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Ford hybrids' gauges sprout leaves

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by zenMachine, Oct 29, 2008.

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  1. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Ford plans to announce Wednesday that the Zen-like instrument panels in its 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan gasoline-electric hybrid-power midsize sedans will include electronic display screens on which images of green leaves multiply when drivers are motoring in fuel-efficient fashion.
    When drivers slide behind the wheel, the screens show grass, clouds and sky. The leaf images pop up in a corner of one of the screens when the engine starts.

    The cars are due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month and to go on sale next year.
     

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    #1 zenMachine, Oct 29, 2008
  2. bredekamp

    bredekamp Member

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    I was going to say some something bitchy about cutesy displays....but the display actually does look nice. I'll shut up.
     
    #2 bredekamp, Oct 29, 2008
  3. nyty-nyt

    nyty-nyt Member

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    Cute. That doesn't sound too distracting.
    But do they get great mileage?
     
    #3 nyty-nyt, Oct 29, 2008
  4. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    I'd say the Ford Fusion Hybrid would have similar fuel economy and performance as the Camry Hybrid and Altima Hybrid..

    Like the TCH and NAH, the FFH will have a 2.5L engine and a Power Split Device system. So figure about 33-34mpg combined and maybe 180hp total from the I4 ICE and MG2.
     
    #4 justlurkin, Oct 29, 2008
  5. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Would love to know what the mileage for these cars will be. Nonetheless, this is definitely a step in the right direction. Feedback mechanism such as this indeed helps drivers drive more smoothly and efficiently. It's what the world needs.

    And it's a pretty nice looking display too. Wonder whether Prius III will have anything like that. Consumers' attitude toward and taste in ecological transportation have progressed quite a bit since the Gen II was introduced.
     
    #5 zenMachine, Oct 29, 2008
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Marketing/marketers! Funny. :)

    BTW, hate to break the facts to everyone, but NO car is "Green". Some are slightly less harmful to the environment.
     
    #6 David Beale, Oct 29, 2008
  7. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Even EVs are not "Green" until the power grid is 100% solar and wind power.

     
    #7 bedrock8x, Oct 29, 2008
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    The leaves creep me out a bit...I guess some people will really be taken by it during a test drive, but I think the novelty will wear off quickly.
     
    #8 efusco, Oct 29, 2008
  9. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Yup, like everything else, that too will wear off. But isn't that what marketing is all about? :)

    Myself I rarely look at the Power screen anymore, but I still watch the Consumption screen every now and then to gauge my driving. It's a good feedback mechanism that promotes healthy driving habits. That's not a gimmick. It's a useful tool. If every car had one there'd be far fewer aggressive drivers on the road, IMO.
     
    #9 zenMachine, Oct 29, 2008
  10. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    I would have expected that all the leaves fall off when the engine starts...
     
    #10 Bob64, Oct 29, 2008
  11. SAPrius

    SAPrius New Member

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    Green grass, blue skies, puffy clouds and "happy" leaves sprouting on the display screen. Makes me wonder what happens if you run out of gas? Do the leaves shrivel and die? Or, if in an accident, does the screen show suddenly change to thunderclouds and lightning volts? :eek:
     
    #11 SAPrius, Oct 29, 2008
  12. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    Do they change colors with the season?

    Or better yet, do they change colors as the car ages?
     
    #12 EZW1, Oct 29, 2008
  13. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    I expected leaves to fall off too.


    Doesn't the Camry hybrid's instrument cluster illuminate when you drive it in a fuel efficient manner? i like that idea more... it "energizes" you to drive in a good manner
     
    #13 V8Cobrakid, Oct 29, 2008
  14. gil

    gil Junior Member

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    The Camry hybrid speedo plays a similar game. When you get into what it considers to be an efficient range of operation, the outer ring around the speed numbers turns blue and gets slightly brighter as the mileage improves. Also, the small info display at the bottom of the speedo will "congratulate you when you shut the car down and have exceeded 35 MPG by showing "EXCELLENT" in the display.

    The Ford speedo looks interesting.
     
    #14 gil, Oct 29, 2008
  15. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Ford will also be releasing a hybrid version of its 2010 Fusion that the automaker claims can operate in all-electric mode at a cruising speed of up to 47 mph. Ford also claims the Fusion Hybrid will be capable of an average fuel economy rating that is five mpg better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid, putting mileage at nearly 40 mpg.

    The Hybrid will be powered by a 2.5L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor of unspecified output. Ford did mention it has reduced battery size and weight, and has incorporated a simplified cooling system that does not require an extra air-conditioning system as in previous models.

    A Variable Voltage Controller (VVC) is also incorporated to uncouple battery voltage from the electric motor for greater efficiency, while also able to boost electric motor output by 130% and generator output by 160%...

    2010 Ford Fusion: First Official Photo, Engine, Hybrid Details Announced! | Automotive News Blog - Wide Open Throttle
     
    #15 zenMachine, Oct 30, 2008
  16. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Are you kidding? We all LOVE leaves. Who cares about pure EV mode, or 150mpg when you can have pic's of leaves :rolleyes: If we get real lucky, the year after that, will also include pic's of flowers, and maybe throw in a couple babys.
     
    #16 hill, Oct 30, 2008
  17. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Re: Ford hybrids' gauges leaf [sic] me unimpressed

    Last Dec., when I went looking for a new car, I first test drove a Camry
    hybrid. There were a number of things I didn't like. The last straw was at
    the end of the drive I was told "Very Good!" for my mileage --I don't
    remember if it was a text message or voice. That I could do "very good"
    on my first ever drive made me suspicious that the bar was set rather low.

    So, it was off to the Prius for a drive. Loved it...never looked back.

    I say ditch the leaves. Instead, give me direct access via the MFD to
    really meaningful ICE and HV battery operating data/info on a CanView-like
    display.
     
    #17 Rokeby, Oct 30, 2008
  18. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    wow....sorry but i among many many others have been asking for a 6 passenger 35 mpg mini-van for a long time....toyota?? what is the deal here??

    if the vans work as advertised, they will create a whole new niche hybrid market
     
    #18 DaveinOlyWA, Oct 30, 2008
  19. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    The leaves may be a gimmick, but can the next gen Prius MFD do all this?

    Ford Motor Company :: 2010 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid Offer Leading Fuel Efficiency, Smart New Technologies
     
    #19 zenMachine, Oct 30, 2008
  20. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    What I don'y get is.. if Ford went through the trouble to make an electronic instrument cluster, then why an electronic replication of analog spedometer instead of digital? Heck, the motorcycle I ride has a totally digital instrument cluster.
     
    #20 EZW1, Oct 30, 2008
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