Next Ford Focus could net over 40 MPG
Click above for a gallery of the 2008 Euro Ford Focus
Even if the Lincoln Concept C from the Detroit Auto Show never makes it to production, its powertrain could find its way into FoMoCo's small cars. While the first application of Ford's new EcoBoost series of engines will be a 3.5L V6 in the 2009 Ford Flex, the technology might make the most sense in a much smaller and more efficient package. For instance, in the Lincoln Concept C, the 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct injected four-cylinder offers up 180 hp and an equal amount of torque while returning a (theoreticall) 43 mpg on the highway. This powerplant could be mated with Ford's PowerShift dual clutch gearbox in an uplevel version of the next-gen Focus subcompact that's expected to debut in 2010, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing 2.0L four.
Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dustin 6:37PM (1/19/2009)
The EcoBoost could make its way into the Focus, and it could be paired with a dual clutch gearbox, which together could net a theoretical 40+mpg. On a slow day, I guess that could qualify as news.
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Farris 6:54PM (1/19/2009)
No kidding... there's a lot of "could" in this post.
But whatever. I'm glad to see Ford trying to think ahead for when the gas prices skyrocket back to "normal" prices.
firstplace 6:41PM (1/19/2009)
Not bad, wonder what it will weigh, wonder if they will have the sense to build it.
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fixitfixitstop 6:47PM (1/19/2009)
Considering my 2004 Focus barely ever sees more than 24mpg, I'll believe this when I see it.
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jzxjzr 7:49PM (1/19/2009)
My '01 Focus with 140,000 miles gets up to 35 on the highway. (55mph w/ cruise).
nardvark 8:26PM (1/19/2009)
Our '06 sedan, with an automatic, gets 35 on the highway, mid to upper 20's around town. It's never gotten below 25 on a tank.
.josh. 10:31PM (1/19/2009)
My 07 ST (2.3L) manual averages 28.5mpg and I cruise on the freeway at about 70-75mph going to work, climbing 3000ft in 12miles... I can only imagine how you drive your '04 to barely get 24mpg.
Randy 2:43PM (1/20/2009)
Maybe you need to let up on running your Focus Idle. That might be your fuel.. Though your numbers seem way off! I haven't heard of many Foci getting less than 30MPG give or take a 3000 foot incline ;)
alex 6:47PM (1/19/2009)
They had better get 40 MPG in the next focus or they will be falling behind. The Chevy Cruze is supposed to get between 40 and 45 MPG highway and I'm sure Honda will be right up there too with the next gen Civic. Seems like a no-brainer to me that this is going to happen
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Conundrum 7:27PM (1/19/2009)
Yep, I think 40 will be the highway mileage target for everything in this segment to remain competitive.
Robert 10:04PM (1/19/2009)
There's actually a couple engines in the works...
There is the standard 2.0DI (or believed to be standard), which will be probably 150hp and 40-41 on the highway.
Then, there are the ecoboost engines. The 1.6 with 180hp should get slightly better, probably more like 43-44 (of note, there is some nice start-stop stuff that may raise the city mileage from 32-33 to 35-36 if it is added). There is a smaller 1.4 (I think) in the works that should deliver more like upper-40s.
svt boost 7:02PM (1/19/2009)
i had a 2002 svt focus (the 2.0L engine, 10.1:1 compression ratio some forged components) and a roots style supercharger installed. I could get 32mpg cruising @ 70 on the highway.
seems to me turbo, direct injection, dual clutch gear box (and hopefully light weight) would be 40mpg no problem.
now just send me an RS, and I'll have a new daily driver.
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216 7:04PM (1/19/2009)
just be sure to give it a Start/Stop engine and you're set
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jjpg2000 7:34PM (1/19/2009)
Make a 5-door hatchback and I'll consider it.
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Matt 1:56AM (1/20/2009)
Well if you are getting the "global" one then there will be the hatchback available for you :) I dont know what the official figures are but here in Australia its rare to see a non hatchback Focus on the road
huis 7:41PM (1/19/2009)
How about a similar engine in a Fiesta 3-door? That would be a sweet little ride.
My '01 zx3 stick has averaged 31 mpg over its life in very mixed driving, and it's gotten as good as 39 on the highway (long drive with a tailwind). 40 in a new one would be sweet.
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McLovin 7:48PM (1/19/2009)
This really makes the automakers look stupid. They said, 40mpg couldn't be done without significant cost and engineering effort and then they may release a Focus (not some exotic new vehicle) that may be able to do just that. I guess these guys just can't be believed.
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montoym 8:17PM (1/19/2009)
So, you're saying the EcoBoost program didn't cost them a lot of money and engineering effort?
Plus, I think you are simplifying things. Achieving 40mpg in a small car was never the issue. I think what they are worried about are the prople who extrapolate that 40mpg figure to a fleet-wide average under the assumption that if they can build a car that gets 40mpg, why can't all of their models get 40mpg.
It's not a matter of the Focus achieving 40mpg, it's getting all of their vehicles to average 40mpg that is the "significant cost and engineering effort" part. You're not going to get a 40mpg Taurus, Mustang, Escape, Flex, Edge, F-150, E-Series, Explorer, Expedition, etc. without spending a ton of cash and likely passing a good portion of it on the the customer. Plus, in the case of the trucks and SUV's, you're going to likely give up a fair amount of utility and performance in the process.
alex 8:32PM (1/19/2009)
montoym - just to bolster your point... we are also talking about a small car here getting 40 MPG highway, not combined.
donny 7:48PM (1/19/2009)
Bah! The current Focus is already getting 50 mpg according to Ford Canada!
(Yay Advertising!)
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