Ford chose the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, where CEO Alan Mulally delivered a keynote speech, and an event in New York to launch the electric Focus on Friday and followed up with the Detroit show reveals of the C-Max hybrid and plug-in hybrids which will be built both in the US and Spain.
North America gets these in 2012 and Europe in 2013.
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Ford claims the Focus Electric will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than the ‘range extender’ Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles such as the overhyped Nissan Leaf. It is also effectively ‘outsourcing’ home recharge units to consumer electronics chain Best Buy, claiming faster recharge times, 30% lower cost than competing systems and greater unit portability; it isn’t wired in like the Nissan charger.
“The all-electric Focus is capable of fully recharging in three to four hours at home using the available wall-mounted 240-volt charge station – charging in half the time of the Nissan Leaf,” Ford said.
The electric Focus will launch in late 2011 and is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans.
Ford did not make range claims in its publicity material but Mark Fields, the automaker’s president of the Americas, told reporters at a 14 December briefing Ford was aiming for a 100-mile (160km) range before the Focus Electric needs to be recharged.
For European markets, a decision on where the five-door Focus will be built is currently being finalised; US production will be at Wayne, Michigan.
It’s one of five new electrified vehicles included in Ford’s electrification strategy. Initial deliveries of Transit Connect Electric began in North America at the end of last year and the vehicle will be launched in Europe later in 2011.
The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provide immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver pushes down the accelerator, up to a top speed of 84mph (136km/h).
Charging is via the recommended 240-volt wall-mounted charge station that will be sold separately or the 120-volt convenience cord that comes with the vehicle.
The new C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and C-Max Hybrid are based on the new five-passenger version and combined global C-car platform, powersplit architecture, new driver information features and advanced lithium-ion battery systems.
“C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid will be perfect for families looking to maximise their hybrid car experience,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global Electrification. “Thanks to the versatile interior, these cars are going to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who need room to grow.”
C-Max Hybrid is targeted to deliver better fuel economy than the 41 mpg Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient sedan in America today and can operate in fuel-saving electric mode beyond 47 mph.
Targeted to achieve AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status, C-Max Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle petrol engine. This allows it to run in electric mode before using the petrol engine.
C-Max Energi will offer more than 500 miles (800 km) of overall driving range using the battery and engine – more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle. C-Max Energi delivers better charge-sustaining fuel economy than Chevrolet Volt, Ford claimed.
The C-Max Hybrid will operate much like today’s hybrid vehicles and the C-Max Energi will benefit from daily charging to maximise its all-electric range. It recharges 100% overnight on a 120-volt outlet.
A full charge allows owners to increase their driving significantly in all-electric mode and drastically reduce their use of the on-board fuel engine.
On start-up, the Energi will operate in charge-depletion mode, providing electric driving range. When the battery has been depleted or certain conditions are met, it switches to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency.
Energi owners will have access to a suite of driver information systems – on-board and off-board – designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control their vehicle’s charge and preconditioning settings, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode. C-Max Hybrid owners also will benefit from the on-board features.
The C-Max Energi and Hybrid are two of at least 10 new models or derivatives that Ford will launch around the world based on its new global C-car platform.
