Ford really is dedicated to giving customers the power of choice – the Ford Fusion will be the first vehicle to be available in gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drive trains. Each of the Ford Fusion models is also expected to achieve top fuel economy in it’s class, which is no small feet. In order to get there, Ford has spent countless hours developing it’s hybrid technology.
In 2002 Ford had 30 patents related to the hybrid technology used in the Ford Focus Hybrid. Today, Ford has over 500 hybrid related patents. Ford ‘succeeded in transforming our lineup with leading fuel efficiency thanks to Ford inventors who are helping make our Fusion Hybrid America’s most fuel-efficient sedan,” said Chuck Gray, Ford chief engineer of Global Core Engineering Hybrid and Electric vehicles.
With the launch of the One Ford strategy, designed to accelerate development of new products consumers want and value, a more efficient method of innovation emerged. This allowed Ford inventors to collaborate better and keep more in tune with opportunities that exist. In the last 3 years, ideas submitted to Ford’s legal team for patent consideration has increased more than 25 percent.
The Ford Fusion Energi, which is set to launch in 2012 as the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, is estimated to get up to more than 100 MPGe. The Ford Fusion hybrid makes use of a 2.0liter Atkinson cycle engine matched to lithium-ion batteries. We can assume this combination will also be used in the Fusion Energi, although the battery pack will probably be larger.
