Late night comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno likes muscle cars and often features them on his website, Jay’s Garage. His newest car review, however, is the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Fusion is a fairly normal looking car at a reasonable price for a hybrid of around $27,000 but has some innovative green design features, according to Praveen Cherian, Ford Fusion Hybrid Program Leader. With a nickel-metal hydride battery, the Fusion uses similar technology to the Toyota Prius and gets a very respectable 39 miles per gallon overall average gas mileage. See the video for more details (somewhat technical) and Mr. Leno test driving the vehicle. A few interesting tidbits from the video, however are the following:

• 2.5L Atkinson Cycle Engine
• 41mpg city/36mpg hwy; combined 39mpg
• Front wheel drive
• Aerodynamic wheel design
• Regenerative breaking
• Dual climate control with occupant sensors to shut off passenger side when driving alone
• 0-60 in nine seconds
• Capless fuel system for easy filling up
• Range of 700 miles per tank
• LCD instrument panel and gas efficiency monitor

The only member of the “Big Three” U.S. car makers not to take government money, Ford’s stock price and reputation have risen slightly in the last couple of months as Chrysler has filed for bankruptcy and GM signs more government bailout deals. Though currently still losing billions of dollars, the innovative, smart, and quality design exhibited in the Ford Fusion Hybrid may offer a bit of hope for the company’s future.

- Justin Manger

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