The Toyota Prius v-fighting C-MAX Hybrid will boast what Ford is referring to as a 47 mpg "hat trick," a hockey reference that reveals its 47 mpg rating in the city, on the highway and in the EPA's combined figure. That puts it well ahead of the new-for-2012 Prius v's 44/40 mpg rating.
Underneath the C-Max Hybrid's hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that runs on the Aktinson cycle. Mated to an electric motor, the combination produces 188 horsepower and it sends power to the front wheels via an electronic CVT. The electric motor is strong enough, Ford says, that it will propel that C-MAX Hybrid to 62 mph on pure electric drive as long as the battery is sufficiently charged. Like most hybrids, the C-MAX Hybrid can run in full EV mode, gas-only mode or a combination of the two.
On its own, the 2.0-liter is rated at 141 horsepower and 129 lb-ft. of torque.
In most global markets, Ford offers a variety of gas and diesel engines in the C-MAX, but the United States will only get the two hybrid variants. Ford had initially announced that a non-hybrid C-MAX would accompany its more eco-friendly cousins in this market, but the automaker later changed its mind.
C-MAX Hybrid rides on the same vehicle architecture as both the Ford Focus and the Ford Escape, but its footprint is actually a little smaller than the four-door Focus. Inside, it seats five in an interior that shares much in common with its platformmates, although it offers a larger and boxier cargo area than the Focus hatchback.
The entry-level C-MAX Hybrid SE will start just under $26,000 when it goes on sale later this year. An extra $3,000 nets buyers the C-MAX Hybrid SEL, which adds leather seats, a proximity key, rain-sensing wipers, parking assistance, heated seats, ambient lighting and a few other goodies. Equipped with every factory option, a fully loaded C-MAX Hybrid will run $32,685.
A C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid will also be available later in the year.
