mercury milan
2008 Mercury Milan

Reports indicate that the Fusion Hybrid, and closely related Mercury Milan Hybrid, should become available during the 2008 calendar year as 2009 models. Also, Fusion and Milan are likely to receive their first styling facelifts for 2009. A Ford spokesperson would only confirm that Fusion and Milan hybrid models are coming, but could not specify when or give any details.

Automotive supplier Yazaki North America, Inc. has announced it will design, develop, and manufacture the high-voltage connection system and wiring for the 2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Yakazi also supplies components for the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Prius hybrid.

Speculation is that the hybrid drive system will be an evolution of the system used in the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, and Mazda Tribute. These hybrids use a unique Atkinson-cycle variant of Ford's 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. The gas engine produces 133-horsepower, while the electric motor provides the equivalent of an additional 94 horsepower. This is a "full" hybrid system, meaning it automatically switches between electric-only power, gasoline-only power, or a combination of the two and can operate on electric-only power for short distances. The Escape Hybrid and its cousins use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

A base 4-cylinder Fusion sedan weighs almost 100 pounds less than a base 4-cylinder front-drive Escape. If the hybrid drive system adds about the same amount of weight to a Fusion as it does in the Escape, the Fusion Hybrid should offer performance comparable to an Escape Hybrid.

In terms of price, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid costs $4,195 more than the non-hybrid 2WD 4-cylinder XLT model. Yazaki and Ford hopes to lower this hybrid premium with the 2009 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion hybrids. Check back for more details.