Ford Fusion Hybrid runs out of gas....... after 1445.7 miles

[Memphis]

At 9:08 yesterday morning, a team of drivers managed to surpass the 1,000 mile mark in a production 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. An astounding feat considering that all of the miles were driven on only one tank of gas. But with 1/3 tank of fuel left, the team pushed on.

At 5:37 am this morning, they finally burned their last drop of gas. The team recorded 1,445.7 miles on a single tank of fuel and finished with an average fuel economy number of 81.5 miles per gallon.

The team surpassed the 1,000 mile mark with Nascar Driver Carl Edwards behind the wheel. Not a person you would normally associated with the slow driving techniques and other hypermilling techniques used to achieve this amazing feat.

The 1,000 Mile Challenge started Saturday morning and the team of drivers reached the 1,000 mile mark some 47 hours later. 47 continuous hours of driving without refueling. Their initial goal of 1,000 miles was surpassed and they continued driving for nearly another day before running out of fuel.

Through gentle throttle use and cautious driving, the team of drivers were able to achieve over 80 miles per gallon through the course of the event.





that is frigging cool

[EVILZ33]

props to ford

[fat_kid]

way to go!

[01mmmz28]

Holy shit !!!! That is bad ass. Guess you could say " I drove from North Carolina to California on 2 and a half tanks of gas. lol. Bet nobody would believe that.

[Jonnychadootz]

Honestly, to me that's not surprising nor impressive. That pos is made for great gas mileage because it has 4 1/2 hp. Not only that but they were all highway miles or a test track (which, especially if u live in any major city) doesn't mean a f*ckin thing Get a car with some realistic ballz (minimum of 200hp) to do that and then I'll be impressed. This test (I can pretty much guarantee) was under perfect circumstances (notice they don't tell u where the test was done) The driver was making every effort possible to stretch out the mpg. No1 realistically drives that way. I could take take my prelude downgrade it to 3 hp/different gears and get 100 mpg. Just isn't realistic

BTW @ 3 hp/16 gallon tank @ 100mpg my prelude would do 1600mpg WOOHOO

[vette12]

funny thing is... im doing a paper on this exact subject.

since the CAFE standards, instead of improving fuel efficiency, we've been focusing on performance, and ways to make a better performer but JUST meet the standards....

So from 1975 to 2005 0-60mph has increased 29% and overall horsepower has increased 93%!!!.... but in that same time period, fuel efficiency has only increased 1%!!!

I mean what the **** have we been doing???

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by Jonnychadootz

Honestly, to me that's not surprising nor impressive. That pos is made for great gas mileage because it has 4 1/2 hp. Not only that but they were all highway miles or a test track (which, especially if u live in any major city) doesn't mean a f*ckin thing Get a car with some realistic ballz (minimum of 200hp) to do that and then I'll be impressed. This test (I can pretty much guarantee) was under perfect circumstances (notice they don't tell u where the test was done) The driver was making every effort possible to stretch out the mpg. No1 realistically drives that way. I could take take my prelude downgrade it to 3 hp/different gears and get 100 mpg. Just isn't realistic

BTW @ 3 hp/16 gallon tank @ 100mpg my prelude would do 1600mpg WOOHOO

They drove from Mount Vernon, Va. to Washington, D.C. Where did you come up with the 4 1/2 hp? It has like 150hp

[97talon]

People called hypermilers have been getting that gas mileage for a while now. They even have competitions. Ford is just the first company to try and use it to hype something. What they don't tell you is the kinds of things they do to get that mileage.

[Memphis]

actually they gave a press release about what they did to get the mileage. BTW a Z06 won mileage competitions in the uk lol

[Daledoe]

Nice, Its half way to needing a oil change!!!~

[97talon]

Originally Posted by Memphis

actually they gave a press release about what they did to get the mileage. BTW a Z06 won mileage competitions in the uk lol

Where is said press release?

[Memphis]

ONE THOUSAND MILES AND COUNTING: FUSION HYBRID BREAKS 1,000 MILES ON SINGLE TANK, PRESSES ON
* The Ford Fusion Hybrid team has achieved more than 1,000 miles – over 47 continuous hours – on a single tank of gas, raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
* Passing the 1,000 mile mark at 9:08 a.m. this morning, the team will continue as their unmodified, regular production Fusion Hybrid has nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining
* The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America – the Fusion Hybrid – driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, achieved more than 80 miles per gallon using Eco-Driving techniques
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2009 – At 9:08 a.m. this morning, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid team hit the 1,000-mile mark on a single tank of gas, and is continuing its ultimate fuel-efficiency challenge with nearly one-third of a tank of fuel remaining.
The 1,000-mile mark was achieved with the Fusion Hybrid 1,000-Mile Challenge team leader and NASCAR driver, Carl Edwards, behind the wheel. Other team members include world-record breaking hypermiler Wayne Gerdes and several Ford hybrid engineers.
The 1,000-Mile Challenge started at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, from Mount Vernon, Va., and is expected to end on Tuesday, April 28 in Washington, D.C.
A regular production version of the Fusion Hybrid – the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America – delivered over 80 miles per gallon over the course of 47 hours of continuous driving. The team will continue to drive until the fuel tank is depleted.
The vehicle is being put to the test to demonstrate Ford's commitment to be the best, or amongst the best, in fuel economy in every vehicle segment in which it competes and to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process.
As part of the event, the team is conducting clinics for media and customers in the Fusion Hybrid, providing interviews and vehicle demonstrations on how simple techniques can make a significant difference to real world fuel economy numbers. The team also is uploading regular images and video of the challenge to YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and Home | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.
Mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team used and recommend to consumers include:
* Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
* Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
* Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
* Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
* Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
* Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
* Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
* Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
* Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

[Jonnychadootz]

Originally Posted by Memphis

They drove from Mount Vernon, Va. to Washington, D.C. Where did you come up with the 4 1/2 hp? It has like 150hp

From the southernmost city in VA to Washington DC would be about 20+ miles. Even if you meant Va to Washington state, that would be 2000+ miles so it doesn't work out either way.

[Memphis]

they took the long way

[hull]

lol, either way u look at it..its impressive

..unless it wasnt in gear going down hill for 1500 miles