2014 Ford Fusion With Stop-Start Overview
When it was redesigned last year, the Ford Fusion line
struck an immediate chord with midsize sedan buyers thanks to its
dashing good looks, quiet cabin, engaging road manners, excellent fuel
economy and a long list of available techno gizmos that shames some
luxury sedans.
Ford pushed the powertrain envelope by offering five engines,
including two four-cylinder turbos from its EcoBoost engine family, plus
a “traditional” gasoline-electric hybrid and the Fusion Energi, a
plug-in hybrid.
Hidden among those choices – and the subject of this overview – was
an optional stop-start system called Auto Start-Stop for Fusion SE
non-hybrid models equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost four and
automatic transmission.
For 2014, the Fusion adds yet another choice, this one a turbocharged
1.5-liter. It will at some point replace the similarly powerful
1.6-liter turbo and can also be optioned with Auto Start-Stop on the SE.
Fusion’s Stop-Start System
The Fusion’s Auto Start-Stop falls under the “light stop-start”
category. The system employs an enhanced (beefed up) starter, a more
powerful 12-volt lead-acid absorbed glass matt (AGM) battery and an
electrically driven transmission pump that maintains internal hydraulic
pressure even with the engine off.
And, to minimize launch delays after engine restart, the transmission
is kept in gear even with the engine off as opposed to shifting it into
neutral.
The engineering challenge is automakers want stop-start systems to be
transparent to their customers. The accessories have to continue
working when the engine shuts off and the vehicle can’t jerk or stutter
when the engine restarts.
To that end, Ford engineers developed unique algorithms for the
brains of Auto Start-Stop – the computer programs that control it – and
have filed more than 25 patents for engine and transmission control
software functions.
For example, blending the voltage of the alternator and battery when
the Fusion is slowing down helps to ensure the driver doesn’t experience
any light dimming or sudden fluctuations in ventilation fan speed.
Also, sophisticated signal monitoring for the climate control system
and the temperature of the evaporator core keep tabs on the interior. If
the cabin temperature begins to rise on a hot day, the stop-start
system will restart the engine while stopped to keep occupants cool.
Like most systems, the Fusion’s stop-start can be manually turned off.
Ford says its Auto Start-Stop improves fuel efficiency by about 3.5
percent overall while predominantly city drivers can save up to 10
percent. But, the improved fuel economy is not reflected in the
government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated fuel
economy ratings because their dictated test procedures don’t include
much idling time. That will change with the upcoming 2017-25 fuel
efficiency standards, which will give extra credit for “off-cycle”
stop-start systems.
For now, the 2014 Ford Fusion SE with Auto Start-Stop will carry on
with an EPA estimate of 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined
city/highway.
Under The Hood
Powering the Fusion SE with the stop-start option is a 1.6-liter
EcoBoost four cylinder engine until the new 1.5-liter EcoBoost replaces
it later in the model year. Ford’s EcoBoost engines employ a
turbocharger for an added jolt (boost) of power. They use direct fuel
injection for optimal combustion, and have twin independent variable
camshaft timing for intake and exhaust efficiencies that benefit fuel
economy and power delivery.
Both engines produce 178 horsepower, the 1.6-liter at 5,700 rpm, and
the 1.5-liter at 6,000 rpm. Also different is torque: the 1.6′s rating
is 184 pounds feet at 2,500 rpm while the 1.5-liter puts out 177 pounds
feet at a much higher 4,500 rpm. This could result in a slightly
increased 0 to 60 mph time of the 1.6-liter’s 8.2 seconds.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review
Zero to 60 mph time is an indicator of a vehicle’s ability to
adequately merge onto freeways and pass on two-lane highways. The
expected additional two or three tenths of second to 60 mph won’t be
noticed with the 1.5-liter engine.
Regardless of which engine powers the car, a six-speed automatic transmission directs the output to the front wheels.
Design Elements
Fusion is a looker. It follows Ford’s “Kinetic” global-design theme
also evident in the Focus and Fiesta. It’s characterized by a wide lower
front air dam and a distinctive Aston-Martin-style trapezoidal grille
flanked by headlights that sweep gracefully into muscular front fenders.
The long, low symmetries and raked rear window add a touch of
sophistication. These attributes also contribute to the Fusion’s 0.27
coefficient of drag, a number once reserved only for concept cars.
Titanium interior shown. SE’s layout is similar.
From the driver’s seat, the surroundings are pleasant with a cabin
design that is quite sporty for a mainstream sedan. Instrumentation is
appealing, and white numbers on a black background are easy to read.
Small screens on either side of the speedometer can display all kinds of
information by manipulating buttons on the steering wheel, including
navigation if so equipped.
Front occupants will find excellent head-, shoulder- and legroom
along with seats that offer very satisfactory support. In back, where
three adults is a crowd, headroom is adequate, but legroom is squeezed.
The Fusion SE is very well equipped with standard features that
include keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, eight-way
power driver’s seat, air-conditioning, and cruise control. Also included
is Ford’s voice-activated Sync audio and cell phone interface and a
six-speaker audio system with a CD player, auxiliary jack and a USB
port/iPod interface.
Fusion is the feature-laden midsize sedan with options like
self-parking, self-correcting lane assist and Blind Spot Information
System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert. It warns of traffic in a
driver’s over-the shoulder blind spot, or oncoming traffic when backing
from a driveway or parking space.
Also available is the MyFord Touch system that allows pairing a smart
phone with voice recognition and optional navigation features displayed
on its screen.
New options for 2014 include heated and cooled front seats and inflatable rear safety belts.
Pricing
The 2014 Fusion SE has a starting price of $23,855 plus a $795
destination charge. But it’s equipped with the naturally aspirated
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an EPA estimate of 22/34/26 mpg.
The stop-start system is only available with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost
engine or upcoming 1.5-liter EcoBoost, which is a $795 option. Then, the
Auto Start-Stop feature adds $295 for a total sticker price of $25,740.
If you’ve opted to purchase a SE with the EcoBoost engine that ups
fuel economy to 23/36/28 mpg, adding an additional $295 for stop-start
to gain an additional 3 to 10 percent in fuel economy seems like a no
brainer.