think the Prius and Insight are far better looking vehicles than the Fusion. What's with that hidious chrome unibrow? And the interior still looks like a 1980s vehicle even after the recent update. The side profile and the rear of the Fusion could not be any more bland or boring. Why can't Ford give any of their cars curves?
UH2L 11:34AM (4/28/2009)
The Prius is much more different from the CRX than the Insight is from the Prius. That is plainly obvious. Just having a sloping curved hatchback design isn't unique. My Saab 1997 900, (designed first for 1994 model year), had it first then. Or the 1970's VW Fastback was first.
As for how we like the designs, it's all subjective. Some people like plain. Some people like curves.
(I should have typed in my prior post that I haven't seen the Insight interior in real life, only in pictures.)
brn 12:21PM (4/28/2009)
I know this whole thing is a hypermiling publicity stunt, but 80mpg is better than I thought they'd do.
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Kris 12:37PM (4/28/2009)
Here we go again with irrelevant comparisons between the Prius/Insight and a larger vehicle, the Fusion Hybrid. The real message in this story is that real fuel economy is a matter of fuel efficient driving technique just as much as it is about technology. Of course, not everyone will get 80+ mpg, because most people are too busy talking on the phone or texting to pay attention to their driving!
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TGNY 12:50PM (4/28/2009)
I've driven one and it's built like a vault. The Fusion Hy is a very different rig - you need to get in one see how good the quality is. It's a lot more car and than its label allows.
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PeterG 3:24PM (4/28/2009)
Hypermiling is BS. People get 80MPG hypermiling regular cars.
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Yikes 4:22PM (4/28/2009)
Hypermiling in Hybrids usually yields over 100mpg.
Luke 4:26PM (4/28/2009)
No, they don't. There isn't anyone hypermiling a new non-hybrid car with that kind of mileage.
majortom1981 4:32PM (4/28/2009)
How much would they get if they didnt do all the illegal things that hypermilers do ?
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ljbad4life 4:35PM (4/28/2009)
I'm sorry The honda Insight is piece of garbage micro car that gets THE SAME mileage as a car almost double its size.
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Glueman 11:30AM (5/03/2009)
Agree with you Ljabad4life. I own a 08 Fusion and it a great car. I regularly get 34 mpg on freeway. Honda's are overrated. Wish I could get my hands on a Fusion Hybrid.
Snowdog 6:29PM (4/28/2009)
This is such pointless BS. I did some searching on hypermiling and found a guy doing it in the same car I drive. A Ford ZX2.
He gets 100MPG in a Ford ZX2. So I guess a standard ZX2 with wheel covers beats a Fusion.
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2208
I get about 25mpg in my Zx2. So I guess I would get 1/4 of the 80MPG in theory 20MPG driving the Fusion like a normal person. ;-)
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jharlan 6:40PM (4/28/2009)
We don't have time to take 47 hours to go 1000 miles!!!!!! Again it's symbolism over substance. What MPG can they get at freeway speeds?
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Mike 12:45AM (4/29/2009)
Average mpg: 81.5
Average mph: 21.2
So if it was mixed city/highway driving either they were driving dangerously slow on the highway or they could have pushed the car faster in the city.
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