Ford cracks the 100g/km barrier with stop-start Focus

David Wilkins
Wednesday 02 December 2009 13:05 GMT
Comments

Ford has revamped the green ECOnetic version of its Focus. The original Focus ECOnetic used comparatively simple measures such as raised gearing and low-viscosity transmission oil in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions but this revised version, which like its predecessor uses a 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine, adopts several advanced technical features in order to improve performance in these areas further.

These measures include Ford Eco Mode, a system that assesses how economically the car is being driven and then provides feedback designed to help a driver improve his or her driving style in order to achieve greater fuel economy. Under-the-bonnet features include Smart Regenerative Charging – which charges the car's battery under braking or deceleration, providing "free" electric current - and a low-tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive); lower tension in the accessory drive belt means less friction and reduced fuel consumption. These changes allow the revised Focus ECOnetic to boost its fuel consumption according to the official combined cycle test to 70.6mpg and lower its CO2 emissions, also according to the official tests, to 104g/km.

In addition, the latest Focus ECOnetic is also available with a stop-start mechanism which automatically switches the engine off while the car is at rest in neutral, and automatically restarts it when first gear is engaged. This feature improves fuel consumption on the official combined cycle test to 74.2mpg, and CO2 emissions to 99g/km – making this version of the Focus one of the few cars on the market to crack the 100g/km barrier.

Full details and driving impressions of the revised Focus ECOnetic will appear here later this week.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in