Published October 11, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
The all-new Ford C-MAX Energi is now rated America’s most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid with an EPA- certified 108 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 100 MPGe combined rating.
Ford states that over the course of five years, C-MAX Energi customers could save nearly $7,000 compared with the average new vehicle, according to the federal EPA label.
Comparative savings could go even higher if the current trend of rising gas prices continues.
The C-MAX Energi’s 100 MPGe combined rating is 5 MPGe better than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid’s combined.
With a starting price of $29,995, after federal tax credit and including destination and delivery costs, C-MAX Energi is expected to be America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rating places the C-MAX Energi in a small group of production vehicles that have received EPA ratings of 100 MPGe or greater.
“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said John Davis, chief nameplate engineer, C-MAX Energi. “With $5-per-gallon gasoline, C-MAX Energi customers essentially will pay $1.25 per gallon for the same distance traveled compared with average vehicles estimated to achieve 23 mpg.”
The C-MAX Energi joins the C-MAX Hybrid as part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles. The C-MAX Hybrid, available in dealerships this fall, is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined.
Many of the innovative technologies in C-MAX Energi are shared across Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup and draw from the automaker’s portfolio of about 500 patents related specifically to hybrid technology.
Further, the C-MAX Energi is projected to deliver 15 class-exclusive features.
Among the standard and available features listed by Ford are:
• SYNC with MyFord Touch offers multiple ways – including voice commands – for customers to manage and control their phone, navigation, entertainment and climate functions. Plug-in hybrids and all-electric models have additional options for monitoring information like battery state of charge
• MyFord Mobile, available for C-MAX Energi in early 2013, enables access via smartphone or Web-based interface to perform key tasks, such as monitoring a vehicle’s state of charge and current range or locating charge stations and planning routes to find them
• SmartGauge with EcoGuide provides in-vehicle customizable displays, including instantaneous fuel economy readings and coaching functions to help drivers understand and optimize their fuel efficiency
• ECO Cruise saves vehicle energy by relaxing acceleration compared to standard cruise control
• EV mode button – conveniently mounted in the center stack – allows a driver to switch vehicle operation between three modes: all-electric, normal hybrid operation, conserve battery power for later use
• Regenerative braking is capable of capturing and reusing more than 95 percent of the braking energy normally lost during the braking process
• Hybrid transmission, designed by Ford engineers in-house, is capable of operating at high speeds and in a smooth, fuel-efficient manner at the same time
• Advanced Lithium-ion batteries used in Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup – covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile component warranty – are smaller and lighter than nickel metal hybrid batteries used in previous generation hybrids
• Charge port with LED light ring (for electric and plug-in vehicles) is conveniently located on the driver’s side and near the front of the car and features a light ring that illuminates to indicate charge status
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