2012 Focus Econetic...3.5L/100

[vztrt]

Ford reveals 3.5L/100km Focus

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25786B0001C431

Ford’s new Focus Econetic uses less fuel than a Prius, is under consideration for Oz

7 April 2011

By HAITHAM RAZAGUI

AUSTRALIA’S most fuel-efficient car, the Ford Fiesta Econetic, could lose its crown next year – not to a hybrid car from another manufacturer but to its larger, heavier and more powerful new Focus stablemate.

The all-new Focus Econetic, which also offers Toyota Prius-beating fuel consumption of just 3.5 litres per 100km, goes on sale in Europe early in 2012 and is under consideration to join the third-generation Focus range that will be released here within six months.

“Focus Econetic is not confirmed for Australia at this stage,” Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead McAlary told GoAuto.

“We will be concentrating on launching the core Focus models this year and will look to potentially expand the range after that if (the Focus Econetic is) suitable for this market,” she said.

Ford estimates the most frugal version of its upcoming MkIII Focus – details of which have emerged ahead of its debut at next week’s Amsterdam motor show – will achieve a “new industry benchmark” with a diesel consumption figure of just 3.5L/100km and CO2 emissions of less than 95 grams per kilometre in Europe.

The Econetic’s fuel and CO2 figures are a respective 19 and 12 per cent lower than the already efficicent Focus 1.6 TDCi that is currently being rolled out in European showrooms.

Testament to the technological advancements achieved by Ford with its eco-friendly Focus is the fact that despite being smaller, lighter and 11kW less powerful, the Fiesta Econetic, which has been on sale in Australia since December 2009, is 0.2L/100km thirstier and 3g/km more polluting.

For comparison, fuel consumption and CO2 figures of 3.8L/100km and 99g/km are achieved by both Volkswagen’s Golf Bluemotion – which is slated to arrive in Australia later this year – and the successful Volvo C30 DRIVe.

Similarly-sized petrol-electric contenders on the Australian market include the Toyota Prius, Lexus CT200h and Honda’s Insight and Civic hybrids. The Prius is the best of the bunch in terms of fuel economy and emissions, consuming 3.9L/100km and producing a Focus-beating 89g/km of CO2.

In addition to the now de-rigeur economy measures of idle stop, regenerative braking, low rolling-resistance tyres and electric power steering, the green-tinged Focus also employs an active aerodynamics system that rations ventilation to the engine and its cooling system, closing off air intakes when they are not needed to reduce drag and optimise engine temperatures.

Ford claims that this innovation, dubbed Active Grille Shutter, is able to reduce CO2 emissions by two per cent.

The Blue Oval has also leapt onto the bandwagon of cars that coach the driver into driving economically. The Ford ‘Eco Mode’ system, developed with the help of “professional green driving tutors,” is claimed to enable drivers to achieve fuel savings of up to 10 per cent.

The system monitors the driver’s behaviour and, along with a shift light to inform them of the optimum time to change gear, a flower graphic on the instrument panel displays an evaluation of the driver’s gear shifting, anticipation and speed while providing advice on how to save fuel.

The 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine’s redesigned fuel-injection system increases precision by employing a powerful engine management system controlling special ‘nano sac’ injectors running at pressures of up to 1600 bar.

To ensure low intake air temperatures and increase combustion efficiency, the turbo blows through a liquid-cooled charge cooler rather than a standard air-to-air intercooler.

The car also uses thermal management systems to ensure it reaches optimum operating temperature in the shortest possible time. Both the engine and transmission are filled with low-friction lubricants and are designed with low-friction internal components.

The latest Econetic’s 77kW of power (no torque figure has been announced) is delivered to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission with a (taller) final-drive ratio optimised for fuel economy during highway driving.

Gunnar Herrmann, Ford's global medium car line director said: “The Focus Econetic is a testament to our company's relentless drive for technological innovation and commitment to environmental leadership," adding that "It's also going to be a great car to drive."

The Focus Econetic will be built in five-door hatch and wagon body styles at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany. The same plant produces Australia-bound Fiesta Econetics, with the rest of the range being sourced from Thailand.

A similar scenario will unfold for the Focus when production of mainstream Australian-delivered models makes the switch from Germany to Thailand. Like the Fiesta, the Focus Econetic is expected to be priced at a premium over other variants.

Meantime, with 8kW more power than the Focus Econetic but with yet more weight to shift is the Mondeo Econetic, which debuted in production form at Geneva last month.

As GoAuto has reported, Ford said it was targeting fuel consumption lower than 4.3L/100km and CO2 emissions of 115g/km for its mid-size Mondeo Econetic at last year’s Paris motor show, achieved using an 85kW 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine with idle-stop.

No fuel consumption data has been released for the production Mondeo fuel-miser, but Ford announced at Geneva that it beat its CO2 target with an official figure of 114g/km.

Despite critical acclaim, the Focus has not been hugely popular in Australia so far. However, sales are up 47.8 per cent this year and the Ford is currently level-pegging with Volkswagen’s Golf for a 5.5 per cent market share of the small car segment.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/06/f...sterdam-debut/

Ford shows off 67-mpg Focus Econetic ahead of Amsterdam debut

by Steven J. Ewing (RSS feed) on Apr 6th 2011 at 2:00PM

We may have the 40-mile-per-gallon SFE trim on the 2012 Ford Focus here in the States, but European eco-warriors will soon be able to sink their teeth into the new Focus Econetic, designed purely with efficiency in mind. Ford claims that the Focus Econetic can achieve up to 80 mpg on the European testing cycle, or about 67 mpg here in the U.S.

Ford's road to super-efficiency starts with the automaker's 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel engine. That, combined with start-stop, smart regenerative charging, Eco mode and a revised final drive ratio allow this engine to perform as efficiently as possible at all times. For reference, the standard Euro-spec Focus equipped with the 1.6-liter diesel four is good for about 55 mpg (U.S.).

Aerodynamic enhancements consist of active grille shutters on the front fascia, as well as special low-drag wheel covers. We're all for added efficiency, but it might be nice if these plastic wheel caps didn't look like they were ripped straight from a 1992 Honda Accord.

The Focus Econetic makes its official debut next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, with the first examples hitting the streets in early 2012. Both four- and five-door body styles will be available. Follow the jump for the full details.

PRESS RELEASE

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*
# # #

*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.

PICS

[Mechan1k]

cluster display on these look pretty damn good ... Ford are doing well in the small car segment.

[marg99]

Fords marketing is really poor because the Mazda 3 which shares the same chasis was best selling car last month, way ahead of the Focus. This should not be the case.

[El Sucio]

Ford Marketing Strategy across its entire range would have to be a 2 carton conversation - has ben for years now.....I'd love to get in there and shake it up. Psychologicaly I just dont feel their Marketing team truly believe that Ford actually has a fantastic range of vehicles in this country...from the Fiesta through to the Ranger and Terry. It comes out repeatedy in all of their material.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Outstanding economy and a very good selling point. Lets hope Ford market it well and get the recognition and sales it deserves.

Where to from here???

What consumption could be achieved with a Diesel Hybrid? A bank of batteries and a 1.2-1.4L diesel would surly get sub 3L/100 usage?

[DeKa]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Outstanding economy and a very good selling point. Lets hope Ford market it well and get the recognition and sales it deserves.

Where to from here???

What consumption could be achieved with a Diesel Hybrid? A bank of batteries and a 1.2-1.4L diesel would surly get sub 3L/100 usage?

The first Diesel Hybrid will be the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4
http://www.peugeot.com/en/products/c...08hybrid4.aspx
It's a very clever system - diesel engine up front driving the front wheels, and an electric motor down the back. Expected fuel consumption is 3.8L/100km (but it is a much larger vehicle than a Focus).