2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID
The 2011 Ford Fusion utilizes a sophisticated, independent, double-wishbone front suspension with a stabilizer bar, which is usually only found in luxury and sports cars. The rear suspension is of the multi-link, independent variety which enables the Fusion to provide superb handling skills along with exceptional ride quality. The Ford Fusion Hybrid can putt along at up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric EV mode. There is no other hybrid vehicle on the market that can report such astonishing speeds in electric only mode. With this advent of gas saving technology, with just one tank of gas, the owner’s of the Fusion Hybrid can attain an amazing 41 miles per gallon in city and over 700 miles (of all freeway driving). This is a momentous fact that is valuable in considering when purchasing a hybrid car.

2011 FORD FUSION 2.5L HYBRID 4 CYLINDER
Can performance and awesome fuel economy be achieved with a little engine? Well Ford’s 2.5L Duratec I-4 engine contains a plethora of goodies that will satisfy a wide range of drivers. The technology used in the 4 cylinder motor cranks out 175 horsepower along with 172 pound foot of torque.
Applying the brakes in a normal vehicle wastes energy by turning the forward energy into heat via the vehicle’s brakes. Most hybrid vehicles employ some type of regenerative braking, and the Ford Fusion is no exception. It just makes sense to capture this energy instead of wasting it and converting it into heat. The Fusion takes up an amazing 94 percent of this energy that would normally be lost and sends it to the battery pack! An additional benefit is lower wear and tear on the other brake system components such as the brake rotors and brake pads.
The Fusion Hybrid is powered by a progressive NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battery combined with the 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder Atkinson-Cycle motor. Whenever extra power is needed, the gas engine kicks in and delivers a total of up to 191 net horsepower. Ford also included a dual LCD Smart Gauge Cluster with EcoGuide which provides fuel economy data back to the driver to allow her or him to make adjustments to attain maximum fuel efficiency. Accessing the information is a simple task thanks to controls that are mounted to the steering wheel so no hands need to be taken off the wheel.
2011 FORD FUSION 3.0L V6
The 3.0 liter V6 version of the 2011 Ford Fusion puts out a satisfying 240 horsepower and allows drivers to take advantage of E-85 flex-fuel.
2011 FORD FUSION 3.5L V6
As far as engine options go, at the top of the pack is the 263 horsepower 3.5 liter Duratec V6. Fusion owners with this engine will also receive some additional standard goodies such as the 18″ wheels coupled with a sport tuned suspension to hang turns just a little harder than the lower model Ford Fusions.
The optional finished aluminum 18 inch wheels come with low aspect 255/45/VR18 tires for maximum performance. Bigger tires and a tighter suspension make a fun ride that can be tossed into corners. Electronic Stability Control (AdvancTrac ESC) helps the driver maintain control in precarious situations. Fishtailing, oversteer and understeer are less likely to occur with ESC in place.
FORD FUSION ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
The V6-powered Fusion with the optional All Wheel Drive system greatly improves traction and control on any slippery surfaces such as snow, ice, and mud. To achieve the highest level of performance, the AWD system constantly monitors a variety of available sensors to apply the power and torque to the wheels that need it to gain traction in the event of a slip up. This is an active all wheel drive system that automatically turns itself off to save gas when needed but is always available and ready for action.

FUSION TRANSMISSIONS
The Hybrid Ford Fusion is delivered with the eCVT, or electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission. There is no “shift shock” apparent to the driver and passengers; only a smooth ride is provided. This allows the engine to remain in its powerband without excessive shifting and it rewards owners with great gas economy.
There is an optional 6 speed transmission available for most non-hybrid Fusions. What’s the point of having all these gears? Well the smart engineers over at Ford decided that 6 gears brings together the perfect balance of acceleration along with fuel economy. The driver can still purchase their Ford Fusion with a standard transmission however even the auto-magic transmissions have 6 gears, so non stick drivers can still reap the benefits of great engineering. Drivers that opt for the automatic transmission in the V6 Fusions can easily switch over to the SelectShift mode to enable manual up and down shifting to give the driver full control of the vehicle.

This rich luxury sedan comes delivered from the factory so nicely appointed that any driver will be lavishly outfitted for any excursion imaginable. The Acura RL comes with a slew of stuff: 300 hp 3.7 liter VTEC V 6 motor stock, Super Handling All Wheel Drive, aka SH AWD, and the nonmandatory Acura Navigation System with AcuraLink realtime weather and traffic. With all this said, power and precision is expected. The RL comes with one of the strongest engines in the mid-size four door sedan market: the 3.7 liter VTEC V6 that makes 271 lb ft of torque and 300 horsepower while still getting 22 miles per gallon on the highway and 16 mpg in lousy slow stop-and-go traffic in the city. Honda’s race proven variable valve timing and electronic lift control VTEC system is included in this already technologically advanced motor.

VTEC
The VTEC system uses engine speed to determine the optimal timing and lift of the motor’s 24 valves. VTEC is the nickname for Honda’s Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control system. It does not compromise any low end torque and still provides the high end boost of power when VTEC kicks in. Instead of having a normal static set of cams, the VTEC system varies the duration of the intake and exhaust valves at different RPMs to extract the most power out of the motor in the most efficient manor. The intake manifold system is also two staged which is just another example of how Acura is staying ahead of the competition by incorporating leading edge auto technology into their cars. VTEC effectively provides low end power for city driving and high end power for those times when it’s needed.

Programmed Fuel Injection
This system delivers gasoline to the motor with precision to maximize efficiency.

Drive by Wire
This modern throttle takes advantage of technology to provide a smoother drive. The RL’s drive by wire throttle was derived from Acura Racing so it delivers the power in a smooth manner in all types of driving situations. Employing sensors to collect data, the computer takes in all the variables into consideration before transforming the driver’s input into actual throttle plate movement. There is no need for throttle cables or linkages in the 2011 Acura RL.

Aluminum Engine
The lightweight motor contributes to fuel efficiency and aids in cornering because of the weight savings.

Automatic Transmission
To make the driver’s life easier, Acura included paddle shifters on the steering wheel for effortless sequential shifting. The RL comes with a smart transmission equipped with grade logic control so it knows what gear to select since it knows when the car is on a steep incline or decline. A truly nice feature of the paddle shifters is that they are always active, even while in D. The driver can hit the paddle to downshift for instant power and the automatic transmission will still kick in after the computer has detected that conditions are normal again. One can select the S mode to extract the full potential out of the Acura RL. The engine is allowed to rev higher in this mode and more importantly the driver is in full control of the vehicle and is responsible for all upshifts and downshifts. The S mode gives the driver the option of being active and D allows the person to be passive.

SH-AWD
The Super Handling All Wheel Drive system on the Acura RL provides total control in severe weather conditions. The ability to control all four wheels is far superior to any front wheel drive or rear wheel drive system when traction is necessary. The only way to deliver this type of performance and traction is to constantly monitor a bunch of on board sensors and then to make changes as they are needed. One factor that is determined by the Acura SHAWD system is power distribution. The motor’s power can be distributed to the front, rear, or all wheels as necessary for ever changing road and weather conditions. This All Wheel Drive system can even spin individual wheels at different rates to compensate for over steer or under steer situations. By integrating yaw sensors, the RL’s AWD system is a drastic improvement over traction control alone. The result of this Acura’s engineering efforts are apparent when driving the RL.

Power distribution between the left and right rear wheels of the drivetrain is determined by special electromagnetic clutches that can control the power to each wheel independently within milliseconds. The maximum amount of engine power that can be put to the front wheels is 70%, and this typically only happens when the car is going straight. Extreme acceleration is dealt with by transferring up to 45% of the RL’s power to the rear wheels. While this holds true for straight line performance, the SH AWD system can even put up to 70% of the power to the rear, after which the electromagnetic clutches can distribute that power to one or both wheels as deemed necessary.

The Direct Yaw Control system is an integral component in the SH-AWD RL that enables the car to destroy the corners. It does so by making the rear outside wheel turn a little bit quicker, up to 6% quicker, than the average of the two front wheels. This helps keep the vehicle on the intended trajectory by lightening the lateral load on the two front tires as the RL rotates into the curve with ease.

Suspension
Most of the suspension starts with lightweight forged aluminum components which lower shock from road bumps because of the overall unsprung weight savings. The RL utilizes a multi link rear suspension mated with a double wishbone front suspension which is all mounted up to an already light weight aluminum sub-frame. Acura engineers aimed to make the RL feel linear with the front suspension design. The rear suspension features geometry that fights dipping during braking. 4 piston aluminum brake caliper 12.6 inch disc brakes are up front and 12.2 inch single piston discs are in the back.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta rips out of all corners because of the skilled precision of this Ford tuned suspension. Destroying the pavement in a straight line is a also an easy affair when electric power assisted steering is paired with the branded Ford invention: active nibble control. Stealth aerodynamics and and indispensable technology such as the PowerShift six automatic transmission and 1.6L Ti VCT Duratec I4 engine with bring together independent multivariate cam timing turns the Fiesta into an economically viable fun machine.

Super fast shifting is bettered by a powertrain control module that is always making adjustments to increase overall efficiency while producing expeditious mobility. Fiesta also comes with a galore of aerodynamic design characteristics that ameliorate air resistance and increase fuel efficiency. One such example is the aero shaped body mounted side mirrors and the mark slashed into the rear tail lamps. The elective Super Fuel Economy Package provides more aerodynamic goodies like blockers connected the lower grille and underbody shields to make the Fiesta glide through the air with relative ease.

Awesome safety features include: EPAS – electric power assisted steering, and optional Hill Start Assist. These controls help the driver by providing confidence and control. EPAS uses active nibble control technology and speed sensitive steering to work deliver feedback to the driver and inspire confidence at blazing highway speeds. AdvanceTrac ESC auto-magically slows the Fiesta down by braking for the driver when wheelslip is detected. This system is also responsible for reducing the possibility of fish-tailing and skidding by controlling understeer and oversteer. This system maintains proper braking even through adverse weather conditions like rain, loose gravel, and even ice.