closely related to those developed by Toyota. To avoid any legal problems, Ford licensed several patents from Toyota. Still, the two systems were developed independently.

The system starts with Ford's Duratec 2.5L DOHC four-cylinder engine. As with many hybrids, this version of the Duratec 2.5 uses the Atkinson Cycle (as opposed to the standard models' Otto Cycle), which changes the intake and exhaust duration to improve fuel efficiency but reduces ultimate power.

To make up for the power loss, a 275-volt permanent magnet AC motor with its nickel-metal hydride battery pack assists the gas engine for a total output of 191 net horsepower--16 horsepower more than the standard four-cylinder.

What do you give up with the hybrid? Most significant is the loss of trunk space, since the battery pack takes up about one-third of the trunk. Total capacity is limited to just 11.8 cubic feet, down 4.7 cubic feet from the non-hybrid version. There's a slight (0.5 cubic feet) loss of interior space, but it's hardly noticeable.

There's also a relocation of performance. The non-hybrid version will get off the line a bit more quickly than the hybrid, but the two get up to 60 in about the same time. Oh, and there's the penalty of a nearly $5,000 rise in price.

On the plus side, there's the fuel savings to sway you toward the Fusion Hybrid. Adding the electric motor to the powertrain, highway fuel economy is hardly affected because