EPA cites Ford as automaker with most fuel economy improvement

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Ford Motor Company has improved in fuel economy more than any other major automaker since 2004, according to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA rated Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economy improvement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.

As an example of this increase, Ford notes that the fuel efficiency of the 2010 Ford Fusion improved 21% over the 2009 model, jumping from 28 mpg to 34 mpg in highway driving. Powertrain improvements were a big difference maker in this improvement — Fusion and other new models benefit from the introduction of Ford’s new six-speed transmission, which offers a wider gear span than four-speed transmissions.



The six-speed allowed Ford’s engineers the flexibility to tune the powertrain for greater responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller gears. The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute up to 4% fuel economy improvement. Ford says it is committed to having almost 100% of its transmissions be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013.

Beyond the powertrain, Ford credits its recent gains in fuel economy in part to its introduction of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids and numerous incremental aerodynamic, mechanical, energy management and weight-saving improvements across its vehicle lineup. Going forward, it expects its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids and its fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines to further improve its fleet-wide fuel economy.

EcoBoost engines are available in the Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT. Recently honored with a Popular Mechanics’ Breakthrough Award, EcoBoost uses gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20% better fuel economy, 15% fewer CO2 emissions and superior driving performance versus larger-displacement engines.

On average, nearly one in five buyers of the Taurus, Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT have opted for EcoBoost since the engine lineup’s introduction in August. By 2013, Ford says it will offer EcoBoost engines in 90% of its product lineup with annual volume of vehicles with EcoBoost at 1.3 million globally.



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EPA cites Ford as automaker with most fuel economy improvement | FuelMileage.com Blog: Automotive News, Tips and Talk

[hydrokevin]

I think Ford is going to continue to surprise some people for years to come. Many people are looking forward to GM's Chevy Volt and the Toyota Plugin Prius (minus any random acceleration or braking issues), but Ford may just be a dark horse in the fuel economy race.