Ford believes Fusion Hybrid can get 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas

[Niels Bohr 72]

by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Apr 22nd 2009 at 11:51AM

How far can you get on a single tank of gas? Well now, that depends on such details as how much gas you can fit in your car's tank, how fuel efficient your automobile happens to be and how much control you have over your bladder if you want to do it all in one drive. Ford seems to think you can eke 1,000 miles out of a single tank of 87-octane with its new 2010 Fusion Hybrid – a figure that seems nearly impossible at first blush.

To meet this rather impressive goal, the aforementioned hybrid sedan would need to average 57 miles per gallon, an attainable figure since Ford's preliminary testing indicates the Fusion Hybrid can manage up to 70 mpg when driven by a hypermiler like Wayne Gerdes, who will join NASCAR racer Carl Edwards and a few assorted engineers as a driver for the event.

Ford is estimating that it will take 43 hours to get from Mount Vernon, VA to Washington, DC – a trip of about 20 miles as the crow flies. In fact, the crew could just about make it to Miami, Florida, from their starting point in Virginia using that same tank of gas. Obviously, Ford has a meandering route in mind.

Besides attempting to prove how fuel efficient its hybrid happens to be and how the way you drive is nearly as important as what you're driving, the Blue Oval will also be raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Full press release after the break.

Ford Team Aims To Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Miles on a Single Tank of Gas

- The Ford Fusion Hybrid team will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles for more than 43 continuous hours - on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process

- The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America - the Fusion Hybrid driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, will have to achieve an average of at least 57 mpg on the challenge to reach its goal

- By using Eco-Driving techniques engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Ford Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the challenge

- Consumers can improve their own vehicle's fuel economy performance is by adopting Ford's "Eco-Driving" tips used for the 1,000-Mile Challenge

DEARBORN, Mich., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This weekend, the 2010 Ford (NYSE: F) Fusion Hybrid is being put to the ultimate fuel-efficiency test. A team of drivers, including NASCAR star Carl Edwards and world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes, will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.

The 1,000-Mile Challenge starts at around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ends the morning of Monday, April 27, in Washington, D.C. The team will drive for more than 43 hours continuously to reach the 1,000-mile goal. The drivers will do stints of between two and three hours each and will have regular breaks to ensure safe driving is maintained. Already rated as the most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America, the Fusion Hybrid will need to average at least 57 mpg to achieve its goal. During preliminary testing in preparation for this challenge, Ford engineers have reached as much as 70 mpg in the Fusion Hybrid by using Eco-Driving techniques.

The team will run clinics for media and customers over the weekend in the Fusion Hybrid, conducting interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers.

The Fusion Hybrid being used in the challenge will be a factory produced model with no modifications or alterations and will run on regular 87 octane gas.

The team will be uploading regular images and video to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/fordstory), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristopher-Spencer/1228149870), Twitter (http://twitter.com/Ford), and www.media.ford.com.

Ford is taking on the 1,000-Mile Challenge for a number of reasons:

* To demonstrate Ford's commitment to be the best or amongst the best in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes;

* To highlight the crucial role the driver plays in maximizing fuel economy and demonstrate how consumers can make a difference through Eco-Driving;

* To raise awareness about Eco-Driving and how the Fusion Hybrid contributes to it with the ability to run up to 47 mph in pure electric mode; and

* To raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

The 1,000-Mile Challenge team comprises of:

* Wayne Gerdes, the world-record breaking hypermiling champion and founder of www.cleanmpg.com;

* Carl Edwards, the NASCAR race star who recently bought his own 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid;

* Sherif Marakby, graduate of Maryland University and Ford hybrid chief engineer;

* Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager and Ford Fusion Hybrid team leader;

* Tom Rolewicz, one of Ford's top calibration experts and hybrid system expert; and

* Steve Burke, Ford product expert on hybrid applications

The mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team will use and pass on to consumers include:

* Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;

* Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;

* Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;

* Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;

* Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;

* Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;

* Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;

* Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and

* Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

Click here (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=28946) for more Eco-Driving tips

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

[fozzie 41]

Sounds interesting. It sounds better when you say 1,000 miles on a single tank than just 57mpg. It puts it in real terms that most people can understand.

[GaryC 7]

Go Ford!!!! FTW!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Fantastic! I'd love to buy one.

[fozzie 41]

$27,000 base price, but well done ford for producing a decent car. They could end up being the only American car manufacturer left.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I will never like Ford. Their Ford Taurus always have weak ball joints. You need to constantly spend a ridiculous amount of money to fix it. I don't own a Ford, but I've driven quite a few from my relatives. It's that horror when you make a turn, you hear the weird noise. Then you know you will need to waste money for your own safety. Built FORD tough.

I know GaryC is happy with this News from FORD. I'm not happy.

Edited April 25, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[GaryC 7]

I will never like Ford. Their Ford Taurus always have weak ball joints. You need to constantly spend a ridiculous amount of money to fix it. I don't own a Ford, but I've driven quite a few from my relatives. It's that horror when you make a turn, you hear the weird noise. Then you know you will need to waste money for your own safety. Built FORD tough.

I know GaryC is happy with this News from FORD. I'm not happy.

What, good news from a domestic auto maker makes you unhappy? Why? Would you rather all three go down?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I own two Fords -- a '95 Taurus and a '93 Mustang -- and I'm more than happy with both of them. That Taurus has never failed me, possibly because it has always been well taken care of and I continue to baby it. I'm a Ford girl and I'm delighted to see Ford delivering the goods with this new Fusion. Sorry, you'll never catch me buying a new foreign car. I have no idea why anyone would like to see a company fail that is not only trying to keep itself relevant in difficult times but is actually succeeding. I'm with Gary on this one.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Sounds interesting. It sounds better when you say 1,000 miles on a single tank than just 57mpg. It puts it in real terms that most people can understand.

Get a bigger tank and go further.