The all-new 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid received automotive recognition recently when it earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Ford is the only automotive brand to offer two hybrids that have segment-leading fuel efficiency, "Top Safety Pick" awards and exclusive safety technologies. The Fusion Hybrid offers 41 mpg city while the Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market and also garnered a "Top Safety Pick."

"Customers no longer have to choose between fuel economy and safety - now they can have both with the Fusion and Escape hybrids," says Susan Cischke, group vice president, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

The new Fusion Hybrid's class-leading fuel economy bests the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city, according to Ford. It also features Ford's innovative SmartGauge(TM) with EcoGuide, which coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

In addition, the new Fusion and Milan offer three fuel-sipping gas engine options, including the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The 3.5-liter V-6 powers the all-new Fusion Sport model.

Side impact protection
Fusion and Milan get some of their core strength from the use of lightweight high-strength steel in the body structure. The structure of the Fusion helps it withstand intrusion in a side impact. The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are stronger at the top of the vehicle - from below the beltline upward - than at the bottom. This helps to channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

"The new Fusion and Milan continue to build on Ford's leading safety heritage and prove yet again that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package," says Steve Kozak, chief engineer, Ford Safety Systems.

Fusion's side-protection elements include:

• Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants' chest and hip.

• Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas.

• Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness--nearly a quarter inch of solid steel--above the beltline.

• Seat-deployed thorax air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.

• Segment-exclusive features

Among the segment-exclusive safety and driver aid technologies on the new Fusion and Milan are Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and 911 Assist.
BLIS with CTA uses two multiple-beam radars in the rear quarter panels (one per side) for two different - but important - purposes. BLIS checks the defined blind spot zone, which is about 10 feet from the back of the bumper to the outside mirrors. When a vehicle is detected, an amber light in the outside mirror of whichever side the vehicle is on lights up. The driver is still responsible for any lane changes, but the BLIS is there to help.

Cross Traffic Alert notifies the driver of impending traffic when backing out of a parking spot and warns the driver when a vehicle is detected within three car widths of either side of the car. As with BLIS, the driver is warned with a light in the outside mirror on the side of the traffic. A warning beep is also sounded.

For safety and security, the 2010 Fusion and Milan include 911 Assist, a new feature integrated into the award-winning Ford SYNC(TM) hands-free system. 911 Assist is designed to aid occupants in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator if an accident that activates an air bag or the emergency fuel cutoff occurs. Unlike competitive systems that are routed through an intermediate call center, 911 Assist places the call directly to the 911 operator to speed response time. Ford Escape also features SYNC with 911 Assist.

"We know people want to stay connected in their vehicles, so we're delivering that connectivity for them responsibly and safely," Cischke says. "Our research backs up what most of us instinctively know - that it's better while driving to place a call using a voice interface than dialing manually, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road."