FORD REVEALS NEW FOCUS ECONETIC – EUROPE’S MOST FUEL EFFICIENT COMPACT CAR
- New Focus ECOnetic debuting early next year is expected to achieve 80mpg* (less than 3.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres) – better than all compact cars currently on the market in Europe
- Focus ECOnetic expected to deliver ultra-low CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when final certification is completed later this year
- 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel engine further optimised with new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge air cooling and friction reduction technologies
- Additional features include unique aerodynamic package with standard Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres and revised final drive ratio
- Full range of Ford ECOnetic technologies shared with other new Focus models including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light
- New Ford Focus ECOnetic available in five-door and estate bodystyles
Brentwood, Essex, 6 April, 2011 – Ford Motor Company today announced the new Focus ECOnetic, debuting next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, will establish a new industry benchmark for fuel efficiency in the popular compact class.
The new Focus ECOnetic, which will go on sale in the UK early next year, leverages a host of advanced technologies that are expected to make it more fuel efficient than any other compact vehicle on the road today in Europe, including diesel, petrol and hybrid powered vehicles.
Focus ECOnetic is expected to achieve 80mpg* on the combined cycle (less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres). In addition, Focus EConetic is expected to deliver ultra-low CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when certification is completed later this year.
“The Focus ECOnetic is a testament to our company’s relentless drive for technological innovation and commitment to environmental leadership,” says Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global medium car line director. “It’s also going to be a great car to drive.”
The new Focus ECOnetic will be available in both stylish five-door and estate bodystyles.
Latest Low-CO2 Technologies
To achieve its outstanding fuel economy, the new Focus ECOnetic employs the latest low-CO2 technologies in its powertrain, aerodynamics and driver information systems.
The vehicle is powered by a new 105PS version of the 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel which has been optimised for enhanced fuel efficiency, with a new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge cooling and further friction reduction measures.
The Focus ECOnetic also benefits a number of additional low-CO2 features which have been developed specifically for this model including a unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres and a revised final drive ratio.
The new Focus ECOnetic incorporates the full range of Ford ECOnetic Technologies shared with other models in the all-new Focus line-up, including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.
Unique High-Efficiency Engine
The common-rail fuel injection system of the diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with eight-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1,600 bar, controlled by a more powerful engine management system. The new injection system delivers more precise control and increased combustion efficiency.
To provide more accurate control of the charge air temperature and to deliver a cooler, denser charge, the intake system features a water cooled intercooler in place of the standard air-to-air system.
Other new, or completely revised, features to enhance fuel efficiency include:
New variable geometry turbocharger design
Reduced engine friction from low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump
Additional reduction in engine losses from low inertia vacuum pump and asymmetric crank sprocket design
Updated emissions system combining a diesel NOx-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system
The 1.6-litre ECOnetic diesel is paired with Ford’s six-speed Durashift manual transmission. This transmission is a totally new high-efficiency design which has been optimised to eliminate frictional losses, and utilises special low friction transmission oil.
A revised final drive ratio has been selected to raise the overall gearing, reducing engine speed and offering improved fuel economy when cruising in top gear. Economy is further enhanced by fitting the latest-generation dedicated low rolling resistance tyres.
Exclusive Aerodynamic Package
While the standard all-new Focus already boasts an exceptionally aerodynamic bodyshell (five-door CD = 0.295), the ECOnetic model has been designed with a number of additional features to minimise drag still further.
Much of the aerodynamic development was concentrated on smoothing the airflow underneath the vehicle. The ECOnetic derivative features additional undershields and deflectors.
Aerodynamic performance is also improved by the use of special low-drag ECOnetic wheel covers, which are more streamlined than a conventional alloy wheel design.
The ECOnetic model features, as standard, the innovative Active Grille Shutter – an advanced new system that optimises aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment.
If air is required to cool the engine the vents are opened; but if no airflow is needed, the vents are shut, thereby significantly reducing aerodynamic drag. When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO2 emissions by two per cent.
Low-CO2 Ford ECOnetic Technologies
The Focus ECOnetic incorporates as standard the full range of low-CO2 Ford ECOnetic Technologies which are shared with other models in the new Focus line-up including Ford Auto-start-stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light. In addition the Focus ECOnetic includes:
Electric Power Assisted Steering
Low-friction engine and transmission oils
Low tension Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD)
Thermal Management Systems to optimise warm-up
Customer Availability in Early 2012
Available with either five-door or estate bodystyles, the new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be produced for the UK market at the lead Focus manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Market introduction is scheduled to be in early 2012.
The existing Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, which went on sale last month, and is available across all series, emits 109g CO2 /km while returning 67mpg*
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*Note: Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.co.uk
If you have any further enquiries or require publication-quality, downloadable photographs on Ford Motor Company products or services, visit our dedicated media website www.media.ford.com or contact our press officers.
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About Christopher DeMorro
AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH
My girlfriend would buy this tomorrow if were available.
Mercedes has stated they will not sell some of their new diesels in this country because our diesel fuel is too dirty. Any chance this is related to that somehow?
Chris, America does NOT have a phobia of diesels!
The automakers just won’t let us buy any. Just bring them here and
we will buy them. Ford and Chevy can start with the Ranger and S-10.
I think you mean Chevy Colorado (GMC Canyon). 2003 was the last year of the S-10.
America doesn’t have a phobia of diesels.. look at VW, they sell like hotcakes.. Several other European companies are bringing them in as well, just no American companies.. (I would pick a diesel over a hybrid any day.. no batteries and second propulsion system to maintain).. I would trade in my 9 year old Dodge Dakota pick-up tomorrow for a diesel version that has more torque and at least 28MPG (my wimpy 3.9L 5 speed gets 15-17)
Hi Chris,
As a Journalist perhaps you can ask Ford why this vehicle is not available in the US. You are more likely to get an answer than a common prole like me !
It will be interesting what they have to say.
also I think you will find the regen braking means the alternator does not need to run all the time thus reducing the load on the engine and so on.
is the quality of the fuel in the USA an issue?
heard that before on why some cars are not sold in the US
40% of the vw’s sold in america are diesels.
American marketing geniuses therefore conclude that no diesels can be sold in america.
I have a VW TDI and love the fuel efficiency.
Just one gripe, though…. why is diesel more expensive ????
I remember a time when diesel was cheaper than regular gas.
Can anyone explain why ?????
That is probably a non negligible factor (amongst others).
Marc, I believe the reason has to deal with refinery capacity in the US. The refineries we have are more geared towards gasoline than diesel like Europe. This may be the basis of the comment made by the German manufacturer about dirty diesel here. Our refineries cannot lower the sulfur ppm without extensive retooling. Throw on top of that there has been virtually new refinery construction in the US for the past several decades due to government and environmental groups limits what can be done. Personally I would love to see the new Ford here and would get one in a heartbeat.
Marc, I have read that diesel fuel costs more because a tariff is passed onto the trucking industry (sort of like an excise tax). Maybe this could be changed so that a regular consumer could take a credit on their federal income tax?
I DON’T KNOW WHOSE SHOULDER I NEED TO CRY ONTO TO HAVE THIS CAR, OR ANY DIESEL ENGINE COME TO THE USA.
SHAME ON ALL OF THEM FOR NOT GIVING US THAT CHOICE.
money is way they dont come u
The start stop powers a generator that is then used to power electronics when you are stopped. So in theory your ipod and a/c won’t turn off even though the engine will.
Diesel Chevette I bought new in 1981 got 51 real mpg. As it stands right now, I would not touch a VW tdi. The numbers are not high enough. Give me a mini Cooper D or a Focus and about 5 other diesel cars available oversea all getting 60-65 mpg. The oil companies are in bed with the auto makers. Remember about 15 years ago when gas went down to 99 cents? We all went out ans bought, “Is That a Hemi in Thar? Cut the crap, we deserve what we get because we are fat lazy and stupid. 4 years ago when gas was over 4 bucks I bought a scooter, 100 mpg. A scooter is not for everybody and not for every day or all year in some places. Give me a 60 plus mpg diesel car and now, because I’m not buying another vehicle until they are offered. We buy 2 vehicles every three years but not anymore.
GM must listen… or they will lose very badly….
Another glaring example of the auto industry being controlled by the oil companies. Diesel requires less energy to produce than gasoline and gasoline is not refined without producing diesel as a by-product. Time for some honesty. The first company to market a quiet, comfortable 65mpg car is the us at $25k will make a killing.