Short engine use

I couldn't really figure out quite how to title this one. "Short engine use" is my best shot. I was reading in some review that one of the things that makes the FusionH unique is that the engine cuts on and cuts off with much greater frequency then other hybrids. Although I don't know exactly where I read this. So I tried to figure out how short a time one can actually get the engine to run for. I was going up a short hill on electric but knew I couldn't make it to the top, needed a burst of engine for a short while. So I pressed the accelerator and the engine came on briefly, I counted off mentally, let up on the accelerator and the engine switched right off. 3 seconds I figured. Pretty short. Then I coasted for a third of a mile after cresting the hill (had a good charge in the battery).

Then I began to wonder if the engine would come on for only 2 seconds. Seemed unlikely to me but tried the same thing on a little hill when I needed a little more power then the batt could deliver. No problem, engine cut in and then right back out after 2 seconds. I tried this several times to verify and by counting off the seconds it was clear that it will come on for only 2 seconds.

Taking it one step further I checked out 1 second. This is a little harder to do simply because the time is so short, but indeed the engine will actually come on for just a second if needed. Rather amazing. But it's an amazing car.