Gary,

Thanks for trying to clear up.

Sorry if I confused, But I did not mean to take the assumption that there actually was a 2013 FEH. I was merely supposing that if they simply were to hybrid-ize the 2013 Escape, the result would be pretty darned indistinguishable from the C-max.

 

OK, on second thought, maybe I won't start that thread.

 

And my final answer is: ..................

Yes ............... and No.

Yes, in the sense that if Ford were to simply put a Hybrid propulsion system into the 2013 Escape, the result would be pretty indistinguishable from the C-Max. Except for the space and weight of the Hybrid stuff, the two vehicles are essentially identical in appearance, dimensions and, weights and capacities.

But

No, in the sense that the C-max is no replacement for the 2012 and prior FEH. Too many FEH fans would simply not tolerate lack of towing capacity, 4WD, and other favorite aspects of the former FEH !

 

I think the important thing when towing more than 1K is to be sure and have brakes for the trailer. I think it is more the stopping than the starting that is the issue, IIRC.

 

Brakes for sure. The only real issue is towing over a long steep grade. Eventually you only have the ICE to move you. I'm a flat lander, so it doesn't even breath hard with my little egg camper.

 

What do your friends in the hybrid engineering department have to say about Ford's prohibition of towing with the C-max?

 

Dunno - I'm retired now and I don't bug them unless I really need something.

 

Got my new C-Max Energi yesterday after I drove a new '13 Fusion SE up for the trade.

After driving from Opopka Mullinax Ford to the Lake Park Mullinax Ford (200 miles of highway) with the tire pressure still at the factory pressure of 42psi, I cranked up the pressure this morning to 62psi. Couldn't feel a change in the smooth ride at all, but everything else has improved. First of all, with the lower tire pressure I could kick in the ICE and accelerate to a steady state speed and go EV with no problem. Now, the car goes EV during even a harder acceleration because there is far less tire drag. The glide now last about twice as long in neutral than with the lower tire pressure. The car handles great and I can feel the improvements. The MPG just shot-up also with no plug-in since the Opopka dealer who hadn't completely charged the battery (18 miles EV) in the first place.

I can see P&G with a plug-in charge may get up to 30-35 miles in EV range. Pulse in EV , ICE or both and glide in neutral down to a target speed and repeat. I'm noticing the EV range goes up a mile with some "L" gear regen when slowing down for a stoplight. The "L" gear works the same as my '05 FEH like I expected.

I raised the tire pressure more than I planned at 55psi, because I could really feel the tire drag in "N" with the pressure at 42psi. I still feel safe at 62psi with the Michelin Energy's, and my guess is they would wear out much sooner with a lower tire pressure than that. The lifetime MPG is only at 45.5mpg because of no plug-in service and all highway driving. That's about to change on the remainder of the tank now that I can use plug-in service.

Using the '13 C-Max Energi as strictly as a hybrid, I think my '09 FEH would give it a run for the money for MPG. Highway driving is bad for both vehicles without the larger battery with plug-in capability. Storage is much better in the FEH, but technology is much better in the C-Max. I will run the A/C in the C-Max because the power is coming from the grid and not my hard work to get great MPG in the FEH without it.

I love my team at Lake Park Mullinax Ford and they've treated me like a King for years. Today, they rolled out the red carpet for me to get exactly what I wanted at the best price possible. Even gave me the option of driving their trade up to Opopka to let me drive my new C-Max Energi back 200 miles to maintain a great lifetime MPG from the beginning. They even moved their show car to plug-in my prepped C-Max Energi for show today. My salesman Raymond Bowen said I can always stop in for a free 240V rapid charge at their dealerships.

GaryG

 

Nice report on the new vehicle. I'm sure more information is headed this way. Since you have a wonderful relationship with your local dealership, I can see them and FORD Motor Company asking you to star in an advertisement on what kind of mileage (mpg) is possible with this vehicle.

One nagging question: does the front passenger seat fold flat and is this an option?

 

GaryG,

Thanks for the report. I very nearly bought a FEH in early 2008, but wound up with a Camry Hybrid instead because my wife was concerned by the rollover stability reports on the FEH.

The Camry Hybrid was a pretty great car, but it had no cargo space at all, and like yours, my experience convinced me that I wanted a whole lot more battery capacity and - most importantly - a plug-in capability. Ergo: I'm now in a 2013 C-Max Energi.

We still have no C-max forum here ! ?

See you in the Ford C-max Energi Owners Forum ?