LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2010 – Ford Motor Company continues delivering on its promise to make fuel economy affordable for millions of consumers and soon will put on the road its fourth vehicle delivering 40 mpg or more in 2011 – more than any other full-line automaker.
In addition, the company today has 13 vehicles, including cars, utilities and crossovers, in the U.S. that lead their sales segments in fuel economy – a number no other automaker matches.
"We are bringing customers the most fuel-efficient product portfolio in Ford's 107-year history, and customers are taking notice," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "From sports cars and hybrids to SUVs and pickups, Ford is delivering the broadest range of fun-to-drive products that are among the industry's best in fuel economy."
Three 2011 models achieve at least 40 mpg – Fiesta SE with SFE package (40 mpg highway), Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41 mpg city). Early next year, the all-new 2012 Focus is expected to join Ford's 40-mpg club.
No other automaker offers four nameplates with 40-mpg ratings, according to the 2011 EPA Fuel Economy Guide.
"Ford's drive for fuel economy is paying off for millions of customers who benefit from the largest-ever company investment made several years ago to develop new engines, transmissions, hybrid systems and EcoBoost engine technology," said Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president, Powertrain Engineering. "The best news of all? Today's customers can choose how they would like their fuel economy, with the freedom in the Ford lineup to select which type of fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive vehicle they prefer."
Today, Ford's fuel economy leaders include:
* Ford Fiesta: The combination of a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder and available six-speed dual-clutch transmission delivers best-in-class 40 mpg on the highway, topping Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit by 4 mpg and 5 mpg, respectively
* Ford Mustang V6: Its high-revving 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 31 mpg; Mustang V6 is the first car in history to deliver the combination of 300-plus horsepower and more than 30 mpg
* Ford Edge: With its 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic, Edge delivers 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, a rating no other midsize crossover can top. The upcoming 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine in the 2012 Edge is expected to deliver even greater economy
* Ford F-150: Its 302-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic deliver a best-in-class 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway – an EPA rating hybrid versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra can't top. The 3.7-liter V6 is one of four all-new truck engines coming to the 2011 F-150 lineup
* Ford Super Duty: The new Ford-designed and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine delivers as much as 20 percent better fuel economy than the 6.4-liter it replaced and hasn't been topped for fuel economy in even third-party and media test drives. The new Power Stroke also is the most powerful diesel pickup engine money can buy, rated at 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque
* Fusion Hybrid remains America's most fuel-efficient midsize family sedan, topping the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 6 mpg in combined city/highway fuel economy, according to the EPA
* Escape Hybrid, the nation's most fuel-efficient SUV, with 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway
* Transit Connect, a functional, flexible small van with no true competitors, delivers 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway
* Ranger pickup – still the industry's most fuel-efficient small truck with 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway
* Lincoln MKZ Hybrid midsize premium sedan delivers 41 mpg – 6 mpg better than its nearest competitor, Lexus HS250h
* Lincoln MKT, at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, is the most fuel-efficient full-size non-hybrid luxury SUV
* Lincoln MKX, in both two- and all-wheel-drive versions, delivers higher fuel economy than any other non-hybrid premium midsize SUV. MKX 2WD is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the AWD MKX delivers 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway
* The all-new 2011 Ford Explorer's new 290-horsepower 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 is projected to deliver at least 20 percent better fuel economy than the 2010 Explorer and an EPA rating higher than the Honda Pilot and other vehicles in its segment. An optional 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine delivering even higher fuel economy will also be available after launch early next year
Record investment in new engines, six-speed transmissions and new fuel-saving technologies such as EcoBoost, twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) has raised Ford's fleet average fuel economy performance faster and at a greater percentage than any major automaker, according to a report from the EPA.
Based on an analysis of data published by the EPA, Ford's fleet average fuel economy improved more than any other automaker between 2004 and 2009. Ford's improvement more than doubled its nearest competitor.
Still, at Ford, the fuel economy push continues in 2011. For instance, Edge and Explorer, two Ford nameplates that have never been offered with four-cylinder engines, will be available with fuel-saving 2.0-liter I-4 EcoBoost engines. An EcoBoost engine arrives early next year in F-150, as well. Downsized EcoBoost engines can increase fuel economy by as much as 20 percent over similar-sized conventional engines with no loss of performance.
"EcoBoost remains a cornerstone of our commitment to lead or be among the leaders in fuel economy with every new vehicle we bring to market," Kuzak said. "EcoBoost is a game changer for millions because it's affordable, scalable – it can be applied to everything from small cars to large trucks – and the technology is available and proven. Most importantly, it doesn't ask owners to sacrifice the joy of driving in exchange for fuel economy benefits."
EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford's strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver uncompromised performance and fuel economy. EcoBoost engines deliver fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent, compared to larger, less-efficient engines.
In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, Ford engineers have enhanced EcoBoost's technology capabilities by adding variable valve timing and precisely controlling all aspects of the engine. Ford has at least 125 patents on its EcoBoost technology.
"Fuel economy and technology are consumers' biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford's as well," Kuzak said.
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