2014 Fusion Hybrid Overview
06/15/2013
Ford
With an EPA-estimated rating of 47 mpg highway, a sleek silhouette and fresh design, along with a complete suite of available driver-assist features, the 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid was developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel economy, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.
This powerful combination is drawing customers to the Ford brand, with customer data showing fuel economy, design and technology are among the top purchase reasons for the new Ford Fusion Hybrid.
Due in large part to the success of the new hybrid, Ford delivered its best hybrid quarter ever in the first quarter of 2013 with sales totaling 21,080 vehicles - the first time Ford has sold more than 20,000 hybrids in a quarter. Ford's hybrid sales were up 324 percent nationally over 2012, achieving 16 percent share of the electrified vehicle market - up from 4 percent last year.
The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid provides customers a new S trim level, two new exterior color options - Dark Side and Sunset - and inflatable rear seat belts.
Fuel efficiency
With Fusion, Ford continues aiming to be the fuel-efficiency leader - or among the leaders - with each new model that comes to market.
Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost(R) four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start-stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid - 2010 North American Car of the Year - continues to innovate and evolve, with lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
Fusion Hybrid also features a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-liter unit while maintaining performance standards. This innovative powertrain is EPA-estimated to have fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 47 mpg on the highway.
Fusion looks out for you
The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid offers an impressive portfolio of driver-assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to respond.
Fusion Hybrid can help alert drivers to maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify a suitable parking space and help park - even aid drivers backing out of a parking space where visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:
Lane-Keeping System: This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help alert a driver to maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system "looks" down the road, monitoring lane markings to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, Lane-Keeping Aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to alert the driver to bring the car back into proper lane position
Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system "looks" down the road when activated, and can slow Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. Adaptive cruise control enables collision warning with brake support to help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected
Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology can identify a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and steer the car to properly position it within the spot. All a driver need do is operate accelerator and brake pedals
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(R)) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver's blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if vehicles are detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of vehicles approaching from either side when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vans
The power of voice
Fusion Hybrid offers the latest iteration of Ford's award-winning SYNC(R) communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver's mobile phone and interaction with the car's audio system.
Fusion also offers the latest version of MyFord Touch(R), allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.
Both SYNC and MyFord Touch - powered by SYNC - allow drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Different, by design
"The previous Fusion was an easy purchase for a customer to rationalize," said Chris Hamilton, Fusion chief exterior designer. "Our design goal for the new car was to give the mainstream sedan buyer a top-drawer visual experience, adding some emotional appeal to an already sensible choice."
These five elements provided direction for the design team behind the new Fusion:
Silhouette innovation: Fusion's sleek profile sets it apart from the powertrain/cabin/trunk "three-box" design synonymous with midsize sedans
Perceived efficiency: Fusion character lines sweeping to the rear and thin roof pillars suggest the car is nimble and light on its feet
Refined surface language: Fusion demonstrates that a tasteful, well-executed design does not require add-ons or visual clutter
Technical graphics: Fusion's functional design elements such as LED headlamps, LED taillamps and polished exhaust tips communicate enhanced technological capability
New face: Fusion represents the next evolution in Ford global design language for midsize cars and smaller
Inside, the new Fusion offers a sporty, driver-oriented environment with seating that brings expanded functionality. A higher center console supports the driver-centric theme and yields clever storage for items a driver wants to keep handy.
Passenger space was designed-in by moving the instrument panel toward the windshield, which contributes to the cabin's airy, open environment. Thinner, lighter frames support the comfortable seats, trimmed with fabric using recycled, sustainable yarns.
Craftsmanship plus dynamics equals feel
The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid design continues to deliver on the promise of superior visual quality with materials that showcase high levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Interior surfaces are soft to the touch, and interior and exterior gaps are minimized, while extra care has been taken to upholster or cover each edge and every surface a customer can touch. When the trunk lid is opened, for example, a spring-loaded cover automatically conceals the trunk latch hardware.
Gil Portalatin, chief program engineer for electrified programs and integration, says the holistic goal of Ford's craftsmanship process is "to see that Fusion not only delivers a superior visual experience but also feels like quality to the customer."
Key contributors to how Fusion feels are the ride and handling components that maximize vehicle dynamics.
"This really is a driver's car," said Portalatin. "Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering, a MacPherson strut front suspension and a new premium-level multilink rear suspension - comparable to Audi and BMW configurations."
Careful tuning by Ford's vehicle handling and ride team has yielded a Fusion with a dynamic character that will please a well-seasoned enthusiast while increasing the confidence level of every day drivers.
The level of Fusion interior quiet is achieved through acoustic underbody shields and weight-saving sound-absorption material - both minimize road and powertrain noise while boosting aerodynamic efficiency to help save fuel. Content such as a full-perimeter hood seal also help give drivers a quiet ride.
Fusion Hybrid also is equipped with active noise control. This feature uses the audio system to mitigate extraneous engine noise while enhancing powertrain sounds.
Strength and safety
Fusion is designed with customer safety in mind. Engineers increased its body strength by 10 percent, using more high-strength steels such as boron, and added dual first-row knee airbags and adaptive front airbags that vent and tether to conform to a specific occupant's size, position and seat belt usage.
The Fusion safety team targeted top-of-the-line ratings in each public domain safety benchmark, including National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, as well as top ratings in world markets where the car is sold.
The most prominent example is Fusion's front-end architecture, as the same car must face simultaneous - and seemingly conflictive - standards across regions. Fusion's front end is equipped to meet head-on and offset barrier standards for North America while still conforming to European standards for pedestrian protection - thanks to hours of computer modeling and 180 validating crash tests.
Fusion is produced at Ford's Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility, soon adding production at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.