Photo: Ford
The changes brought by the mid-life refresh of the Fusion sedan aren't skin-deep. Not only have Ford developed smarter suspension systems, but also their most impressive plug-in hybrid to date.
The Blue Oval brand isn't well known for its electric and plug-in hybrid cars. But that could change once news of the 2017 Fusion Energi gets out. According to Ford, this is the car with the highest combined range of any plug-in hybrid sold in the United States, achieving an estimated 610 miles on a full tank of gas and a charged battery.
The company's press release says the updates were made for the sake of people with range anxiety, but we doubt there is a person in the world who wishes to drive over 600 miles without ever stopping for gas. The company also wants us to remember that the range is three times higher than that of the upcoming Tesla Model 3. That's about as smart as comparing the 3 to a diesel truck.
Of course, the Fusion Energi isn't an EV, as it carries around the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine as before. Ford has made changes to the regenerative braking system and the plug-in hybrid software while adding a 7.6 kWh lithium battery pack. All the little tweaks have added 60 miles of range compared to the 2016 model year Energi.
The battery will last you for about 21 miles of your journey while the gas tank takes care of another 588 miles. If you look at it as a normal mid-size sedan, the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi has an EPA-estimated rating of 43 city/41 hwy/42 combined MPG and a 14-gallon tank.
“Plug-in hybrids are electric vehicles until you run down the battery,” said Wade Jackson, marketing manager for Ford Fusion, “then they work exactly like a conventional hybrid. Fusion Energi – with a full battery and a full tank of gas – can go from San Diego, through Los Angeles and all the way up to San Francisco, and still have up to 110 miles of range remaining.”
The company's press release says the updates were made for the sake of people with range anxiety, but we doubt there is a person in the world who wishes to drive over 600 miles without ever stopping for gas. The company also wants us to remember that the range is three times higher than that of the upcoming Tesla Model 3. That's about as smart as comparing the 3 to a diesel truck.
Of course, the Fusion Energi isn't an EV, as it carries around the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine as before. Ford has made changes to the regenerative braking system and the plug-in hybrid software while adding a 7.6 kWh lithium battery pack. All the little tweaks have added 60 miles of range compared to the 2016 model year Energi.
The battery will last you for about 21 miles of your journey while the gas tank takes care of another 588 miles. If you look at it as a normal mid-size sedan, the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi has an EPA-estimated rating of 43 city/41 hwy/42 combined MPG and a 14-gallon tank.
“Plug-in hybrids are electric vehicles until you run down the battery,” said Wade Jackson, marketing manager for Ford Fusion, “then they work exactly like a conventional hybrid. Fusion Energi – with a full battery and a full tank of gas – can go from San Diego, through Los Angeles and all the way up to San Francisco, and still have up to 110 miles of range remaining.”
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