Ford C-Max Energi Hybrid.

From the outside it resembles the model tested last spring, the one you'll find in every dealership. There is no real restyling: a compact MPV, with a grille that vaguely calls to mind that of an Aston Martin.

The difference, however, lies in the heart of the car — namely the electric motor paired with a combustion engine. In short, a fully fledged hybrid. Before setting off, as it is a plug-in, you will literally need to unplug it. In around three hours the batteries will have recharged, allowing you to cover 30 km or more in "zero emissions" mode.

Before setting off, we can choose from three driving modes: 100% electric, Eco, or combustion engine only. This is the only button we need to press; the automatic gearbox takes care of the rest. Starting in "L", we activate regenerative mode. When you lift your foot off the accelerator you will notice a rapid drop in power, lighter than on other models on the market, a sign that the batteries are being recharged.

Tested both in the city and on the motorway, it allows on the one hand for reactive driving, weaving nimbly through traffic, thanks to its unobtrusive lines and an engine that responds well in both electric and hybrid mode.

On the other hand, on longer stretches where a cruising speed is preferred, the continuously variable combustion engine comes into play. For those not used to hybrids, it will always seem to be "revving high" — an intrinsic characteristic of engines with this type of mechanism.

At the end of the test, having covered mixed routes, the C-Max Energi spent the majority of the time in electric mode (aided in any case by a driving style mindful of consumption), settling at a total consumption of around 4 l/100 km. An excellent result for a compact that will certainly make people sit up and take notice.