Filed under: Green, Tech, Ford
Ford to launch Econetic range of ultra-low CO2 cars in Europe
At next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe will show off a new line of powertrains that produce ultra-low levels of CO2. The engines will be common-rail diesels and will first appear in early 2008 under the hood of the Ford Focus ECOnetic. In the Focus, it should produce a class-leading 115g/km CO2 reading. This 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine features a standard diesel particulate filter and also returns 65.7 mpg on the cycle.With legislators increasingly focusing on economy and emissions, Ford is the latest to announce a specific answer. We just profiled BMW's tweaked gearbox and Chrysler's lightweight steel, and now we have this clean diesel from Ford. Besides the efficient engine, this Focus has been optimized with a lowered ride height, a new aero kit and low rolling resistance tires. It also represents the first use of a new low-viscosity transmission oil that Ford developed with fuel partner BP.
Follow the jump for the full press release.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FRANKFURT LAUNCH FOR FORD ECONETIC RANGE OF ULTRA-LOW CO2 MODELS
- Class-leading 115g/km CO2 for conventional technology in Ford Focus ECOnetic model
- New Ford ECOnetic models will join Ford Flexifuel range to increase affordable low CO2 choices for customers
BRENTWOOD, Essex, August 24, 2007 – Ford of Europe will offer its customers ultra-low CO2 alternatives with the launch of a new range of Ford ECOnetic models at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
These cars will use the latest common-rail diesel powertrains with features engineered to reduce CO2 emissions. The first to be launched in early 2008 will be the Ford Focus ECOnetic, which promises to deliver best-in-class CO2 emissions for conventional powertrain technology at just 115g/km.
"Although all of our current European models are already highly competitive in terms of CO2, we know that more and more car buyers seek the lowest possible emissions as a key 'why-buy?'," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe president and CEO.
"By launching specific models, with dedicated Ford ECOnetic badging to indicate ultra-low CO2 results, we will give a clear alternative to those customers who prioritise low emissions performance.
"We chose the Ford ECOnetic name because it links ecologically friendly technology to our kinetic design 'energy in motion' philosophy for both driving quality and emotional styling."
Ford Focus ECOnetic: class leading emissions
Further details of the Ford ECOnetic range will be revealed in September at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The first vehicle to benefit will be the company's most popular model – the Ford Focus.
The new Ford Focus ECOnetic, powered by the highly efficient 109PS, 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard Diesel Particulate Filter, delivers an average fuel consumption of 65.7mpg – corresponding to an average CO2 emission of only 115g/km.
"The challenge for the engineering team was to deliver the maximum reduction in CO2 using available and affordable techologies," said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford's medium car line director.
The starting point for achieving these results was to reduce drive resistances and improve aerodynamics. By lowering the vehicle, adding an aerodynamics kit and using 195/65R15 tyres, a drag coefficient (cd) of 0.31 was achieved.
A further measure to reduce driving resistance, used for the first time in the Ford Focus ECOnetic, is the introduction of new low-viscosity transmission oil developed by Ford's fuel partner BP. Under testing, the efficiency benefits were found to be so significant that this new BP transmission oil is to be introduced across other Ford products in the C and CD segments.
Ford of Europe is already a leader in Flexifuel technology, with Focus and C-MAX models fuelled with bio-ethanol E85 (a blend of 85 per cent bio-ethanol and 15 per cent petrol), petrol or any mixture of both fuels in the same tank.
From early 2008, Flexifuel versions of the new Mondeo, the Ford Galaxy and the Ford S-MAX will be on sale, giving Ford one of the broadest ranges of Flexifuel vehicles in Europe.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 3:02PM (8/24/2007)
Large cities in North America would benifit so greatly from these types of cars.
Imagine a California with no smog warnings?
Taking a breath of fresh air in New York?
Eating at a sidewalk cafe in Vancouver where the smelliest thing is your green tea?
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Alex 3:03PM (8/24/2007)
WTF? Seriously, why can't we get diesels over here in the states? I could go for 65.7mpg. Not to mention I want the "Kinetic" design fords too...
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Compy386 3:21PM (8/24/2007)
Let's do the math here. First of all I'm guessing that 65 MPG is in UK gallons so that converts to about 54 mpg here in the states. Now let's say the average Focus driver uses their vehicle for about 12,000 miles. 12000/54 = 222.22 gallons. At $3 per gallon gas that's about $667 in gas money per year. Now let's say a non diesel version of this vehicle can get about 40 mpg. shouldn't be all that hard since the current Focus gets about 37 highway EPA. Now 12000/40 = 300 gallons which assuming diesel and regular costs about the same that's $900 a year. So by going with diesel you're saving roughtly $240 a year in gas. However the engine alone is going to cost about $2,000 more. Are you still interested with those numbers? It'll take about 8 years of driving the same vehicle to break even. Now given that most people will never try to do math like this, it may be worth it for Ford to offer this engine as a marketing tool.
jb 11:40PM (8/24/2007)
I have a Focus, 5 speed. It DOES NOT GET 37 mpg. 34 is the best I can muster, and that's certainly not city driving...
Alistair 4:03PM (8/24/2007)
I have a Ford Focus with the 2 liter and a manual. I get about 27 mpg, which is exactly the EPA estimate. With some tweaks and low rolling resistance tires, let's say 30mpg. That amounts to a savings of about $540/year at $3/gallon. That's also assuming gas doesn't become more expensive. Math doesn't do much for you when your assumptions are off. A 54 mpg diesel would pay for itself in less than four years, even if fuel stayed the same price. And, believe it or not, some people would prefer to use less fuel, even if it doesn't save them money.
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bigd 5:20PM (8/24/2007)
the turbo part of the diesel equation is also appealing
compy386 6:52PM (8/24/2007)
Yes but you're also assuming that 54 is the actual amount you'd get. I'm comparing quoted MPG for a Focus vs quoted MPG for this diesel engine. I'm guessing that the 1.6 liter petro gets better than 40 MPG. Also I'm only talking about adding diesel. I would think adding a 6 speed tranny and better tires and such would cost more. Also to respond to the making your own diesel, yes if you can get free gas then it would make sense to you. But how many Americans can do that? Pretty soon the restaurants will be selling their oil rather than donating for free. You can probably import one of these engines and install it yourself if you're willing to. I just think for most Americans this doesn't make sense unless gas prices double. Not saying it's impossible but you have to look at all the economics.
whofan 6:34PM (8/24/2007)
A Turbo is a must in a Diesel. Diesel is good if it breaths easy. If not a Diesel is a dog. Dont get me wrong, I like diesels. They need help breathing and the turbo is the answer.
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AMcA 10:53PM (8/24/2007)
I just gotta say I am stunned at the speed with which the automakers are responding to the market demand and regulatory threats for efficiency.
Just today's AB: Chrysler's steel, Ford's ecocentric (or whatever they're calling it), and GM's HCCI.
Really encouraging how light on their feet these huge entities can be.
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Barney 9:57AM (8/25/2007)
Actually they could have come up with new technology years ago. This is a case of when push turns into shove. Car makers are still fighting it.
Landy 2:43PM (8/25/2007)
All carmakers have this or comparable technology already in the drawer. But they will only take it out when regulations forces them to do so. The old engines are cheaper to produce on the existing assembly lines without changing anything. So the game is always the same: No force - no chance.
Believe me, they could even cope with much stricter regulations whithin half a year, if they would be forced to do so. For example:
Variable camshaft-timing for gas engines would do a great job for emmissions and milage - but they keep it in their drawers until they need to use it, to comply with the regulations - although it's all completely developed.
That's why it comes so quickly now...
AMcA 3:24PM (8/26/2007)
Folks - it's not that they're keeping it until forced.
It's that the market's not demanding it itself. People don't want to pay for it, so they automakers aren't offering it.
GM, et al aren't evil. They're just responding to demand.
AMcA 12:53AM (8/25/2007)
Ford builds such great cars in Europe.
Why do we get shortchanged?
If they'd been selling these in the US for the last 30 years, Honda would never have gained a foothold in the US market.
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Alex 11:16AM (9/14/2007)
umm... yes, i am still interested. A friend of mine and I have been making biodeisel from his restaurant for months now. Effectively making you math all wrong.
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Archibold 7:49AM (11/09/2007)
A cd of 0.31 is no great shakes, Citroen were there with the GS in the seventies, current europe Focus is a great car though, sat in the back of one for 200miles the other day, comfort is streets ahead of the current Golf/Rabbit, so am in line for this latest Focus, only thing it needs now is the EGS gearbox out of the C4 (which has the same drivetrain).
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