Ford Reveals Europe's Most Efficient Non-Hybrid Family Car And Expands Fuel Saving Econetic Technology Across Line-Up

COLOGNE, GERMANY – Sept 7, 2011: Ford Motor Company today announced plans to bring ultra-fuel efficient versions of the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta to Europe in mid-2012 as part of a broader strategy to roll out more green technologies across its line-up under the ECOnetic Technology badge.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show beginning next week, Ford will show two new ultra-efficient models packed with advanced fuel saving technology. The new Focus ECOnetic Technology – featuring first lean NOx adsorbing technology in a Ford diesel – achieves 89 g/km, and the new Fiesta ECOnetic Technology – the first Fiesta with Auto-Start-Stop technology – which delivers 87g/km.

The Focus will be able to travel 100 kilometres on 3.4 litres of fuel (83.1 mpg*), making it the most fuel efficient non-hybrid family car (C segment) in Europe. The Fiesta also achieves top-notch fuel economy, travelling 100 kilometres on 3.3 litres of fuel (85.6 mpg*).

“The Focus and Fiesta ECOnetic Technology will deliver stunning fuel economy and still be fun to drive – a combination that would have seemed impossible a few years ago,” said Dr. Thilo Seibert, manager, Sustainability and Electrification Strategy, Ford of Europe.

Ford also plans to show at Frankfurt a Ford Focus powered by the new 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which delivers both impressive fuel efficiency and surprising performance due to direct fuel injection and turbocharging.

The three vehicles are part of an aggressive strategy to make leading fuel efficiency and green technologies available to more customers under the Ford ECOnetic Technology badge.

The expansion of ECOnetic Technology is also part of Ford's overall sustainability strategy, including the target of reducing CO2 emissions of its cars by 30 per cent between 2006 and 2020. Since 2006, Ford has achieved an 11 per cent reduction in CO2 and said it’s on track to meet the commitment. A further 10 g/km overall fleet improvement will be achieved within the next two years.

Ford's innovative range of low-CO2 features will be available in an increasing number of Ford vehicles in Europe qualifying them to wear the ECOnetic Technology badge, which will be applied from October to all Ford cars that are the leaders or among the very best in terms of fuel economy in their segments. The badge will appear on more than 30 models by the end of next year.

ECOnetic Technology features like Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter, ECO Mode and other fuel-saving features are already or will be available on Fiesta, C MAX, Grand C-MAX, Focus, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy by the end of this year. Ford is the only non-premium manufacturer currently offering Active Grille Shutter.

In terms of sales, about half of Ford cars sold in the second half of 2012 in Europe will carry the ECOnetic Technology badge – increasing to an expected two-thirds by mid-2013.

The ECOnetic Technology badged petrol and diesel passenger cars will be powered by the 1.0-litre or 1.6-litre EcoBoost engines or the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine – all commercial vehicles will be powered by lean Stage V TDCi diesel engines.

The ECOnetic Technology range also will include all the electrified Ford models, the Ford Focus Electric, an all-electric vehicle that debuts next year, and the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid coming to market in 2013.

"The Ford ECOnetic Technology initiative will include more and more Ford vehicles in the near future and we're confident that our customers will appreciate the substantial improvements in fuel economy and cost-of-ownership,” said Graham Hoare, executive director, Powertrain, Ford of Europe.

Latest Low-CO2 Technologies
To achieve the outstanding fuel economy, Fiesta and Focus ECOnetic Technology employ the latest low-CO2 technologies in their powertrains, aerodynamics and driver information systems, including:

Auto-Start-Stop – Ford Auto-Start-Stop system – which will be available in every Ford car-line from end of 2012 – 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– Fiesta and Focus ECOnetic Technology feature 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 that helps drivers change their habits and adopt a more economical driving style, with potential fuel savings for many drivers of about 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.

Gearshift Indicator– 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.

Both the Fiesta and Focus ECOnetic Technology feature a number of other low-CO2 technologies which are also standard items on most models in the new Focus and Fiesta line-ups. These include:

Electric Power Assisted Steering

Low-friction engine and transmission oils

Low rolling resistance tyres

Low tension Front End Accessory Drive

Thermal Management Systems to optimise warm-up of engine

Unique High-Efficiency Engine
Powering both ECOnetic Technology models is a new version of the 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel engine – producing 95 PS in the Fiesta and 105 PS in the Focus – which has been optimised for enhanced fuel efficiency with a new injection system, additional friction reduction features, more efficient combustion system, enhanced cooling and revised engine management.

The common rail fuel injection system of the shared diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with improved eight-hole injectors and 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 Focus engine's intake system features a water-cooled charge cooler in place of the standard air-to-air system. This reduces pumping losses and allows cooler, denser charge on acceleration. The Focus also uses a new variable geometry turbocharger design as opposed to the Fiesta's fixed geometry unit.

Another feature that is unique for the Focus ECOnetic Technology is the lean NOx trap in combination with a coated diesel particulate filter. Originally addressing NOx emissions only, it is a key enabler of the record low CO2 emissions as it allows an even leaner combustion process in the engine. The NOx emissions are adsorbed in the trap and neutralised into nitrogen and water in the regeneration phase of the trap.

Other new, or completely revised, engine features that enhance the fuel efficiency of both models include:

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

The 1.6-litre diesel in the Focus ECOnetic Technology is paired with Ford’s six-speed Durashift manual transmission, which is also used in other new Focus models with the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel and the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engines. This transmission is a new high-efficiency design which has been optimised to eliminate frictional losses, utilising special low friction transmission oil and a revised final drive ratio to offer improved fuel economy when cruising in top gear.

The lighter Fiesta ECOnetic Technology uses a five-speed manual transmission that also has been optimised to eliminate frictional losses. Enhanced gear ratios with a longer final drive mean the Fiesta will also prove highly economical on longer motorway journeys.

"We achieved the low emissions and the class-leading fuel economy by analysing every single detail in the engine and transmission and effectively applying all our leading edge powertrain technologies wherever possible. And, importantly, we didn't sacrifice the performance feel of the engine – it still delivers substantial power and torque," Graham Hoare said.

Exclusive Aerodynamic Packages
The Focus ECOnetic Technology builds on the excellent aerodynamics of the standard all-new Focus’ bodyshell (5-door CD = 0.295) to further improve the drag co-efficient with a host of innovations including undershields and deflectors. A particularly effective additional feature is the standard advanced Active Grille Shutter.

Active Grille Shutter is an innovative 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.

The motorised horizontal vanes in the grille, that can be rotated into 16 different positions, are automatically controlled by the car’s electronic control unit – from fully closed to fully open – depending on the amount of air required. When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO2 emissions by two per cent.

Fiesta ECOnetic Technology has an exclusive aerodynamics package itself, with specially developed undershields to help air pass unobstructed beneath the car. Rear wheel spoilers also help deflect wind past the wheel arches, helping to significantly reduce the amount of drag induced.

"ECOnetic Technology effectively encompasses all the elements that make a car more fuel-efficient and we're constantly improving these elements – and making them available in more and more Ford cars," Thilo Seibert ends.