The Ford C-Max (stylized as Ford C-MAX and previously called the Ford Focus C-Max) is a car produced by the
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobi ...
from 2003 to 2019. It has a five-door
compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) design. The Ford Grand C-Max has a longer
wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels. For road vehicles with more than two axles (e.g. some trucks), the wheelbase is the distance between the steering (front ...
.
Ford introduced the C-Max in the United States as its first
hybrid-only line of vehicles, which includes the C-Max Hybrid, released in September 2012, and the C-Max Energi
plug-in hybrid, launched in October 2012. Although the C-Max was initially available only in Europe, the first generation was partially available in New Zealand.
First generation (2003)
The Ford Focus C-Max is preceded by the eponymous
show car
A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions. Show cars can either come from car companies or from private indivi ...
, which was designed by Daniel Paulin and unveiled at the
2002 Paris Motor Show.
C-Max Mk I was the first product to use the
Ford C1 platform
The Ford Global C-car Platform is Ford's global compact car automobile platform. It replaces the Ford C170 platform and Mazda B platform (BJ). The C1 platform debuted with the European Ford Focus C-Max compact MPV in early 2004. The platform is ...
, also used by the
Ford Focus Mk II and the compact MPV
Premacy/Mazda5. Its internal code name is C214.
It seats five passengers and has a large amount of cargo space, which can be increased by folding the rear seats flat. Some models feature diagonally sliding outer rear seats. It also shares the control blade independent rear suspension from the Focus.
Engines and transmissions
The available
four-cylinder engines
The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized.
Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categorize ...
are the same as the Focus.
1.6 L
Duratec
Duratec is a brand name of the Ford Motor Company used for the company's range of gasoline-powered four-cylinder, five-cylinder and six-cylinder passenger car engines.
The original 1993 Duratec V6 engine was designed by Ford and Porsche. Ford ...
was the basic engine for C-Max, 1.6 L Ti-VCT Duratec was also available.
1.8/2.0 L
Duratec HE are the rest of available petrol engines
1.8 L Ford flexifuel, aka 1.8f, was a
flexible-fuel
A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle (colloquially called a flex-fuel vehicle) is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or ...
hybrid engine sourced from
Volvo
The Volvo Group ( sv, Volvokoncernen; legally Aktiebolaget Volvo, shortened to AB Volvo, stylized as VOLVO) is a Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation headquartered in Gothenburg. While its core activity is the production, distributio ...
B4204S5 able to run on gasoline and ethanol (E85). Ethanol added about 25 hp extra for a total 125hp, although with higher consumption
1.8/2.0 L
Duratec HE are the rest of available petrol engines
1.6/2.0 L
Duratorq
The Ford Duratorq engine, commonly referred to as Duratorq, is the marketing name of a range of Ford diesel engines first introduced in 2000 for the Ford Mondeo range of cars. The larger capacity 5-cylinder units use the Power Stroke branding wh ...
Ford/PSA made diesels were available along with Ford's 1.8 L
Endura engine which is upgraded and named Duratorq
*Overboost
Transmissions mated with engines are
Ford IB5 (1.6/1.8 Duratec),
Ford Durashift
Durashift is the brand name of a range of Ford automatic and recently manual transmissions.
Durashift EST
Durashift EST ''(Electronic Shift Transmission)'' features electronic control with manual selection of gears. It is an automated manual tr ...
(2.0 Duratorq),
MTX-75
The Ford MTX-75 (M TransaXle), is a 5-speed transmission developed by Ford Motor Company for its larger-engined front wheel drive models. "75" refers to the distance in millimeters between the main and lay shafts.
Debuting in 1992, the transmissi ...
(2.0 Duratec / 1.6-1.8 Duratorq) manual and
Ford Powershift double-clutch transmission available with 2.0 Duratorq. The
4F27E mated with the 2.0 Duratec engine. A
CVT automatic was also available
Facelift
In December 2006, the facelifted version of the C-Max was revealed at the 2006
Bologna Motor Show
The Bologna Motor Show (known as the "''Salone internazionale dell'auto e della moto di Bologna''" in Italian) was an auto show which was scheduled to be held annually in December, in Bologna, Italy.
The editions of 2009 and 2012 were the shor ...
and went on sale in late spring 2007. The pre-facelift version of the car (2003–2007) was called the Ford Focus C-Max. The name change to C-Max is attributable to Ford's MPV strategy of creating a 'Max' branded line of MPVs, starting with the
Ford S-Max
The Ford S-Max (stylized as Ford S-MAX) was a car produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV (sports activity vehicle). Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the ...
, launched in 2006.
The facelift brought the car in line with Ford's 'Kinetic Design' design language, evidenced through its twin trapezoidal grilles, large wheel arches and angular headlights. However, as the car does not have a bodyshell originally designed for 'Kinetic Design,' Ford officially states that the car contains only 'elements' of the design language.
File:2006 Ford Focus C-Max Ghia Automatic 2.0 Rear.jpg, Before facelift
File:2010 Ford C-Max Zetec TD 115 1.8 Front.jpg, After facelift
File:2010 Ford C-Max Zetec TD 115 1.8 Rear.jpg, After facelift
File:Ford C-MAX mk1 dashboard.jpg, Interior
Second generation (2011)
Alongside the third generation
Ford Focus Mk III, the second generation C-Max (C344) is built on Ford's new
Global C platform. The appearance is inspired by the
Iosis Max concept, shown at the 2009
Geneva Motor Show. In addition, Ford added a long wheelbase, seven-seat
minivan
Minivan (sometimes called simply as van) is a North American car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is ...
variant of the C-Max, the Ford Grand C-Max.
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009
Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
. Early European models include 5 seats, and 7-seat models entered the market at the end of 2010 (except Russia, where there is only the 7-seat model). At the 2011
North American International Auto Show, Ford announced a 7-seat C-MAX for the North American market. However, this model was cancelled prior to launch.
Ford unveiled the Ford C-Max Energi
plug-in hybrid and the C-Max Hybrid at the 2011
North American International Auto Show. Like the conventional C-Max, the C-Max Energi and Hybrid are five-seat only. They replace the
Ford Escape Hybrid
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV sold by Ford since 2000 over four generations. The first generation was jointly developed with Mazda which also created the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner as the twin model. Second generations of t ...
and
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV sold by Ford since 2000 over four generations. The first generation was jointly developed with Mazda which also created the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner as the twin model. Second generations of th ...
since Ford discontinued the
Mercury brand after the 2011
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
and the Escape Hybrid after the 2012 year model. The C-Max is Ford's first hybrid-only line of vehicles. Both the plug-in and hybrid version designs are based on the European gasoline- and diesel-powered versions.
The C-Max Hybrid was released in the United States in September 2012 as a 2013
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
,
followed by the release of the plug-in Energi version by mid October 2012.
Production of the C-Max Energi in the United States ended in September 2017, while Hybrid production ended in 2018.
Features
The new Mk III platform is the first in its class to support
Torque Vectoring
Torque vectoring is a technology employed in automobile differentials that has the ability to vary the torque to each half-shaft with an electronic system; or in rail vehicles which achieve the same using individually motored wheels. This method ...
Control (TVC).
The redesigned C-Max features flat folding third row seats, a hands free power lift gate, rear view camera, park assist, and panoramic sunroof. HD Radio, Sirius XM, Sync, dual-zone climate control system, and navigation system come as standard or as available options on the different trim lines.
The aerodynamics (
drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: c_\mathrm, c_x or c_) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water. It is used in the drag e ...
, ''c
w'') of the car has been improved, being 0,30 for the 5 seater and 0,32 for the Grand C-Max.
Conventional engines and transmissions
Like the previous C-Max, the new C-Max also comes with a range of petrol and diesel
four-cylinder engines
The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized.
Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categorize ...
which are shared with the Focus:
* 1.0 L
Ecoboost
EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc. (now named FEV North America Inc.). EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with thos ...
comes available in two states of tune, alongside the 1.6 - guises.
* 1.6 L naturally aspirated
Duratec Ti-VCT is available in three output levels
* 1.6 L
EcoBoost
EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc. (now named FEV North America Inc.). EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with thos ...
came in two different variants, same as in Focus
* 1.5 L
EcoBoost
EcoBoost is a series of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines produced by Ford and originally co-developed by FEV Inc. (now named FEV North America Inc.). EcoBoost engines are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with thos ...
replaced the earlier 1.6 in April 2015; power and torque figures are identical to the 1.6.
* 1.6 8-valve
Duratorq TDCi Ford/PSA made diesels are upgraded, Ford's 1.8 L
Endura engine is not available any more.
* 1.5 L 16-valve
Duratorq TDCi replaced the earlier 1.6 in April 2015.
* 2.0 16-valve
Duratorq TDCi Ford/PSA made diesels came in three different output levels; as of April 2015 this engine was overhauled and now only two versions were available.
Transmissions mated with engines are
Ford IB5 (1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT),
B6 (1.6 EcoBoost/1.6 Duratorq),
Durashift MMT6 (2.0 Duratorq) manual and
Ford Powershift double-clutch transmission available with the 2.0 Duratorq engine.
File:Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCi Trend (II) – Heckansicht (1), 30. Juli 2011, Mettmann.jpg, Ford C-Max
2018 Ford C-Max facelift Front.jpg, Ford C-Max facelift
2018 Ford C-Max facelift Rear.jpg, Ford C-Max facelift
File:Ford Grand C-Max Champions Edition (II) – Heckansicht, 31. Dezember 2012, Ratingen.jpg, Ford Grand C-Max
Ford C-Max 2nd Generation dashboard.JPG, Dashboard
The Ford C-MAX was facelifted in 2015 and the 1.6 Ecoboost changed to the three-cylinder 1.0 Ecoboost along with the 1.6 TDCI 115PS Duratorq changing to the 1.5 TDCI single overhead cam unit.
Hybrid
Ford developed the C-Max Hybrid with the aim to become "America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle." The gasoline-electric hybrid model base pricing starts at , including destination and delivery.
[
]
Specifications
The front-wheel drive hybrid has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle
The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density.
A variation of this approach is used in some modern auto ...
engine mated to an electric motor and a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also s ...
for total power output of . The top speed in all-electric mode
Charge-depleting or EV mode refers to a mode of vehicle operation that is dependent on the
energy from the battery pack. Battery electric vehicles operate solely in this mode. Most plug-in hybrids operate in charge-depleting mode at startup, and ...
of and the car's top speed in hybrid mode is .
The hybrid has a maximum cargo volume of with rear seats folded flat, and in the cargo area behind the rear seats, providing more room than the regular Prius liftback, but less cargo room than the Prius v
The Toyota Prius ''v'' (for versatile), also named Prius α (pronounced as Alpha) in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid electric vehicle, hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, ...
, which provides with the rear seats folded.[
The Hybrid is offered in two trims:
The SE features ]eco-friendly
Environment friendly processes, or environmental-friendly processes (also referred to as eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green), are sustainability and marketing terms referring to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies that clai ...
cloth seating surfaces, Ford SYNC
Ford Sync (stylized Ford SYNC) is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. ...
system with A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
and auxiliary
Auxiliary may refer to:
* A backup site or system
In language
* Auxiliary language (disambiguation)
* Auxiliary verb
In military and law enforcement
* Auxiliary police
* Auxiliaries, civilians or quasi-military personnel who provide support of ...
input jacks, six speakers, a multi-informational gauge cluster and color display screen, keyless entry, alloy wheels, and split-folding rear bench seat, plus a security alarm.
The SEL adds leather seating surfaces, MyFord Touch
Myford Limited is a British machine tool manufacturer originally based at 10-12 East Parade, Leeds, West Yorkshire in the United Kingdom under its former name of L & P 240 Limited. The company is notable for its continuation of production of Myfo ...
with AM/FM HD Radio stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player and USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
and auxiliary
Auxiliary may refer to:
* A backup site or system
In language
* Auxiliary language (disambiguation)
* Auxiliary verb
In military and law enforcement
* Auxiliary police
* Auxiliaries, civilians or quasi-military personnel who provide support of ...
input jacks, a Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professiona ...
premium surround sound
Surround sound is a technique for enriching the fidelity and depth of sound reproduction by using multiple audio channels from speakers that surround the listener (surround channels). Its first application was in movie theaters. Prior to s ...
system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio was a satellite radio (SDARS) and online radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Holdings.
Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially lau ...
, power dual front seats, keyless access, push-button start system, and other luxury features. For the 2017 model year, the SEL trim level on both the C-Max Hybrid and Energi will be renamed to the Titanium trim level and also all the 2017 Ford C-Max Hybrids and plug-in Energis are expected to have restyled headlights and taillights.
The Energi Plug-In Hybrid is only available in SEL trim. But for the 2017 model year the C-Max Energi is also available on the SE trim level.
EPA ratings
Ford's design aimed for the C-Max Hybrid to deliver better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius V
The Toyota Prius ''v'' (for versatile), also named Prius α (pronounced as Alpha) in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, in the U.S. in October 2 ...
.[ Ford had reduced its estimated fuel economy twice, once in 2013 and again in 2014, with the second revision placing fuel economy below the Prius V. The ]US Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...
(EPA) initially rated the hybrid model at with the same rating for combined/city/highway cycles. These ratings allowed the C-Max Hybrid to improve the fuel economy of the Toyota Prius v
The Toyota Prius ''v'' (for versatile), also named Prius α (pronounced as Alpha) in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, in the U.S. in October 2 ...
by on the city cycle, by on the highway cycle and by combined. However, after criticism and lawsuits about worse-than-expected real-world fuel economy, in August 2013 Ford voluntarily lowered the EPA ratings and issued customer rebates. The revised fuel economy ratings were reduced to for city driving, for combined and for highway. The revised rating for the updated 2013 C-Max Hybrid is still better than the combined rating for the Toyota Prius v. A second downward revision was made during June 2014.
Ford boosted the on-road fuel efficiency of its three 2013 model year hybrids through changes in the cars' vehicle control software in an effort to improve customer satisfaction. The upgrade was offered free of charge to existing owners of these hybrids. Some of the changes include:
* Increasing the maximum pure electric speed from , allowing increased use of electric-only mode on the highway
* Optimizing the use of Active Grille Shutters to reduce aerodynamic drag under more driving and temperature conditions including cold weather, during air conditioner use and when the engine coolant temperature is higher
* Reducing the electric fan speed as a function of coolant temperature to minimize the fan’s energy consumption
* Shortening engine warm-up time by up to 50% to enable electric-only driving and engine shutdown at stops sooner after cold starts
* Optimizing the climate control system to minimize use of the air conditioning compressor and reduce the energy used in cold weather operation.
Sales
A total of 969 units were sold during September 2012, allowing the C-Max Hybrid to rank as the ninth-best selling hybrid car in the United States that month.[ ''See September 2012 Hybrid Car Sales Numbers''] During October, its first full month in the market, 3,182 units were sold, outselling the Prius v by more than 400 units, which had ranked as the fourth most sold hybrid in the previous months. Sales of the C-Max Hybrid also led Ford to achieve its best October hybrid sales month ever with a total of 4,612 sales, up 142% over October 2011. Ford reported that 25% of C-Max Hybrid sales took place in California, with Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
and San Francisco
San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17th ...
as the top selling regional markets. A total of 10,935 C-Max Hybrids were sold during 2012,[ and a total of 28,056 units in 2013.][ After Ford cut the car's EPA fuel economy rating by to in the middle of 2012, the car experienced its three worst sales months since it debuted in the U.S. Since its inception, a total of 72,330 units have been sold in the United States through December 2015.][
]
Fuel economy controversies
In December 2012, Motor Trend
''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949.
Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 1998, when it was sold to ...
reported that Consumer Reports and Green Car Reports have found that the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid and 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which share the same powertrain, do not deliver their triple EPA ratings in real-world use. After running both vehicles through Consumer Reports real-world tests, the magazine found that C-Max hybrid achieved a combined fuel economy average of , with and for city and highway.[ Green Car Reports found that the C-Max delivered over of mixed freeway and urban driving, and over mostly at freeway speeds.][
Consumer Reports concluded that the overall fuel economy for the C-Max Hybrid is off by , representing a deviation of about 20%. The consumer magazine said that their overall fuel economy results are usually close to the EPA's combined-mpg estimate, and among current models tested, more than 80% fall within margin. The largest discrepancy the magazine has previously found was for the ]Toyota Prius C
The Toyota Prius c (''c'' stands for "city"), named the (''" aqua"'' is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the P ...
and the Prius hatchback, respectively.[ Ford responded in a statement, saying that, "''Early C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid customers praise the vehicles and report a range of fuel economy figures, including some reports above . This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions, and other factors can cause mileage to vary''."][
A few days later the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would review claims that two new Ford hybrid vehicles were not delivering the advertised 47 mpg. Linc Wehrly, Director of Light-duty Vehicle Center Compliance Division at EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan commented that hybrids had far more variability in miles per gallon than conventional vehicles. All vehicles are run through the same EPA fuel-efficiency test but the test is not administered by the EPA; instead the automakers conduct the test and EPA often conducts reviews. Most vehicles's real-world gas mileage is less than the EPA sticker number, and can often be 20% less than depending on speed, temperature and other factors. The EPA explained that with hybrids the gap was much wider, as high as 30%.]
The problem lay with EPA's rules that allowed automakers to group similar vehicles and apply the same ratings, which Ford did with the Fusion hybrid and C-Max hybrids.
Ford Motor Co. officials said the real-world fuel-efficiency in the C-Max Hybrid depended on driving style and other factors, and that the company did not expect the car's fuel efficiency numbers to change, as they followed EPA's test guidelines. Ford said they were working closely with the EPA to determine if their hybrid vehicle testing procedures needed to be changed. They explained that several factors could affect hybrid fuel economy more than that of regular gasoline engines, including speed (as the difference between could produce a 7-mpg difference in fuel economy); outside temperature (the difference between could result in a 5 mpg difference); and vehicle break-in (a 5 mpg difference could occur from the difference ).
Due to the criticism and lawsuits, in July 2013 Ford announced it would boost the on-road fuel efficiency of the C-Max and its other two 2013 hybrids through changes in the vehicle control software, in an effort to improve customer satisfaction.[ The carmaker voluntarily reduced the official EPA ratings in August 2013.][ They also announced they would issue rebates to some 32,000 C-Max owners who would be notified by mail. The payment would be to U.S. customers who purchased C-Maxes, and to customers who had leased them.][
After the Ford announcement, the EPA stated that it will update the test procedures used to assign fuel economy ratings to cars "''to ensure that the requirements keep pace with industry trends and innovations in advanced high-efficiency vehicles''." Ford used the Fusion Hybrid test to generate the fuel economy label for the C-Max Hybrid following EPA's rules. These, which date to the 1970s, specify that automakers can use the same fuel economy numbers for similar-size vehicles equipped with the same engines and transmissions. The EPA requires automakers to test the fuel economy of the biggest-selling model in a specific category. In its midsize hybrid class, Ford tested the Fusion sedan version because it was the top seller, and Ford was allowed to apply the achieved with the Fusion Hybrid in combined, city and highway driving to the C-Max hybrid. Ford has no plans to change the fuel economy ratings on the 2013 Fusion hybrid.][
]
Plug-in hybrid
The C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid started at including the destination fee. According to its battery size, the plug-in car qualified for a federal tax credit of , and it is eligible for additional incentives at the state and local level, such as California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
's rebate.
Specifications
The C-Max Energi was designed with total in hybrid mode delivered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle
The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density.
A variation of this approach is used in some modern auto ...
four-cylinder gasoline engine plus an electric motor powered by a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery which uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. It is the predominant battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It also s ...
pack, which is smaller and lighter than nickel–metal hydride batteries used in previous Ford generation hybrids.[ The electric drivetrain can produce a peak power of , limited by the size of the electric motor and the power delivery capability of the battery pack, and delivers a total system power of in charge-depleting mode (EV mode).][ The C-Max Energi is capable of reaching a top electric-only speed of , exceeding the ]Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (often abbreviated as the Prius and known as the Prius Prime in North America, South Korea, and New Zealand) is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 t ...
(Prius Prime in North America) by more than .[ The top speed in hybrid mode is .][
The C-Max Energi uses a ]regenerative braking
Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle or object by converting its kinetic energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed. In this mechanism, the electric traction mo ...
system capable of capturing and reusing more than 95% of the braking energy normally lost during the braking process. The charging time for the C-Max Energi is 7 hours with a 120 volt charger, and 2.5 hours with a 240 volt charger. The charge port has an LED light ring like the Ford Focus Electric
The Ford Focus Electric is a 5-door hatchback electric car that was produced by Ford. The Focus Electric is Ford's second production all-electric vehicle (the first being the Ford Ranger EV), and was made from December 2011to May 2018.
The Fo ...
and is located on the driver’s side and near the front of the car. The light ring illuminates to indicate charge status. The battery is covered by an eight years or component warranty.
Ford equipped the C-Max Energi with a button mounted in the center stack that enables drivers to choose an electric-only driving mode, and allows the driver to switch vehicle operation between three modes: electric-only driving without gasoline engine power ("EV Now" setting); normal hybrid mode where the powertrain blends electric and gasoline engine power as appropriate ("EV Auto" setting); or a battery-saving mode that reserves the battery power for later use ("EV Later" setting).[ Like the ]Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-sized Ford Fusion sedan manufactured and marketed by Ford, now in its second generation. A plug-in hybrid version, the Ford Fusion Energi, was released in the U.S ...
, the C-Max Energi comes with a SmartGauge with EcoGuide that provides in-vehicle customizable displays, including instantaneous fuel economy readings and coaching functions to help drivers understand and optimize their fuel efficiency. The plug-in hybrid also features ECO Cruise which saves energy by relaxing acceleration compared to standard cruise control
Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a s ...
.[
]
EPA ratings
Ford designed the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid to deliver better miles per gallon equivalent
Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (MPGe or MPGge) is a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed. MPGe is used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compare energy consumption of alternative ...
(MPG-e) in all-electric mode
Charge-depleting or EV mode refers to a mode of vehicle operation that is dependent on the
energy from the battery pack. Battery electric vehicles operate solely in this mode. Most plug-in hybrids operate in charge-depleting mode at startup, and ...
than the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (often abbreviated as the Prius and known as the Prius Prime in North America, South Korea, and New Zealand) is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 t ...
. Initially, the EPA rated the Energi combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode
Charge-depleting or EV mode refers to a mode of vehicle operation that is dependent on the
energy from the battery pack. Battery electric vehicles operate solely in this mode. Most plug-in hybrids operate in charge-depleting mode at startup, and ...
at 100 MPG-e ().[ ''See details in Press Release''.] Later, when owners complained of not achieving the sticker fuel economy, and following a technical review, the official EPA rating in EV mode was downgraded to 88 MPG-e ().[ In a similar way, initially the EPA rating in hybrid-gasoline mode was ,] but it was later downgraded to . EPA's rating for combined EV/hybrid operation is 51 MPG-e (4.6 L gasoline equivalent/100 km), which allows the C-Max Energi to rank in sixth place, together with the Fusion Energi, among the top ten EPA-Rated Fuel Sippers since 1984.[ ''Excludes all-electric vehicles. Click on the tab "EPA Rated - All Years. The 2013-2014 Fusion/C-Max Energi has a combined electric/hybrid fuel economy of 51 MPG-e, 55 MPG-e in city and 46 MPG-e in highway.'']
The C-Max Energi has an all-electric range of , for a total EPA certified range of ,[ which in 2012 surpassed both the first-generation Chevrolet Volt (), and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid ().]
Sales
Ford released the C-Max Energi in the U.S. market by mid October 2012, and during that month 144 units were delivered to U.S. retail customers, and ended with 2,374 units delivered in 2012.[ The C-Max Energi ranked as the fifth top selling plug-in electric car in the U.S. during 2013,][ and climbed to number fourth in 2014.][ Over 35,700 units have been sold in North America and Europe through December 2016, with 33,509 units delivered in the U.S. through December 2016,][ ''See the section: December 2012 Plug-in Electric Car Sales Numbers''][ ''See section "December 2014 Plug-in Hybrid Car Sales Numbers"''][ ''See section "December 2015 Plug-in Hybrid Car Sales Numbers" ''] 967 units in Canada through December 2016,[''Tesla Model S sales figures from IHS data.''] and 1,229 in the Netherlands in 2015.
C-Max Solar Energi concept
Ford Motor Company announced the C-MAX Solar Energi concept, a solar PV
A photovoltaic system, also PV system or solar power system, is an electric power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels to absorb and co ...
-powered vehicle to run electrically without depending on the electric grid for fuel. The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept was unveiled at the 2014 International CES in Las Vegas. This is a collaborative project of Ford, SunPower Corp. and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Production
For the North American market, the C-Max Hybrid was assembled alongside the 2012 Focus and Ford Focus Electric
The Ford Focus Electric is a 5-door hatchback electric car that was produced by Ford. The Focus Electric is Ford's second production all-electric vehicle (the first being the Ford Ranger EV), and was made from December 2011to May 2018.
The Fo ...
at Ford's Wayne plant in Michigan. The C-Max Energi was also assembled in Michigan. Since 2015, all European versions are built in the Saarlouis Body & Assembly, Germany. Ford of Europe announced that it would end production of both the C-Max and Grand C-Max in Germany by the end of the second quarter of 2019.
Recognition
*The C-Max Energi was awarded the 2012 Green Car Vision Award
The Green Car Vision Award is an annual award granted by the ''Green Car Journal''. In contrast with its Green Car of the Year award, which only considers production vehicles that make the most significant environmental advancements, the Gree ...
by the Green Car Journal
''Green Car Journal'' a monthly publication created in 1992, now published as an annual, focuses on green vehicles and environmentally friendly energy and technologies. The founder and editor is Ron Cogan. Co-founder and executive publisher thro ...
at the 2012 Washington Auto Show
The Washington, D.C. Auto Show (WAS) is an annual local auto show held in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center usually in late January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America, trailing only the North Amer ...
.
*Both the Ford C-Max hybrid and the Energi plug-in hybrid were among the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year
The Green Car of the Year is a ''Car of the Year'' award from the ''Green Car Journal''.
The winner is selected by an 11-member panel comprising automotive and environmental experts. Invited jurors have included Mario Andretti; Carroll Shelby, Ja ...
awarded by the Green Car Journal
''Green Car Journal'' a monthly publication created in 1992, now published as an annual, focuses on green vehicles and environmentally friendly energy and technologies. The founder and editor is Ron Cogan. Co-founder and executive publisher thro ...
at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
In Europe, the C-Max is designed with lower VOC and allergens, along with several other Ford vehicles.
See also
*Ford Focus Electric
The Ford Focus Electric is a 5-door hatchback electric car that was produced by Ford. The Focus Electric is Ford's second production all-electric vehicle (the first being the Ford Ranger EV), and was made from December 2011to May 2018.
The Fo ...
*Ford Fusion Energi
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-sized Ford Fusion sedan manufactured and marketed by Ford, now in its second generation. A plug-in hybrid version, the Ford Fusion Energi, was released in the U.S. ...
*Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-sized Ford Fusion sedan manufactured and marketed by Ford, now in its second generation. A plug-in hybrid version, the Ford Fusion Energi, was released in the U.S ...
*Ford B-Max
The Ford B-Max (stylized as Ford B-MAX) code name: B232, is a mini MPV ( M-segment) manufactured by Ford Europe from 2012 to 2017. Built on the Ford global B platform, it was initially unveiled as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, a ...
* Ford I-Max
*Ford S-Max
The Ford S-Max (stylized as Ford S-MAX) was a car produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV (sports activity vehicle). Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the ...
References
External links
Ford C-Max at Ford UK
Ford C-Max Owners Club
Real world performance data on the Ford C-Max Energi
Idaho National Laboratory, December 2013
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