Ford announces C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid cars for 2012 release

Ford indicated that CES was simply the right place to debut the Ford Focus Electric, and we'd tend to agree given the company's history of showing off cool stuff at the show. But, perhaps part of that reason is because the company wasn't done with the new car announcements. In Detroit Ford has announced two new flavors of its C-MAX, both coming to the US: hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The C-MAX is a European market compact MPV, basically a tall station wagon that'll comfortably seat five and still leave room for luggage, dogs, or '70s era mainframe systems in the back. More details on both versions, plus the full PR, after the break.

Ford C-MAX models

The plug-in version, ala the Volt and the Prius PHEV we test drove a few months back, is called the Energi and promises to deliver a total range of 500 miles. While Ford isn't saying yet just how far it'll go on a charge before the internal combustion engine kicks on the company is confirming you will be able to drive it as a full EV at least for some distance. Neither is the company saying what kind of mileage the straight Hybrid model will deliver, except that it'll better the Ford Fusion Hybrid's 41mpg rating -- hopefully by a wide margin if it's going to trump the Prius. 

The Energi will be controllable using MyFord Mobile, just like the Focus Electric, meaning owners can set up charging times automatically based on up-to-date utility costs, pre-condition the car (heating or cooling it while it's still plugged into the wall) and, additionally, can get feedback on their driving habits. The feedback will be given in real-time, too, but unlike the pretty butterflies in the Focus you get leafy vines here. It's a flora vs. fauna all over again, folks. Both models are expected to launch in the US by the end of 2012, coming to Europe a year later, in 2013. Oh, and that grille we hated on the Focus Electric? Looks like we're going to have to get over it.