2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, C-Max Energi Plug-In: More Details Page 2
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Ford C-Max Energi, first revealed at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show
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The larger battery pack in the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, however, cuts those volumes to 19 cubic feet behind the second row and 43 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
Coaching drivers on how to brake
Ford's well-regarded hybrid instrument cluster and informational graphics, first seen in the 2010 Fusion, have been updated for both models of the 2013 C-Max. They're also integrated with the optional MyFordTouch voice-activated infotainment and vehicle control system, powered by Sync.
New to the system is the active Brake Coach, which guides drivers in how to maximize use of the regenerative braking to recapture the maximum amount of energy while slowing the car. The graphics show when energy is being wasted by braking hard enough to require the friction brakes to engage as well as the regeneration.
As before, those who drive most efficiently will see green leaves slowly growing on a vine in the right half of the instrument cluster. Other drivers, who may find that idea supremely annoying, can suppress the display.
Convenience and safety
Like the new Escape, the C-Max hybrids offer a hands-free liftgate that lets the driver (with the key fob in a pocket) wave his or her foot below the bumper to open the rear hatch automatically.
The C-Max hybrids come with seven airbags, and a variety of electronic safety technologies. Those include torque vectoring to guide the vehicle better through corners, and curve control to slow it if the driver enters a corner too fast.
It includes Ford's MyKey technology, which limits vehicle functions for teen drivers using a designated key. And its Sync 911 Assist automatically contacts an emergency dispatcher if the car's airbags deploy, assuming the driver is carrying a switched-on mobile phone that's been linked to the Sync system.
Other standard or available features include push-button start, Ford's active parking assist, voice-activated navigation, and AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio systems with available HD radio.
Electrified vehicles times 3
By 2013, Ford says it will have tripled its capacity to build electrified vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles).
The company has built about 40,000 hybrids a year since the launch of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, so it will likely build 100,000 or more of its five hybrid and electric models.
The pair of C-Max hybrids will arrive at Ford dealers during the second half of 2012. They'll be manufactured in the same Wayne, Michigan, assembly plant that builds Ford Focus compact sedans and hatchbacks.
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Ford is adding an important new vehicle to the mix of Eco-cars. If they are really able to best the Prius V on mpg, that will be amazing. However, despite a carefully worded statement about the plug-in, Ford's plug-in will not be as efficient as the plug-in Prius.
Nevertheless, Ford is just about the only hybrid manufacturer than has even come close to Toyota in efficiency and smoothness and the Energi will likely be a nice vehicle offering a clear alternative to the Prius line.
"For the plug-in C-Max Energi, Ford says it will deliver better gas mileage in "charge depleting" mode--running mostly on electricity with occasional supplementary engine power as needed--than the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid."
But it is basically saying that as long as electricity is free and unaccounted for, the Energi does a better job than the Plug-in Prius. Undoubtably this is a finely parsed argument that only works when you consider the gasoline part of the gasoline/electric mix.
The underlying Prius is can achieve 50 MPG in charge sustaining mode which will be better than the Energi's 42. So it is more than a fair bet the the Prius KWH/100mile rating will best the Energi as well.
The best comparison for the *regular* Prius hatchback would be a hybrid Focus--which Ford doesn't make at the moment.
Ford compares the C-Max Energi PHEV to the Prius PHEV, and there it's somewhat handicapped to start with (larger vehicle, presumably heavier, more frontal area). But they have not yet released electric range or pack size, and said only that they felt their metrics and ratings would beat the Prius PHEV--perhaps simply by having a larger pack. We shall see.
The Ford claim on the plug-in is a little weaker and perhaps less relevant.
Reporting numbers on plugin' is tricky as we now see the EPA reporting the Volt as 60 MPGe. We have not heard the last of the best ways to compare plug-ins.
I don't want to be seen as talking down Ford. The Fusion Hybrid and Escape Hybrids are awesome and looks like the C-max Energi will be as well. However, the regular Prius still has a slight edge in absolute efficiency.
It has been 11 years now. Still waiting for someone to best the Prius, and it hasn't happened (LEAF and Volt arguments aside that is.)
It will probably take the Prius C to best the Prius.
One question: how efficient is the Mitsubishi i? If it's rated at 112 MPGe, isn't that higher than the current Prius? I'd still take the Prius between the two, but I thought I'd read here that the i was now the most efficient. Bad memory, perhaps.
As always, improvements anywhere help eventually everywhere.
The Mitsu "i" is the most efficient vehicle for sale. However, it requires that you except the EPA's method of equivalents between MPG and MPGe, something that is quite complicated.
I was living in Japan when the Prius came out (not that it was a big deal at the time, as it wasn't) so I remember that pretty well. Same low-volume, get things right before major sales approach that makes sense. It's not often I see a car I don't recognize at first.
MPGe, no clue at all...
Hey, if it means the Prius has been #1 for 14 years and not "only" 11, that's not a bad thing to be slightly mistaken about.
And your comments about Ford seem fine, no negativity, just reasonable scepticism, I'd say.
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!