STONEHAM, MASS. -- Alan Melkonian eyes the collection of 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedans at Stoneham Ford, his Massachusetts Ford dealership. They’re selling well with their sharp looks and 41 mpg fuel economy in the city, just the thing for Boston Metro commuters squeezed by rising costs at the gas pump.
The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid leads the entire mid-size sedan class in city fuel economy, and a report from Ford Inside News suggests that the automaker wants to widen the gap. When 2012 Fusions arrive at Greater Boston Ford dealerships next spring, they could offer as much as 48 mpg in the city with help from Ford’s new electronic continuously variable transmission.
“Massachusetts drivers are seeing more and more money poured into their gas tanks these days,” Melkonian said. “There’s no reason to settle for a car that gets poor gas mileage, or to buy something that sacrifices size or performance in the name of fuel economy. The hybrid 2011 Fusion gets the job done in a spacious, fun-to-drive package by running on electric power at low speeds, so those traffic jams we get stuck in won’t be siphoning cash out of your wallet.”
The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid earns 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, numbers usually seen in compact cars. The secret behind the numbers is Ford’s use of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle four-cylinder engine that runs with incredible efficiency at all speeds and pairs seamlessly with the hybrid drive.
Fusion owners will find it easy to pair up with their cars as well, thanks to the innovative SmartGaugeCluster with EcoGuide that can show as much or as little information as the driver wants. The built-in electric vehicle meter helps drivers stay in electric-only mode for as long a distance as possible and at speeds up to 47 mph in ideal conditions. There are also meters that show how much power is going to accessories like the radio, air conditioning and lights.
While efficiency is at its core, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is not an austere vehicle meant only for gas savings. The options list allows for plenty of creature comforts, including leather upholstery and a remote-start system. Standard options include dual-zone electronic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power-adjustable passenger seat. Ford SYNC technology allows voice control of a Bluetooth-connected phone or connected MP3 player for everything from switching songs to sending simple replies to text messages.
“Ford’s 2011 Fusion Hybrid mixes the efficiency of a hybrid drivetrain with everything owners demand in a sedan, and I’m sure that tradition will continue in the 2012 model,” Melkonian noted. “There are no sacrifices here. You simply get in and go, and I think most people will have a hard time telling it’s a hybrid at all.”
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