Ford has been rather excited over the C-Max hybrid ever since it debuted alongside the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid at last year’s North American International Auto Show. The Blue Oval has been relentless in its praise for the diminutive fuel sipper, citing its excellent fuel economy and Prius-pounding potential as one of its many merits.
It now appears that the American automaker can back up its automotive chest-puffery with some cold hard numbers, courtesy of the fine folks over at the Environmental Protection Agency, who, much to our disappointment, do not look like this.
The EPA has given the Ford C-Max hybrid a rating of 47 mpg across the board, which means whether your cruising down the highway, zipping about the city, or doing a bit of both, expect to get up to 47 mpg for your efforts. By comparison, the Toyota Prius V earns a 44 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, and 42 combined, meaning the C-Max hybrid can the claim the proverbial scalp of its Japanese rival.
Not content with its hybrid efforts, Ford has also sent out a press release for its C-Max Energi. Here, Ford is eager to point out its prowess over the Prius yet again, both in powertrain and performance. The C-Max Energi is rated at 195 horsepower, versus 188 for the Prius. Plus, according to Ford, it delivers the top electric-only speed of any plug-in hybrid (maxing out at 85 mph) and bests the Prius plug-in by “more than 20 mph.”
The C-Max Energi will feature three distinct drive modes: EV Now, which relies purely on the vehicle’s battery; EV Auto, which blends both battery and gasoline engine; and EV Later, which – similar to the Chevrolet Volt’s “hold mode” – saves battery power for later use. Exact figures haven’t been given, but Ford says the C-Max Energi’s EV range should be good for “20-plus miles.”
Both the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi go on sale this fall, with the former seeing a national release and the latter available in limited markets, followed by its own nationwide rollout in 2013.
