The official release of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is set for spring of 2009, the same time that the other Ford models will be made available. The automaker originally announced the plans for the Fusion Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2005 - the same time that the public was introduced to the original 2006 Fusion. The release date just happens to coincide with the already-scheduled refreshing of the non-hybrid Fusion for 2010. The Ford GenII hybrid engine system will be utilized - as it will be in the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid as well.
Although some sources claim that there has been no official MSRP released yet, others state a base price of $27,270. The GenII engine system will require fewer battery cells to produce the same 1.3 kWh power capacity. The battery for the Ford Fusion Hybrid is 23 percent lighter and 30 percent smaller in size than that of the current Ford Escape Hybrid. In addition, the Fusion Hybrid will implement a variable voltage control unit to be used to drop the voltage rating to 270V. The intended electric motor to be used is rated at 93 kW and the accompanying generator at 70 kW.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Hybrid Sport more recently were debuted at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show back in November, 2008. Ford states that the Fusion Hybrid will deliver an impressive (and money-saving) 41/36 mpg city/highway. There have been other reports that the Fusion Hybrid delivered 43+ mpg in the streets of LA and a combined city/highway rating of more than 52 mpg. As a result, purchasers will be entitled to a tax break of $3400, but this will be quickly phased out by the government.
Ford's Director of Sustainability, Nancy Gioia states that all future Ford models will be developed to include a hybrid option. The company is seriously attempting to establish itself as a world leader for hybrid technology integration. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is stated to be the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in the world upon its release - a single tank of gasoline producing over 700 miles of traveling.
Ford representatives state that there are more than 200 different patents that have been awarded during the development of the GenII hybrid engine. This engine is the second generation of hybrid engine technology developed by the automobile manufacturing mogul corporation. The first generation of hybrid engines was introduced by Ford in 2004 in the Ford Escape. The GenII version features a newly-patented nickel-metal-hydride battery that produces as much as 20% additional power output than its predecessor. It also saves a load of trunk space because it is 30% less spacious.
Ford System's Engineer, Gil Portalatin stated that the newly designed logic control system for the DenII hybrid technology is far more tightly integrated than was that of the previous generation. That means that it will deliver significantly more power from a less weighty and more sustainable system. Fuel delivery, valve timing, spark distribution and more are all synchronized to mesh seamlessly with the electric motor to deliver maximum operational efficiency. In essence, the GenII engine system will shut its power off twice as often as did its predecessor and allow the electric motor to fuel operations solely. In addition, the braking system has been designed to capture up to 94percent of expended energy and redirect it to the system's battery.
Very soon, Ford will make history in the automotive world, again, by releasing the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to the masses.
