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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Teaches Green Driving

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Teaches Green Driving

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty PadgettMarty Padgett October 29th, 2008

Ford SmartGauge

Ford SmartGauge

Enlarge Photo

Ford is preparing to launch its first sedan hybrids at the Los Angeles auto show next month. When the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid and Mercury Milan hybrid bow, the Dearborn-based automaker says they'll sport a new set of gauges that will help drivers get even better fuel economy.

The new "SmartGauge," Ford says, is a new instrument cluster that shows drivers when they're getting ideal fuel economy--and when they're not. The gauges flank the sedan's speedometer and greet the driver, much like Ford's entertainment system does in the 2009 Flex ("good afternoon").

The next layer of information is the system's "EcoGuide." Ford says this screen function gives drivers a tutorial on how to coax the best fuel economy out of the Fusion Hybrid or Milan Hybrid, while also teaching them about the functionality of the gauges and how they can be tailored.

Drivers can choose to display all sorts of information on the cluster--from gas and battery range to an EV-mode indicator to typical trip-computer functions.

When all is said and done, Ford says the Fusion and Milan hybrids will post the best fuel economy numbers in their class. Ford also promises it will be the biggest domestic producer of hybrid vehicles when production hits full speed.

The hybrid duo bows at the Los Angeles auto show, which opens to the media on November 19. They go on sale in the first quarter of 2009.

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Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. Ford SmartGaugeEnlarge PhotoFord is preparing to launch its first sedan hybrids at the Los Angeles auto show next month. When the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid and Mercury Milan hybrid bow, the Dearborn-based automaker says they'll sport a new set of gauges that will help drivers get even better fuel economy. The new "SmartGauge," Ford says, is a new instrument cluster that shows drivers when they're getting ideal fuel economy--and when they're not. The gauges flank the sedan's speedometer and greet the driver, much like Ford's entertainment system does in the 2009 Flex ("good afternoon"). The next layer of information is the system's "EcoGuide." Ford says this screen function gives drivers a tutorial on how to coax the best fuel economy out of the Fusion Hybrid or Milan Hybrid, while also teaching them about the functionality of the gauges and how they can be tailored. Drivers can choose to display all sorts of information on the cluster--from gas and battery range to an EV-mode indicator to typical trip-computer functions. When all is said and done, Ford says the Fusion and Milan hybrids will post the best fuel economy numbers in their class. Ford also promises it will be the biggest domestic producer of hybrid vehicles when production hits full speed. The hybrid duo bows at the Los Angeles auto show, which opens to the media on November 19. They go on sale in the first quarter of 2009. --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.

Tags: Los Angeles Auto Show

Posted in: 2010, Ford, Mercury, Sedans, Hybrid, Fusion



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Responses (6 total)

  1. By Ed #1, Posted: 10/29/2008

    Looks neat.
    BUT today I also read that the next gen Fusion will be built in ROMANIA of all places, starting in 2011 or so.
    Romania makes the cheapest, god-awful-est car on the planet (after the tiny tata Nano), the ugly LOGAN (called the Dacia over there)

  2. By hfl #2, Posted: 10/29/2008

    Well, Ford just released images of the new Fusion and the thing is horrendous! What's wrong with this company? How can they design graceful things across the pond and then offer such poorly designed vehicles in the US market? At this pace, they're certainly going down. Instead of learning from Ford of Europe, Dearborn insists on tacky, shiny mugs that please no one. How sad. Ford, get rid of the chrome asap. It looks tacky and cheap.

  3. By EcOcaR #3, Posted: 10/30/2008

    Ford semi officially stopped the V6 Hybrid development in favor of Diesels - so the D3 and Edge Hybrids are likely not going to happen.
    The Focus is unclear, but I would venture there is no chance in hell any Focus before the all new 2010 Focus will see ANY exciting features (this includes sport Hi-Po version, diesel, or hybrid).

  4. By Graham #4, Posted: 10/30/2008

    Ed:
    I do not know where you read about Romanian production of the next generation Fusion.
    They may have been referring to the European Ford Fusion, which is a totally different vehicle to the US version. It is a sort of mini-SUV based on the Fiesta.

  5. By John V #5, Posted: 10/30/2008

    I suspect that after this generation of the Fusion, Ford will commonize the vehicles and model names for this size of car globally. Whether Fusion becomes Mondeo, or something else, is TBD--although if the Fusion brand has good consumer perception (as Taurus did), they may keep it.

  6. By Ed #6, Posted: 10/30/2008

    Graham:
    Good point. You may be correct, I am not up to date on Euro Fords. But I don't know if it makes sense to call a much smaller and different car witht he same Fusion name over there.. go figure.
    "They may have been referring to the European Ford Fusion, which is a totally different vehicle to the US version. It is a sort of mini-SUV based on the Fiesta."

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