I was wondering, does one really want automatic climate control on a hybrid? Would one really want the A/C to turn on automatically, just to maintain a specific, non-varying, temperature inside?

Or is manual control better, where the driver can choose when they are uncomfortable enough, to give up some mpg to have the A/C running?

 

Most automatic climate controls that I have seen have an AC enable/disable option. Our F150 works that way.

 

But doesn't that negate the automatic part? I mean, with your AC disabled, does your F150 still keep the interior cool to the temperature setting in the summer?

If the answer to having automatic climate control is to simple disable it, then what value is it?

 

The AC disable is nice to have during moderate conditions where one wouldn't want the AC on, but the inside temperature is regulated to the extent that fresh air will allow. In other words, no dehumidification, which is essentially what you end up with while it is on. The Escape's normal mode AC works the same way, albeit without temperature regulation to this point. That's why it works in AC mode for defrosting windows.

Obviously when it's warmer out, leaving the AC enabled and fully automatic delivers the best temperature control and comfort.

 

News to me, does the FEH/MMH climate control have a reverse, heat pump, mode to supply HOT airflow to the windshield so as to remove frost on the exterior surface?

;<)

 

What I am most thrilled about is the shot of the instrument cluster.
It looks like Ford actually took customer advice!

One gripe I had when I spoke with the design team last year was the fact that the charge/assist needle was basically useless, and the current tachometer went from EV to 1000 rpm with nothing in between.

I'm not positive, but I'll bet a box of donuts that the charge/assist needle is gone, and the EV needle now has a RANGE. That's right folks, the Tach needle will actually MOVE in EV mode... Now... ( lucky ) new drivers will be able to watch the Tach move from EV minimum to EV maximum, and KNOW when the ICE will start up... when they exceed EV max.

Look closely at the Tach, notice there is a much wider EV range now?
I have not taken a 2008 for a ride... but I have a stong feeling this is a cool new update. Hope my gut is right on this!!!
- John

 

'' I have the opposite response.. i am not a fan of the new instrument cluster'. Maybe i will have to see it in person .. but from the pics, i am glad i got my 07 ordered...

 

Point taken. Defogging was the process I was after.

 

The AC is used to dehumidify the air first when in Defrost/Defog mode, and then the air is heated up by the heater core. This way the air blown at the windshield is both hot and very dry.

 

I'm mostly talking about functionality. The newer tach ( if I presume correctly ) will be very usefull in daily driving. How many times would you have liked to stay in EV mode for longer stretches? This new gauge should help with that tremendously.
Again, I'm guessing here, but Ford enginers were working towards a new hybrid "assist" gauge that gave more feedback to the driver to let us know how much electrical power we could demand without tripping the ICE on.

That's what will be very cool... if it works this way!
-John