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Ford Confirms Prius PHEV-rivalling Figures For C-Max Plug-in Hybrid

Ford has at last revealed economy figures for its new C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid – the new petrol-electric mini people-mover heading to the US market this year. The C-Max Energi is driven by an Atkinson-cycle 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine,


Ford has at last revealed economy figures for its new C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid - the new petrol-electric mini people-mover heading to the US market this year.

The C-Max Energi is driven by an Atkinson-cycle 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Together, the system produces around 140kW.

Ford says the Energi will offer "more than" 32 kilometres of electric-only driving, nearly doubling the 20km confirmed for Toyota's Prius PHEV - currently in testing here in Australia.

The C-Max Energi also boasts a total petrol-electric driving range of around 885km, and Ford says the car's overall fuel consumption 'equivalent rating' is around 2.4 l/100km.

By comparison, Toyota claims an equivalent rating of around 2.2 l/100km for its Prius PHEV.

Don't expect the C-Max for Australia, however. Speaking with TMR, Ford Australia's Sinead Phipps said that any launch for the Energi will depend on market demand.

"There obviously needs to be a market for any vehicle we launch and, at this point, we simply don’t think there is enough of a market demand for a C-Max type of vehicle here in Australia," Mrs Phipps said.

She said that adding hybrid versions would only add more complexity to the range, "and there is little, if any, demand for a hybrid in that segment."

"We strongly believe that by offering customers ECOnetic, standard diesels, EcoLPi and EcoBoost across a variety of vehicles, we are offering customers real world fuel-saving technologies at prices they can actually afford."

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