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.

Ford Focus Econetic

Focus ECOnetic is expected to use less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres (equal to 80mpg*). 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.

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.

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.

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.

Ford Focus Econetic

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.

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.”

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.

Ford Focus Econetic

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.

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.”

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. [Source: Ford]