That said, Ford wasn't actually going to just tell us the Fusion and Milan Hybrid's fuel-economy numbers — the cars don't even start rolling down the Hermosillo, Mexico, assembly line until December and won't go on sale until early next year. But the EPA says the Camry Hybrid gets 33 mpg in the city, so it's 38 mpg (or better) for the new Ford and Mercury midsize hybrids.
Gioia also said the Fusion and Milan Hybrids will top the Camry Hybrid's 34-mpg highway rating by a couple of mpg, too. And better still, the Ford hybrids can run as fast as 47 mph on electricity alone, twice as fast as Ford's only other "full" hybrids, the Escape and Mariner, can travel on battery power. Total electric range is up to eight miles.
Ford engineers say it's all down to religious optimization of all the hybrid systems and other components in the car, including close cooperation with the Fusion Hybrid's new 2.5-liter four-cylinder that helps out the electric bits with 155 horsepower. But the most impressive part is how much engineers have downsized everything: The nickel metal hydride battery pack — 208 D-sized cells — powers all this performance with 17 percent fewer cells (and voltage) and is 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the pack used in the Escape/Mariner hybrids.
And for those who don't want to be bothered with the greasy details, Ford's even got a sweet new instrument cluster — SmartGauge with EcoGuide — that can be configured in four different ways to present all manner of useful (and semi-useful) hybrid-type information. Apart from the cutesy name, the SmartGauge, comprised of two individual high-res LCD screens flanking a big speedo, can do everything from display basic information to "coaching" even ardent hypermilers with interactive real-time feedback. One function displays green leaves and vines that "grow" in proportion to how efficiently you're driving. Trust us — it's not as hokey as it sounds.
Inside Line says: Ford seems to have it going with its first full-blown hybrid cars. If the price is competitive — and we're betting it will be — the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid could rack up some serious sales numbers. — Bill Visnic, senior editor, Edmunds AutoObserver
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