First Drive – Ford Fusion Hybrid

Review by Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Ford Canada

While last year seemed to be the year of big horsepower, 2009 is turning out to be the year of efficiency. Last year saw the Mercedes C63 AMG, the BMW M3, the Lexus IS-F, and Dodge’s muscle car, the Challenger SRT-8, all jump onto the scene, all packing big power-pumping V8s that suck fuel with little regard for the record-high prices that flashed across the station pumps when we filled up last summer. It’s now 2009 and the automotive marketing machine has reefed up on the hand brake, and all of a sudden, we are rapidly traveling in a new direction. New on the scene this year are the Honda Insight and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, as well as diesels for the 335 and X5 models over at BMW. Toyota will also soon be introducing a new Prius and a new Lexus hybrid. The theme this year is definitely the efficient use of fuels. And now Ford has introduced the all-new Fusion Hybrid to the eco family.

Now to be perfectly honest, I’ve never really been a lover of the new Ford look, but over the last little while, they have really put an effort into organizing a brand design that is distinctive to the blue oval, all starting with the original Fusion. And while the big bling chrome gates mounted to Ford grilles still raise one of my eyebrows, I must admit I’ve really fallen for the Fusion’s new look. And it wasn’t something I needed to get used to; I liked it right off the bat, from the first photographic glimpse.

The unknown was the interior design, another Ford direction I don’t always agree with. Low and behold, as soon as my butt sank into the black leather seats, I was sold yet again. The entire interior has a great modern design, that, like the exterior, exudes some European influences. But the piece de resistance has to be the gauge cluster. While many concept cars use interactive computer graphics in the design of their gauges, they never make it to production, usually due to cost. Well, Ford made it work, as the Hybrid’s fully interactive and entertaining gauge system entices the driver to drive as efficiently as possible, while the read-outs shine back in the best resolution of graphics I’ve ever seen in an automobile.

Like the Insight also reviewed in this issue, the Fusion tries to make driving sensibly fun. One such function built into the gauge cluster is the overall efficiency rating. The cleaner one drives the Fusion, the more leaves appear on a growing vine next to the fuel level. Drive efficiently, and you are rewarded with up to 23 leaves on the dash-based foliage. Drive poorly, and the leaves begin to disappear. Although, if you are a technically driven person, the gauge can be changed to a traditional bar graph with exact numbers. But what fun is a bar graph?

During the press launch in Quebec City, we were sent out in the hybrid versions on a challenge – to follow a determined route, and get the best possible fuel economy we could. The route wound us through the narrow, steep and stop sign-riddled streets of Quebec’s old city, and other than about 15 km on the free-flowing highways, the 48-km route was mostly urban. Now, I love a good challenge, but after all the honking, slow driving and fuel saving tactics, I was about ready to shoot myself in the face. However, the 5.6L/100 km rating we received literally had me astonished, let alone the 4.5L rating one of my colleagues received, to win the competition.

Tech wise, besides the ultra-cool gauge display, the Fusion comes equipped with side and rear sensing radar to detect obstacles in the vehicle’s blind spots. Unlike the mirror-mounted sensors used by Volvo and Mazda, the Fusion’s radar is hidden behind the rear fenders, thus not giving the phantom signals you get with the other two units when driving in rain or snow.

So how is it to drive? The common feeling today is that hybrids just aren’t any fun to drive, and let’s face it, there is a reason why. Their single-minded purpose of just offering the best possible fuel efficiency leaves the power and handling of the vehicle much to be desired, even with a fun game to make it less painful. Well, the Fusion seems to be breaking those stereotypes, and with a combined 191 hp, the Fusion gets up and going respectably. The damping in the car is also impressive, as it handles like a mid-sized sedan should. The hybrid version of the Fusion is 124 kg heavier then the regular 2.5L SE, but unlike smaller hybrids that feel like light cars carrying an overweight elephant in the back, the Fusion is naturally a heavier car, so the extra weight and unbalance goes unnoticed.

What really sets the Fusion apart is the operation of the electric assist. Tucked into the transaxle is a 106-hp electric motor that is linked to both the eCVT transmission and Atkinson Cycle 2.5L 4-cylinder. The computer that runs the whole deal will shut the engine down at stops, and will allow the driver to drive within the electric threshold all the way to 75 km/h, with help from the dash display. This allows the driver to make the most of the electric drivetrain, using as little fuel as possible. It really is a great system, and coupled to an impressive car, the new Fusion should put Ford ahead of its rivals.[PSGallery=f8fvvd8oy]

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