All About Japan Autos

The Ford C-Max small van hasn’t hit the U.S. market yet, and already we have three variants to chose from. Ford is not only introducing a gasoline powered C-Max for the 2012 model year, but is also adding a hybrid and plug-in hybrid model to go on sale late in 2012.

“Ford already has several hybrids, like its Escape SUV and Fusion sedan,” says USA Today. “Adding the C-Max would not only broaden that portfolio, but would extend Ford into a place it hasn’t yet gone, plug ins.”

The Detroit News explains, “The two vehicles are part of Ford’s electric vehicle strategy, which is built literally and figuratively on the giant C-segment — the compact car family that will account for more than 10 versions of the Focus, C-Max and Escape, with the goal of 2 million sales annually around the world.” Building several models off the same platform allows Ford to share components and cut costs.

The C-Max hybrid will use Ford’s current gasoline-electric technology, the same system that’s used in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. However, Ford says the C-Max will be more fuel-efficient than the 41 mpg Fusion hybrid. The plug-in hybrid, called the C-Max Energi, however, will used a much more advanced system. Autoblog explains that the C-Max Energi “is essentially a range-extended plug-in hybrid that’s not completely unlike the Chevrolet Volt. Ford is targeting an overall driving range of more than 500 miles using both the battery-backed motor and Atkinson-cycle engine, and much like the Focus Electric, the automaker’s new MyFord Mobile software will allow users to monitor the C-Max Energi’s charging state while on the go.”

But, Kicking Tires reports that the C-Max Energie’s powertrain isn’t a carbon-copy of the Volt’s. “Plug it in – Ford says it can fully charge overnight on a household 120-volt outlet — and the Energi can putter around on electric power alone. Like all hybrids, however, doing so requires modest acceleration. Encounter a highway on-ramp or merging situation, and the engine will likely fire up to lend a hand. Like most plug-in hybrids, the Energi drives like a conventional hybrid with a higher threshold of EV operation.” The Volt can run on electric power alone, no matter the driving situation, for the first 25 to 50 miles of driving.

Despite the differences, the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi are set to bring hybrid powertrains to a market segment that’s been underserved by alternate powertrains: vehicles that can seat more than five. While General Motors has its hybrid Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade hybrid SUVs, which can seat up to eight people each, the C-Max hybrid and C-Max energy are much smaller cars. That means that while they can only seat seven, they should get much better gas mileage and be easier to drive in urban environments.

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