Hybrid News

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Ford, European Union, UK

Ford, along with every automaker selling cars in Europe, is hard at work reducing the carbon emissions of its most popular people movers. Europeans are taxed based on the CO₂ emissions from their car’s tailpipes, and anything that scores less than 119g/km is subject to big savings. For this reason, Ford’s understandably happy to announce that its C-Max now gets a 119g/km rating when equipped with either of the 1.6-liter diesel engine options. Fuel efficiency is also a strong point, with the combined rating coming in at 4.5 l/100 km (62.7 EU mpg, 52.2 U.S. mpg). The new C-Max joins the Fiesta ECOnetic as Ford’s most efficient models. Ford’s Kuga crossover also sees improvements, boasting CO₂ emissions as low as 159g/km and mileage as high as 6.4 l/100 km (46.2 EU mpg, 36.8 U.S. mpg) with its 2.0-liter oil-burner. Europeans needing a larger car can opt for either the S-Max MPV or the Galaxy, both of which see similar improvements as their smaller counterparts. See the official press release after the break for all the sordid details.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford ekes out more mileage and lower CO₂ from European models

Ford ekes out more mileage and lower CO₂ from European models originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, LA Auto Show

On top of the new Ford Mustang that everyone’s so excited about, Ford is unveiling the new Fusion hybrid at the LA Auto Show this week. The Fusion (and the Marcury Milan hybrid) feature the new SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide that grows leaves when the driver uses a green foot. The benefit - aside from the pretty pictures - is the ability to go over 700 miles on a tank of gas. A 2.5 liter 4-cylinder puts out 155 hp/136 lb.-ft. of torque. The amount of fuel needed at startup is also reduced thanks to an enhanced electronic throttle control. There’s also a lighter, better NiMH battery pack. Want one? It′ll be one dealer lots in spring 2009.

The 2010 Fusion comes not only in a hybrid flavor, but also with some fuel-efficient gas engines that displace 2.5, 3, and 3.5 liters - oh, and they’re all cleaner than the engines they replace. There’s heaps more information after the jump. Check back for the pictures of the live unveiling later today.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available

LA 2008: Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, LA Auto Show

On top of the new Ford Mustang that everyone’s so excited about, Ford is unveiling the new Fusion hybrid at the LA Auto Show this week. The Fusion (and the Marcury Milan hybrid) feature the new SmartGauge[TM] with EcoGuide that grows leaves when the driver uses a green foot. The benefit - aside from the pretty pictures - is the ability to go over 700 miles on a tank of gas. A 2.5 liter 4-cylinder puts out 155 hp/136 lb.-ft. of torque. The amount of fuel needed at startup is also reduced thanks to an enhanced electronic throttle control. There’s also a lighter, better NiMH battery pack. Want one? It’ll be one dealer lots in spring 2009.

The 2010 Fusion comes not only in a hybrid flavor, but also with some fuel-efficient gas engines that displace 2.5, 3, and 3.5 liters - oh, and they′re all cleaner than the engines they replace. There’s heaps more information after the jump. Check back for the pictures of the live unveiling later today.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2008: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available

LA 2008: 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid - all the details and press pictures available originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: MPG, Ford, USA

It’s time to go out and get a good deal on a car. We hesitate to call it a good thing, since these special deals are necessary to help the struggling American automakers from going bankrupt, but the time has never been better to save money on a brand new car purchase. To wit, Ford has announced “Employee Pricing Plus” deals for all cars in the Blue Oval line, minus the 2009 F-150, which is brand new for ‘09. Not only can you get the Ford employee price, but there is additional cash back on many models. Alternatively, for the first time ever, Ford is offering extra incentives to choose a fuel efficient model by throwing in zero-percent interest financing on top of the employee price if you choose not to take the added cash back.

The eligible Ford models include the Focus, Fusion, Escape and Flex, which we hesitate to call fuel efficient though its 24 mpg highway rating is pretty good for a big people mover. Mercury gets in on the interstellar savings as well, with its Milan and Mariner and Lincoln adds the MKZ and MKS into the mix. Lastly, the zero-percent financing deal (no employee pricing though) is also available on Ford’s ‘09 F-150, which gets up to 21 mpg with the SFE edition. Interestingly, the automaker left its hybrid Escape out of the incentive, despite the fact that it’s much more efficient than its standard sibling.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford offers employee pricing plus zero-percent financing for efficient models

Ford offers employee pricing plus zero-percent financing for efficient models originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

October was scary, but is the worst over?

So, October was a pretty scary month for US automakers, and it now appears inevitable that the Big 3 will become the Big 2. But, is that is bad as it gets? Is the worst over?

Before addressing the dark side, there were a few a bright spots in October. GM, for instance, stated that despite massive financial concerns, the development of the Chevy Volt will continue as planned. And Ford, according to Consumer Reports, has basically caught up to the best automakers in quality. Moreover, the Ford Fusion hybrid might be a more solid hybrid than the Toyota Camry hybrid.

Still, with the economy possibly crashing into a recession, financial issues could become much worse for automakers, especially US automakers whom have been hit particularly hard by the dramatic decline in gas-guzzler sales. So, even if these automakers avoid bankruptcy, will they really be able to afford producing significant numbers of new, fuel efficient vehicles? When will a US automaker produce 100,000 hybrid cars per year (including the Volt)?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford

Even though some people within Ford think hybrid trucks are a “publicity stunt,” the heavy-duty hybrid van maker Azure Dynamics knows that it can still count on FoMoCo for some hybrid help. Azure announced this week that it has signed new Sales & Service agreements with some Ford dealerships to work on the company’s Balance Hybrid Electric commercial trucks. Azure Dynamics will now work with eight more Ford dealerships around the country (see a full list after the jump), bringing the total that have signed these agreements to fourteen. In the future, Azure hopes to get 50 dealers on board to “maintain inventory of ready-to-deliver Cube Vans and Walk-in Vans equipped with Azure’s hybrid electric powertrains.”

As we’ve written before, the Balance hybrids use a Ford E450 chassis and adds a 5.4 liter Triton gasoline engine with a electrical component that can move the van up to 20 mph. Mated to a 5-speed automatic TorqShift transmission the hybrid powertrain improves fuel economy by up to 40 percent, Azure said.

[Source: Azure Dynamics Corporation]

Continue reading Azure Dynamics signs deal with Ford dealerships for hybrid trucks

Azure Dynamics signs deal with Ford dealerships for hybrid trucks originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

No competition for Ford’s new hybrids?

InsideLine is reporting that the new Ford Fusion and Milan hybrid vehicles will achieve fuel economy that is at least 5 mpg better than the Toyota Camry hybrid on the EPA’s city cycle. That would mean at least 38 mpg..

To achieve this level of fuel economy, Ford’s new hybrids will have an electric range of up to 8 miles and be able to run on nothing but electricity up to speeds as high as 47 mph.

According to Ford, these impressive numbers were achieved by downsizing all hybrid components, as Toyota has claimed it will also do with the next generation Prius. That means a battery that is 20 percent lighter than the battery pack used in the Escape hybrid, for instance.

Sounds like a winner. It would be nice to see Ford live up to the hype. Of course, if Ford only produces 25,000 Fusion/Milan hybrids, I still won’t be that impressed.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Looks great, now build some hybrids

Ford is touting its new instrument cluster for the Fusion and Milan hybrids today. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide is an instrument cluster geared towards helping hybrid drivers optimize fuel economy using high resolution LCD screens on both sides of the speedometer that show things like fuel level, battery charge, EV mode, etc.

“SmartGauge with EcoGuide gives the customer real-world feedback to make the most of their hybrids,” said Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager. “Unique to Ford and Mercury hybrid sedans, this instrument cluster acts as a good ‘coach,’ engaging drivers real-time to help them achieve maximum fuel economy.”

Ford collaborated with IDEO and Smart Design, two world leaders in helping consumers connect with technology, to develop the instrument cluster. Job One was properly integrating the driver with the cluster’s science and technology.

I think the cluster looks great, but if Ford is only going to make a total of 50,000 hybrid vehicles per year, I’m just not that impressed. The Escape hybrid is a very nice vehicle, and I’m sure that Milan and Fusion hybrids will be equally as good - in fact they could achieve a 60 percent improvement in city fuel economy - but commit to making at least 100,000 hybrids per year or what’s the point?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Ford, Legislation and Policy

Ford - along with utilities Southern California Edison, the Electric Power Research Institute, DTE and battery-maker Johnson Controls/Saft - has been working on its plug-in hybrid Escape program for a long while. Yesterday, Ford announced the good news that the federal government has decided to grant the project $10 million through the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant goes to Ford and covers half the cost of the $20 million project. Ford plans to build 20 PHEV Escapes over two years, and delivered the first such vehicle to SCE last December. These SUVs have a 30-mile all-electric range (at speeds up to 40 mpg) from power in a 10 kW li-ion battery. A four-cylinder engine supplies power when the battery cannot. Press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading U.S. DOE pays for half of Ford’s $20m plug-in Escape hybrid program

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: MPG, Ford, Green Daily, UK

As if 60+ mpg wasn’t enough to to get people’s attention, Ford UK had two of the new Fiesta models - in Squeeze Green and Hot Magenta colors - driving a little dance pattern near the Tower of London last week alongside human dancers. The stunt was choreographed by Paul Harris and international stunt driver Paul Swift. I’m not sure why OEMs feel the need to produce “events” like this - just slap a 60 mpg logo in big red letters and watch these things move out the door. I mean, the Fiesta has already sold 3.4 million units in the UK since its launch in 1976, as Ford writes in the press release about the dance, so it’s not like this is some new vehicle that people aren’t familiar with. Ford’s already got a popular car that gets great gas mileage, why distract people with some dancers? I sure don’t know, but if you’re the type who appreciates the dancing and the hoopla, you can more pictures over on Flickr.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 60 mpg not enough of a selling point? Ford dances the tango with new Fiesta

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Filed under: MPG, Ford, Green Daily

Something tells me that the more fuel-efficient Ford models can’t get to America soon enough for Ford dealers. The news out today is that FoMoCo’s U.S. sales dropped like a Mike Gravel-thrown rock - 34 percent - in September. Truck sales were down 39.5 percent last month (22.3 percent so far in 2008) and car sales fell 19 percent in September (6.3 percent this year). While part of the problem is that Ford’s gas-hungry line-up just isn’t selling when gas prices are still quite high, the overall economic situation in the U.S. means that a lot of customers can’t get credit. According to AFP, Ford sales analyst George Pipas expects overall auto sales dropped 30 percent in September (GM’s September sales were down 16 percent). Still, Ford is holding out hope that the new F-150 - due in November - will spark sales. At least they’ve got a high-mileage version coming.

[Source: AFP]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

This is what all Americans wanted?

cnbc_quoteComponent_init_getData(”f”,”WSODQ_COMPONENT_F_ID0EVFA�″,”WSODQ”,”true”,”ID0EVFA�″,”off”,”false”); Ford CEO Alan Mulally told Phil LeBeau that Ford was “truck and SUV focused because THAT is what the customer wanted. Now that the market has shifted, Ford has to try and shift with them.” Thus, the need for the bailout.

I can’t stand this tired line. If true, why has Ford lost marketshare for decades? How did Honda and Toyota get so big? Why have the Big 3 been suffering for years if they were building exactly what consumers wanted?

The Big 3 put all their eggs in one basket because it offered the greatest profit. Even after events like 9/11 and Katrina, NOTHING changed. Hey, but that’s what consumers wanted.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Ford, GM

Is it possible that we′ll see a Ford Volt at some time in the not to distant future? If a story in the Detroit News is to be believed, yes! Ford and General Motors are apparently in talks to share the E-Flex powertrain technology that underpins the Volt. It wouldn’t be the first time that Ford and GM have collaborated. The front wheel drive 6-speed automatic transmissions used in the larger cars and crossovers (Flex, Taurus, Acadia, etc) was jointly developed by the two companies. GM has also collaborated with Daimler, Chrysler and BMW on the Two-Mode hybrid system.

Sharing the E-Flex hardware would allow GM to more rapidly ramp up production volumes and drive down costs. At the same time Ford would be able to pick up an advanced powertrain that they are currently lacking. GM reportedly approached Ford and the Dearborn board of directors approved negotiations. Several meetings have been held but nothing has been agreed to yet. At the same 2007 Detroit Auto Show where the Volt Concept debuted, Ford showed its own Airstream concept with a plug-in fuel cell series hybrid powertrain. Ford has had a prototype Edge running with that powertrain since November 2006 and could provide some controls and system integration experience to the collaboration. GM is likely well ahead of Ford on the battery development side at this point.

[Source: Detroit News]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Ford

Click the Fiesta ECOnetic for a high res gallery

At the British Motor Show in London, Ford has unveiled the most fuel efficient version yet of the new Fiesta, the ECOnetic model. Like the Focus and Mondeo ECOnetic models, this Fiesta has been tweaked to minimize fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. In this case the car is equipped with a 1.6L diesel and the usual mix of closing off openings in the front to reduce the drag. A pair of small air deflectors on the trailing edge of the wheel wells helps to control airflow coming off the back of the car. Revised engine calibrations, a taller final drive ratio and low rolling resistance tires yield a combined mileage rating of 65.3 mpg (US) on the EU test cycle. Carbon dioxide emissions are measured at 98 g/km meaning that the Fiesta is exempted from some road taxes in the UK and elsewhere. Unfortunately we probably won’t get this version when the Fiesta debuts here in about 18 months. The Ford press release is after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading British Motor Show: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, 63.5 mpg (US)!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Ford, USA

Every automaker currently selling cars in America is now doing all that they can do to increase fuel efficiency. Even on models which were already launched, redesign time is the perfect opportunity to make another attempt at raising fuel mileage. Such is the case at Ford, as product chief Derrick Kuzak’s new mandate for his engineers is to make every new or redesigned Ford the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class, starting with the revised Fusion due for 2010. Currently, the base 2.3 liter four cylinder engine is mated to a five speed automatic transmission. That combo is able to offer up 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway. While that is decent, it’s not class leading. So, we are expecting a significant bump when the next Fusion appears with both a hybrid model and an enlarged 2.5 liter engine with six speed automatic. We got the chance to sample this powertrain in the 2009 Escape and found that it both increased performance and decreased fuel consumption. Sounds like a winner.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski