Ford plans to double its hybrid volume and offerings next year - and is looking to expand further going forward. Production of the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid begins in December - with fuel economy expected to top the Toyota Camry hybrid.
With these new models, the Ford Escape Hybrid - now in its fifth year of production - and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Ford will offer four hybrid vehicles. That will make Ford the largest domestic producer of full hybrid vehicles in North America, second only to Toyota in sales volume.
Fresh from their most successful sales year, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid for 2009 bring an array of new features and technologies to strengthen their claim as America’s most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly SUVs.
“With gas prices rising, we want to offer our customers even more fuel-efficient vehicles,” says Ron Razzano, Escape/Mariner vehicle engineering manager. “But more fuel efficiency doesn’t need to reduce performance. We tried to give our customers more of both, so there wouldn’t be any compromise with Escape and Mariner.” Hybrid versions of Escape and Mariner saw combined sales up approximately 10 percent last year.
For 2009, the Hybrid models will use the new 2.5-liter I-4 designed to run on the Atkinson combustion cycle. A new engine processor enables nearly imperceptible transitions between gas and electric vehicle mode. The hybrid models also feature a new powertrain damping system to reduce vibrations and feedback to the driver and other vehicle occupants.
The Hybrids’ braking system also has been refined. Engineers achieved a more seamless transition from electric regenerative braking system to traditional braking operation. A new brake pedal sensor is at the heart of the improvements.
Ford also is introducing six-speed transmissions with POWER SHIFT that offer the fuel economy of a manual transmission and convenience of an automatic; start-stop engines that shut off when the vehicle stops; electric power steering to even more vehicles; direct injection, and Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing engines. These technologies will be progressively introduced within the North American line up by 2012.
With these new models, the Ford Escape Hybrid - now in its fifth year of production - and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Ford will offer four hybrid vehicles. That will make Ford the largest domestic producer of full hybrid vehicles in North America, second only to Toyota in sales volume.
Fresh from their most successful sales year, the Escape Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid for 2009 bring an array of new features and technologies to strengthen their claim as America’s most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly SUVs.
“With gas prices rising, we want to offer our customers even more fuel-efficient vehicles,” says Ron Razzano, Escape/Mariner vehicle engineering manager. “But more fuel efficiency doesn’t need to reduce performance. We tried to give our customers more of both, so there wouldn’t be any compromise with Escape and Mariner.” Hybrid versions of Escape and Mariner saw combined sales up approximately 10 percent last year.
For 2009, the Hybrid models will use the new 2.5-liter I-4 designed to run on the Atkinson combustion cycle. A new engine processor enables nearly imperceptible transitions between gas and electric vehicle mode. The hybrid models also feature a new powertrain damping system to reduce vibrations and feedback to the driver and other vehicle occupants.
The Hybrids’ braking system also has been refined. Engineers achieved a more seamless transition from electric regenerative braking system to traditional braking operation. A new brake pedal sensor is at the heart of the improvements.
Ford also is introducing six-speed transmissions with POWER SHIFT that offer the fuel economy of a manual transmission and convenience of an automatic; start-stop engines that shut off when the vehicle stops; electric power steering to even more vehicles; direct injection, and Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing engines. These technologies will be progressively introduced within the North American line up by 2012.
