Along with the Focus Electric, the Blue Oval also announced two more new models today, the C-MAX Hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which Ford claims will allow operation in all-electric mode at higher speeds than any other hybrid currently in production.
Ford is willing to compare its new cars, which will be launched in North America in 2012, with the competition and in particular, Toyota’s Prius models.
According to the company, the plug-in C-MAX Energi will deliver a better fuel economy equivalent (MPGe) in all-electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid along with a 500 miles (800 km) driving range, while the Hybrid is said to be more fuel efficient than the Prius V.
“C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota”, said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s Electrification Programs and Engineering.
Both hybrid versions of the C-MAX feature a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine that operates on the Atkinson-cycle, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Ford says that its next-generation ‘powersplit’ architecture allows the two motors to operate separately or in parallel, with the electric motor being capable of powering the car in low-speed conditions and the gasoline engine kicking in and/or charging the battery when necessary.
In the C-MAX Hybrid, the battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. A regenerative braking system also recovers more than 95% of the braking energy and helps charge the battery.
The C-MAX Energi plug-in can also be charged by connecting the vehicle’s charge port to either a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt charging station.
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