Ford's new hybrids go 47 mph on electric power alone

[DainBramaged]

http://www.autonews.com/article/20081029/ANA02/810290297/1186 (subscription only, posted in full)

The hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans that start production in December should give drivers who like electric cars a nice jolt.
The sedans will be able to reach a top speed of 47 mph on electric power alone -- twice as fast the current Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid crossovers -- and can travel as far as eight miles on battery power before the gasoline engine engages.

In a preview of the two vehicles today, Ford executives gave reporters a close look at the two vehicles and explained how they work. They also showed a smaller but more powerful battery pack that will cost less than the one now used in the Escape, Mariner and Mazda Tribute crossovers.

These two hybrid sedans may be the most technically sophisticated regular production vehicles Ford Motor Co. has ever made. They feature:

• An electric air conditioning system that keeps the car cool even when the gasoline engine is off

• A multilayered powertrain information system that uses two programmable screens on either side of the speedometer to "coach" the driver on how to get better fuel economy

• A smaller but more powerful nickel-metal hydride battery pack that uses a simpler cooling system than the one Ford developed for its first hybrids, the Escape and Mariner

• A new energy management system that varies the voltage to the electric motor and battery pack for more efficient operation.

Best in class

Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of sustainable mobility and hybrid programs, said the hybrid versions of the Fusion and Milan will deliver best-in-class fuel economy.

"We are at least 5 mpg better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid in city driving, and we'll beat Camry on the highway," she told reporters.

Ford did not give the EPA figures for the Fusion and Milan hybrids, but the EPA rates the Camry at 33 mpg city and 34 highway.

Ford says both cars will be able to travel more than 700 miles in the city on one tank of gasoline. The engine for the Fusion and Milan hybrids is a 155-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder mated to a continuously variable transmission.

When the Fusion and Milan reach full production next year, Ford aims to double its annual output of hybrid vehicles from 25,000 to 50,000. Ford executives would not say how many Fusions and Milans would be built, but the Fusion will make up the majority of production, said J.D. Shanahan, chief engineer for the Fusion and Milan.

Eye on profit

The boost in production coupled with the new battery pack could enable Ford to turn its first profits on hybrids. In the past, Gioia has said the path to profitability for hybrids is to boost volume while reducing the cost of components.

The new battery pack uses 17 percent fewer cells yet is 20 percent more powerful than the batteries in the Escape and Mariner. It also is 23 percent lighter and uses 30 percent less space than the pack now in the Escape and Mariner hybrids. A new cooling system also is less expensive. Instead of using the vehicle's air conditioner to keep the batteries cool, the new pack uses air from the car's interior.

Ford also showed other versions of the 2010 Fusion and Milan. A new performance-oriented model of the Fusion, the Sport, will offer a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 263 hp. All versions of the 2010 Fusion and Milan will offer six-speed transmissions.

The four-cylinder entry-level versions will be available with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. The V-6 versions will come with a six-speed automatic only. Shanahan said all versions would deliver class-leading or class-competitive fuel economy in their segments.

[susanna]

1. I'm waiting for the hybrid Milan, and am totally excited.

I have the regular version of the Milan and could not be happier with it. It has a very grippy suspension that takes curves like a dream. Mine is a 4-cyl, and though it isn't a powerhouse in acceleration, it does the job. I get 25-26 now with the gas version - in city driving - without "babying" it or modifying my own driving style. So I am truly ready to see what they have done with the hybrid.

Thanks for the info, DB! :hi:

[DainBramaged]

2. I try to be the shining star of Domestic auto info here

not just the oscillating dildo of descent.

:hug:

[susanna]

3. LOL, DB. You always cheer me up.

I am serious - since I left Ford in June I've been wondering when the hybrid would hit. I used to have all the dates and info for that stuff. Sucks being on the outside. :-)

But I am dead serious. After my two years in this Milan? I am standing in line for the hybrid. I love the car, and I originally wanted a hybrid when I bought it. I just did not like the Escape (I didn't need an SUV-lite, just a sedan). So this is the best of both worlds for me.

And... :hug: right back!

[kristopher]

4. This is so damned depressing.

We are bailing out these idiots to the tune of $35 BILLION dollars for this shit???

I say give half that to Tesla and EBox so we can get this country on the right track.

[Fenris]

5. The new Milan and Fusion they revealed today look terrific.

I was skeptical about the redesign of the Fusion because I think the front end of the Fusion is one of better Ford designs. Jalopnik had rendered speculation a month ago and the design was lackluster to say the least - they totally ruined the lines. The actual, non-fake product is actually better than the current design. They kept the geometric headlight design too!

I have been pretty underwhelmed by the current-gen Milan so anything would be an improvement but they made it sexy. :thumbsup:

Love the SmartGauge system, too.

[comtec]

6. Still inferior to the Japanese models made in the states, however...

I'm glad they are at least making the attempt.
I'll wait till he mark II models come out to be honest, but I'm glad they have at least made this effort..
47MPH over 8 miles is still pathetic however compared to the Japanese cars however.
There is no excuse for playing catchup when GM has had the tech to make a FULLY WORKING ELECTRIC FOR 20 YEARS!
YES I'm glad that American cars - assuming they're actually MADE IN THE US - again, why I prefer the Japanese cars MADE in the USA - are going to FINALLY be competitive in this arena, AFTER 10 YEARS!

NO, I am no "'murikan brand" nut. IF It's made IN THE USA I'll try to support it, even if it's inferior. But I still need to watch my pocketbook.

I'll buy the model that makes the most sense to me, and if there are a few models that are roughly equal, WHERE they are made, not by what company, will be a deciding factor.

Bitch all you want, but just because it's an American COMPANY, doesn't mean it's an AMERICAN MADE car.

That means I'll buy Japanese if that means AMERICAN JOBS, which is why i don't care for ford's which by in large are NOT made in the US, with US parts even!

I support unions, but i support jobs IN the US FIRST!

Unionize all you want, it doesn't help when your jobs are over seas! (bitter IT guy)

lets hope Obama does something to bring ALL those jobs back home and FORCE GM to start up production IN THE USA AGAIN!
IF GM WANTS MONEY, THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY BE AN AMERICAN COMPANY!