Fuel efficiency is at the forefront of every new car-buyer’s mind. No one wants to spend $30,000 and find themselves throwing money away at the gas pump, so we’ve compiled a list of the cheapest vehicles that get 40 miles per gallon (combined) in order from most expensive to least expensive.
A pair of California law firms are consolidating lawsuits against Ford, alleging that the American automaker has falsely marketed its MPG claims for its C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid vehicles.
While achieving an all-time monthly sales record in December with 3,244 Fusion Hybrids sold, Ford is expected to shatter that number in January with a projected 5,500 units sold.
Ford’s 47 mpg claims for its two new hybrid models have come into question and now the Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will review the automaker’s claims.
Ford is projecting that its hybrid sales in the month of November will be its best yet, with over 6,000 hybrid vehicles sold – besting its previous 5,353 record in July 2009.
With an almost never ending list of myths and rumors, few vehicles are as misunderstood as the hybrid.
Almost every review or video posted on AutoGuide.com about a hybrid car has at least one reader comment about how the battery will deteriorate beyond repair, or that once you get a hybrid, you’re not a true driving enthusiast.
With so much misinformation about hybrid vehicles being spread around, we’ve decided to debunk six myths about gas-electric cars.
Ford’s all-new C-MAX Hybrid is aimed directly at the Toyota Prius V as a fuel-friendly family car, and in our recent review, we took a look at how it stacks up to the competition.
Ford is going all out with its electrification strategy, and two of the newest vehicles to feature the latest hybrid technology are the Ford C-Max and Ford Fusion.
Ford’s new C-Max Hybrid is pushing the company’s fuel efficient agenda and it has gained an EPA rated 570 miles range on a single tank of fuel.
Ford’s C-Max hybrid is all part of the company’s plan to triple electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013, and the EPA has officially rated the small hybrid at 47 mpg for city, highway and combined driving.
Ford will sell its C-Max minivan as a hybrid model only, in an effort to further compete with hybrid offerings like the Toyota Prius V, Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, which are all offered in 5-door bodystyles.
The C-Max will come only in a 5-seater configuration, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations offered. Ford originally planned to offer the car with both a gasoline engine and seven seats. Ford is looking to triple production of electric vehicles and hybrids to more than 100,000 models by 2013.
“Whether people want a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or full battery electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president of marketing, sales and service.
Despite the ease with which Ford could produce a three-row or gasoline-only version of the C-Max, the move is likely a result of Ford’s desire to brand the C-Max as a “green” vehicle by way of its hybrid-only powertrain, in the same way that the Toyota Prius is synonymous with the term.
[Source: Automotive News]
Although Toyota has been hyping their new Prius MPV for months, Ford‘s announcement of not one, but two hybrid minivans is sure to take the wind out of Toyota’s sails (no pun intended).
The C-Max Hybrid and Energi (Ford’s name for the plug-in variant) will be 5-seaters only, and use a lithium-ion battery pack, considered to be the next generation of hybrid battery technology. The car will also be built at Ford’s Wayne, Michigan plant, the first plant that will build electric and gasoline vehicles side by side.
The C-Max Energi will offer a number of interesting advantages; the ability to go 500 miles on a single tank of gas (the longest range for any plug-in), the chance to use HOV lanes with only a single occupant (in states such as California, where this is allowed) and fuel economy that bests the Fusion Hybrids 41/36 mpg rating. Ford also claims that the Energi will exceed the Fusion’s EV-only speed of 47 mph.
Visually, the Hybrid and Energi are distinguished by subtle fender badges, with the Energi’s charging port glowing upon connecting with a charging paddle. The Energi will be on sale in 2012, the same time as the Prius minivan. An interesting battle looks to be shaping up, with Ford’s newly resurgent lineup taking on the name in hybrids.
Gallery: Ford C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi
Ford has just revealed two more examples of what kind of future the automaker is planning. Debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) clearly show the Blue Oval’s plan to expand the electrification of the vehicle, while also enforcing its position that the compact car is the way of the future.
Based on the same architecture as the new 2012 Ford Focus, the C-Max Hybrid and Energi join the new C-Max MPV, as well as the Focus hatchback, sedan and Focus Electric as a part of a plan to bring to market no fewer than 10 vehicles all based on the same global platform.
Like the Focus Electric, both models get a subtle restyle (complete with Aston Martin grille), although unlike the standard C-Max, these electrified versions only provide room for five – not seven.
While Ford isn’t releasing specifics on either powertrain, both vehicles will use a lithium ion battery pack. In the Focus Hybrid it will be a part of a system similar in principle to that of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and will operate the same. However, the lighter and more powerful battery promises to deliver big advantages with Ford claiming it will be able to drive on pure electric power above the 47 mph of the Fusion Hybrid. Ford also says to expect better fuel economy than the Fusion Hybrids 41-mpg rating.
As for the C-Max Energi, it will use a lithium ion battery that can be charged by plugging-in over night, so that initially the car will run on just electric power, before it reverts to operating like a conventional hybrid. In total it will deliver a range in excess of 500 miles – more than any other plug-in or extended range vehicle.
But as with all modern Fords the technology won’t be limited to what’s under the hood. In the cockpit will be a version of the new MyFord Touch telematics system adapted for electrified vehicles with special hybrid and electric battery information. A Brake Coach will also be included, helping drivers to better take advantage of the brake regeneration system. Plus, at the end of each journey, the display screen will show info including the total trip distance, miles gained from regenerative braking and total fuel consumed.
Much like with the Focus Electric, C-Max Energi owners will be able to stay connected with their car thanks to the MyFord Mobile app. Along with expected features like being able to check the state of charge from your smartphone, it can also do some unique things: like let you know how much longer it needs to charge to reach a pre-set destination in the Nav system; find charging stations; set the car warm up or cool down using power from the grid; and even let you pre-set charging times for off-peak utility hours. (Get more on the MyFord Mobile app here).
Both the Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi will be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant and will go on sale in 2012.
Official release after the jump:
Ford has just announced that it will introduce both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid version of its new C-Max model for Europe. Based on the new Focus platform, both models will be built at Ford’s plant in Valencia, Spain and sold exclusively in Europe. A larger version of this tall hatchback/wagon, called the Grand C-Max, will be offered in North America as well – although there are no plans for a hybrid Grand C-Max yet.
There’s no word on what sort of hybrid powerplant the C-Max will use, but Ford has said the C-Max will also be the first model to use the company’s new 1.6-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder. While it is possible that Ford could build an EcoBoost hybrid, it seems too complex an engine for a lower-budged compact model like the C-Max.
Ford hasn’t commented on an all-electric C-Max model, but with an electric Focus planned, a C-Max EV wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Official release after the jump:
 Excuses Not to Buy a Hybrid. For more, click http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/10/six-lame-excuses-not-to-buy-a-hybrid.html "Pin It")
