Ford C-Max Hybrids at Detroit

Ford C-Max Hybrid & C-Max Energi revealed in Detroit

Ford are starting to roll out their ‘Eco’ future at the Detroit Motor Show, and first to get the wraps off are a pair of C-Max Hybrids – the Ford C-Max Energi and the Ford C- Max Hybrid. And in case you  haven’t guessed already, one is a plug-in, the other isn’t. Does that sound like a Prius?

The Ford C-Max Energi gets a 2.0 litre Atkinson cycle lump and a high voltage lithium ion battery pack, the combination of which is good for 500 miles. The C-Max Energi is designed to run for most of the time on the plug-in charge with the engine only kicking in when the charge is depleted or under high-load conditions.

The Ford C-Max Hybrid seems to be just the same as the C-Max Energi, but without the plug-in ability. Which does make us wonder what the point is. Admittedly details are thin on the ground – Ford probably hasn’t settled on the exact configuration – but we don’t really see the point of both versions.

Cosmetically, the hybrid C-Max looks like a bog-standard C-Max but with trhe grill from the Focus Electric bolted on the front and some of the ‘Nanny’ stuff from the Focus Electric like ‘Brake Coaching’. Oh, goodie.

Ford say both C-Max Hybrids will be on offer in North America by 2012 and Europe by 2013.

By Cars UK