THERE’S a new-look Ford Focus set to hit showrooms, which will bring the most fuel-efficient powertrain line-up ever to grace this popular medium-compact car range.
Ford say improvements of up to 15 per cent have been made to fuel economy, which have brought down CO2 emissions across the range.
The new Focus (in reality not altogether new, rather an intensively ‘facelifted’ version of the current model) will be the first vehicle in Europe to get the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, and will also have Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCi diesel for the first time.
The 1.5 TDCi, which will turn up in 94bhp and 118bhp versions, will not only be more economical than the 1.6 TDCi it ousts, but torquier with it.
The lower-power 1.5 TDCi is rated at 98g/km for CO2 – a 10
per cent improvement on the 1.6 – and manages 74.3mpg in conjunction with the staple six-speed manual gearbox.
The 118bhp 1.5 TDCi will deliver a 10 per cent hike in fuel efficiency (again with the six-cog manual gearbox), and a PowerShift automatic version will become an option in due course.
Ford have further optimised the power, torque and fuel efficiency of the existing 2-litre TDCi engine, and the Focus will continue to offer the remarkable, award-winning 1-litre EcoBoost petrol motor that is good for 60mpg (combined) in the Focus.
Advanced technologies will feature on the 1.5-litre and 2-litre TDCi diesels, including a NOx (oxides of nitrogen) converter to further clean the exhaust, and improved engine ‘breathing’ thanks to the use of new adaptive-response turbochargers.
Other newly added fuel-saving technologies for both petrol sand diesels include auto Start-Stop, Active (radiator) Grille Shutter, and Smart Regenerative Charging.
“We have improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, by analysing engine and transmission effectiveness down to the smallest detail, and we’ve given consumers more choice by offering an additional four engine/transmission combinations,” said Vice President of Product Development, Joe Bakaj.
He added: “When the new 1.5-litre TDCi engine is introduced, all Focus engines will meet the stringent Euro 6 emissions requirements ahead of the mandated time.”
Ford’s new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine achieves a seven per cent improvement in fuel efficiency (when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox and equipped with auto Start-Stop) in comparison with the power equivalent 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine it replaces.
From early next year it also will be offered with a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Available with 148 or 180bhp, the 1.5-litre EcoBoost uses the core EcoBoost technologies of the massively successful 1-litre version: turbocharging, high-pressure direct injection and twin-independent variable cam timing... together with a new aluminium cylinder block.
A water-cooled intake-air charge cooler now helps to pack more boosted air into the cylinders, and the engine control system has been reprogrammed to ramp-up engine refinement. In addition, Ford’s Smart Regenerative Charging system can intelligently engage and disengage the alternator as required.
Other changes made to the Focus improve its ride, handling, steering and cabin environment.