Ford Makes Green More Fun with New Hybrids
The release of the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury
Milan Hybrid.is still months away, but Ford Motor Company has given us a sneak
peak at their newest gadget; the SmartGauge with EcoGuide.
Ford found that the key concern with hybrid owners was that
they are maximizing the efficiency of their car, so Ford has added a series of
programs to let the driver know when he or she is doing a good job conserving
fuel. The system consists of a set of
LCD screens flanking the analog speedometer on both sides, and there are four
different modes that display not only the normal gauge cluster readouts (fuel
level, engine temperature, etc), but also a variety of information about the
vehicles electrical drive system. Also,
as the car is driven, the driver is rewarded by seeing leaves and vines grow,
and the more efficiently the driver controls the vehicle, the more leaves and
vines grow. For those less interested in
the theatrics, there is also a typical graph readout to let you know how youre
doing.
Sound like a headache to learn how to control all of these
options and functions? Well, Ford has
you covered, as the
and Fusion Hybrid models will feature a short tutorial for the system, that
makes it easier to operate and understand.
For more information, check out the press release from Ford, after the
picture.
·
Ford’s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide gives hybrid
owners a more-connected, fuel-efficient driving experience by coaching them on
how to optimize performance of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids
·
SmartGauge with EcoGuide’s unique design uses
two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either
side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels
of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant
miles-per-gallon. Growing leaves and vines track and reward the driver’s
efficiency
·
All-new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids
are expected to offer class-leading fuel economy and will be available in the
first quarter of 2009
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 29, 2008 – Pushing a vehicle to the limit takes on a
new meaning in the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, thanks to
Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide – an innovative new instrument cluster that
provides real-time information to help drivers maximize fuel efficiency.
“SmartGauge with EcoGuide gives the customer real-world feedback to make the
most of their hybrids,” said Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager.
“Unique to Ford and Mercury hybrid sedans, this instrument cluster acts as a
good ‘coach,’ engaging drivers real-time to help them achieve maximum fuel
economy.”
Ford collaborated with IDEO and Smart Design, two world leaders in helping
consumers connect with technology, to develop the instrument cluster. Job One
was properly integrating the driver with the cluster’s science and technology.
“The main question hybrid drivers had was, ‘How do I know I’m getting the
most out of my hybrid?’ ” said Jeff Greenberg, Ford senior technical leader.
“We needed to create a system that better communicates with drivers and gives
them the tools to maximize fuel efficiency. That’s what SmartGauge with EcoGuide
does.”
The driver is immediately engaged by the SmartGauge displays, on either side
of the center-mounted analog speedometer, with a special greeting that combines
illumination and graphics.
EcoGuide then uses a multi-layered approach to coach the driver to maximum
fuel efficiency. A tutorial mode built into the display that helps the driver
learn about the instrument cluster and the hybrid in a whimsical way that does
not overpower.
For instance, drivers can choose one of four data screens to choose the
information level displayed during their drives. They are:
- Inform: Fuel level and
battery charge status - Enlighten: Adds electric
vehicle mode indicator and tachometer - Engage: Adds engine output
power and battery output power - Empower: Adds power to wheels,
engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption
All levels can show instant fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer,
engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data (trip fuel
economy, time-elapsed fuel economy and miles to empty). The engine coolant
temperature indicator turns green when engine conditions are warm enough to
allow engine pull-down.
At the core of the instrument cluster’s design was an understanding that the
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) experience evolves and deepens over time and the
technology needed to reflect that.
The four levels of information can be customized to fit each driver’s needs
or situation. If cruising on the highway, for instance, only basic information
may be desired. Once a driver moves off the highway into a city, additional
information to optimize fuel economy may be desired and can be easily accessed.
Long-term fuel efficiency can be displayed in two ways – either as a
traditional chart or using an innovative display that shows “growing leaves and
vines” on the right side of the cluster. The more efficient a customer is, the
more lush and beautiful the leaves and vines, creating a visual reward for the
driver’s efforts.
Additionally, the real-time system feedback allows drivers to assess or
modify their driving habits to achieve maximum fuel economy. A shutdown screen
reviews important information from the latest trip, including fuel economy
performance and comparative data from previous days.
Extensive customer research was completed to ensure the instrument cluster
is as driver-friendly as possible. Prototype testing was done in Ford’s Virtual
Text Track Experiment (VIRTTEX) simulator, the industry’s largest driver
distraction laboratory operated by an automaker. Test drivers were able to
safely interact with the new technology as engineers gathered data and helped
refine SmartGauge, aiding drivers in making informed decisions without being
distracting or overwhelming.
“When you’re driving, you have a second or so to look at your display,”
Greenberg said. “A dense display isn’t going to work. SmartGauge with EcoGuide
is designed to minimize distraction caused by multiple displays. We did a lot
of work to eliminate extraneous movement and create a smooth, fluid display.”
The instantaneous fuel economy gauge, for example, can be shown or hidden at
each of the EcoGuide levels to suit the needs of individual drivers. “We did a
lot of research and modified our designs along the way to make SmartGauge with
EcoGuide unobtrusive, using subtle cues to relay information,” Greenberg said.
The brainstorming sessions with the IDEO team proved invaluable. “We
received more than 100 ideas about information to display – that was our input
to our studies with VIRTTEX,” he added. “In VIRTTEX, for example, we learned
that you can’t overlay multiple levels of information. One of our design goals
then became to geographically separate the information so it can be better
understood while driving.”
Four Hybrids The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids join
the already successful Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids – the most
fuel-efficient SUVs on the planet. With the addition of the two new hybrid
sedans, Ford will double its annual hybrid volume and be the largest domestic
producer of full hybrid vehicles in
The Fusion and Milan Hybrids will be built at Ford’s
(
Stamping and Assembly Plant and a will arrive in dealer showrooms in the first
quarter of 2009.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about
229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and
affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.
The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com/.