Chicago (IL) – It isn’t really a secret anymore that Ford is proud of its Fusion Hybrid car and the fact that it is rated as the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered midsize sedan in North America, but we have to admit that the results of the most recent gas-mileage challenge is still impressive. Using a stock car and some techniques that improve fuel efficiency, the Fusion Hybrid ran 1445 miles on one tank of gas.
Ford or GM may not be the first brands that come to mind when you are shopping for a more fuel efficient car. But Ford’s Fusion Hybrid has made some headlines already and continues to deliver impressive numbers. In a not-so-real-world scenario, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid was driven around the nation’s capital using Hypermiling techniques. Ford said that the car ran out of gas at mile 1445.7, achieving a fuel efficiency of 81.5 mpg.
The Fusion Hybrid’s official estimated range is approximately 700 miles per tank.
The high efficiency is possibly through the Fusion’s ability to drive in electric mode when running at speeds below 47 mph. the company said that the test also including Hypermiling techniques such as s slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure, gradually accelerating and smoothly braking, coasting up to red lights and stop signs, minimizing excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions.
The achieved rating is nearly twice the value of the car’s official EPA rating of 41 mpg in the city (36 mpg highway). In a recent review, the editors of Edmunds.com observed a fuel economy of about 35.7 mpg for the 2010 Fusion Hybrid. The car is equipped with a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric engine, which make a combined 191 hp. The car sells from $27,995 MSRP, which is roughly $8000 more than the base 4-cylinder 2010 Fusion and $1125 more than what Toyota charges for its base Camry Hybrid.
