2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid ‘Road Test’

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid with Mt. Shasta in the background.

It’s a warm Monday morning and I’m staring dreamily out the window at the sunshine and wishing I were somewhere in the mountains enjoying this gorgeous day.  When it hits me… I CAN be!  I’ve been meaning to take a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid for a road test and NOW is the perfect time to do it!

Actually, there will be two of us on this trip.  My fellow marketing employee, Justin, will test a 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid at the same time.  We will caravan up and around the Mt Ashland area stopping just long enough to snap beauty shots along the way.

We’ll ask Justin what he thought of the ILX for our Acura blog tomorrow.  For today we’ll focus on the Fusion Hybrid.  I enjoyed everything about the drive but, of course, I’m biased so I turned to Butler Ford fleet manager Mike “Coach” Cocchiara to tell the truth about the Fusion since he fell so in love with it that he bought one (full disclosure:  Coach owns a Fusion, not a Fusion Hybrid.  But the only real differences are the gas mileage – which at 47/47 city/highway is astounding, and the noise.  The Fusion is QUIET).  Here’s what else he had to say:

• The Fusion has the best handling on any type of road.
• It accelerates really well.
• It’s quiet.
• Technology in the 2013 Ford Fusion is second to none.  (To clarify, Ford Touch offers 1500+ voice commands, controls on the steering wheel, and easy access to both driver and passenger.)

That’s pretty much what I would have said, too, while also adding in superior comfort.  Hmmm, it’s still gorgeous out… maybe we need another road test, you know, just to make sure…

2013 Ford Fusion Energi Earns Highest Possible Overall NHTSA Safety Score

2013 Ford Fusion Energi

The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is the latest Ford to earn a “five-star” Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The “Overall” score sums up vehicle performance in frontal, side-impact, and roll-over crashes.  The 2013 Ford Fusion energi received highest possible 5-star rating in frontal and side-impact accidents, and 4-stars in roll-over safety.  The plug-in hybrid  follows the Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid in earning the highest possible safety rating awarded by the US government.  Steve Kenner, the Global Director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office says, “The Fusion Energi combines the highest possible safety ratings from NHTSA and great fuel economy, two things we know customers are looking for in their vehicles.  Our strategy is to provide our customers with a range of powertrain options in our vehicles, while still leading in fuel economy in every segment that we compete.”

To view the NHTSA crash test results click here.
 

Source:  http://dealer-communications.com 

2013 Ford Fusion Energi Approved for Use in CA’s HOV Lanes

2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid

Need another reason to pre-order a 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid?   They’re now approved to travel in California’s High Ococupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes! In fact, The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has bestowed the honor among more 2013 Fords than just about any other make of vehicle! Here are the details according to Ford.com:

“To earn access to these faster moving carpool lanes, vehicles must qualify for tax rebates through California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which is overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). A vehicle that qualifies earns a special sticker that identifies it as having HOV privileges.

Ford Fusion Energi buyers are eligible to receive a $1,500 tax rebate – in addition to a $3,750 federal tax credit – making Fusion the third Ford brand vehicle to now qualify for California’s special financial and driving incentives, and putting Ford in the lead, along with Toyota, for having the most vehicles of any automaker allowed access to the state’s carpool lanes. Ford Focus Electric and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid also qualify.”

So, no more excuses. It’s time to take that Golden State road trip!

Sources: www.ford.com, www.motortrend.com

Butler Makes/Models Make Earn IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick+’ Award

2013 Ford Fusion, an IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick+’ Award Winner

If you’re in the market for a safe vehicle, chances are Butler Auto Group has one to meet your needs. Our confidence stems from the fact that four of the 13 vehicles on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2013 Top Safety Pick+ List are makes and models we sell. They are the Acura TL, the Ford Fusion, The Kia Optima, and the Suzuki Kizashi. “Models that earn Top Safety Pick also offer outstanding protection in many crashes, ” says IIHS President Adrian Lund. “These vehicles are much safer choices than most vehicles on the market just five years ago.” For more on the list and the stringent testing standards visit: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr122012_TSP.html.

2013 Ford Fusion Makes “Beautiful Cars” List

President Grover Cleveland said, “A man is known by the company he keeps.”  We like to think the same is true of automobiles.  Take, for instance, the list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars of All Time” compiled by Edmunds Inside Line.  In and amongst the likes of both classic and contemporary Maseratis, Posches, Bentleys, Fisker Karmas, and Bugattis is a handful of Fords, including…. drumroll, please… the 2013 Ford Fusion!

The Fusion’s lines are so graceful (Ford calls them “sleek and stylish”) that some compare the front end to that of the Aston Martin DBS… not much of a stretch considering Aston Martin was part of the Ford Group until 2007.  (Listen to Chris Hamilton talk about the 2013 Fusion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95XmHu1SRlo)

The Fusion’s beauty continues on the interior.  Recognizing the importance of individual preference, designers added ambient lighting options.  Drivers can rotate among seven colors (white, orange, red, ice blue, green, blue and purple).

It’s not all about looks, though. There’s also a model for those attracted to environmental friendliness.  The ’13 Fusion Energi Hybrid Plug-In is expected to deliver the equivalent of 100 mpg.

Not surprisingly (we’re not biased or anything) the Fusion’s not the only Ford to make the “Beautiful Cars”  list.  Also included are the ’32 3-Window Coupe, the ‘33 Cabriolet, ‘56 F100, ’64 GT40, ’65 Mustang 2×2, and the ’67 Shelby GT500.  To view the entire list visit (http://www.insideline.com/features/100-most-beautiful-cars-ever-made.html).