Edwards 4/26/09 Talladega incident

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I say no, but that’s just me. What do I know, I just spent 10 days driving 3,200 miles in a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. But I’m not hyper-miller Wayne Gerdes or NASCAR driver Carl Edwards who are about to attempt this feat by spending 43 continues hours driving the hybrid a 1,000 miles. Ford states that the car will need to average 57 mpg to achieve the goal, which I guess is possible even though I never saw that type of mileage.

I averaged 35.1 mpg during my 3,200 trip, but I definitely wasn’t driving like a hyper-miller; more like Edwards in his 99 car or J.J. McClure from Canonball Run. However, we did go about 650 miles on the first tank of gas. 

The whole goal of this outing is of course to show-off the eco-side of the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Take it from me. It’s impressive for a car of its size. (my review) I can’t wait for the next generation.

PRESS RELEASE:

Ford Team Aims To Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Miles on a Single Tank of Gas

• The Ford Fusion Hybrid team will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles for more than 43 continuous hours – on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process
• The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America – the Fusion Hybrid driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, will have to achieve an average of at least 57 mpg on the challenge to reach its goal
• By using Eco-Driving techniques engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Ford Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the challenge
• Consumers can improve their own vehicle’s fuel economy performance is by adopting Ford’s “Eco-Driving” tips used for the 1,000-Mile Challenge

DEARBORN, Mich., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — This weekend, the 2010 Ford (NYSE: F) Fusion Hybrid is being put to the ultimate fuel-efficiency test. A team of drivers, including NASCAR star Carl Edwards and world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes, will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.

The 1,000-Mile Challenge starts at around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and ends the morning of Monday, April 27, in Washington, D.C. The team will drive for more than 43 hours continuously to reach the 1,000-mile goal. The drivers will do stints of between two and three hours each and will have regular breaks to ensure safe driving is maintained. Already rated as the most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America, the Fusion Hybrid will need to average at least 57 mpg to achieve its goal. During preliminary testing in preparation for this challenge, Ford engineers have reached as much as 70 mpg in the Fusion Hybrid by using Eco-Driving techniques.

The team will run clinics for media and customers over the weekend in the Fusion Hybrid, conducting interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers.

The Fusion Hybrid being used in the challenge will be a factory produced model with no modifications or alterations and will run on regular 87 octane gas.

The team will be uploading regular images and video to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/fordstory), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/people/Kristopher-Spencer/1228149870), Twitter (http://twitter.com/Ford), and www.media.ford.com.

Ford is taking on the 1,000-Mile Challenge for a number of reasons:

• To demonstrate Ford’s commitment to be the best or amongst the best in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes;
• To highlight the crucial role the driver plays in maximizing fuel economy and demonstrate how consumers can make a difference through Eco-Driving;
• To raise awareness about Eco-Driving and how the Fusion Hybrid contributes to it with the ability to run up to 47 mph in pure electric mode; and
• To raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

The 1,000-Mile Challenge team comprises of:

• Wayne Gerdes, the world-record breaking hypermiling champion and founder of www.cleanmpg.com;
• Carl Edwards, the NASCAR race star who recently bought his own 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid;
• Sherif Marakby, graduate of Maryland University and Ford hybrid chief engineer;
• Gil Portalatin, Ford hybrid applications manager and Ford Fusion Hybrid team leader;
• Tom Rolewicz, one of Ford’s top calibration experts and hybrid system expert; and
• Steve Burke, Ford product expert on hybrid applications

The mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team will use and pass on to consumers 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

Click here (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=28946) for more Eco-Driving tips

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the latest to join a growing crop of hybrids that doesn’t look like a traditional hybrid. This Fusion hybrid looks almost identical to its non-hybrid counterparts, but easily gets great gas milage while sporting a look most will find acceptable. This hybrid might not get Prius-type mileage, but it’s also larger, more comfortable, equipped with equally impressive electronics, and doesn’t looks like a roller skate.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid isn’t a Prius or Insight killer and it never was meant to be. It doesn’t put up the same type of mileage and it can cost a bit more. This car isn’t geared to peeps who want everyone to know that they are hugging trees and saving whales, but rather the everyday man who needs the function of a mid-size car that gets great gas mileage. With a few small exceptions, like different fog light housings and a unique color option, the body is identical to the standard models, which is a good thing as it’s a looker.

The new Fusion body builds upon the styling cues of the original model but throws in an almost Japanese look. The taillights hint of a Subaru influence and the headlights are very Lexus-ish. The grill, however, is all Ford Fusion. Overall, the new style works well and it’s a great looking wannabe sport sedan.

Inside, many of the instruments come from the Ford parts bin with the notable exception of the LCD instrument cluster. Even over 3,200 miles in 8 days, the seats were comfy, supportive and showed their sporty side on PCH 1 in-between LA and San Francisco. My pregnant wife, who rode shotgun on the Detroit to San Francisco trip, found the seats to be sufficient with the aid of a small pillow.

The center instrument column is the glaring exception of the good looking car though. It’s ugly and poorly designed. It’s overwhelming at times with poorly placed buttons and a strange sloping design. The car we drove across country didn’t have a GPS system so perhaps that option improves the look and function.

Now, the instrument cluster, which is the most innovative part of the car. Flanking the center-placed speedometer is two LCD screens that display all the necessary info about the automobile: fuel level, hybrid drive status, live MPG, odometer, everything really. These LCD screens work in real time and are very smooth in operation.

This design evolution is a welcome change from the traditional dial-type gauges, but the long term viability is still in question. These screens will probably cost dramatically more to replace than traditional analog gauges and low-cost neighborhood garages might not be able to do the work. Still, these screens are the best part of the car and you must watch the video walkthrough to fully appreciate their function.

Fuel economy is still the most important aspect of this automobile despite the sweet electronics and great styling. We drove this car from Detroit across the plains to South Dakota and then south to Denver. Over the next couple of days we traversed the Rocky Mountains and made our way to LA via Las Vegas. And then up to San Francisco by way of the winding Pacific Coast Highway 1. Over the 3,200 miles of semi-aggressive and fast highway driving, this 2010 Ford Fusion recorded 35.1 miles per gallon, which is slightly less than the EPA estimates of 41 in the city and 36 on the highway.

Many non-hybrid cars can get this type of fuel economy. Even my old 2000 Grand Prix can see similar mileage through carefully and thoughtful driving. We had many miles to travel to get from Detroit to San Francisco so let’s just say “carefully and thoughtful driving” wasn’t a top priority. I can truthfully say that anyone can get over 35 mpg in this mid-size car if I did. You can budget your fuel cost easily ’cause it’s that easy to get that mileage. Seriously, no matter how hard I pushed the car on PCH 1 or how fast I went across the vast emptiness that is South Dakota, this car got 35 mpg. Higher mileage could have easily been attained if the cruise was set at 65 mpg the entire trip, but that wouldn’t have been fun.

Similar hybrids are available from other manufacturers as well. Toyota sells a Camry hybrid, GM offers a hybrid Malibu, and even Nissan sells an Altama Hybrid. This Ford isn’t much different from the other options, which is a good thing as the other models are trend setters. The Fusion has great styling inside and out, a comfortable interior and as a plus, gets slightly better gas mileage than the other options. There isn’t much more that potential buyers could want out of this car.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Highly recommended.

Giveaway items:

• Navigon 4300T GPS
• WowWee Rovio
• Jabra BT-530 headset
• Jabra Bluetooth SP700 speakerphone
• Harmon Kardon earbuds
• JBL onStage Micro iPod dock
• Black & Decker 100 Watt Power Inverter
• Black & Decker Smart Scan unit

Click through for contest details and simple rules. BTW, don’t miss this contest too.

Giveway details: All we are asking for is at least three sentences with your thoughts on next-gen vehicles. We don’t care if you flame hybrids or claim EVs are gift from God. Just tell us how you feel about the current or future crop of high mileage automobiles. The winner will be chosen randomly. Also, only enter the giveaway once, please.

This contest is simple: simply guess how many bathroom breaks my wife and I took along the 3,200 road trip. You should know though that my wife, and co-pilot on the trip, is five months pregnant and I had something going on with my bladder for a few days. And yes, we did keep track so this isn’t just some random number.

Here is what you win:

• Navigon 4300T GPS unit
• Nokia N96 cell phone
• Nokia BH-804 headset
• Black & Decker 100 Watt Power Inverter
• Black & Decker Smart Scan unit

Our intent was to give away this stuff while on the road by having our readers guess the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid’s gas mileage, but that car got 35 mpg no matter how I drove it making the contests kind of lame. Seriously, no matter how hard I pushed the car or broke the speed limit, it got 35 mpg +/- a bit. So, here we are with a lot of gear to giveaway. Expect another contest later in the day with even more stuff.

Contest details: Just guess and only enter once. The winner will be choosen from all the right answers. Make sure you enter the correct email too, ’cause that’s how we will contact you. The contest will end Wednesday at 12:00 pm EST.

Official rules: One decimal points may be used in the answer. (i.e. 35 MPG & 35.2 MPG are different answers) Only one entry per person and yes, we do have a way of checking. The winner will be chosen randomly among all correct answers and notified via email or Twitter so ensure you input your correct email and follow me on Twitter. (@MJBurnsy) The contest will end Tuesday morning at 9:00 EST.

We still have a long way to travel and thousands of dollars of giveaways to go. Upcoming contests include a couple of JBL On Stage Micros, Harmon Kardon earbuds, Jabra Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones, a few WowWee Rovios, Black & Decker power inverters, a few more Navigon GPS units, and even a Nokia N96. Stay tuned for many more contests on CrunchGear and my Twitter feed. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@MJBurnsy) for your best chance to win some of these great prizes.

Editor’s Note: Matt’s expenses at the end of this trip will be paid by the Ford Motor Company. We are not required to write anything good – or anything, really – about the Fusion during the course of the trip although we did choose to partake in the trip because of the technology in the car itself.

Oh, and those little leaves off on the right? They are clever reminders how much you are helping save the planet when driving this car; more leaves means your driving smart and achieving better fuel economy. The video after the break shows the cluster in action.

We’re almost halfway through our cross country drive in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. So far, the car is impressive. It’s roomy, somewhat comfy, and gets great gas mileage. We’ve managed to get 35.4 mpg over the 1600 miles we’ve traveled so far. The vast majority of that was highway or two-lane road cruising at 75 MPH. When we toured around the South Dakota Black Hills, that number shot up to 43 mpg thanks to the slow speeds and frequent down hill driving. Then there is the innovative speedometer cluster which is by far, the most forward thinking part of the car. Two LCD screens flank both sides of the speedo and gives numerous readouts of the cars functions. The screens are customizable and are a welcome alternative to static analog gauges.

The best part of the trip so far has been seeing America. We cruised south of Chicago and hit the rolling hills of Iowa. Then we made our way up to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where our GPS took us on a back road tour for a few hours. Eventually though, we hit Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. We did the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse thing and then drove through Custer State Park via The Needles Highway. Do not miss that drive. It is spectacular.

We then raced South yesterday morning through Nebraska, trying to avoid the huge blizzard that was suppose to hit Rapid City in a few hours. We arrived in Denver around 2:00 and only saw a few minutes of snow during the drive; most of the six hour drive was fighting high winds though.

We are going to make our way to Las Vegas over the next two days via Utah. We are staying at The Magnolia in Denver and we don’t want to leave. We took advantage of the free suite upgrade and got a very comfortable apartment-style room. Eventually though, we will have to hit the road and deal with light snow and high winds as we make our way out of the Mile High City.

Here are a few pictures of our travels so far. It’s been a heck of a trip.

Today we are trying to make it from Rapid City, SD to Denver, CO. Generally, this 7 hour drive is about as boring as it gets, but the weatherman says a blizzard is immanent, which might throw off the millage a bit. So far though, the Fusion Hybrid is running around 35 mpg @ 75 MPH on the highway, but we got an impressive 43 mpg while cruising around the Black Hills yesterday. Hit the Read More link for the contest rules and to leave your guess in the comments.

Official rules: One decimal points may be used in the answer. (i.e. 35 MPG & 35.2 MPG are different answers) Only one entry per person and yes, we do have a way of checking. The winner will be chosen randomly among all correct answers and notified via email or Twitter so ensure you input your correct email and follow me on Twitter. (@MJBurnsy) The contest will end Tuesday morning at 9:00 EST.

We still have a long way to travel and thousands of dollars of giveaways to go. Upcoming contests include a couple of JBL On Stage Micros, Harmon Kardon earbuds, Jabra Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones, a few WowWee Rovios, Black & Decker power inverters, a few more Navigon GPS units, and even a Nokia N96. Stay tuned for many more contests on CrunchGear and my Twitter feed. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@MJBurnsy) for your best chance to win some of these great prizes.

Google says that it’s 245 miles to the I-90 interchange East of Chicago and this car has an EPA estimated mileage of 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. But I’m driving this hot rod and my pregnant wife who has to use the facilities every couple of hours is riding shotgun. Still, all you need to do leave your guess in the comments below of the average miles per gallon you think I will achieve to win the new GPS unit. No worries if you don’t win this one, we have tons more to give away. More details after the break.

We still have a long way to travel and thousands of dollars of giveaways to go. Upcoming contests include a couple of JBL On Stage Micros, Harmon Kardon earbuds, Jabra Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones, a few WowWee Rovios, Black & Decker power inverters, a few more Navigon GPS units, and even a Nokia N96. Stay tuned for many more contests on CrunchGear and my Twitter feed. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@MJBurnsy) for your best chance to win some of these great prizes.

Official rules: One decimal points maybe used in the answer. (i.e. 30 MPG & 35.5 MPG are different answers) Only one entry per person and yes, we do have a way of checking. The winner will be chosen randomly among all correct answers and notified via email or Twitter so ensure you input your correct email and follow me on Twitter. (@MJBurnsy)

This is going to be one heck of a trip: 10 days, over 3,000 miles, two people all in one 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. We have a lot planned for readers on this trip too. A bunch of companies have provided some gear in the spirit of the road trip. Navigon gave us a bunch of GPSs, Jabra is throwing in BT350 headsets and Bluetooth speakerphones. We have Black and Decker power inverters, a couple of WowWee Rovios, and even a Nokia N96 to give away during the trip. Some contest will be on CrunchGear’s main site, and others will be given away to my Twitter followers. (@MJBurnsy) (twitter is your best chance)

Best of all though, we get to spend a bunch of time with what might be one of the hottest hybrids on the road. The EPA claims this thing gets 41 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Plus, it has that sweet LCD dashboard cluster. It’s going to great. Stay tuned for the contests, giveaways and info about the hybrid. A contest will go up shortly when we hit the first leg of our trip within an hours. (Hint: It involves you guessing the MPG used between Dearborn, MI and Chicago, IL for a brand new, unreleased GPS unit.)

Editor’s Note: Matt’s expenses at the end of this trip will be paid by the Ford Motor Company. We are not required to write anything good – or anything, really – about the Fusion during the course of the trip although we did choose to partake in the trip because of the technology in the car itself.

Our own Matt Burns will be driving from Dearborn, Michigan to San Francisco in a new Ford Fusion Hybrid, a Ford we can all truly be excited about. He’ll be running contests and reporting live from the road so if there’s anyplace you think he should visit, speak now or forever hold your peace. Matt’s trip was even written up in the local Flint news where he describes his job to incredulous reporters. To wit:

He’s now associate editor of CrunchGear.com and also freelances to other tech sites, writing about 12 posts a day. Most are 300 to 400 words but a few are longer, on everything from Blu-ray formatting to the latest satellite navigation systems.

“I got the job with a few sentences in an e-mail. That’s how this world works. It’s very informal,” said Burns. “I didn’t even talk to anyone on the phone for three or four months. It’s a pretty weird work atmosphere where you rarely see or talk to people.”

The first time he met fellow staffers was at a big consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.

“But we talk all day long in a chat room. I feel as close to these coworkers as anybody I’ve ever worked with, if not more,” he said.

Look for more reports tomorrow as Matt begins his 10-day trek across these United States. Here’s a bit about Matt’s car, the newest hybrid vehicle in Ford’s line-up:

A selection of specially refitted 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrids are set to embark on a national journey across the United States. Matt Burns, from the gadgets, gear and computer hardware blog CrunchGear is the first participant in the Ford American Hybrid Tour. Beginning his ten-day road trip at Ford Motor Company Global Headquarters in Dearborn, MI, Matt will travel across the country in a brand new, fully-equipped 41 mpg 2010 Fusion Hybrid, while blogging about his adventures en route.

Advice? Stops? Calls for meet-ups? Dump ‘em here.

Editor’s Note: Matt’s expenses at the end of this trip will be paid by the Ford Motor Company. We are not required to write anything good – or anything, really – about the Fusion during the course of the trip although we did choose to partake in the trip because of the technology in the car itself.