Vehicles with highly efficient small displacement engines and superior aerodynamics are capable of attaining phenomenal mpg on the highway. On the other hand, hybrid drivetrains and its black magic energy recovery systems are capable of previously unheard of mpg performances in the city. However, I don't recall any particular vehicle that had ever equally excelled in both until Ford announced its C-Max hybrid.
Today, Ford and the EPA has announced that the Ford C-Max Hybrid has successfully achieved 47 mpg for city, highway, and combined driving. Even more importantly for Ford, the numbers significantly best its Toyota rival Prius V, which posts 44 mpg in the city, 40 highway, and 42 combined.
Pleased with the C-Max Hybrid's performance, Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj said, "The all-new C-Max Hybrid is a great symbol of how Ford has transformed into a fuel economy and technology leader with 47 mpg across the board and a highway rating 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius V."
But wait, there's more: C-Max Hybrid also boasts a second trick. Capable of pure electric drive in the Energi model, the C-Max can travel up to 85 mph without any assistance from the 2.0 liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine.
Finally, the Ford C-Max Hybrid will enter the market with an affordable base price of $25,995 including destination charges, a significant discount over the $27,310 price tags of the Toyota Prius V.
It is clear that Ford has the Prius in its crosshairs as it readies the launch of its latest hybrid. Time will tell whether Ford's efforts will knock Toyota from its hybrid throne.
