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The plug-in hybrid and third-generation full hybrid
leverage Ford's global C-car platform, acclaimed powersplit
architecture, next-generation driver information features and
advanced lithium-ion battery systems.
"C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid
will be perfect for families looking to maximize their hybrid
car experience," said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global
Electrification. "Thanks to the versatile interior, these cars
are going to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who
need room to grow."
C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to
deliver better fuel economy than the 41 mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid,
the most fuel-efficient sedan in America today. It builds on the
success of the critically acclaimed powersplit architecture Ford
uses in its current hybrids, allowing it to operate in
fuel-saving electric mode beyond 47 mph.
Both the C-MAX Energi and C-MAX
Hybrid models will be built alongside the all-new 2012 Ford
Focus and Focus Electric at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in
Wayne, Mich. The plant's production is powered in part by one of
the largest solar energy generator systems in the state. The
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid vehicles sold in Europe in 2013
will be built at Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain, starting in
2013.
The plug-in advantage
Targeted to achieve AT-PZEV
(Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status,
C-MAX Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a
high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor
with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This
allows it to run in electric mode before using the gasoline
engine.
C-MAX Energi will offer more than
500 miles (800 kilometers) of overall driving range using the
battery and engine – more than any other plug-in or
extended-range electric vehicle. C-MAX Energi delivers better
charge-sustaining fuel economy than Chevrolet Volt.
In general, plug-in hybrid
vehicles offer several benefits, including:
Electric driving range, perfect
for emissions-free and silent city driving Potential consumer
savings on energy and fuel costs thanks to improved fuel
efficiency over a standard hybrid Reduced dependency on
petroleum and increased energy independence Reduced
environmental impact through reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions Increased use of electricity from renewable energy
sources (e.g. wind and solar), where available, for vehicle
recharging
"A plug-in hybrid owner may make
fewer trips to the pump to refuel because of its all-electric
mode capability," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford vice president of
Global Product Development. "Conveniently, they'll be able to
recharge their plug-in hybrid at home overnight. And they'll
never have to think about the vehicle's electric range, because
the plug-in hybrid seamlessly shifts to fuel power when needed."
The development of Ford's
first-ever production plug-in hybrid leverages more than 200,000
miles of road testing conducted in collaboration with a
coalition of 10 utility companies, the U.S. Department of
Energy, the New York State Energy Research and Development
Administration and the Electric Power Research Institute.
Getting charged up
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will
use advanced lithium-ion battery systems developed and assembled
in-house by Ford in Michigan. Each system is smartly designed to
maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control
board hardware that has proven field performance in Ford's
current, critically acclaimed hybrid vehicles.
Li-ion battery packs offer a
number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)
batteries that power today's hybrid vehicles. In general, they
are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes
them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to
increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to
extend driving distance.
While C-MAX Hybrid will operate
much like today's hybrid vehicles, C-MAX Energi will benefit
from daily charging to maximize its all-electric range. Thanks
to the efficiencies of its right-sized battery system, the
plug-in hybrid easily recharges 100 percent overnight on a
120-volt outlet.
A full charge in CMAX Energi
allows owners to increase their driving significantly in
all-electric mode and drastically reduce their use of the
on-board fuel engine.
On start-up, C-MAX Energi will
operate in charge-depletion mode, providing electric driving
range. When the battery has been depleted or certain conditions
are met, it switches to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for
continued optimal fuel efficiency.
Ford worked with a supplier to
provide an industry-standard five-point plug for C-MAX Energi
(and new Focus Electric) that is ergonomically comfortable to
hold as well as durably and distinctively designed. The plug
handle uses a matte-finished black rubber for a comfortable,
non-slip grip and the plug head is shielded with a glossy white
hard plastic to protect the electronics. The Ford Blue Oval
trademark helps make the device immediately recognizable.
When the cord set connector is
plugged into the vehicle's charge port, which is located
conveniently between the driver's door and front wheel well, it
activates a light ring that loops around the port twice in
acknowledgement of connectivity. The light ring then illuminates
in quadrants as the vehicle charges. Flashing quadrants
represent charge in progress and solid-lit quadrants show stages
of charge completion. When the entire ring is solidly lit, the
vehicle is fully charged.
Smarter interface
C-MAX Energi owners will have
access to a suite of driver information systems – on-board and
off-board – designed to help them manage the recharge process,
manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control
their vehicle's charge and preconditioning settings, monitor
battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend
use of electric mode. C-MAX Hybrid owners also will benefit from
the on-board features.
Among these tools is a unique
execution of MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, especially
for electrified driving. It offers exceptional configurability
of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power
level, and average and instant miles per gallon.
The cluster's new MyView feature
allows drivers to access even more vehicle data such as the
electrical demands of vehicle accessories, including air
conditioning, which influences fuel economy and the electric
driving range of the C-MAX Energi.
The Brake Coach feature helps to
educate drivers to optimize their use of the regenerative brakes
to recapture kinetic energy and send it back to the battery,
also reducing wear on the brakes.
Long-term fuel efficiency can be
displayed in two ways – either as a traditional chart or using
an innovative display that shows a growing leafy vine on the
right side of the cluster. The more efficient a customer is, the
more lush and beautiful the leaves and vines become, creating a
unique visual reward for the driver's efforts.
To reinforce the message, at the
end of each trip a display screen provides distance driven,
miles gained through regenerative braking, fuel consumed
(average and total) and a regenerative braking score.
New MyFord Mobile
Off-board, C-MAX Energi owners in
North America can maintain constant contact with the car
anywhere they have mobile phone or web access using the
Ford-developed MyFord Mobile.
MyFord Mobile enables access to a
secure Ford website and smartphone/feature phone app to get
instant vehicle status information, perform key functions
remotely, monitor the car's state of charge and current range,
get various alerts including when the vehicle requires charging,
remotely program charge settings and download vehicle data for
analysis.
The feature also allows the owner
to program the vehicle to use electricity from the grid to heat
or cool the battery and cabin while plugged in. For example,
during hot summer months, owners can preprogram the car the
evening before to be fully charged – and fully cooled to a
particular temperature – by a certain time the following
morning. Users can also locate the vehicle with GPS, remotely
start the vehicle, and remotely lock and unlock the car doors.
Working with MapQuest®, MyFord
Mobile can communicate charge station and other points of
interest to C-MAX Energi using SYNC's Traffic, Directions and
Information (TDI) service. Turn-by-turn guidance is provided by
the in-car map-based Navigation System. Drivers can also get
up-to-date charging station information in their vehicle
directly through SYNC TDI simply by connecting to SYNC Services.
Value charging, powered by
Microsoft
Using the value charging feature,
powered by Microsoft, C-MAX Energi owners in North America will
be able to optimize their home's energy use and vehicle
recharging practices. Value charging allows Ford customers to
reduce their electricity costs by taking advantage of off-peak
or reduced rates from their utility without a complicated set-up
process.
"Although C-MAX Energi owners
won't have to plug in, by doing so they'll get the benefits of
driving in electric mode for longer distances; that can mean
fewer trips to the gas station and less emissions when driving,"
said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford's hybrid and electric
programs. "That's why we'll be providing C-MAX Energi and C-MAX
Hybrid owners with a user-friendly interface and tools like
value charging that will help them get the most out of the
vehicle's electric mode capability."
Proven powersplit technology
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid
build on the success of the critically acclaimed powersplit
architecture Ford uses in its current hybrids, including the
Ford Fusion Hybrid, winner of the 2010 MOTOR TREND Car of the
Year® award.
In a powersplit hybrid, the
electric motor and gasoline-powered engine can work together or
separately to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate
independently of vehicle speed, charging the batteries or
providing power to the wheels as needed. The motor alone can
provide sufficient power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load
conditions, and work with the engine at higher speeds.
While this system enables the
current Fusion Hybrid to operate in fuel-saving electric mode up
to 47 mph, Ford is targeting higher electric operating speeds
for C-MAX Hybrid and even more capability for C-MAX Energi,
which will have the advantage of additional battery power.
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are
two of five electrified vehicles that Ford will bring to the
North American market during the next two years. In addition,
the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, built in
collaboration with Azure Dynamics, began initial production at
the end of 2010, and Focus Electric will launch in late 2011. A
second next-generation hybrid electric vehicle will be announced
later and available in North America and Europe in 2012.
Photos: Ford
(Jan. 10, 2011) |
