Ford Flexes Their Hybrid Car Muscles with New Models

With the North American International Auto Show underway in Detroit, Michigan, many have been paying close attention to the news to see what kind of new green vehicles, electric vehicles, and hybrid cars will be rolled out onto the showroom floor. Eager to make a big impression early on, Ford has already unveiled several models that they intend to use as their latest entry into the hybrid car market. The new model unveiling, matched with an earlier official announcement regarding the newest electric vehicle on Ford's lineup, is putting Ford at the center of attention.

Called the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi, both vehicles are intended to take the traditional family sedan that was offered in the normal C-Max model (pictured above) and offer it in a greener package as a hybrid car. The C-Max Hybrid comes as Ford's way of improving upon their drive to make highly efficient fuel friendly vehicles. According to the details released, the C-Max Hybrid will be capable of operating entirely on electric power when under a certain speed. Once that speed has been surpassed, however, the gasoline powered engine would then kick in. The fuel economy of the C-Max Hybrid is expected to be around forty one miles to the gallon.

The C-Max Energi shares similar specifications to the C-Max Hybrid in order to make it yet another highly efficient hybrid car. However, where the Hybrid is being described as a totally hybrid car, the Energy is to be sold as a plug-in hybrid. Plugging in the Energi will charge its lithium ion battery overnight and allow the vehicle to operate partially on electric power and a highly efficient gasoline engine. It is believed that on a full charge that the Energi will have a range of approximately 500 miles.

Acting as a precursor to the unveiling of the C-Max models, Ford officially announced their latest electric vehicle in the Ford Focus Electric last week. According to Ford, the Focus will be able to be recharged in only two to three hours and boasts a top speed of around eight-four miles per hour. In order to extend the life of the vehicle, the battery will be both cooled and heated by a liquid system.

While an exact release date for the C-Max Energi and the C-Max Hybrid has not been ironed out, Ford has said that consumers should expect to see them within the next two years. The Ford Focus Electric, on the other hand, has a targeted release for the end of this year and is expected to be the company's main contender in the electric vehicle market.

Photo Credit: Thomas Doerfer