Ford has begun taking orders for the C-Max hybrid in the US, claiming it is America’s most affordable, fuel-efficient hybrid utility vehicle.
The five seat US model line includes such features as a hands-free tailgate. First deliveries will be next autumn and prices start at US$25,995 – about $500 lower than Toyota’s new Prius v.
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The C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid will follow later this year with claimed better electric-mode fuel economy and overall driving range than the Prius plug-in hybrid.
“C-Max Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ford’s US sales chief Ken Czubay.
The car has Ford’s third-generation powersplit technology said to allow a higher speed while in electric mode than the Prius v.
The hybrid has a lithium-ion battery pack – a first for a Ford hybrid.
Ford has so far sold over 156,000 units of the C-Max in Europe since its 2010 launch. The model is also offered in seven seat Grand C-Max form with sliding rear doors but this version is not going to the US.
The US hybrid has Ford’ latest generation ‘SmartGauge with EcoGuide’ – information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on the left cluster which also shows ‘Brake Coach’, a feature that helps drivers optimise their use of the brakes so that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques. In the right cluster, redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.
The drivetrain combines an electric motor with new two-litrr Atkinson cycle I4 petrol engine.
‘Powersplit’ architecture allows the electric motor and petrol engine to work together or separately. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or providing power to the wheels as needed. The electric motor alone can provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions and work with the engine at higher speeds.
Regenerative braking system can recapture over 95% of the braking energy to help charge the battery.
The vehicle is built at the Wayne, Michigan plant that also makes the US Focus.
It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North America in 2012.
