When it comes to the field of hybrid and electric vehicles there is one adage that is holding true… if you want better performance and efficiency, then just wait a little bit for the next new thing.
When it comes to mid-size hybrid sedans, you’ve got a selection of the 2012 Ford Fusion, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Currently the Camry gets 43 mpg (miles per gallon) city and 39 mpg highway, the Fusion gets 41 mpg city and 36 mpg and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid get 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway.
The base price for the Camry Hybrid is $25,900, while the Sonata Hybrid is $26,650, the Optima Hybrid starts at $27,250 and the Fusion’s starting price is $28,775. From reviewing the “Build to Order” pages each manufacturer has on the internet, it appears the Ford offers the most in technology and luxury upgrades (and of course, the highest price).
The Sonata Hybrid and the Optima Hybrid both offer 1.4 kilowatt hour lithium-polymer battery packs working with a 2.4L inline-four cylinder gas engine. Currently Ford and Toyota offer four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engines working with nickel-hydride battery packs.
However at the January 2012 North American International Show, Ford introduced its 2013 Fusion Hybrid (which should be available by fourth quarter 2012). Ford’s revised Hybrid will have a higher voltage, lighter weight lithium-ion battery pack coupled with a more efficient, higher output 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine. Although it’s not officially got its EPA rating yet, Ford is projecting its new model to have 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. With a combined 46 mpg rating, that’s way better than Camry’s current combined 41 mpg and Sonata’s 37 mpg rating.
Ford will also be introducing the Fusion Energi – a plug-in hybrid which will get a combined mpg rating of more than 100 mpgE (miles per gallon equivalent). The mpgE is a new rating and so with plug-in or all-electric vehicles, this will be the new EPA standard rating. This means the Fusion will have a better economy rating than the Toyota Prius (at 95 mpgE) or the Chevrolet Volt (at 93 mpgE). Also, Ford will also be introducing a new C-Max Engeri, a compact multi-passenger van, which will also be a plug-in hybrid.
But let’s get back to this 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid… this vehicle is set up so that under the right conditions, it can operate off battery power at speeds up to 62 mph. Then it will use its gas engine to add its power to the mix. The four-cylinder engine is estimated to be 180 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. This is a front wheel drive with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
Also, Ford is not relenting on its quest to be at the top of the technology heap. The Fusion Hybrid can come equipped with the newly redesigned MyFord Touch voice-activated touch-screen navigation system, the active park assist system, push button start, eight airbags, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, blind-spot information system and the new lane-keeping system. That’s a lot of technology! Each new owner may need to take a class just to be able to drive their new vehicle.
On top of all of this, Ford’s redesigned this vehicle and it definitely has styling cues reminiscent of the Aston Martin, so we can’t wait to see more of this vehicle. We are awaiting more information from Ford on this new vehicle and if it turns out the way they’ve projected… then this will mean a whole new level of efficiency and performance for mid-size sedan hybrid segment.