If the past few years, the R&D folks at Ford have utilized cutting edge lightweight materials to reduce the weight of their vehicles in an effort to boost fuel efficiency and improve performance.

Now, with the debut of the Ford Lightweight Concept, the company has stepped forward with a variation of the Fusion that weighs as little as a Fiesta.

In comparison to the latest Fusion models on the road, the Concept weighs 25% less- a whopping 800 lbs. reduction.

Developed in partnership with U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program and Cosma International, the vehicle has utilized the Fiesta’s 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine (versus the current model choices of a 1.5L, 2.0L,or  2.5L  four-cylinder engines in the Fusion) resulting in a 45 mpg rating. Current Fusion versions average 24/34 mpg city/highway.

How does this concept model effect future Ford models? According to Matt Zaluzec the Ford technical leader, Global Materials and Manufacturing Research, “There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to light-weighting. The Lightweight Concept gives us the platform to continue to explore the right mix of materials and applications for future vehicles.”

photo courtesy of autoguide.com