2010 Ford Fusion Gas Saving Technology

Car Company Introduces SmartGuage

Ford's 2010 Fusion hybrid can help car owner's with wasteful driving habits. Ford has developed a new gas saving technology called SmartGuage (TM).

On either side of the analog speedometer are two full-colour LCD screens. The driver can configure the screens to get information like fuel and battery levels, or your actual and average fuel efficiency. And the screens are customizable. For example, when on the highway, you can choose to get less information, but in the city, you can get more.

The four levels of information available are as follows: Inform displays fuel level and battery charge status; Enlighten adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer; Engage adds engine output power and battery output power; Empower adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption.

Ford's SmartGuage technology

One of the coolest features is the way the SmartGuage technology visually displays your driving efficiency over long periods of time. For those who just want the data, your driving efficiency displays as a chart. But for the more aesthetically oriented driver, you get leaves and vines. The more fuel efficient your driving habits, the more green and lush the vines become: a visual reward for your efforts.

And speaking of green, Ford's 2010 Fusion hybrid is the most fuel-efficient mid-sized sedan in North America, according to a Ford press release. It delivers fuel economy of 4.6 L/100 km in the city and 5.4 L/100 km on the highway.

"With the new Ford Fusion hybrid, we are now able to offer even better range of travel on battery power at a greater speed, thanks to a more efficient, seamless transition between the battery-powered motor and gasoline-driven engine," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development.

The 2010 Fusion powertrain system is upgraded to allow the vehicle to travel up to 75 km/h in pure electric mode. The increased speed on battery power alone translates into gas savings.

"Under the right conditions, you can drive in your neighbourhood or mall parking lots without using a drop of gasoline," says Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager for Ford.