Ford's fuel efficient future

A lot of the fun of driving the Fusion Hybrid has little do with steering and accelerating, though. The Fusion engages the driver in a pleasant, and relatively non-distracting, game of "virtual gardener."

As you drive, a picture of a budding vine appears to crawl up the side of the gauge cluster. The more efficiently you drive the more leaves begin to sprout. Slam the gas pedal or come to a brutally quick stop, wasting gas, and leaves begin to disappear, one by one.

There's a sense of achievement as your vine begins to fill with leaves and crawl across the top of the gauges. I'm told there may be - possibly - flowers that bloom if you do really well. Only time will tell.

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