Ford Fusion Hybrid spied testing in Melbourne

CarAdvice reader Jeza snapped the Fusion Hybrid in city traffic in Melbourne. The Fusion is a mid-sized sedan that is not sold in Australia. It is manufactured in Mexico and sold in North America, Latin America and parts of the Middle East.

The sticker on the back of the vehicle says ‘Engineering Evaluation Vehicle’.

CarAdvice has contacted Ford Australia for comment about the Fusion Hybrid evaluation vehicle and we will update the story when we hear more.

The Fusion Hybrid was launched in the US in March 2009. It is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydrid battery.

It is capable of driving in electric-only mode up to speeds of 75km/h and has a combined power output of 142kW. The Fusion Hybrid has an EPA-tested (US regulation) combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.0 litres/100km and a range of 1125km.

Its fuel economy makes it more efficient than its medium hybrid competitors in the US –the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid – and in 2010 the Fusion Hybrid was named the North American Car of the Year.

Thanks again to CarAdvice reader Jeza for the images. If you have any images or information that you think we may be interested in, please let us know via our Contact Us page.