[Futura06]

I got my second Fusion brochure today. Its a fold out like the earlier one but it has some nice new photography. The biggest revelation in it is the EPA gas mileage estimate for the four-cylinder Fusion with Manual. Sadly its only 23 city 30 highway. Now I know thats not bad in the grand scheme of things but its worse than most of the competition. For example the Camry and G6 can get 34 highway and the Acccord and Sonata get 35 highway similarly equipped. In fact my own Dodge Stratus with its old-school four-speed auto gets 22/30. Just one mpg shy of the manual Fusion. I'm very disappointed Ford

 

[Jayayess1190]

I got this brochure today too!

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

Hah, I used to have the old school stratus ('98) 4-atx. Actually I liked the car very much, for what it was.

 

[WineOH]

However, I found it interesting that, despite weighing an average of 300 lbs more than the 6 it is based off of, the mileage estimates are unchanged. Minor kudos for that, as it shows they have done SOME work on the efficiency. I think it should be noted that it says EPA estimated. Might this indicate that they are assuming Mazda 6 numbers, or are only in preliminary testing?

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

Um... nope. It's almost exactly the same weight as the 6. ~3100 for I4, ~3300 for V6

 

[Futura06]

Sometimes, pre-production numbers get revised once the car actually hits production and they can do more real-world testing. Maybe they'll be able to eke out another 1 or 2 MPG. So far no testing has been done on the five-speed automatic that I'm aware of, its possible that it is as efficient or more efficient than the manual. Things like that have happened before (ex: Acura TSX gets better MPG automatic than manual.)

 

[ds91776]

I am eagerly awaiting my second brochure (no fair you guys got yours first ) If someone would be so kind as to scan there's in and post it on this site would help me pass the time. thanks everyone!

 

[Brian302505]

I got the brochure today, also my mother has a camry and not once has it it the 34 MPG I've seen 32 and they see about 31 but never seen the 34 MPG

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

[quote author=Brian302505 link=topic=26078.msg356691#msg356691 date=1122620265]
I got the brochure today, also my mother has a camry and not once has it it the 34 MPG I've seen 32 and they see about 31 but never seen the 34 MPG
[/quote]

Nobody ever sees EPA - and the Fusion won't either - but that's the comparison we have right now.

 

[Futura06]

Actually, my old Escort consistently did better than EPA. 36 MPG with about 90% highway driving. That really spoiled me in terms of what to expect on fuel economy. May current car, the Stratus, has rarely reached its advertised 30 mpg, even when I do a tank thats all highway. So I think it goes both ways in terms of cars living up to EPA mileage ratings. We'll have to see what the Fusion does in the real world but still, this EPA rating dosen't bode well.

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

I just got a Lincoln Zephyr brochure today inside Sports Illustrated.

 

[boblamp]

Considering the size of the car, I don't think the EPA ratings are bad. I am trading my 1988 Ford Festiva on a Fusion I4 5spd manual. I ordered my Fusion, although I have not got a build date yet. Anywho, I found the window sticker for my Festiva. EPA ratings for Festiva with 5spd manual and 1.3L engine is 39 city, 43 hwy. Keep in mind the Festiva has manual steering, windows, locks, etc........ The only thing power on Festiva is brakes. I typically get 30 to 35 mpg with the Festiva. ONE time I beat EPA rating. :lol:

Considering the Fusion is power everything, about double the size, and almost double the horsepower of the Festiva, I will be tickled pink if I get 25 to 30 mpg out of it.

Bob

 

[WCF]

So glad to see another I4 Manual....... it actually seems quite popular!!!???

My mileage has been underwhelming as well. My Mazda 626 with the 125 HP I4 5 speed had a lifetime average of 30+ mpg, right up until I got a new palm pilot and lost my Little Wing Auto Log software. Was doing a good bit of highway miles back then, but a 500 mile tank was not out of the question.

Current Fusion I4 5 speed is getting 20-21 mpg, so thats a 350 mile tank. Now most of my driving is short trip, around town stuff. However, when resetting the mileage -O-meter on the highway it easily breaks the 29-30 barrier. As soon as you get off the highway and start driving locally it plunges into the 20s.

The I-4 drives like a six, with plenty of torque, so I guess that costs fuel. I've also heard tell of mileage increasing as the motor breaks in...how long does that take??

Would love to hear some feedback and other experiences.

 

[captainhook]

I am just over 4,000 miles with my I4/5spd combo and no improvement. I get 23-24 mpg in my city highway norm and I reached 29-30 mpg on my one highway trip.

I was really expecting more then this...

 

[El Nino]

It's a little off topic but I have an interesting footnote on the stratuses. The concept/original design for that car was done by a high school kid at my HS, Eisenhower. He was a 12th grader at the time.

 

[bartman1]

What ever happened to the Tire Pressure warning system mentioned in the early Fusion brochures?

It was supposed to work from the ABS system to sense different diameters on underinflated tires.

Now there's no mention of it at all.