2013 Ford C-Max Energi Priced at $33,745

On Monday, Ford revealed that the 2013 C-Max Energi, the automaker's first plug-in hybrid, will be capable of traveling about 20 miles on electric power alone. Today, Ford announced pricing for the plug-in. It will start at $33,745 when it goes on sale this fall; a destination charge was not given. The Energi will be eligible for a $3,750 federal tax credit, lowering the price to $29,995. California residents can apply for additional tax credits up to $1,500.

The wagon uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack to make 188 horsepower combined. According to Ford, the Energi makes about 60 more hp than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. Ford estimates the Energi will have a total range of 550 miles and get the city/highway combined equivalent of 95 MPGe.

The Energi will join the C-Max Hybrid, Ford’s first dedicated hybrid model, when it goes on sale this fall.

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Ford C-Max Plug-in Travels 20 Miles on Electric Power
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Priced at $25,995

Ford C-Max Plug-in Travels 20 Miles on Electric Power

Ford expects its first plug-in hybrid to be able to go more than 20 miles on electric power alone. The automaker also projects the C-Max Energi to deliver a total range of 550 miles.

The Energi wagon is the plug-in gas/electric sibling of the C-Max Hybrid. The Energi has a bigger battery pack than the C-Max Hybrid and uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack to make a combined total of 188 horsepower.

According to Ford, the C-Max Energi should get the city/highway combined equivalent of 95 MPGe. The wagon can be fully charged overnight on a household 120-volt outlet.

The Energi goes on sale this fall. No word yet on pricing, but the C-Max Hybrid will start at $25,995 when it goes on sale this fall.

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Ford Predicts 47 mpg for C-Max Hybrid
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Priced at $25,995
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid at 2011 Detroit Auto Show

Daily News Briefs: July 6, 2012

Mazda posted details about an extensive midcycle refresh for its Japanese-marketed 2013 Mazda Roadster (shown above) — known here as the MX-5 Miata — on its Google+ page. Updates include a new front bumper, grille, fog lamps and chin spoiler. Mechanically, the Mazda Roadster's reworked internal wiring and new 17-inch aluminum wheels help to decrease its overall weight; it weighs in at roughly 2,500 pounds today. Other additions include enhanced barking control and a more responsive throttle, says Mazda. We expect most of the changes to come to the 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata, too.

In other news:

Ford Predicts 47 mpg for C-Max Hybrid

Ford's taking aim at the Toyota Prius v with the launch of its own hybrid wagon, the 2013 C-Max. The automaker says it'll get 47 mpg in the city — besting the Prius v by 3 mpg. Toyota's hybrid is EPA-rated at 44/40 mpg city/highway.

The C-Max is Ford's first dedicated hybrid; it uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a lithium-ion battery-powered motor for a total of 141 horsepower. It comes as Ford phases out its Escape Hybrid after the 2012 model year, which was EPA-rated at just 34/31 mpg.

Though the C-Max offers a little less cargo room — 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats compared to the Prius v's 34.3 cubic feet — it look like it’ll be a little cheaper at the pump and at the dealership. The 2012 Toyota Prius v starts at $27,310, including a $760 destination charge. The C-Max will start at $25,995 when it goes on sale this fall; Ford has not yet confirmed its destination charge.

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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid at 2011 Detroit Auto Show
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Priced at $25,995
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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid Priced at $25,995

Ford canceled the Escape Hybrid for 2013, but the automaker is quickly replacing it with its first dedicated hybrid crossover. When the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will start at $25,995. (A destination fee was not given.)

The C-Max “will be more affordable than the Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy,” Ford said. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a lithium-ion battery-powered motor, which replaces the nickel-metal hydride pack in the Escape Hybrid. The new battery is 25% to 30% smaller and 50% lighter, according to Ford. EPA numbers haven’t been released, but Ford promises the C-Max Hybrid will achieve better gas mileage than the current Ford Fusion Hybrid’s 41 mpg city rating.

“C-Max Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within,” the automaker said in a statement.

Next Ford Escape to Boost Mileage Without Hybrid

The next-generation Ford Escape compact SUV will receive two new turbo engines along with a more traditional 2.5-liter four-cylinder when it goes on sale next year, Ford announced today. A photo of the Ford Vertrek concept (above) is rumored to be the design inspiration for the next Escape.

A new turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine will be the most efficient. The company says the next Escape’s highway mileage will surpass the current Escape Hybrid’s 31 mpg highway. If the next-gen reaches just 32 mpg highway that would be a 14% boost over the current 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine’s highway rating of 28 mpg. A 2.0-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder will likely top the range promising V-6 power since there will be no V-6 option.

What happens to the next-generation Escape Hybrid? It doesn’t exist.

Newest Ford Option: Home Rooftop Solar Charging

Ford is partnering up with SunPower, a solar panel maker, to give buyers of its new Focus Electric, which is due next year, the option to fill up with renewable power at home.  

The 2.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system is installed at an owner's home and will offset about 1,000 miles of electric driving per month that would otherwise have to come from the grid. If you live in a sunnier state like Arizona or Nevada, you can derive even more energy gains from the solar array.

The 1,000-mile estimate of solar-assisted charging does not directly go into the EV, said Ford spokesman Dan Pierce. The key word here is “offset.” Because most folks drive their cars during the day, the aim is to offset the potential “dirty” energy you’re using to charge your EV at night by piping clean solar energy into the grid during the day. Theoretically, if you drive less than 1,000 miles a month the added energy will lead to lower utility bills. 

If you’re interested in purchasing a Ford EV, a dealer will ask if you want to set up the solar array during the buying process. The system will cost an estimated $10,000 or more, which includes installation and federal tax credits.

The system doesn’t include any sort of fast-charging unit. You can purchase a 240-volt charging unit for the Focus EV or the C-Max Energi. It’s estimated to cost less than $1,499 and includes installation by Best Buy’s Geek Squad.

Ford Cancels 7-Seat C-Max For U.S.

Ford was all set to bring its small seven-seat minivan dubbed the C-Max to the U.S. at the Detroit auto show this past January. That was when we got a good look at this small people-mover that is similar to the Mazda5. Ford said today it no longer plans to sell the seven-seat C-Max in the U.S.

The C-Max offers minivan seating capacity without the size and price tag of traditional minivans, along with better gas mileage. The Mazda5 is seeing an uptick in sales, too. Year-to-date sales of the redesigned Mazda5 are up 22%, outpacing the rest of the company’s lineup.

However, the volume remains quite low for the Mazda5, and that might be why Ford nixed the C-Max. A smaller version that seats five will go on sale in the U.S. as an electric and hybrid vehicle with no standard gasoline option.

It seems that Ford thinks it has the pulse of American consumers who are still snapping up the new Explorer despite $4 gas prices. Of course, they’re also buying a lot of Fiestas and Focuses, Focii … well, the other small Ford.

There doesn’t seem to be any other automaker stepping up to the plate in the small people-mover space, either. GM has decided not to sell the Orlando — a similar vehicle — in the U.S., and Kia discontinued its Rondo last year. Perhaps Mazda can make some noise out of this news for its Mazda5. It’s a nice vehicle that now resides in a niche of one.

2012 Ford C-Max Video

When it’s time to move your growing family to a vehicle that can fit more than five passengers, options in the compact territory are often limited. Ford's new 2012 C-Max is a new entry in the neglected compact-multipurpose-vehicle segment that should help rescue families looking for an alternative to the traditional minivan. According to MotherProof.com’s Kristin Varela, the C-Max offers plenty of versatility between passenger and cargo space, and there are some nifty features for busy parents here, too. Check out the highlights in the video above.

Ford C-Max: Up Close

The redesigned Ford C-Max has been available in Europe for some three months now, but it’s just now making its way to American shores. I had a chance to check out Ford’s compact minivan at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this morning, and its impressive quality and decent utility present a compelling alternative to the Mazda5s of the world. In America, that segment means … the Mazda5.

More details and photos of the new Ford C-Max

With its prominent roof rails and front detailing — the air dam and fog light portals are both trimmed in glossy black — the C-Max SEL on the show floor looked sharp, at least until the rear.