By Camille Solberg
During the 2009 Greater Milwaukee Auto Show at the Midwest Express Center the Ford Motor Company showcased their new line of fuel efficiency vehicles. The public had a opportunity for a hands-on experience with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s new line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles and smart technologies. Ford’s Rob Iorio, Manager of Hybrid Propulsion System Implementation Engineering spoke and demonstrated the line-up’s features, including the all-new SmartGauge with EcoGuide, SIRIUS Travel Link, Ford Work Solutions, and SYNC with 911 Assist.
Iorio is the leading development engineer of both engine emissions and drivability for Ford’s Hybrid Vehicles.
“I was in Milwaukee for the auto show and I was able to take two groups of students through Ford’s plant. It was great to talk to them and later go down to the show. Basically what I talked to students about was Ford’s plan right now. Which is it both a plan that is based on having one product development plan around the world and having a sustainable plan that delivers an affordable fuel economy for millions of people. I walked then through our new plans between 2013 and 2020, and what we expect 2020 and beyond,” said Mr.Iorio.
According to Iorio, Ford Motor Company launched the very first hybrid SUV in 2004. They have continued to improve their Hybrids and they have launched the second generation of hybrids in the 2010 Ford Fusion. “That comes out in about a month. The Fusion gets 41 city miles per gallon and 36 highway miles per gallon. It drives 8 miles per gallon more that the Toyota Camry and 2 miles more that the Camry on the highway. You can go up to 47 miles per hour on electric power without the gas engine running,” continue Mr. Iorio.
The vehicle can travel seven hundred city miles on one tank of gas. “This is just a fantastic vehicle to drive! It’s fun to drive and a great handling vehicle but is very easy to get fuel economy.
The car features a new smart gauge, has two high definition LCD screens that are on either side of the speedometer that can be customized. Another thing they do is give you positive feedback. For example if you drive very efficient ly, (i.e. you are not driving aggressively with the throttle), then your LCD screen displays “leaves” growing on a vine of your “Efficiency Forest”. That’s your reward for driving well. If you drive aggressively you will start to loose “leaves”, stated Iorio.. The eco drive in this Ford model guides you to drive more efficiently.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995. Anyone ordering the vehicle in March will be eligible for the maximum government tax credit of $3,400 dollars. This is a benefit to a buyer.
The Ford family is offering different other options that are available to all customers. Iorio believes that in the future most vehicles in American will be run with some form of electrification. “Is important for us to keep developing the products… to continue developing our engineering,” Iorio concluded.
The models showcased at the 2009 car show in Milwaukee were as follows:
2010 Fusion Hybrid: For the 2010 model year, the Ford Fusion lineup expands to include a hybrid model that offers 41 mpg in city driving - besting its competition by at least 8 mpg and making it the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America . The Fusion Hybrid offers the innovative SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide technology that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize their fuel efficiency.
2010 Milan Hybrid: The Mercury Milan adds a hybrid model for 2010 that, alongside the 2010 Fusion Hybrid, is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America.
2010 Ford Taurus: The car that changed America’s view of full-size sedans is all-new for 2010 and ready to take on the world’s best, with an upscale new design, impeccable driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and an unbeatable price tag.
2010 Mustang: America’s favorite muscle car hits the streets with a new exterior design and a more powerful V-8.
2010 Transit Connect: Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with its new Transit Connect - an industry-exclusive vehicle. The Transit Connect boasts low operating and ownership costs, a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter engine, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600 pound payload capacity. Ford Work Solutions technology and cargo management systems make Transit Connect a smart solution for small businesses. Ford recently announced that a battery electric-powered version of the Transit Connect will be offered in 2010, kick starting Ford’s aggressive new el ectric vehicle plan which will lead to commercially available plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) by 2012. Ford has announced a partnership with Wisconsin-based Johnson Controls, Inc. to develop and supply the battery systems for the PHEVs.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ builds on years of success with a smaller MKZ which offers customers the ideal mix of luxury and smart technology. The seats are covered in top-grade leather and the features are comprehensive, from voice-controlled navigation and THX audio to a first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™).
For more information about this new line of vehicles go to www.thefordstory.com or in Espanol go to http://www.fordenespanol.com/.
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