New Ford Focus: what is 'Econetic'?

Thursday, November 08, 2007

New eco-friendly models from Ford
Focus to be first Econetic model
Mondeo and Fiesta to follow

Ford will sell low-CO2 versions of its Focus from next year, with Mondeo and Fiesta versions next

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Econetic is the name Ford will give to a range of ultra-low-CO2 models that will start to arrive next year, beginning with the Focus.

Econetic cars not only give you a clearer conscience about the impact you're having on the environment, they'll also save you money.

The Focus Econetics have a CO2 output of only 114g/km with the 89bhp 1.6-litre diesel and 115g/km with the 108bhp version of the same engine.

They each do 65.7mpg when cruising and will cost you only £35 a year in road tax.

If you live in or travel to London, they'll also be exempt from the £8 daily congestion charge under Mayor Ken Livingstone's latest proposals, expected to be adopted in February.

They'll be priced about £250 above the Style model with the same engine.

How it works
All this has been achieved without fitting longer gear ratios, which would have hindered driveability.

Ford has merely lowered the car by 10mm at the front and 8mm at the rear compared with a regular Focus, blanked off parts of the lower grille and fitted a different front bumper skirt, a rear spoiler and slimmer tyres.

The Econetic also has the recalibrated engine management and power steering systems and low-friction transmission oil now uniform on the 1.6-litre diesel Focus.

More to come
Ford has promised super-clean versions of the Mondeo and the next Fiesta before the end of 2008.

The Mondeo Econetic will emit fewer than 140g/km of CO2 - at least 14g/km better than the current cleanest model - while the target for the Fiesta is below 100g/km, which would make the car exempt from road tax.