Ford has announced the introduction of the new Focus ECOnetic, that will debut at the Amsterdam Motor Show, next week.
The Focus ECOnetic is going to go on sale in Europe next year and is expected to use less than 3.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which is equal to 80 mpg on the European cycle.
“The Focus ECOnetic is a testament to our company’s relentless drive for technological innovation and commitment to environmental leadership,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director. “It’s also going to be a great car to drive.”
The Focus ECOnetic is powered by a 1.6L diesel engine that features a new injection system and turbocharger for even better fuel efficiency. A unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tires and a revised final drive ratio also improve the cars efficiency and reduces its CO2 emissions. The Focus ECOnetic also uses Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and has a shift indicator light.
The Focus ECOnetic will be available in Europe in either the five-door or wagon bodystyles in early 2012.
Related Stories:
VIDEO: 2012 Ford Focus ST…One Hot Focus!
PRESS RELEASE:
Ford Reveals New Focus ECOnetic – Europe’s Most Fuel Efficient Compact Car
-New Focus ECOnetic debuting early next year is expected to use less than 3.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (equal to 80 mpg*) – better than all compact cars currently on the market in Europe
-Ford 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 measures
-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 wagon bodystyles
AMSTERDAM, April 06, 2011 – Ford Motor Company today announced the new Focus ECOnetic, debuting next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, which will establish a new industry benchmark for fuel efficiency in the popular compact class.
The new Focus ECOnetic, which will go on sale early next year, leverages a host of advanced technologies that is 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 use less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (equal to 80 mpg*). 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,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director. “It’s also going to be a great car to drive.”
The all-new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be available in both stylish five-door and wagon bodystyles.
Latest Low-CO2 Technologies
To achieve its outstanding fuel economy, Focus ECOnetic employs the latest low-CO2 technologies in its powertrain, aerodynamics and driver information systems.
The vehicle is powered by a completely 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.
Naturally, the new Focus ECOnetic also 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 8-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1600 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 6-speed Durashift manual transmission, which is also used in other new Focus models with the 1.6-litre TDCi engine. 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 (5-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, which cover most of the underfloor between the front and rear axles, together with a new undershield on the rear axle.
Aerodynamic performance is also improved by the use of steel wheels combined with 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
Mounted in the grille aperture ahead of the radiator, the Active Grille Shutter features motorised horizontal vanes which can rotate through 90 degrees to block the air flow. Automatically controlled by the car’s electronic control unit, the vanes can be rotated into
16 different positions – from fully closed to fully open – depending on the amount of cooling air required.
When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO2 emissions by 2 per cent.
Low-CO2 Ford ECOnetic Technologies
The all-new 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.
“Our Ford ECOnetic Technologies programme has helped us to ensure affordable low-CO2 features can be widely available to Focus customers,” said Herrmann. “This represents a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of our products, and enables our customers to make a green and sustainable vehicle choice.”
The key features include:
Ford Auto-Start-Stop – Ford Auto-Start-Stop system automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at idle – at a traffic light, for example – and restarts the engine when the driver wants to move off, saving the fuel wasted while the vehicle is stationary. This can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 10 per cent in urban driving.
Smart Regenerative Charging – Focus ECOnetic features an enhanced new version of this system, which increases the alternator output when the vehicle brakes or decelerates. This converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy without having to use additional fuel. The ‘free’ electric current is used to recharge the battery, so that it can be used by the electrical systems at a later stage. An advanced battery management system continually monitors the charging status so that the regenerative charging feature can charge the battery in the optimal way.
Ford Eco Mode – Ford Eco Mode is a driver information system, which helps motorists to change their habits and adopt a more economical driving style, with potential fuel savings for many drivers of around 10 per cent. Sophisticated software – developed with the help of professional green driving tutors – monitors driving behaviour, and provides the driver with clear feedback about their eco-driving performance, along with simple tips about how to save more fuel. A simple flower graphic in the instrument cluster display allows drivers to track their progress in the three key areas of gear shifting, anticipation and speed.
Shift Indicator Light – Shift Indicator Light can be a major support for drivers prioritising economy. An indicator light, which is displayed in the instrument cluster, alerts drivers when they could reduce fuel consumption by shifting into a higher gear.
The Focus ECOnetic also features a number of other low-CO2 technologies which are standard items on most models in the new Focus line-up. These include:
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 wagon bodystyles, the new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be produced for the European market at the lead Focus manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Market introduction is scheduled to be in early 2012.
“The all-new Ford Focus ECOnetic demonstrates Ford’s commitment to be a leader in fuel economy, and to offer customers a broad choice of affordable, low-CO2 options,” said Herrmann. “The Focus ECOnetic uses the latest technologies to deliver outstanding fuel efficiency and an attractive low-carbon ownership proposition.”
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
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.fordmotorcompany.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Follow www.facebook.com/fordofeurope, www.twitter.com/FordEu or www.youtube.com/fordofeurope
Note: This information reflects preliminary specifications and was correct at the time of going to print. However, Ford policy is one of continuous product improvement. The right is reserved to change these details at any time.
* Fuel economy figures quoted are in line with the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.
