[car fanatics]

Ford
Photo credit: Ford

Ford Motor Company once again raises the hybrid fuel-economy bar with the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined – beating Toyota Prius v by up to 7 mpg.

The certification is significant because it makes C-MAX Hybrid the first hybrid vehicle to offer 47 mpg across the board. Also, hybrids traditionally have been more economical in city driving than on the highway, unlike conventional vehicles.

C-MAX Hybrid, however, returns the same fuel economy whether driving cross-country or across the city – stemming mostly from a growing list of Ford innovations that have helped the vehicle to deliver an impressive list of metrics, such as a top speed of up to 62 mph in EV mode.

“The all-new C-MAX Hybrid is a great symbol of how Ford has transformed into a fuel-economy and technology leader with 47 mpg across the board and a highway rating 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v,” said Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “We’ve done this with innovation – represented by nearly 500 hybrid patents – while driving costs down 30 percent so we can bring these fuel-saving vehicles to more customers.”

Among the Ford innovations helping C-MAX Hybrid drivers enjoy maximum fuel economy are the patented SmartGauge® with EcoGuide that coaches for top fuel efficiency by providing growing green leaves in the gauge cluster as a reward for economical driving; and ECO Cruise, a feature that helps optimize powertrain elements for convenient yet economical highway travel.

City equals highway
Hybrid vehicle drivers traditionally saw superior fuel-economy figures in city driving, so loyalists maximized their fuel economy through regenerative braking in stop-and-go traffic. But now, higher-speed innovations have caught up on efficiency.

“City, highway and everywhere in between, C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-certified at 47 mpg,” Bakaj said. “It’s a win-win-win.”

C-MAX Hybrid is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995, including destination and delivery, which is $1,300 lower than Toyota Prius v. C-MAX Hybrid is currently available for order at select dealerships.

[All-Or-Nothing]

Woo Hoo........now that is impressive.

[96s-10ss]

Damn

[Thed]

And that's not even the plug-in...

[The 'Burg]

Well done Ford!

[Thed]

American, better FE, more power, higher EV speed, more seamless integration, cheaper, American, better-looking, And let's not forget, American.

No reason the buy the Pruis V when this goes on sale.

[The 'Burg]

Thed;223825 Wrote:American, better FE, more power, higher EV speed, more seamless integration, cheaper, American, better-looking, And let's not forget, American.

No reason the buy the Pruis V when this goes on sale.

No reason to buy the Prius even now, before it goes on sale. Much better to hold off and wait.

[Thed]

The 'Burg;223827 Wrote:

Thed;223825 Wrote:American, better FE, more power, higher EV speed, more seamless integration, cheaper, American, better-looking, And let's not forget, American.

No reason the buy the Pruis V when this goes on sale.

No reason to buy the Prius even now, before it goes on sale. Much better to hold off and wait.

Yeah... shouldn't be too much longer now.

I'm still against anything with battery that propels a vehicle, though.

[jspookss]

Impressive

[GotMopar?]

What spooks said.

[Scout]

Any idea what would the FE would be if this was applied to a V6 Explorer, or V8 F-150? It seems so far when hybrid technology is put in large trucks the only real increases are in the price you pay for it.

[McLovin]

I don't think anyone will be missing a hybrid escape, now.
This is the perfect vehicle for a young family looking to save money. Few actually need a large minivan that hauls motorcycles.

[REVolution]

I'm with Scout on this. A hybrid drivetrain similar to this with a V6 powertrain in the Explorer or even in a Lincoln would be awesome. That is what Lincoln should do with the MKS, a 3.7L V6 integrated with this hybrid setup would blow the competition out of the water in fuel economy.

[McLovin]

These hybrids achieve their numbers with lots of features, like lower mass, wind and rolling resistance.
A CUV goes against ALL of those criteria. FE gains would be minimal, as would be sales. People buy the bigger vehicle to tow and haul families and stuff. That is the main customer. Again, not something you can do with a vehicle biased for max efficicency.

In time however, electrification will proliferate everywhere. In the interim, GTDI will advance quite a bit and is a better fit for heavy vehicles.

[REVolution]

Yea, I agree, but for a marketing standpoint, its awesome. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is obviously more expensive but the fact that it is offered and yields better fuel economy sways some customers to pony up the money for one. Same with the Lexus RX Hybrid.