Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

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As an undergrad in college, I had the privilege of twice attending the annual Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. SEMA is mostly known for wild, outlandish, and powerful versions of street cars; it isn’t the kind of place you go to find people discussing fuel efficiency and hybrids.

But 2009 is a year of reckoning and big changes are afoot in the auto industry. One sign of the times: M&J Enterprises has brought to this year’s SEMA a Ford Fusion Hybrid equipped with an aero body kit to reduce drag.

Aerodynamics play a big role in fuel efficiency, and a few tweaks can make a large difference in the grand scheme of things. We’ve seen body kits for hybrids before, such as the Tommy Kaira Prius, but this is the first one I’ve heard of for the Ford Fusion.

The unnamed body kit uses a series of different body modifications, such as heat-reflective paint and windows, and air splitters to reduce drag. Less drag means higher fuel efficiency, and most drag actually occurs beneath the car. M&J claims that all these parts are actually lighter than the factory stock parts, or eliminate petroleum-based products. The Fusion Hybrid already has a promising eco-footprint with their recycled seats and great gas mileage, though how much this bodykit will improve things has yet to be seen.

Source: M&J Enterprises