Fusion Hybrid Averages 81.5 MPG, Sets World Record with 1,445 Miles on Single Tank of Gas

[Fledermaus]

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Drivers trained in mileage-maximizing techniques such as smooth acceleration and coasting to red lights were able to get an extraordinary 1,445.7 miles out of a single tank of gas during a fund-raising effort in Washington, D.C. that concluded today. They did it by averaging 81.5 miles per gallon in an off-the-showroom floor, non-modified 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient midsize car in North America - nearly doubling its U.S. certified mileage.


The Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ended this morning at 5:37 a.m. on George Washington Parkway in Washington, D.C. After more than 69 continuous hours of driving, the Fusion Hybrid finally depleted its tank and came to a stop with an odometer reading of 1,445.7 miles - setting a world record for gasoline-powered, midsize sedan.


The challenge team, which included NASCAR star Carl Edwards, high mileage trailblazer Wayne Gerdes and several Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) engineers, raised more than $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by exceeding the goal of 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. The Fusion Hybrid's official estimated range is approximately 700 miles per tank.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-28-2009/0005014753&EDATE=

[BlooInBloo]

1. Niiiiice.

[bluebellbaby]

2. I read this a bit ago...to get it that high he followed trucks and stuff

It's called "hypermileage"...where you coast to stops and stuff...doing this could be a bit dangerous...from what I've read...

But even 700 miles on a tank is great...

I'd still love to see the EV-1...come back...GM's biggest mistake to destroy it...

[nickinSTL]

3. yeah...great...more importantly...

what is the Fusion hybrid's mileage in normal driving?

If you're NOT engaging in (potentially dangerous) hypermiling?

How does it compare to the Toyota hybrids, or the Honda hybrids (including the new 2010 Insight)?

[doc03]

5. The Official EPA rating is

41 city and 36 highway. That beats the comparable Toyota Camry hybrid by 7 MPG in city driving I think. The Prius, Civic and Insight do little better better but they are smaller lighter cars.

[joshcryer]

8. Hypermiling isn't *that* dangerous, in fact, a lot of your driving is *slower* than other traffic.

Especially with in-town driving.

One of these days we'll have cars that drive themselves. I bet they hypermile.

[nickinSTL]

9. I think it depends on HOW you hypermile

some of the stuff I've read seems pretty dangerous.

Some of it is probably fine.

[Fledermaus]

10. Yes, that is correct.

How To Be a Hypermiler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfGFgXTpQW4&feature=related

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Indeed - they averaged 21mph in the test

The driving "ranged from the relatively open George Washington Parkway to a 3-mile stretch in the heart of the city that is clogged with roughly 30 traffic signals", so whether they were significantly slower than surrounding traffic depends on the balance of the kind of traffic. But it is at low average speeds that a hybrid will show the savings it's capable of.

[Fledermaus]

12. The techniques used

The techniques used

A team of seven drivers prepared for the challenge by learning a few mileage-maximizing techniques, most of which can be used in any vehicle to improve fuel economy, but are especially useful in the Fusion Hybrid where the driver can take advantage of pure electric energy at speeds below 47 mph.

CleanMPG.com founder Wayne Gerdes, an engineer from Illinois who coined the term "hypermiling" to describe the mileage-maximizing techniques, provided the pointers. They include:

Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-28-2009/0005014753&EDATE=

[joshcryer]

14. If everyone just started their cars from a stop gradually, they'd save *significant* amounts of gas.

Most energy is lost getting your engine up to 3-4k RPMs only to stop at that next redlight.

[Fledermaus]

13. The Fusion Hybrid can take advantage of pure electric energy at speeds below 47 mph

CleanMPG.com founder Wayne Gerdes, an engineer from Illinois who coined the term "hypermiling" to describe the mileage-maximizing techniques, provided the pointers. They include:


Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum



"You become very aware of your driving because you're constantly looking for opportunities to maximize mileage, and a more aware driver is a safer driver, too," said Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-28-2009/0005014753&EDATE=

[Trajan]

4. Fuel Capacity ....

Los Angeles CA ---> New York City NY - Total Estimated Distance: 2787.59 miles

2788 / 1445 = 1.93 Tanks of Gas

Fuel Capacity (gal.) 17.5 FWD; 16.5 AWD (AVG 17.0)

1.93 x 17 = 32.81 gallons of Gas

Avg cost per gallon of Gas = $2.35

32.81 x 2.35 = $77.10 total fuel cost from Los Angeles to New York City ...

[Nihil]

6. K & R & applause!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

I don't agree with some of the hypermiling techniques as they are
simply dangerous but this shows the capability of the Fusion Hybrid
very nicely. Well done to the team for the achievement and to Ford
for the car.

(And an extra :applause: for raising that much money for the charity!)

[joshcryer]

7. This is with using "hypermiling" techniques, though.

Most drivers are road rage freaks, unfortunately.