2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi is Ready for Whatever NYC Can Throw at It
Taxi drivers and passengers alike may lament the departure of the beloved Ford Crown Victoria, but the big, thirsty sedan just isn’t the modern day offering most taxi companies are looking for.
This week Ford showed the latest in taxi technology: the 2019 Fusion Hybrid Taxi. The electrified Fusion is based on the Ford Police Responder Hybrid – a Fusion Hybrid based police car, and is powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine and a small electric motor. The vehicle is rated at 30 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined and will therefore save taxi operators a ton on fuel costs. That’s especially important in American city centers, where cab companies are having a tough time battling it out with ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft.
In additon to the powertrain, the Fusion Hybrid Taxi also shares tough, heavy-duty componentry with the Police Responder Hybrid including more durable suspension, performance brakes, a higher ride height and long-lasting cloth or vinyl seating.
SEE ALSO: Ford’s New Explorer Police SUV is a Hybrid
Also joining Ford’s newly updated taxi fleet is the 2019 Transit Connect Taxi. The only change for the new model year is the addition of a 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel engine to the lineup, which is projected to get up to 30 MPG combined. The 2018 model year vehicle is only available with a 2.5-liter gas engine, which sticks around as the base powerplant for 2019.
Both the 2019 Fusion Hybrid Taxi and 2.5-liter 2019 Transit Connect Taxi can be ordered now. The 1.5-liter diesel Transit Connect will be available from early 2019 onwards.
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Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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so are they getting rid of the fusion or not? they said they will get rid of it soon, yet they introduce a taxi.
According to fleet dot ford dot com, Ford expects an EPA rating of 43 city/41 hwy mpg for the 2019 Fusion Hybrid Taxi. If I were in the taxi business, I'd be much more interested in the Malibu hybrid with its 49 city / 43 highway mpg, or the Camry hybrid with its 51 city / 53 highway mpg. However, the Fusion's heavy-duty brakes would come in handy for taxi use.