Ford Adds Intelligent Gauges To Fusion And Milan Hybrids

The Ford Motor Company has introduced a new feature on its 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid vehicles that is designed to help drivers maximize their fuel economy as they drive. The SmartGauge with EcoGuide is a new take on the car's instrument cluster that provides real-time feedback to the driver on the impact of their driving style on fuel consumption.

The instrument cluster acts as a "coach" to help drivers understand how to get the best fuel economy out of the hybrid vehicles. The displays are mounted on each side of the vehicles' analog speedometer. The SmartGauge system provides a tutorial for drivers to help them understand what the displays mean. The displays are user-controllable and provide four levels of information, including basic data about the vehicle's fuel level, battery status, electric mode indicator, tachometer, engine output power, battery output power, the power applied to the wheels, engine pull-up data, and accessory power consumption metering.

The Fusion and Milan hybrids are new additions to the Ford lineup for the 2010 model year. Ford already produces the Escape/Mariner hybrid lines. All four vehicles are full hybrids, and feature independent gas and electric operating modes. Ford also said that the Fusion/Milan vehicles can operate in all-electric mode at speeds below 47 mph and have an all-electric range of as much as eight miles.

Source and Photo: Ford Motor Company