Ford takes direct aim at the new Toyota Prius V and the Prius plug-in hybrid with new C-Max hybrid and C-Max Energi plug-in. Shooting for top spot in the MPG sweepstakes. over 42 mpg from the non-plug hybrid and over 100 MPGe (that's miles per gallon equivalent, a way of comparing efficiency of vehicles that get energy from sources other than gasoline) for the plug-in hybrid.
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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, C-Max Energi Plug-In: More Details
The new Escape crossover arrives at dealers in mere months, minus the hybrid model of its predecessor. That means it's now time to talk about the new 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, which will serve as the co…
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Great to have more choices! Nice to have completion. Would love to see them all racing on a track somewhere, hopefully like a support race to the Rolex 24 hr at Daytona, to showcase them to show the public what they can really do.
A lot of questions arise:
1. What is the size (capacity) of the battery in the C-Max Energi?
2. What is the power output of the main traction motor in the C-Max Energi?
3. What is the size of the gasoline tank in the C-Max Energi?
4. Does the C-Max Energi's main traction motor take the car through its full power envelope?
5. What is the top speed of the C-Max Energi?
6. Does the C-Max Energi run on regular or premium gasoline?
7. What is Ford's claim for EV-only range for the C-Max Energi?
…among other things.
Basically, architecturally, where on the scale of "EV power" does the C-Max Energi fit? On one extreme, we have the Chevrolet Volt, which has all the EV power in the world for 25-50 miles, and on the other extreme, we have the Toyota Prius Plug-In, which has EV power for only 15 miles, and only up to 75% of power even before then.
As for the 500 mile range, that's based on what size gasoline tank, among other things? The Volt does 37.5 MPG x 9.3 gallon = 349 miles + 37 miles pure EV = 386 miles total range.
Putting these sorts of vehicles on the track totally destroys any advantage they might have. Because they are so optimized for efficiency, running them at their limits actually makes them look pretty bad as Top Gear demonstrated a couple of years ago. They ran a Prius flat out around their track and paced it with a BMW M3 that was just loafing along. The managed a mere 14.2 mpg while the 414 hp M3 got by on 16.2 mpg. You can check it out on Youtube Supercars: The One Gallon Fuel Crisis Race – Top Gear – BBC at about 6 minutes in.
I guess I should finish my last point there: If the Volt just added 4 gallons to the size of its gasoline tank, it would have a 13.3 gallon capacity and 150 miles (4 x 37.5) extra range, for a total of 536 miles. So the fact that Ford claims the C-Max Energi has over 500 mile range means nothing until – at a minimum – you know the size of its gasoline tank. Has Ford coughed up these basic specs anywhere?
+Anton Wahlman You're right, total range numbers are meaningless, just the Passat TDI range of 700+ miles is based on the combination of a big tank and diesel efficiency. Few people will use the full range without a stop. More detailed specs are still to come.
I think range is important — up to a point. You're not going to drive much beyond 4 hours without needing to stop for a bathroom break anyway. 4 hours at 70 MPH = 280 miles. Let's add 100 miles for good measure, not having started with a full tank, etc., making it 380 miles. Coincidentally, that's the range of the Chevrolet Volt… š
actually not so coincidentally
On that note, I think you will appreciate this article, which discusses the right and wrong ways to market plug-in electric cars: http://www.thestreet.com/story/11352926/1/how-not-to-market-electric-cars.html Let me know your thoughts…