Ford hybrid goes miles further
A hybrid Ford Fusion has astonishingly driven 1,445 miles on a single tank of fuel, making its average fuel consumption a heady 81.5mpg and setting a world record for a petrol-powered medium-sized passenger car. The run, which took place in Washington DC, USA, was completed in a completely non-modified, US-spec Fusion hybrid.
And despite its American roots, the record bodes well for UK Fords because the maker is moving towards a 'global strategy' in which its US and European cars will increasingly share platforms, engines and design. It's part of a move by the troubled maker to get back into profit following the well-documented Government bailout of the US 'Big Three'.
The record attempt started on April 25th and took 69 hours of continuous driving, with the car finally running out of fuel reading exactly 1,445.7 miles on the trip clock. That's more than double the Ford's official estimated tank mileage of 700 miles. A Ford spokeswoman said: “Not only does this demonstrate the Fusion Hybrid's fuel efficiency, it also shows that driving technique is one of the keys to maximizing its potential.”
Ford's advice for green driving includes: maintaining even throttle pressure; braking as smoothly as possible; turning off the air conditioning when it isn't needed; closing the windows; avoiding potholes; and anticipating hills to reduce use of the throttle going up them, then coasting back down.
