Toyota Hybrid Camry Details

Ten days after it revealed the first locally produced Hybrid Camry, Toyota has today detailed the intricacies of the styling and design of Australia’s first hybrid vehicle.

The new front bumper shares styling cues with the third-generation Prius for both functional and symbolic purposes.

The larger, more rectangular lower grille directs additional cooling air into the hybrid-equipped engine bay, while the radiator grille and boot-lid are finished in satin chrome to differentiate it from petrol models.

The signature blue tinted headlamps likewise identify it as a member of Toyota’s hybrid family, while the clear-cover rear combination lamps include LED lights which use less power and contribute to lower fuel use.

To accommodate for the batteries positioned above the rear axle, boot capacity has decreased from 535 litres in the standard petrol model to 389 litres, but Toyota insists it is still large enough to carry four golf bags.

Aerodynamics have improved thanks to the front’s square corners which stop turbulence around the front wheels and send a smooth air flow down the sides of the vehicle.

Covers under the engine, rear floor and fuel tank create a flat underbody which contributes to a drag coefficient six percent lower than the standard petrol model (down to 0.27), making the Hybrid Camry Australia’s most aerodynamically efficient locally manufactured car.

Toyota Style Australia (TSA) corporate manager of design, Paul Beranger, said while the car was not styled in Australia, local design information was sent to Japan over the past two and a half years to develop a car with considerable Australian input.

“In the case of our new Hybrid Camry we provided specific DNA and hybrid information along with detailed Australian design trend information.

“Toyota Australia is communicating new and advanced technology to customers without alienating them from the basic image that Camry represents. We are integrating mainstream with new technology.

“We have to ensure that our car appeals to existing owners, as well as early adopters at a realistic price,” he said.

Beranger explained extensive local research three years ago asked prospective Hybrid Camry drivers whether they wanted to be seen to be driving a hybrid car or simply as another Camry owner, and found that they wanted their own identity without standing out as a market leader.

“Therefore hybrid differentiation and identification is important to the owner as it is a strong communication image for them.

“This will change as people become familiar with Hybrid as a mainstream model.

“So the design will evolve, but right now we know this design meets Toyota’s objectives by fusing the premium image of the conventional Camry with the innovation of a hybrid vehicle.”

Beranger said Toyota’s styling emphasis in Australia was shifting towards functionality, practicality and personality, giving each car its own character while at the same time strengthening the family resemblance across the range.

He admitted one of the more difficult tasks in developing Hybrid Camry for the local market was the increased focus on road and wind noise, which becomes more obvious with the quieter hybrid drive system in action.

2010 Toyota Hybrid Camry To Be Offered In Two Trim Levels

TOYOTA AUSTRALIA’S upcoming Hybrid Camry will be offered in at least two specification levels, both pitched to the upper end of the mid-size market segment.

An up-spec Hybrid Camry with leather upholstery, power seats and a large integrated sat-nav screen was revealed to the media earlier today at Toyota Style Australia’s Port Melbourne headquarters.

At the Hybrid Camry’s official reveal 10 days ago, a car with leather trim, manually-adjusting seats, no sat-nav and a downgraded stereo system was unveiled by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, confirming that the company’s new hybrid will be sold in two slightly different flavours.

Both the cheaper model and the range-topper are equipped with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, keyless ignition and rear parking sensors, and both share the same new bodywork.

The fresh front fascia design was penned at Toyota’s Japanese styling studios, but with local input. Toyota Australia consciously sought to develop a new face for the Hybrid Camry that showcased the car’s technology without alienating traditional Camry customers.

The sharper bumper design, blue-tinted headlamp clusters and narrower grille are certainly different, but don’t take the hybrid too far away from its conventionally-powered stablemates.

The redesigned nose offers aerodynamic improvements too. Not only does it funnel more cooling air to the engine’s radiator and the water-cooled power inverter, but its smoother lines work in conjunction with flat underbody panels to reduce the Camry’s coefficient of drag to 0.27; making it the slipperiest production car built in Australia.

A bootlip spoiler smooths airflow over the rear of the car and helps cut drag. The ten-spoke alloy wheels are the same design as that fitted to the Camry Ateva, but are shod with friction-reducing low rolling resistance tyres.

Extra sound-deadening has been added to the Hybrid Camry’s body, along with an insulated windscreen. Intended to keep the cabin extra silent during battery-only operation, the weight of the additional insulation is not considered to significantly impact fuel economy

Suspension settings and steering feel are also radically altered, the Hybrid Camry moving to electric power assistance and boasting a retuned suspension that’s described as a significant improvement over the standard car’s hardware.

The car’s hybrid battery pack has been relocated to the boot area, along with a conventional battery used to start the petrol engine and run the ancillaries.

Sitting between the rear wheels, the battery pack and its attendant cooling system severely reduces luggage space from the standard Camry’s 535 litres to just 389 litres. The 60/40 split fold function of the rear seats is preserved, but the pass-through area is only large enough to accommodate skis or a narrow surfboard.

The Chevy Volt’s 40-mile Predicament

Chevy Volt Chief Engineer Andrew Farah last Friday crashed the weekly classic car night at Bob's Big Boy hamburger joint in Burbank, California.

From its inception, the Chevy Volt was designed to travel 40 miles without using a drop of gasoline. General Motors drew the line in the sand, citing studies that show the majority of US drivers, on average, travel less than 40 miles per day. In a refrain repeated over and over again by GM executives, and bandied about in advertising, the company has held firm to its promise of 40 miles of electric driving before the small onboard engine would be called into service.

However, one year prior to its release, journalists are discovering that the Volt will fall short of the 40 miles of all-electric range under a number of conditions.

Edmunds’ John O'Dell yesterday took a brief test drive of the Volt, and grilled Volt Chief Engineer Andrew Farah. O’Dell discovered that the 2011 will indeed deliver 40 miles of battery-only range on the EPA city cycle, a driving circuit with an average speed of just under 20 mph. But the Volt’s battery range will be diminished under these conditions:

• Aggressive acceleration
• Sustain high-speed driving
• Exceptionally hot or cold ambient temperatures
• Driving in hilly or mountainous terrain

O’Dell writes, “If you pull out of the driveway with a full charge, hop on an uncrowded freeway and motor away at 65 miles an hour, you won't get 40 miles on battery power alone.”

Toyota Will Sell Prius Plug-in Hybrid in 2011

In two years, consumers will have at least three plug-in car choices from major automakers.

After years of taking a wait-and-see approach to plug-in hybrids, Toyota yesterday officially announced its plans to produce and market a plug-in version of the Prius in significant quantities. According to Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada, the company will sell "several tens of thousands" of plug-ins a year globally beginning in 2011.

The announcement comes as other global automakers, most notably General Motors and Nissan, intensify marketing efforts to promote their plug-in cars, which go on sale in late 2010. By the time the Toyota Prius Plugin Hybrid becomes widely available, consumers will have at least three choices from major global automakers for cars that primarily drive on batteries charged at home or work. The top three reasonably priced plug-in cars will represent a range of costs and electric driving range.

The most expensive is likely to be the Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid offering up to 40 miles of all-electric range before an on-board engine sustains the batteries charge for an additional 300 miles. The Volt is likely to sell for about $40,000.

The pure electric Nissan Leaf will offer 100 miles of driving range, so 100 percent of its driving will be electric. As an electric car, rather than a plug-in hybrid, the Leaf will not have an engine, and therefore will be limited in range to about 100 miles before needing to be recharged. It’s expected to sell for about $32,000.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid will likely be the least expensive, perhaps in the high-$20,000s, but will offer the least all-electric range, approximately 14.5 miles at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. (Previously, Toyota said the Prius Plug-in would have an all-electric range of 12 miles.) Short commutes could be zero emissions, but the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will rely on its gas engine more than the other vehicles—although it will be fully recharged more quickly.

All three of the vehicles will be eligible for tax credits, as high as $7,500. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will use a 5.2 kWh lithium ion battery pack—compared to the Leaf’s 24 kWh pack and the Volt’s 16 kWh—will not qualify for as high a tax credit as the other vehicles.

Electric cars from Ford, Mitsubishi and others will also be in the running.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid plug

In the race for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, Toyota will be able to leverage its commanding lead in conventional hybrids. In September, the company announced that cumulative global sales of the Prius topped 2 million units—far more than all other hybrid cars combined. Yet, GM, Nissan, Ford and others recently have taken aggressive steps to take a leadership role in the next generation of alternative vehicles, the plug-in hybrid and electric car. Toyota’s announcement about the Prius Plug-in Hybrid indicates that the company will not easily relinquish its market advantage—and perhaps more importantly, its image—as the leader in green cars.

Danish Prince Is First to Sample Fisker Karma Hybrid

Want to be the first non-employee to take a crack at Fisker’s new Karma hybrid? You’d better be the crown prince of Denmark. Seriously.

Given that the United Nations chose to hold its climate change conference in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, Fisker Automobiles decided it could gain some exposure by loaning a Karma to Denmark’s royal family. As a result, Prince Frederik used the slinky four-door hybrid to roll into today’s conference proceedings.

We’ve yet to have a crack at the Karma ourselves, but the sedan can purportedly travel 50 miles on electricity alone, before a small gasoline engine (which, at one time, was GM’s 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec I-4) comes on line to add an extra 250 miles of travel. Production will reportedly begin at a production line in Finland later in 2010.

New hybrid buses (quietly) travel Rockland's roads

In the past several weeks, the county has been rolling out its new electric hybrid buses. Six of the buses have been rotating along different routes, such as the 59, 93 and 95, while 10 more buses undergo final inspections.

"By the end of the week, they should all be out on the road," said Irwin Cohen, Rockland's travel-demand management coordinator.

The buses, powered by a clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system, mark the county's first advance toward transitioning its entire Transport of Rockland and Tappan ZEExpress fleet of 66 buses to electric hybrid by 2016.

"It's exciting for those who use the system, and it's exciting for those who may not use the system but may benefit from the greener buses that use less fuel and cleaner fuel," County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said Tuesday.

The county spent $8.8 million — an average of $550,000 per bus — for the 16 hybrids, which were built by Gillig Corporation of Hayward, Calif. The Federal Transit Administration paid 80 percent of the cost, while the state Department of Transportation picked up 10 percent. The balance was covered by transportation funding that comes to the county from Mortgage Recording Tax revenue.

Nine more hybrids — six for TOR, three for Tappan ZEExpress — will arrive late next year. Federal stimulus money and federal grants will pay for them. Additionally, Coach USA and Monsey Trails, which serve commuters, have also ordered six hybrids.

Ford Fusion named 'Motor Trend' Car of the Year

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Fusion is most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in U.S. for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models. Hybrid gets EPA 41 mpg rating city/36 mpg highway. Four-cylinder gas Fusion has best-in-class highway rating of 34 mpg. Fusion is now one of the ten best-selling vehicles in the USA and has been lauded by Consumer Reports for

Motor Trend's choice of the Ford Fusion as its 2010 Car of the Year isn't the most exciting choice, but it's further proof of how the Dearborn, Mich., maker can seem to do no wrong these days.

In brushing aside flashier cars, Motor Trend lauded Fusion as an "economical midsize sedan that doesn't cost much, yet won't bore you to tears." They liked the hybrid version and how Fords are coming packed with more electronic gadgets. They liked how the car comes in many different iterations -- an "impressive bandwidth." But consider the rivals:

The accomplishment becomes more impressive when measured against the competition -- namely, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, two of the best-selling cars in history. One of the judges, Arthur St. Antoine, said the Fusion is "a compelling sweep across one of the market's most hotly contested segments."

Fusion has done well in the marketplace, moving up to become one of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. market. And Consumer Reports recommends it for reliability. But the magazine rated Subaru Legacy as a better family sedan than the Fusion in the current issue. Lately, Fusion has been eclipsed by the hoopla surrounding the launch of the Ford Taurus, a larger and plusher car.

GM's Electric Cars Seek To Make Some Noise

How quiet is too quiet when it comes to electric and hybrid cars?

General Motors will announce it's working with an advocacy group for blind people to answer that question, according to a USA Today report Wednesday. The move comes amid mounting concern that the growing number of environmentally friendly vehicles may pose a threat to pedestrians, particularly the vision impaired.

As the report notes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded in September that more pedestrians and cyclists are being struck by hybrid cars than by conventional vehicles.

Congress is currently considering a bill - the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act - that would mandate a solution to the problem.

GM will work on a technological fix with the National Federation of the Blind, seemingly getting a jump on their competition. Toyota and Nissan say they’re still studying the issue and Tesla isn't ready to give up on its noiseless running - an attribute they market to consumers.

GM plans to outfit the new Chevrolet Volt with a new pedestrian warning system - a short horn pulse comparable to a telephone ring that would go off as the driver operates the turn signal, according to the report.

Top 10 Best Hybrid Cars

Best hybrid cars

Hybrid cars were introduced by various automotive industries as a result of the need for more efficient and environmentally sound cars. Even though everyone has heard about hybrid cars, but there still exists confusion about how they operate and what are the components does it need to function properly.

Basically hybrid cars are operated by three main sources such as, a well performing battery, an electric motor and a gas engine. Each of the sources is very important for the performance of the car. The main benefit of using hybrid cars is that, it proves to lower the harmful emission and better the gas mileage. A lot of difference in their function exists between full hybrid cars and a mild hybrid car.

Based on the gas mileage and its performance, the top 10 best hybrid cars are taken and reviewed in detail.

2010 Honda Insight EX

2010 Honda Insight EX is considered as the best hybrid car because it offers an excellent fuel economy and is more fun to drive. Honda Insight’s styling closely resembles the Toyota Prius which adds an extra X factor in your personality. It comes with the best voice-command system equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. The user rating for this 2010 Honda Insight EX is found to be”excellent”.

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid offers a best mileage over 30 mpg and it provides an exceptional performance. The Bluetooth system that comes with this Nissan Altima is found to be very basic and it doesn’t have iPod integration which is a setback but otherwise it includes safety features such as smart airbags, stability control antilock brakes and etc and the car rocks.

2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the hybrid system present with the car gives it very low emission which is considered as an added advantage. It is equipped with voice command, phone and MP3 player integration. The audio system present with the car is found to be very basic yet it’s still very stylish.

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Though it seems to be a heavy vehicle, Cadillac Escalade is found to provide good in fuel economy with its hybrid power train without compromising its performance. The navigation system integrated with the car provides the traffic reporting and blind-spot detection is included with its driving aids. With very basic audio sources no facility for iPod integration Cadillac Escalade still holds its place n the race of style and economy.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited

Ford Escape comes with a best sync system and it provides an excellent fuel mileage. Sirius Travel Link offers the traffic data and other navigation options to the car. Highway driving is seems to be a difficult one with and is best suited for urban dwellers and not for freeway commuters because of its high speed.

2008 Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius offers an unbelievable fuel mileage and its emission rating is found to be very low without compromising its size. The shape of this car is mostly confused with other Priuses available at present.

2008 Lexus LS 600h

Hybrid system with the car offers a good fuel economy more than expected and its emission rating is also very low which gives a reputation for this 2008 Lexus LS 600h. Live traffic is handled by excellent navigation facility present with the car. Driving performance of the car is good and its stereo system seems to be wonderful.

2008 Lexus RX 400h

The user’s rating for Lexus RX 400h is “Good” and its smooth drive is delivered by its suspension. The car seems to be the best with its unbelievable fuel economy. The navigation system present with the car is pretty good and it lacks recognizing live traffic and iPod integration is missing.

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

Some of the users have experienced the following with Honda Civic hybrid and it includes excellent gas mileage, very comfortable to drive, quite, exceptional voice command and climate control and etc. Trunk space is limited which seems to be the disadvantage with this car. Automatic Shut-off’s feature of the gas engine seems to be very bad and it makes difficult for stop-and-go driving.

2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Though Chevrolet Malibu uses a mild hybrid train system, it is found to provide fuel savings ability to a great level. Look and feel of this Chevrolet Malibu seems to be good. It is designed in such a way that it attracts everyone and both the driver’s and passenger’s seat offers a great comfort zone.

2010 Hybrid Cars for Best Mileage and Lowest Carbon Footprint

Toyota Prius continues to lead hybrid cars in fuel economy and lowest lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. This perennial favorite midsize 4-door hatchback delivers 50 miles per gallon (mpg) and is lowest on the list with 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the EPA annual driving cycle. Yes, 3.7 tons of CO2e is a lot; but many cars, light trucks, and SUVs create three times that emission; to get lower emissions you would need a plug-in car. The hatchback design allows for more cargo, especially if you drop part or all of the 60/40 back bench seat. This year, Toyota is also putting 500 plug-in Priuses into fleet tests of electric cars. Read the details in the 2010 Toyota Prius Review.

Honda Civic Hybrid is a good alternative for those who want a traditional looking sedan that seats 5. This front-wheel drive compact saves fuel at 42 mpg. At 4.4 annual tons of CO2e, this hybrid emits actually emits less greenhouse gases than its CNG cousin.

Honda Insight is a sporty four-door hatchback with an Ecological Drive Assist System. Although the Insight looks like the Prius, it is a bit smaller, lighter, and often $2,000 less than the Prius. The Insight will deliver 41 mpg combined, with annual emissions of about 4.5 tons of CO2e. Read about our 2010 Honda Insight Test Drive.

Ford Fusion Hybrid is appealing to those who want a made in America midsized sedan. This roomy 5-seater delivers 39 mpg and 4.7 tons of CO2e per year. The Fusion Hybrid and its first cousin the Mercury Milan Hybrid may travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode. The Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows for more seamlessly transition between gas and electric modes, making for a smooth and quiet ride. The Mercury Milan Hybrid offers the same drive system and body, with upscale interior. Read about Clean Fleet Report’s Fusion Hybrid test drive.

Lexus HS 250h is a stylish compact 4-seat sedan that delivers 35 mpg and 5.3 tons of CO2e per year. The Lexus brand lets your friends know that are using less petroleum by choice; you can afford a bit of luxury.

Nissan Altima Hybrid also delivers good mileage for a midsize, benefiting from Nissan’s continuously variable transmission technology. The EPA rating is 5.4 tons of CO2e for the EPA annual driving cycle and a combined 34 mpg.

Toyota Camry Hybrid delivers good mileage for a midsize with an automatic transmission. The EPA rating is 5.4 tons of CO2e for the EPA annual driving cycle and a combined 34 mpg.

Ford Escape Hybrid comfortably carries 5 people and lots of cargo. This SUV achieves a combined 32 mpg and emissions of 5.7 tons of CO2e – double the mileage and half the emissions of many SUVs. The mileage is an impressive 29 mpg for the 4-wheel drive versions of this SUV. With a common drive system and chassis, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid delivers the same carbon footprint and mileage.

Lexus RX 450h with more acceleration and room than the others, costs more, starting at over $42,000. For a powerful SUV, it still conserves with 30 mpg and 6.1 tons of CO2e. Haul 5 people and lots of stuff without sacrificing quality and styling in the RX450h. The all wheel drive version has slightly better mileage than the Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD.

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid looks and feels like the popular 5-seat Chevy Malibu, but you will go farther on a tank of gas. This mild hybrid gets 29 miles per gallon, with 6.3 tons of CO2e per year emissions.

Clean Fleet Report – Top 10 Hybrids for 2010

Your top 10 choices include hatchbacks that start at under $20,000 and stretch to roomy premium SUVs that cost over $40,000. If you are willing to settle for less fuel economy and often pay a high sticker, there are a number of other 2010 hybrid SUVs on the market including the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Yukon, and the pricey and powerful Cadillac Escalade. The Silverado and Sierra are also available as hybrid pickup trucks.

Hybrid is no guarantee of saving at the pump. The Smart and the MiniCooper get double the mpg of some of the 2010 hybrid SUVs and pickup trucks.

The list includes only 2010 model year hybrids offered in the United States. For example, offered only in Japan, the new Toyota Sai will get better mileage than the Prius. Some of these 2010 models were announced early in 2009. Other 2010 models have yet to be announced. Major auto shows are coming so check back for the latest in hybrids that take away that pain at the pump and deliver a quiet ride.

This list was developed by first searching the U.S. EPA and DOE’s valuable fueleconomy.gov, with its extensive search capabilities. The EPA combined miles per gallon rating is based on 45% highway and 55% city driving. The carbon footprint is carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) based on 15,000 miles of driving, using the GREET 1.7 model.

New Prius comes with rooftop solar panels

Toyota just unveiled its new Toyota Prius, and it takes its eco-friendliness to the next level. Yes, it's still a hybrid that gets excellent gas mileage, but now it also comes with a giant solar panel on the roof to soak up the sun's rays and convert them into energy to power your stereo and air conditioner.

The great thing about these panels is that they work even when you aren't driving. That means that when you come out to your car after working all day, it's got a bunch of energy saved up from just sitting there in the sun. Pretty awesome stuff! The new Prius will be on sale in Japan soon for between $21,000 and $26,000.

Top 10 Most Environment Friendly Cars (Hybrid Cars)

A lot of the car manufacturers these days are advancing their work on making hybrid and environment friendly cars. Besides making environment friendly cars, they want to further fuel efficiency of the vehicles to fight rising gas prices. There are already a lot of environment friendly cars developed by a number of car manufacturers. These are Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC and Lexus. They have multiple environment friendly cars developed.

The Toyota Prius is one of the most popular environment friendly cars. The Prius was the first mass produced gasoline electric hybrid cars. The Prius has a gas mileage of 44 miles per gallon. It has a very good ride and very stable handling. It has a very good price range.

Toyota has released its first Sub Urban Vehicle Hybrid, the Highlander Hybrid. Its debut was in 2006 and joined Toyota’s line of environment friendly cars. It was again a first in the industry as it was the first 7 passenger hybrid in the world. In 2008, it was redesigned to have an entirely new chassis with an upgraded synergy drive system. The Highlander has a very nice ride like a sedan with the capacity of an SUV.

The Toyota Camry was made into a hybrid model as well. It is under Toyota’s luxury line of vehicles and has been the biggest selling car in America for 10 years, next to the Toyota Corolla. The Honda Accord is one of the popular cars in the world because of its style and functionality. It is very comfortable and roomy due to its size increase. The new 2008 Honda Accord has three new specifications in North America.

They have applied a new variable cylinder management system, dual chambered airbags for the driver and the passenger and an interface dial controller. It has recently been available in a hybrid and has become one of the popular environment friendly cars in North America. The Honda Civic was first introduced back in 1972 as an inexpensive car while having a fuel efficient run. It has continued to give good fuel efficiency over the years.

A hybrid version was introduced in 2003 pleasing the numerous fans of the car. Japanese car companies are not the only ones that are making environment friendly cars these days. American car manufacturers are now making their own hybrid cars as well. Chevrolet was the first one to release the Tahoe Hybrid. It still retains its usual functionality but it is able to offer a better gas mileage.

The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the popular SUV’s in the American market and they are happy that they are able to make their own hybrid engine. Chevrolet has also made one of their Pickup trucks a hybrid as well. The Silverado is the first hybrid Pickup to be made. It has become fuel efficient but can still put out power the same as before. Among these are also other vehicles from their main branch in GMC like the Yukon Hybrid.

It features a more advanced hybrid engine than the Tahoe or Silverado. Other hybrids include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner, Dodge Durango and Nissan Altima.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford officially launched its 2010 Fusion Hybrid yesterday, promoting the new hybrid midsize sedan’s mileage as far better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s. The company’s top hybrid executive, Director of Sustainability Nancy Gioia, also revealed that all new Fords will be developed to allow a hybrid drive option.

Calling Ford “the Number One producer of hybrids in North America,” marketing head Jim Farley said at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the Fusion Hybrid would be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on sale. The car will return 39 miles per gallon on the EPA city cycle, said chief engineer J.D. Shanahan, and highway mileage “at least 6 miles a gallon better than Camry Hybrid”—which would be 40 mpg or higher. This beats the mileage for the 2008 Camry Hybrid, at 33/34 (city/highway). Other impressive statistics for the Fusion Hybrid include pure electric speeds as high as 47 miles per hour, up to 2 miles of continuous electric-only driving, and a range of 700 city miles on one tank of gasoline.

Reaffirming Ford’s commitment to hybrid-electric vehicles, the executive responsible for electrified vehicles said all its new products globally will permit hybrid versions. Gioia, a 26-year Ford veteran, told HybridCars.com that design standards have been changed to ensure future Ford “vehicle architectures” can accommodate gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. Not all vehicles will be offered as hybrids in all markets, she said, but Ford wants the option to add hybrid-electric drive with as little change as possible.

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid will enter production at the same time as other versions; the first cars are expected to reach dealers early in the spring of 2009. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Ford's Second Generation Hybrids

The Fusion Hybrid (and its twin, the Mercury Milan Hybrid) is the first vehicle to use Ford’s second generation hybrid system. The company says it has more than 200 distinct inventions and patents pending for the revised version. Its first generation of hybrids was launched in 2004 in the Escape Hybrid SUV (and, later, in its twins the Mercury Mariner HybridMazda Tribute Hybrid). The new version uses a nickel-metal-hydride battery with 20 percent more power, in a package that’s 30 percent smaller, meaning the Fusion Hybrid sacrifices only a negligible amount of trunk space compared to the standard version. and the

Hybrid-electric vehicle systems engineer Gil Portalatin told us that the control logic for the new hybrid system provides much tighter integration of engine operation and power delivery. The new logic goes as far as to vary the engine’s valve timing, fuel delivery, and spark timing to match the power delivered through the electric motor, permitting very aggressive fuel shutdown under light loads. The result is that the 2.5-liter engine shuts itself off twice as much as in the earlier Escape, as the electric system provides more power. In addition, new control logic for the regenerative brakes recaptures up to 94 percent of the braking energy and feeds it to the battery.

The new Fusions offer Ford’s popular Sync voice-activated digital entertainment and integrated mobile phone system. Other options include blind-spot information, cross-traffic alerts when reversing, and real-time traffic and weather through the Sirius Travel Link satellite radio system.