Ford Fusion hybrid leads NASCAR (kind of)

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Until now, the Ford Fusion has been a perfectly pleasant sedan in that rather forgettable Camry/Accord way, but come Sunday (Nov. 16) at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida, that could all change. A hybrid version of the 2010 Fusion is going to be the initial pace car at a NASCAR Sprint Cup event.

This will be the first time a hybrid has received such an honor. It’ll be easy to spot -- a car covered in a green leaf graphic should be enough of a giveaway.

The race is the season-ending Ford 400, and although the Fusion hybrid can travel at speeds of up to 47 mph just with its electric motor, the NASCAR rolling start will require the car’s regular internal-combustion engine to kick in as well. Then again, it can go for 700 miles between pit stops (Ford is claiming 38 mpg in the city). Once the green flag has dropped, a non-hybrid 2010 Fusion Sport will take over pace car duties.

Angelenos will get a chance to see both flavors of Fusion at the L.A. Auto Show, where the hybrid version is one of five finalists being considered as 2009 Green Car of the Year. The winner will be announced at the show. The 2010 Fusion hybrid goes on sale in spring 2009.

-- Colin Ryan