transitman

Ford needs to adopt an entirely new platform design if they want to have body and platform design flexibility and restore cargo space, which means placing the batteries under the vehicle like this Tesla design. A baterry for a 30-50 mile range PHEV would be less than half that size. Not only would it free up cargo space, it would give better weight distribution to the vehicle.

Is this the same Bridgend Engine Plant that screwed up the early 1.6L EcoBoost?

So, the real story is, you can now do on your smart watch what you've been able to do on you phone all along, not that the function is available. Big deal.

Here's what I'd like to see as the redesigned C-Max. Raise it slightly, install a newly designed, higher capacity HVB that fits under the car, flat cargo area and call it what ever they like. Despite being a wagon, because it's a PHEV and Hybrid, I think it would sell as well as, or better than the current design. That's of course if Ford tried to sell it by advertising it.

It's a Mitsubishi, so no, they shouldn't buy it.

The C-Max and Fusion PHEV have a version of this tech. This new gps based grade/speed sensitive system takes it many steps further, but EV vehicles have EV Plus, which learns your frequent destinations and adjusts EV use to maximize HVB economy and Eco Cruise which relaxes acceleration up hills to avoid spikes in RPM's.

Your right, I read the article very quickly and missed that, my disappointment and anger blinded me. Maybe there's hope.

Well, that's it, I'm out. I don't care what the nameplate says, I would never purchase a car that was built in China. My plan was in 2019/2020 to purchase a new PHEV to carry me through until the end. After owning a plug in, I'll never go back. Out of curiousity, It just so happens I was looking at the 2016 Hyundai Sonata PHEV earlier today. It will come with much more standard equipment than the current C-Max and Fusion PHEV, it has options currently not available from Ford and the estimated MSRP starting price, with more standard features is significantly lower at $29,000. As much as I hate the idea of purchasing a Korean vehicle, I may have to give it a good look.

I have seen a couple of 2015's in the wild and I have to be honest here, I'm not too sure I'm all that thrilled about the overall look. OK, OK, it's not all that bad and I would buy one if I wanted to spend 40K+ on a vehicle, but It's kind of a Frankenstein with a MKX rear end, an Escape profile and an Explorer grille. The only carry over from the original is the stubbyness of the engine compartment. If I were in the market, I would look for a super deal on a 2014 before crossing over.

Also, the slope of the trunk, back end and bumper appear different.

Thanks for posting ice-capades. Looks like the only changes are exterior colors and a two tone seat/bolster combination. I wonder if this will be the final MY for the current body design. Now all Ford has to do is try to sell them.

Back to the original off topic topic, I check an Escape forum now and then and they were diccussing this storage tray. It is even deeper than the one I had in my Escape and now my C-Max. It says it won't fit, but I may buy one and hope it fits my C-Max. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIT-FOR-FORD-ESCAPE-KUGA-ARMREST-SECONDARY-STORAGE-BOX-PALLET-CENTER-CONSOLE-/221657050447?hash=item339bca2d4f&vxp=mtr

I know there was an airbag restraints control module recall for some 2013 and early 2014 C-Max's but that's not related to this. Sounds like I'm OK if Ford stopped using the Takata (or as I like to call them, Asian airbag manufacturer Tricia Takanawa) airbags in 2006. Too bad for a lot of folks, this is going to be a real PITA.

I forgot about the compartment under the floor mat...

I've been trying to figure out if Ford uses this supplier for airbags, does anyone know. All the recalls so far have mostly been for Japanese vehicles.

The other stuff I keep in there takes up some space, so it's only a couple of pounds. What can I say, me and Glenn Quagmire, we like clippings, giggidy.

The center storage is less than a foot deep. I give you all a hand for playing along.

No, but that doesn't mean it never will.

Yes I do, one for my apartment building and the other for my home in AZ. The only problem with having two garage door openers is they begin to smell after a while, or at least something smells in there.

Damn it, as soon as you think you're out, they drag you back in. Glove box: Owner's Manual, calculator, flashlight, small multi-tool, pen, mechanical pencil (for when pen freezes in winter), napkins, kleenex, tire gauge, notepad. Center console: Lower secton: 2-emergency garage door openers (in event Homelink fails), 2- iPods, plastic bag with ear buds, (when traveling, iPhone charger), small rag, severed hand. Upper tray: storage room keys, gas discount card, dental floss, fingernail/toenail clippings and when traveling, wallet, iPhone.

Not in those pictures. I took those to post on another forum and the key and card are for scale. It usually carries Carmex, floss, a gas discount card, keys to my storage area and when I drive for long distances my wallet and iPhone. I lined it with the rubber mesh drawer liner to stop any vibration and like I stated earlier, down below is a bunch of stuff I don't need easy access to. If this is going to be a competition on what and how much you carry in your center console, I concede, you can have this one.

I'm not sure why this tray concept is so hard to visualize, so here's a couple of pics of the deeper tray in my car.

I know, it was a question that I already knew the answer. A fellow at work drives his fully loaded 4WD F-150 over 150 miles a day to and from work, I'm afraid to ask him what his fuel costs are, but I like to tell him that my MPGe is at 116.

I was thinking MKX, and you're probably right, even an MKZ with the appropriate (and unique) trim level to make it attractive would be in the 45K plus range. From my perspective, if you can pay 45-50K for a car, you can afford the gas.

MKC maybe, but MKZ, too heavy to be efficient. Like 92merc said, until there's purposely built vehicles, don't count on it. If Ford moves forward with PHEV technology, smaller batteries with larger capacity, you'll maybe see CD3 CD4 vehicles if the use of aluminum and carbon fiber is incorporated. A more advanced battery that has a 50-60 mile PHEV range in a C1, will be lucky to have half of that in a CD3.