Fusion I4 Fuel Economy: What Gives?

[Ach]

A few months back, Ford made a big splash with its announcement that the 4 cylinder, non-hybrid Fusion was EPA certified at 23 city/34 highway for 2010.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=29670

But this morning when I stopped by my local Ford shop, I was disappointed to see the 2010 automatic Fusion I4 SE with a 22/31 rating according to the window sticker. This is no better than the Accord and a full 2 mpg highway behind the I4 6A Malibu and the MCE 2010 I4 Camry.

Looking again at Ford's press release, I notice that it specifically mentions the Fusion S. Why the large difference between the S and SE? Is the S bascially in the vein of the Cobalt XFE? I can't imagine that the super-stripper S line will be the volume retail model for I4 Fusions.

All of which is very troubling. The Fusion is heavily revised with a new 4-cylinder motor, and its likely volume models (I4 SE and SEL) already are also-rans in the fuel economy stakes.

[nsap]

Yeah, it's only the automatic S model. That is terribly disappointing. I was under the impression it was all or most of the 4-cylinder models as well.

Ford needs to go back to the drawing board on the 2.5L then. The 34 MPG rating should be achieved on most of the 4-cylinder models, not just one.

[slant6]

It looks like the S, SE, and SEL get 23/34 with the 4 cyl auto trans, according to:
http://media.ford.com/press_kits_det...ection_id=2878

FUEL ECONOMY (city/hwy)
2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Manual (S)
22/31

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Auto (S)
23/34

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Manual (SE/SEL)
22/31

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Auto (SE/SEL)
23/34

3.0-liter V-6, 6-Speed SelectShift Automatic™ (FWD)
18/27

3.0-liter V-6, 6-Speed SelectShift Automatic™ (AWD)
18/25

3.5-liter V-6 FWD
18/27

3.5-liter V-6 AWD
17/24

[nsap]

Originally Posted by slant6

It looks like the S, SE, and SEL get 23/34 with the 4 cyl auto trans, according to:
http://media.ford.com/press_kits_det...ection_id=2878

FUEL ECONOMY (city/hwy)
2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Manual (S)
22/31

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Auto (S)
23/34

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Manual (SE/SEL)
22/31

2.5-liter I-4 6-Speed Auto (SE/SEL)
23/34

3.0-liter V-6, 6-Speed SelectShift Automatic™ (FWD)
18/27

3.0-liter V-6, 6-Speed SelectShift Automatic™ (AWD)
18/25

3.5-liter V-6 FWD
18/27

3.5-liter V-6 AWD
17/24

From FordVehicles.com:

22 City/31 Hwy (Manual, S Model);
22 City/29 Hwy (Manual, SE and SEL Models);
23 City/34 Hwy (Automatic, S Model);
22 City/31 Hwy (Automatic, SE and SEL Models)

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Ach

...Looking again at Ford's press release, I notice that it specifically mentions the Fusion S. Why the large difference between the S and SE?...

The S has a very limited amount of options which puts it in a lighter inertial weight category for EPA testing.

[cdp326]

I figured/assumed some of the difference included things like lower rolling resistance tires for the S model? IIRC that's part of how Ford improved the fuel economy ratings for the Escape (along with the 6-speed automatic).

[BrickTamland]

Ford needs to figure its **** out when it comes to the mileage on the 3.5 V6 with AWD. It drops by one in the city and four on the highway in the MKZ and Taurus. It does no better better on the Fusion Sport.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by nsap

From FordVehicles.com:

22 City/31 Hwy (Manual, S Model);
22 City/29 Hwy (Manual, SE and SEL Models);
23 City/34 Hwy (Automatic, S Model);
22 City/31 Hwy (Automatic, SE and SEL Models)

I can confirm those numbers now. I checked some window stickers out at dealerships.

[jmlee0695]

Thats weird. So, the Mlaibu can still win!
nsap, btw, heard anything more about the 2.4 DI in the Malibu? everytime I read about the Fusion I think of that

[nsap]

Originally Posted by jmlee0695

Thats weird. So, the Mlaibu can still win!
nsap, btw, heard anything more about the 2.4 DI in the Malibu? everytime I read about the Fusion I think of that

Yeah, it appears that the Malibu still has the fuel economy advantage (which is a surprise to me). The only Malibu 4-cylinder that does not manage the 33 MPG rating is the base LS, which is low volume anyway.

No word on the 2.4 DI in the Malibu. I won't be surprised however if they squeeze another 1 MPG out of it...to 34 MPG highway for 2010.

[jmlee0695]

I hope so! Then we can shut up the Ford shills

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by jmlee0695

I hope so! Then we can shut up the Ford shills

By that time we shall have the 1.6 EB in it.

[kylepo]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

By that time we shall have the 1.6 EB in it.

And if its anything like the other EB it wont get any better MPG than comparable vehciles but the HP and MPG ratio will be better.

[jmlee0695]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

By that time we shall have the 1.6 EB in it.

The Fusion? For MY 2010, which its in? Hmm, I didn;t know the Fusion had a 1.6 EB in it

[nsap]

Originally Posted by jmlee0695

The Fusion? For MY 2010, which its in? Hmm, I didn;t know the Fusion had a 1.6 EB in it

I think the 1.6L ECOBoost was delayed to 2011-2012.