2017 Fusion Energi Introduced in Detroit

[mczajka]

Disappointing EV range... (same)

 

http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/detroit-auto-show/2016/01/11/2017-ford-fusion-upgrade-detroit-auto-show/78306772/

 

"The hybrid systems have been improved slightly but not enough to change the basic stats: 19 miles of all-electric range and an extended range of about 500 miles. Take rate for the plug-in is only 3%-5% of Fusion sales,  Jackson said."

 

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Edited to include press release:

 

 

Ford Unveils Smartest, Most Technology-Packed Fusion Ever, Including Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Versions of New Sedan

 

For more multimedia and all news from Detroit visit our 2016 NAIAS Collection here

• Class-exclusive combination of all-wheel drive and twin-turbocharged V6 engine pushes Ford Fusion V6 Sport to leave other family sedans – including Honda Accord and Toyota Camry – in the dust; Fusion even out-powers the 2016 BMW 340
• Fusion Energi is the plug-in hybrid that stands out in a crowd – allowing customers to drive extended distances using just electricity, then operating as a conventional gas engine-powered hybrid when the battery runs low
• Fusion is the first Ford car in North America with a pedestrian detection system; other advanced technologies include hands-free parallel and perpendicular parking and SYNC® 3

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2016 – The new Ford Fusion continues to be a game changer among midsize sedans, with the most technologically advanced lineup ever – including two hybrid models and a new all-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport engineered to leave other family sedans in the dust.

 

Fusion V6 Sport and the new Fusion Platinum add to a lineup featuring three EcoBoost® engine choices, along with two hybrids, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid – something neither Toyota nor Honda offers midsize sedan shoppers.

 

“Fusion offers people a lot more car – including helpful technology, beautiful design and a more rewarding driving experience than other midsize sedans,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and chief technical officer, Global Product Development.

• Fusion V6 Sport: Fusion V6 Sport is a performance sedan unlike anything in the segment with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6 delivering a projected 325 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. All-wheel-drive Fusion V6 Sport is projected to make approximately 100 lb.-ft. of additional torque and nearly 50 more horsepower than the 3.5-liter V6 engines in Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
• Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi: New Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi lead America’s best-selling lineup of plug-in hybrids. New software in both hybrids delivers an even more refined and engaging drive for customers, while more efficient electric motors are expected to contribute to better fuel economy and a purer range of electric driving
• Fusion Platinum: Fusion Platinum is designed for those seeking even greater levels of refinement and craftsmanship in a midsize sedan. With available award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost and all-wheel drive, the real story is the interior experience. Instrument and door trim panels are wrapped in antiqued Cocoa leather, and the hand-wrapped steering wheel is finished in premium Venetian leather. A unique grille finished in Magnetic paint makes for an upscale design and 19-inch polished wheels return confident performance

Together, Fusion V6 Sport, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi, and Fusion Platinum offer three different flavors of an award-winning lineup for midsize sedan customers.

 

Fusion V6 Sport adds continuously controlled damping for real-time suspension tuning based on setup and road inputs. The system features pothole detection technology that, in less than the blink of an eye, adjusts the shock absorbers to greatly reduce the severity of impact transmitted to occupants. Power and handling are complemented by unique, performance-inspired style inside and out. The look is distinguished by an aggressive exterior with deeper air intakes and a gloss black-finish mesh grille, 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler and dual twin exhaust outlets.

 

Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi are technology-packed electrified vehicles that offer an advanced EcoGuide system to provide drivers real-time coaching to get even better fuel economy. Fusion Energi features a 7.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery for an expected range of 19 miles using electric power only. The car automatically switches to an efficient 2.0-liter gasoline engine when the battery is depleted, allowing customers to drive more than 500 miles. 

 

Ford continues to innovate and evolve with its lithium-ion batteries that save weight and take up less space than the less sophisticated nickel-metal hydride batteries found in Toyota Camry Hybrid. Neither Camry nor Accord offers a plug-in hybrid.

 

Recharging Fusion Energi can be done overnight in just 2.5 hours. The car is smart enough to know when to begin charging to get electricity at the lowest price. It can even preheat or precool the cabin before drivers leave to save more fuel. 

 

Both electrified Fusions deliver impressive overall performance with electric-only speeds up to 85 mph. Regenerative braking captures up to 95 percent of the energy lost through heat during braking and recharges the hybrid battery on the move.

 

Meaningful technology
Fusion is the most technologically advanced midsize car Ford has ever built in North America – the first car sold here with Ford’s pedestrian detection system. Fusion also has hands-free parallel and perpendicular parking capability. The new high-tech gear shift dial results in a roomier cabin with easy-to-reach bins.

 

Lane-keeping assist helps drivers maintain proper lane position using a small, forward-facing camera behind the rearview mirror that “looks” at the road ahead – monitoring lane lines to ensure the car is on course.

 

Available Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert includes sensors in the car’s rear quarter-panels that can detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic – unseen by the driver – is detected. BLIS® enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views. In combination with the standard rearview camera, BLIS makes for confident maneuvering in parking lots.

 

SYNC® 3, Ford’s new communications and entertainment system, is also available. It features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface. SYNC Connect, optional with SYNC 3, enables owners to remotely start their car, schedule future starts, or lock and unlock the car using their smartphone.

 

The new Fusion arrives at dealerships this summer. Fusion V6 Sport follows a few weeks later.

[Russael]

They're a little late to the game with these features, but these are the only ones that made me happy:

 

• For 2017, the Fusion gains pre-collision assist with pedestrian warning where the car flashes warning lights when its sensors and radar detect a person — but not a squirrel — and if the driver fails to brake the car will bring itself to a full stop, said Scott Lindstrom, driver assist technologies manager.
• Adaptive cruise control has stop-and-go capability that automatically resumes cruise control after stopping, which is a first for the Ford brand.

Yay, I guess.  No improvements to the hybrid systems is a big problem... it'll make the plugin and hybrid no longer as competitive.  As others have said... these seem to be compliance cars with no real motivation to improve upon it.  I sincerely hope they're not looking at current fuel prices and going, "Eh, we'll sell Expeditions and Explorers instead."

 

I think it's rather dumb to add 2 more trims to the Fusion lineup.  What is this new Platinum one supposed to wow the crowd with?  As many others have said, "I'm not spending 37k on a Fusion."  That actually will eclipse the price of an Energi model after federal tax credits.

 

I'm really excited to see the new Tesla model 3.  Even though my mother works for Ford and I get the A plan discounts, I may abandon the brand to go with a more exciting product.

[EnergiCCAATS]

Yeah, the only promising improvement I see is LED DRLs and LED headlamps (assuming they will be available on the Energi and not just the management swooning V6 SPORT model).  REALLY disappointed that there are NO improvements to the ENERGI electric only range (or hybrid mode MPG rating - although they "hint" at improvements).  Why the heck did they tease with the ENERGI PHEV model under the tarp/plugged in and then basically mention NO improvements to the ENERGI model specs?  I guess with gas prices approaching $1/gallon, management thinks nobody cares about PHEVs.

[zuckerdoc]

I agree. I was waiting enthusiastically for today to find out what improvements they made to the Energi and am very disappointed to find out there are essentially none. I have a 2014 on a three year lease, about half of the lease left. I really like the car and was planning to lease a new one when the time came. Based on today's information, I'm going to look at the Sonata plug in before making a decision. The extra range could really help, my sons soccer field is about twelve miles away for example (and also for running errands after work). Again after all the publicity about Ford patents based on their electric research, and big investments in researching better electric systems, this is a real letdown.

[EnergiCCAATS]

I agree. I was waiting enthusiastically for today to find out what improvements they made to the Energi and am very disappointed to find out there are essentially none. I have a 2014 on a three year lease, about half of the lease left. I really like the car and was planning to lease a new one when the time came. Based on today's information, I'm going to look at the Sonata plug in before making a decision. The extra range could really help, my sons soccer field is about twelve miles away for example (and also for running errands after work). Again after all the publicity about Ford patents based on their electric research, and big investments in researching better electric systems, this is a real letdown.

 

Zucker, I feel just like you.  We have TWO Energis on lease and love them (wife's is up May 2017 and mine January 2018).  If Ford doesn't get off their tail with improving the PHEV powertrain, we may look at leasing the Sonata PHEV or the new VOLT when our lease is up.  19 miles electric range (we average about 25 miles) just isn't enough to be a competitive player against what Chevy and now Hyundai will be offering.