The New 2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic Revealed

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show Ford of Europe is revealing the next step in its acclaimed low CO2 Ford ECOnetic strategy, the super-efficient new 2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic.

Dedicated Ford ECOnetic Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Transit models have already established themselves as credible alternatives for customers prioritising low carbon motoring and high levels of fuel efficiency. The new model for 2010 takes this formula even further by combining new technology with clever details to produce the most efficient Ford Focus ECOnetic to date.

The new Ford Focus ECOnetic five-door is available with a new optional Ford Auto-Start-Stop system that was previewed on the Ford iosis MAX Concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Regardless of whether Auto-Start-Stop is specified, the Ford Focus ECOnetic has Smart Regenerative Charging and Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive) - technologies that are new to the Ford of Europe product line-up, and which combine to deliver lower emissions and better fuel efficiency and pave the way for future powertrains from the blue oval.

Power comes from Ford's 109PS (80kW) 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF). Target average CO2 emissions for the Auto-Start-Stop equipped car are as low as 99g/km, with a combined fuel economy of 74.2mpg and 104g/km for the standard Ford Focus ECOnetic.

The new Ford Focus ECOnetic is also the first vehicle to feature the new Ford Eco Mode system as standard. An all-new driver information system, Ford Eco Mode helps to educate the driver to achieve improved real-world fuel economy - thus benefitting the customer's pocket as well as the environment.

The 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.

The system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to five per cent in mixed driving conditions. In an urban environment and in heavy traffic with frequent stops the savings could increase to as much as 10 per cent.

The advanced new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system has been carefully designed with customer comfort in mind, and to provide consistent starting and stopping performance that is smooth, quiet and seamless, requiring no changes in driver behaviour.

The new Ford Focus ECOnetic also uses advanced technologies to ensure that the battery is kept charged in the most efficient way.

A Smart Regenerative Charging system 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. This could be when the engine is switched off during a stop-phase, but can also be when the generator is operating in a less efficient mode.