Pumpcast Newsbreak: Ford And Toyota Sink To New Lows

Those are the numbers from the current Fusion. The one due out in the fall is 47mpg city, 44mpg highway. I imagine it is more of the same with the Fusion hybrid, though. The EPA numbers make it look a lot more efficient than it is compared to the competition.* They run on battery power to a higher speed which means that the gas engine isn't running as much on that short 11 mile cycle. At some point, the piper must be paid, though, and the gas engine has to recharge that battery. *From motor trend: Test :: 2010 FUSION HYBRID : 2009 CAMRY HYBRID 30/45-mph frequent-stop test :: 24.9 mpg : 26.5 mpg 50-mph occasional-stop test :: 34.4 mpg : 34.0 mpg 70-mph highway test :: 33.1 mpg : 34.4 mpg The Fusion is rated at 41/36 and the Camry was rated at 33/34. Pretty clear to me that the difference in efficiency is as different as the EPA test implies. I think the big difference is that the Fusion runs the electric motor only up to 47mph versus 30mph or something of the Camry. The new Fusion electric motor goes up to 62mph, which I'm sure plays a huge role in the bump on the EPA ratings of the new Fusion. The electricity for that electric motor has to come from somewhere, though. Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/ 112_0901_2010_ford_fusion_hybrid_2009_toyota_camry_ hybrid/viewall.html#ixzz1mSWXkXln

@mdensch i easily beat the EPA estimates in Los Angeles traffic, driving a very ordinary stick-shift Honda Fit.