Ford Fusion Hybrid reaches 2,326.6 km, or 36.1 km/l, on a fuel tank

Who would not like to have a midsize sedan able to run up to 2,326.6 km on a full fuel tank? North American customers have that option. And its name is Ford Fusion Hybrid. It has established this exact mark with the help of a team composed by Carl Edwards, the man that has flown (literally) in the last NASCAR race, and Wayne Gerdes, currently the best man in the world to take a car to its limits in what relates to fuel consumption.



Considering Fusion has a fuel tank of 64.4 l, it has managed to reach a fuel economy of 36.1 km/l. It is a mark that few production cars have ever reached, if ever, even considering the microcars, such as smart fortwo. It is a pity this vehicle is only available in the USA. Many other markets are willing to have a vehicle that is able to reach these numbers, and it does not matter they were achieved by very experienced drivers, with special techniques Ford calls Eco-Driving and which are as follows:

* 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.

Nice tips for you to follow if you have the patience to do so.











Source: Ford

Ford presents the iosis MAX, the European Ford Fusion replacement

Ford has just presented the official pictures of one of its main attractions at the Geneva Motor Show. Called iosis MAX, this new concept car anticipates the next European Ford Fusion, a small minivan based on Ford Fiesta.



The concept car, as Ford Verve, has no B column. It is powered by a direct injection petrol 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine able to generate 180 bhp. That alone saves up to 20% in fuel, but iosis MAX also counts on Auto-Start-Stop system, which turns the engine off in traffic jams and turns it back on when the driver releases the brake pedal or presses the gas pedal. Add a Powershift gearbox (the name Ford gives to its dual clutch automated gearbox) to this and you should have a very clean vehicle, even if powered by a combustion engine.

Ford plans to start offering all these systems in its vehicles in 2010. This is the year in which it will turn iosis MAX into the new European Ford Fusion.



Source: Ford