New to FFE but not the Fusion

[storksb]

Hi All,

 

Just switching from the FFH forum to the FFE forum as I traded by Ruby Red SE FFH for a Titanium Ruby Red Energi. 

 

Took delivery today and love the EV Now mode though it was short lived as the HVB was no where near fully charged. Oh well charging now.

 

 

The FFE seems so much more refined than my 13 FFH SE, everything is quieter, not sure if this is better noise cancellation or better sound proofing but even with the ICE running it was quiet. 

 

Looking forward to learning on this forum all the added features the FFE has.

 

Simon  

 

[JATR4]

I also had a 2014 Ruby Red FFH--for only 3 months--before switching to a grey 2013 FFET.  I was able to get 46 mpg with the FFH but the electric drive on the FFH is really short.  Even after the FFE switches to hybrid you still get a much longer portion of your drive on electric due to the larger battery.  You will need to consider a level 2 charger as your next investment.  Reduces charge time from 7.5 hrs to 2+ hrs.

 

Welcome.

[storksb]

I was averaging 42 in the FFH, so in the expected range. Going to stay with 110V to charge for now, have plenty of time to charge overnight so getting a full charge for the commute to work won't be an issue. Definitely looking forward to the extended EV range.

[Hybridbear]

Congrats! The energy is awesome! Your 2013 FFH was an early build, right? The early ones didn't have the air intake resonator. Could that be the sound difference?

[traumatic]

I noticed some of the same differences between my Job-2 2013 FFH Titanium and my new 2015 FFE.  I have been driving the 2013 some this past week to get it ready to sell (the new owner is coming to pick it up on Monday).  The engine is definitely louder, even though I replaced the intake with the newer style with the resonator.  In general, the 2015 feels much more "refined" even though it is essentially unchanged from the 2013.  I never had any issues or problems whatsoever with the 2013; so I think it is due to ongoing refinements over time.

 

Also, from what I recall, I think that the final drive gearing is shorter on the Energi than on the hybrid; (though that would favor a quieter hybrid, no?)

 

Some other noticeable differences:

 

• You can actually turn off the air conditioner simply by pressing the a/c button!!!
• The 2015 steering wheel is more heavily padded and with a different leather (matte that matches the upholstery rather than glossy)
• The switches in the center console (parking brake, auto-park, EV mode, etc.) have a matte appearance and the lighting is a bit different
• The overhead lighting switches are different (one has been removed in the 2015)
• The 2015 seats are more heavily padded (although my 2015 has heated and ventilated seats)
• The colors in the dash display are toned down (green and orange are darker)
• The turn signal stalk has reverted to the traditional style, rather than the immediate return on the 2013.  Turn signal, parking sensor clicks are toned down
• The navigation system is more finely calibrated (the 2015 can tell that the Oakland Bay Bridge has moved even though the 2013 has the most updated software; it can find POIs, and previous destinations more reliably from the steering wheel controls)
• The trunk lid pull-down on the inside of the lid is different and more substantial

There probably are many other running changes internally as well.  It would be interesting to see if anyone has a list of these from Ford.  I certainly understand the desire to tone down the sound of the ICE; it is the only thing that I wish were more refined in this car!

Edited April 19, 2015 at 05:55 AM by traumatic

[murphy]

My longest regular trip is 10 miles.  From May through September my ICE doesn't run at all.

[larryh]

When you say the ICE is quieter in the FFE, is that during acceleration, driving at constant speed on the freeway, or under all conditions?  I have the 2013 FFE.  Using an SPL meter, I measure the noise in the car to be about 63 db at 70 mph on the freeway.  The SPL meter does not notice any significant difference in noise levels when the ICE is on vs. when it is off.  The noise is mostly road and wind noise.  However, I can hear the difference when the ICE is on vs. when it is off.  There is a low frequency background drone when the ICE on.  However, it does not stand out much from the road noise. 

 

Perhaps during acceleration, the electric motor is able to assist the ICE more on the FFE (with a larger battery), so the ICE doesn't  have to work as hard.  Or perhaps,  the ICE charges the HVB less often or faster in the FFE.   When the ICE charges the HVB, the ICE has to work much harder and makes significantly more noise.  Since the FFE HVB is much larger, the ICE doesn't charge the HVB as much (at least until you enter hybrid mode).  I suspect that, in general, the FFE doesn't put as much load on the ICE as the FFH (using higher RPMs instead). 

Edited April 19, 2015 at 12:41 PM by larryh

[storksb]

Hybridbear, thanks for the congrats. The Energi is indeed an awesome car, so much more refined than my Job 1 2013 (built Oct 2012).  It is surely just incremental updates, likely improved sound deadening and better ANC but all in all much quieter, not that the FFH was bad. I had installed the sound resonator previously on the FFH and it made a slight difference but not as much as I notice now.

 

First full day of ownership today and couldn't be happier, running in pure EV mode is addicting managed 22 miles today before the ICE kicked in. She is sat charging now ready for the first commute tomorrow.

 

storksb

[Platinum15Ti]

Welcome!

[storksb]

Thanks Platinum15Ti.

 

Had the FFET just over two weeks now and thoroughly enjoying it. EV mode is very addicting.  Working on the best mix of EV and ICE combination on my round trip commute to work, which is approx 25miles all told. There is a few miles  highway driving so learning to switch from EV to ICE to maximize the EV range for later use.

 

I used to put gas in the FFH once a fortnight but I now see that being once every 2 months with the FFET.

 

The FFH was a great car but the FFE is a step higher.  

[lonzo71]

Welcome! I'm old school, 10' FFH and picked up my 14' FFE last July. Love the Fusion, but wish a few things were better..like SYNC.., but ol' well...maybe my next one, if I decide to stay with Ford will be better.