- Ford C-MAX Hybrid projected to achieve 47 mpg city, at
least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and
technology – all at a $1,300-lower base price
- C-MAX Hybrid is Ford’s first entry in the largest
hybrid segment and is expected to attract a large percentage of conquest
and mainstream buyers with the segment’s lowest payback period of two
years compared with leading small crossovers
- C-MAX Hybrid will launch this fall as part of Ford’s
power of choice strategy to deliver leading fuel economy across its lineup
while tripling electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013
DEARBORN,
Mich., July 5, 2012 –
Ford’s new C-MAX Hybrid soon will make a big statement in the largest hybrid
segment with projected leading fuel economy of 47 mpg city – beating the Toyota
Prius v by 3 mpg, plus a $1,300-lower base price.
The
segment for small hybrids such as the C-MAX Hybrid and Prius accounts for 65
percent of all hybrid sales. Ford expects about half of C-MAX buyers to be
conquest customers trading in competitive models.
Ford
has simultaneously increased hybrid efficiency and performance while reducing
cost. The result is an expected payback period of two years for the hybrid
technology premium compared with leading small crossovers. This is about half
of the four-year period Ford research shows could trigger more mainstream
hybrid sales.
“The
C-MAX Hybrid builds on Ford’s 20 years of hybrid innovation and fuel-efficient
offerings to take on Prius v with better city fuel economy at 47 mpg and at
better value – a great chance for us to shake up the hybrid market,” said Raj
Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “C-MAX Hybrid delivers
3 mpg more than Prius v with 50 more horsepower and exclusive technologies such
as our hands-free liftgate – and the $1,300-lower base price means the payback
period will be the smallest in the segment.”
Ford
research highlights other ways in which hybrids could become more mainstream.
The gap in average income between hybrid and conventional vehicle buyers has
decreased by half – from about $30,000 to $15,000 – in the past few years.
Maximum
efficiency, technology and value
The
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 part of Ford’s first
dedicated line of hybrid vehicles and currently available for order at select
dealerships.
The
projected 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway ratings to be delivered by C-MAX
Hybrid beat the fuel economy of Toyota Prius v with its 44 mpg city and 40 mpg
highway.
The
vehicle also can be driven 500-plus miles with total system horsepower of 188
compared with total system horsepower of 134 from Toyota Prius v and Prius.
The
power of C-MAX Hybrid stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a
battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Hybrid uses
the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – powerful and fuel
efficient and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder
powertrains Ford has ever offered. More details about the C-MAX powertrain can
be found in this press release.
C-MAX
Hybrid also offers class-exclusive technologies such as the available
hands-free liftgate, optional active park assist and SmartGauge®
with EcoGuide, along with the ability to deliver higher speeds in electric mode
than Toyota Prius v.
The
latest-generation SmartGauge with EcoGuide is designed to help drivers get the
most from the C-MAX Hybrid, providing information such as instantaneous fuel
economy to help them more closely monitor how their driving behavior affects
the vehicle’s efficiency.
A new
Brake Coach feature helps drivers optimize their use of the braking system so
that driving range can be enhanced through proper braking techniques.
Redesigned imagery of green leaves shows overall driving efficiency – as
drivers improve their efficient driving, they are rewarded with more leaves.
Active
lifestyle
The
C-MAX Hybrid offers room for five people and plenty of cargo – making it
perfect for the owner with an active lifestyle.
The
vehicle has a high roofline (63.9 inches) offering ample interior space and
flexibility. C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared
with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The spacious C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater
headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v (41/39.4 inches vs.
39.6/38.6 inches).
For
cargo, C-MAX Hybrid has 60/40 split-fold rear seats. The seats easily fold flat
with 52.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 24.5 cubic feet behind
the second row.
Quality
choices
C-MAX
Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software
and hardware technology it offers and has helped Ford develop a portfolio of
nearly 500 patents in the area of hybrid technology.
Also,
Ford’s hybrid taxi fleet logged more than 80 million miles in California during
the past decade – more than quadruple the number of miles logged by Toyota’s
Prius lineup. Yet, among the nearly 43 million battery cells Ford has tested or
seen put to work in customer vehicles, only five issues have been documented.
C-MAX
Hybrid is being produced at Ford’s Wayne, Mich.-based Michigan Assembly Plant
alongside Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. More information about MAP can be
found online here.
C-MAX
Hybrid is part of Ford’s strategy to give customers the power of choice for
vehicles with leading fuel efficiency across all powertrain technologies. C-MAX
Hybrid is one of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to produce in North
America in 2012. The other vehicles include:
- Focus Electric: Production began late 2011; America’s most
fuel-efficient compact with 110 MPGe; charge time in four hours with the
available 240-volt charging station, nearly half the time as Nissan Leaf
- C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Coming this fall;
better electric-mode MPGe than Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and better
overall range than any plug-in hybrid
- All-new Fusion Hybrid: Coming this fall; 47
mpg expected to beat Toyota Camry Hybrid by 5 mpg highway
- Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Will begin production
by the end of 2012; aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in
the world
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