Ford May Pass Honda as Second Best Hybrid Seller in U.S.

There’s no doubt about which automaker leads the hybrid vehicle race. Toyota – and particularly the Japanese automaker’s Prius hybrid hatchback – outsells all other manufacturers combined. In total, Automotive News (sub. req’d) calculates that Toyota sold 144,351 hybrid vehicles in the first nine months of 2009, which actually represents a 28-percent drop from the previous year.

Coming in second place so far this year is Honda, but that position is currently in jeopardy. The 26,016 hybrid vehicles sold by Ford in the first nine months of the year represents an impressive 73-percent gain from last year. Honda has sold 29,958 hybrids so far in ’09, representing a much smaller 8-percent increase. In both July and September, Ford actually sold more hybrids than Honda.

In other words, Ford, led by its Escape Hybrid and new-for-2010 Fusion Hybrid, is gaining on Honda at a very rapid pace. Moving on down the line, General Motors slots in at number four with 12,556 total hybrid so far this year and Nissan’s 7,713 units make it the number five hybrid seller in the U.S.

Ford Escape Hybrid Pricing and Review

A new powertrain lineup, with a more powerful and fuel-efficient 2.5-liter I-4 engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission, leads the list of enhancements for the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models.

Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, the popular compact SUVs, boast better fuel economy, thanks to a combination of the new engine and fuel-saving six-speed transmission. Other fuel-efficiency measures, such as refined aerodynamics and new low-rolling-resistance tires, also enhance fuel economy while contributing to a quieter, more refined cabin environment.

Escape and Mariner for 2009 also introduce Easy Fuel™ capless refueling, ambient lighting and standard cruise control. A 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 20 percent more horsepower and a 1 mpg fuel economy improvement also is available.

Standard on all Escape and Mariner models are an anti-lock braking system and Ford’s exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control). The only available electronic stability control system with two gyroscopic effect sensors, AdvanceTrac with RSC measures vehicle motion about both the yaw and roll axes.

Ford Motor Company today has more than 80 patents worldwide for this innovative system, which features roll-rate sensing and stability enhancement capability, offering assistance to the driver in maintaining vehicle control during extreme maneuvers. The system automatically engages counter measures to help the driver maintain maximum control and reduce the risk of rollover.

‘We’re offering customers more power with better fuel efficiency and comfort,’ said David Finnegan, Ford Escape marketing manager. ‘The 2009 Escape and Mariner also have a quieter ride and better handling. They’re engaging and fun to drive.’

New 2.5-liter I-4 Engine Debuts

The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner offer a new, 171-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing (i-VCT) for enhanced fuel economy and performance.

The new engine is expected to gain 1 mpg in both city and highway fuel economy when equipped with the new six-speed transmission, as compared to the previous model’s smaller-displacement 2.3-liter engine and four-speed automatic.

The new engine offers an 11 percent increase in power output versus the 2.3-liter (153 hp). This gives Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner a 1.7-second improvement in 0-60 mph acceleration.

‘With gas prices rising, we want to offer our customers even more fuel-efficient vehicles,’ says Ron Razzano, Escape/Mariner vehicle engineering manager. ‘But more fuel efficiency doesn’t need to reduce performance. We tried to give our customers more of both, so there wouldn’t be any compromise with Escape and Mariner.’

Responsive with its peak 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm, the engine also is refined, with dual-mode crankshaft damping, electronic throttle control and PowerPC engine electronic control. Key new elements of the engine design include intake and exhaust manifolds, camshafts, pistons and bore size.

The i-VCT technology optimizes the valve timing for performance and efficiency, creating a broad torque curve and delivering increased power and improved fuel efficiency at the same time.

The powertrain also incorporates electronic throttle control (ETC). This technology replaces the manual linkage between accelerator and throttle with a control unit that calculates the optimal throttle position from a number of sensors. ETC is a form of the state-of-the-art, drive-by-wire technology.

Escape Hybrid and Mercury Hybrid also will feature a version of the new engine that uses the fuel-efficient Atkinson Cycle for combustion.

New Six-Speed Transmission Saves Fuel

The new I-4 engine’s full fuel efficiency potential is enhanced when it is equipped with the optional 6F-mid-range six-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment.

‘The introduction of the six-speed is a big enhancement for Escape and Mariner,’ Razzano said. ‘A taller top gear reduces engine speed while cruising and shifting at lower rpms in each gear help make the new six-speed 4 to 6 percent more fuel efficient than the four-speed it replaces.’

The new six-speed is calibrated for cruising fuel efficiency without sacrificing launch feel and performance feel in lower gears. A wider range of gear ratios is key to the six-speed transmission’s ability to deliver this combination of performance and fuel economy.

Other Fuel Efficiency Improvements

Beyond the major technology upgrades, the 2009 Escape and Mariner development team focused on key details such as tire technology and aerodynamic efficiency to deliver an overall 1 mpg fuel economy improvement, helping make each tank full go farther.

Escape and Mariner feature new low-rolling-resistance tires, developed in cooperation with Michelin.
The new 16-inch Michelin Latitude Tour design features a unique mold design, reduced weight and a new-generation tread pattern optimized for reduced fuel consumption.
Aerodynamic refinements that account for increased fuel efficiency include a redesigned front bumper spoiler and new rear tire spoilers, the first application on a Ford SUV.
Additionally, Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) is featured on both the standard and hybrid models of Escape and Mariner. EPAS replaces the traditional hydraulic power steering pump. Because it operates only when required for steering assistance, it contributes to lower fuel consumption than the hydraulic pump, which operated constantly during engine operation.

Improved Fuel Efficiency, Performance to 3.0-liter V-6 Engine

Escape and Mariner’s new 3.0-liter V-6 engine also improves for 2009, leveraging a new 10.3:1 compression ratio to gain 40 hp compared with the 2008 3.0-liter.

The 240-hp V-6 is equipped with i-VCT and ETC along with new cylinder heads, intake and exhaust cams, injectors, intake and exhaust manifolds, and pistons. This engine uses Ford’s new six-speed transmission exclusively in place of the four-speed automatic used previously.

Enhanced Dynamics, Ride Comfort

The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner feature a series of chassis system upgrades that improve dynamic capability, steering response and ride comfort.

The vehicles’ suspension has been revised and retuned, with the addition of a new rear stabilizer bar and revised shock absorber tuning, helping to deliver a balance of enhanced ride comfort and handling confidence. The steering system also has been retuned for better control and tighter cornering capabilities.

‘When it comes to steering, it’s about finding the proper balance between tire performance and steering dynamics,’ Razzano says. ‘With Escape and Mariner, we found that balance, giving optimal car-like drivability and increased responsiveness.’

The braking system of the Escape and Mariner also incorporates improvements. The development team’s efforts focused on enhancing initial braking system responsiveness and making further fine-tuning calibrations for the ABS, resulting in better brake feel and shorter stopping distances.

Hybrid Models Enhanced, Too

Fresh from their most successful sales year, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid for 2009 bring an array of new features and technologies to strengthen their claim as America’s most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly SUVs.

Hybrid versions of Escape and Mariner saw combined sales up approximately 10 percent last year.

For 2009, the Hybrid models will use the new 2.5-liter I-4 designed to run on the Atkinson combustion cycle. A new engine processor enables nearly imperceptible transitions between gas and electric vehicle mode. The hybrid models also feature a new powertrain damping system to reduce vibrations and feedback to the driver and other vehicle occupants.

The Hybrids’ braking system also has been refined. Engineers achieved a more seamless transition from electric regenerative braking system to traditional braking operation. A new brake pedal sensor is at the heart of the improvements.

With the introduction of the 2009 models, the Escape Hybrid adds a new model, the Escape Limited Hybrid. Along with its gas counterpart, the Escape Limited Hybrid features 16-inch, six-spoke bright machined aluminum wheels and exterior chrome accents, a standard AM-FM/six-CD changer, chrome and ebony interior touches and a luxury and convenience package that includes ambient lighting, heated front leather seating surfaces, a power moonroof and retractable cargo area cover.

Escape Limited Hybrid models also offer standard SecuriCode™ keyless entry.
The introduction of Escape Limited comes as result of continued dialogue with customers who have asked to receive all the accessories and equipment expected in higher-specification versions of the base vehicle, Finnegan said.

Sustainable Comfort

The 2009 Escape and Mariner score in both comfort and sustainability with the addition of new comfort-designed seats. The seats include soy-based foam that substitutes for petroleum-based products to conserve limited resources and reduce CO2 emissions.

Eco-friendly seat fabrics also are offered on Escape made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials.

‘These vehicles show that we can combine performance with sustainability,’ said Finnegan. ‘Customers can be environmentally responsible and still have a vehicle that provides the utility of an SUV and is fun to drive.’

Escape/Mariner Safety Technologies

The 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner feature an array of safety technologies, including:

AdvanceTrac® with RSC®
Safety Canopy™, a side air curtain technology offering protection for the first and second seating rows
Personal Safety System®, a suite of seven safety technologies, including new dual-stage front air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger, side air bags and a front passenger sensor system
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system on rear seating positions

Features and Connectivity

Earth-friendly and high-end amenities go hand-in-hand on the 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrids. Both feature:

SYNC – Developed by Ford and Microsoft, this award-winning in-car communications and entertainment platform allows users to control most MP3 players and Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phones hands-free using voice commands. Standard on Escape Limited and Escape Hybrid, and on Mariner Premier, Premier V-6 and Mariner Hybrid models. SYNC is optional on all other models.
SIRIUS® Satellite Radio – Escape XLT and Limited, Mariner Premier and Premier V-6 and all hybrid models are equipped with SIRIUS® satellite radio, with the receiver module and roof-mounted antenna. Customers receive an initial six-month SIRIUS® subscription.
Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS® Travel Link™ – Escape and Mariner offer an optional voice-activated navigation system, which includes an AM-FM/six-disc in-dash changer, seven speakers and a subwoofer.
Ambient Lighting is standard on Escape Limited and Escape Limited Hybrid as well as Mariner Premier and Premier V-6.
Steering wheel audio controls are standard on all Mariner models.
An auxiliary input jack in the instrument panel center stack is offered as standard equipment for the ease of connecting MP3 players to the audio system.
All 2009 Escape and Mariner hybrid models feature a standard 110V AC power outlet.

Ford Escape Hybrid Pricing

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Ford Announces Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Communications System

At a conference in Dearborn today with its utility and research partners, Ford announced a new intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications system. This communications strategy is a major component of the field test program that has been ongoing since late 2007. Ford is building 21 plug-in hybrid Escapes that are being tested with those utility partners. The new communication system allows drivers to program how and when the vehicles will be charged. Among other things, drivers can define the completion time for charging or desired charging rates.

When the car is plugged in to an outlet with a smart meter, the meter can provide cost and time information back to the vehicle. Based on this, the vehicle can be automatically programmed to start charging during off-peak hours. The smart meters use wireless communications to get the data about local electric rates and usage. If multiple vehicles in a neighborhood are being plugged in simultaneously, the meters can help manage the charging to prevent overloading circuits.

In the vehicle, the system is integrated into the navigation and Works Solutions systems that Ford already offers to commercial truck customers. Works Solutions includes an in-dash computer with a touch screen for the user interface. All of the PHEV test vehicles are getting the new communications system and it will likely appear on the production Transit Connect BEV next year and the Focus based EV in 2011. The press release is after the jump.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

If you’re interested in a hybrid, your choices are few, far between and very mediocre. There’s a reason a certain funky Toyota hybrid hatchback outsells all other gas-electric models combined. Everything else is too slow, too small, too expensive, too rare, not efficient enough or just not a very good car. All those politicians who lambasted Detroit for not making fuel-efficient cars people want to buy may have had a point… until now.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the first hybrid from the U.S. of A that offers a fully functional gasoline-electric powertrain that isn’t connected to a giant full-size SUV. Ford’s compact Escape Hybrid doesn’t meet that criteria because it can’t run in full electric mode with the air-conditioning on. The Fusion can. It can also be purchased in all 50 states (unlike the otherwise desirable Nissan Altima Hybrid) and is based on a fun-to-drive family sedan (unlike the Toyota Camry Hybrid). And although its real-world fuel economy isn’t quite as spectacular as the EPA estimates would suggest, the Fusion Hybrid is still one of the most frugal gas-sippers you can purchase.

Aside from all its hybrid-related bits and pieces, the Fusion Hybrid is essentially a well-equipped Fusion SEL. As such, it gets all the welcome improvements made for the 2010 Fusion. The exterior styling was made a little edgier (and chromier, thanks to its brash grille) and the interior was given a thorough makeover. Whereas the previous Fusion’s cabin felt distinctly dated, the 2010 Fusion features improved interior materials quality and all-new entertainment and climate controls. To this, the Hybrid adds the fancy "SmartGauge" instrument cluster, which consists of two color LCD screens flanking a traditional speedometer. The driver can select among four information modes, most of which have to do with hybrid power flow and fuel economy. One includes animated leaves and branches — the more economical you drive, the fuller your shrubbery becomes.

Although the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid doesn’t avoid the typical price premium over a similarly equipped gas-only version (about $4,000), it betters its meager hybrid competition in more areas than any other rival (including the Altima, Camry and Chevy Malibu hybrids). It is more engaging to drive than all but the Altima, and is more spacious and features a much nicer interior than them all. It also achieves the best fuel economy. Of course, the Prius and Honda Insight achieve better fuel economy, have more cargo space and are cheaper, but they’re also much slower, weirder and dull to drive. In other words, your hybrid choice just got a whole lot better.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a midsize sedan available in a single trim level. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, a keyless-entry security code pad, auto headlamps, foglamps, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way driver and six-way passenger power seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, eco-friendly cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a specialized gauge cluster, the Ford Sync electronics interface (includes voice commands, Bluetooth and iPod control) and a six-speaker stereo with six-CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio and steering-wheel controls.

The Moon & Tune Value Package adds a Sony 12-speaker stereo upgrade and a sunroof. The Driver’s Vision Package adds a rearview camera and a blind-spot warning system with cross-traffic alert. Optional leather upholstery is packaged with heated front seats. Also optional is a navigation system with voice-activation, single-CD/DVD/MP3 player (replaces six-disc), 10 GB of digital music storage and Sirius Travel Link, which includes real-time traffic, weather and other information.

Powertrains and Performance

The Ford Fusion Hybrid utilizes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 156 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an electric motor that helps bumps power output up to 191 hp. Power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. The result is a 0-60-mph acceleration time of 8.7 seconds, which is quite swift for a hybrid. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The city number is a full 8 mpg better than the Camry Hybrid, although 7 mpg shy of the Prius. As always, your mileage will vary greatly depending on driving conditions and how much lead lines your shoes.

Safety

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and rear parking sensors. A blind-spot warning system and rearview camera are optional. At our test track, the Fusion Hybrid stopped from 60 mph in a tidy 126 feet, which is the best distance we’ve recorded among non-luxury hybrid cars.

Although the 2010 Fusion Hybrid had not been crash tested as of this writing, the 2009 Fusion posted very strong government crash test ratings, with a perfect five stars for frontal collision protection and front side protection. It earned four stars for rear side protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the ’09 Fusion its best rating of "Good" for frontal-offset and side crash protection.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Fusion Hybrid’s high-quality cabin features abundant soft-touch materials, and the overall look is austere but attractive. The center stack is a bit button-happy, but it’s a significant ergonomic and aesthetic improvement over its dated predecessor. The available Sync system works great, integrating audio and Bluetooth functions with voice-recognition technology to provide easy hands-free operation of cell phones and portable MP3 players. The Hybrid gets its own gauge cluster, dubbed SmartGauge, featuring a pair of color display screens flanking a traditional speedometer. There’s a wealth of information displayed and the graphics are pleasant and modern, but it takes some discipline to avoid becoming fixated on the pretty lights.

The Fusion has plenty of space for front and rear occupants. Drivers, in particular, will appreciate the comfortable driving position. Interior storage space is adequate, but typical for hybrid sedans, the trunk is compromised by the car’s battery pack. At only 11.8 cubic feet and with no folding rear seat, cargo capacity is still bigger than in the Camry and Altima hybrids, but much smaller than the hatchback Prius.

Driving Impressions

Other than the Altima Hybrid (which is only sold in nine states), the 2010 Ford Fusion is the most involving hybrid to drive. While we wouldn’t go so far as to call it fun, the Fusion Hybrid nevertheless provides ample steering feedback, and body control through corners is impressive. The ride is comfortable and quiet. The Fusion doesn’t allow for the same sort of electric-only driving range as the Toyota hybrids, but its electric motor assists the gas engine for a longer period of time, which benefits fuel economy.

Pros:

Excellent fuel economy and range; engaging handling for a hybrid; spacious interior; comfortable ride; Ford’s Sync system plus lots of user-friendly electronic gizmos.

Cons:

Huge price premium over four-cylinder Fusion.

Fuel Economy: N/A

MSRP: From $27,270

2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost

The 2010 Ford Flex will offer an available 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, the first gasoline direct-injection twin-turbocharged engine produced in North America.

EcoBoost is a key Ford Motor Company initiative to deliver significant advancements in fuel economy – up to 20 percent – without sacrificing the performance customers want. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine delivers an impressive 355 horsepower and a responsive 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range, simultaneously giving Ford Flex the power of a normally aspirated 4.6-liter V-8 while enjoying V-6 fuel efficiency.

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