By Fiona Judge 20 August 2012
Ford has introduced a complete and inclusive range of low-CO2 technologies at the Oxford to London Eco Rally including Focus models that encompass three different powertrains, that participated in this years 65-mile event.
The sixth annual Eco Rally, showcasing the UK's most eco-friendly vehicles, commenced on Saturday the 18th August from Broad Street, Oxford and concluded at Waterloo Place, London, where the UK's most extensive sustainable transport exhibition was staged, paying homage to the rally.
The Ford Focus models were powered by the ultra-frugal 1.6-litre Duratorq diesel, the zero-emissions powertrain of the Focus Electric and the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, Ford's most fuel-efficient engine. The Ford Focus family expertly demonstrated the energy efficient ECOnetic Technologies, which potentially name Ford vehicles leaders as the most successful in their field in terms of fuel efficiency.
In anticipation of the Eco Rally, a special conference, "Investing in Future Transport", was held at City Hall, London. The managing director of Ford's European Research Center and Ford's chief powertrain research engineer, Andreas Schamel, gave a keynote presentation at the conference, which focused on current and future low CO2 powertrain technologies.
"Ford is developing a portfolio of high-technology, low-CO2 powertrains that offer customers affordable choice and excellent fuel-efficiency in vehicles they want and value. Ford is committed to reducing CO2 output across its entire vehicle range, with Ford ECOnetic Technologies now available on the Fiesta, Focus, B-MAX, C-MAX, Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy and Transit." Andreas Schamel said.
Schamel also commented: "The Ford Focus cars in the Eco-Rally demonstrate how a choice of low CO2 powertrains can be provided within a single model range. The maximum contribution to overall CO2 reduction is delivered by the highly efficient petrol and diesel variants that are sold in high volumes.
"The Focus Electric shows our commitment to providing a full suite of minimum CO2 technologies, which will be supplemented by hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles that Ford is launching in Europe."
Ford Focus models at the 2012 Eco Rally
Ford Focus EcoBoost: The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine is the most minute engine produced by Ford to date. The futuristic design provides power and performance that rivals a traditional 1.6-litre petrol engine, whilst still maintaining Ford's eco-friendly reputation, emitting less than 114g/km CO2. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which has recently received the 2012 award for "International Engine of the Year", was developed at Ford's Dunton Technical Centre in the UK and is specified with Ford ECOnetic Technologies such as Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Active Grille Shutter and Ford Smart Regenerative Charging.
Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi with Auto-Start-Stop: Currently,Ford's most fuel-efficient Focus derivative is this 109g/km CO2 model. This will be replaced with the 88g/km CO2 Ford Focus ECOnetic, which launches later this year. Both Ford models are powered by versions of Ford's high-tech 1.6-litre Duratorq diesel engine produced at Ford's Dagenham plant towards the east of London. Ford manages to achieve its eco-friendly status through its Auto-Start-Stop system, which automatically shuts down the engine when at idle to save fuel-consumption.
Ford Focus Electric: The fuel-free Focus has a target range of 100 miles, can be charged in just three to four hours when connected to an appropriate charging facility and is powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In addition to this it is also Ford's first-ever-all-electric passenger car. The new Ford Focus is the flagship of Ford's new family of electrified vehicles. This new addition joins the growing line-up of energy efficient, ECOnetic Technology-badged vehicles, which are segment-leading in terms of fuel efficiency.
Categories: Ford
