Ford Motor Company will stage the debut of the new Focus ECOnetic next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show. The new diesel ECOnetic, which will go on sale early next year, leverages a number of advanced technologies that Ford expects will make it more fuel efficient than any other compact vehicle on the road today in Europe, including conventional diesel-, gasoline- and hybrid-powered vehicles.
Focus ECOnetic is expected to use less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometers (67 mpg US) and to deliver CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when certification is completed later this year. The Focus ECOnetic will be available in both five-door and wagon bodystyles.
The vehicle is powered by a completely new 105PS (104 hp, 77 kW) version of the 1.6-liter Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel, which has been optimized for enhanced fuel efficiency with a new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge cooling and further friction reduction measures.
The Focus ECOnetic also benefits a number of additional low-CO2 features which have been developed specifically for this model including a unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tires and a revised final drive ratio.
The Focus ECOnetic also incorporates the full range of Ford ECOnetic Technologies shared with other models in the all-new Focus line-up, including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.
The common rail fuel injection system of the diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with 8-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1,600 bar, controlled by a more powerful engine management system. The new injection system delivers more precise control and increased combustion efficiency.
To provide more accurate control of the charge air temperature and to deliver a cooler, denser charge, the intake system features a water cooled intercooler in place of the standard air-to-air system.
Other new, or completely revised, features to enhance fuel efficiency include:
- New variable geometry turbocharger design;
- Reduced engine friction from low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump;
- Additional reduction in engine losses from low inertia vacuum pump and asymmetric crank sprocket design; and
- Updated emissions system combining a diesel NOx-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system.
The 1.6-liter ECOnetic diesel is paired with Ford’s 6-speed Durashift manual transmission, which is also used in other new Focus models with the 1.6-liter TDCi engine. This transmission is a new high-efficiency design which has been optimized to eliminate frictional losses, and utilizes special low friction transmission oil.
A revised final drive ratio has been selected to raise the overall gearing, reducing engine speed and offering improved fuel economy when cruising in top gear.
While the standard all-new Focus already boasts an aerodynamic bodyshell (5-door CD = 0.295), the ECOnetic model has been designed with a number of additional features to minimize drag still further.
Much of the aerodynamic development was concentrated on smoothing the airflow underneath the vehicle. The ECOnetic derivative features additional undershields and deflectors, which cover most of the underfloor between the front and rear axles, together with a new undershield on the rear axle.
Aerodynamic performance is also improved by the use of steel wheels combined with special low-drag ECOnetic wheel covers, which are more streamlined than a conventional alloy wheel design.
The ECOnetic model features, as standard, the innovative Active Grille Shutter—an advanced new system that optimizes aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment. If air is required to cool the engine the vents are opened; but if no airflow is needed, the vents are shut, thereby significantly reducing aerodynamic drag.
Mounted in the grille aperture ahead of the radiator, the Active Grille Shutter features motorized horizontal vanes which can rotate through 90 degrees to block the air flow. Automatically controlled by the car’s electronic control unit, the vanes can be rotated into
16 different positions—from fully closed to fully open—depending on the amount of cooling air required.
When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO2 emissions by 2%.
The Focus ECOnetic also features a number of other low-CO2 technologies which are standard items on most models in the new Focus line-up. These include:
- Electric Power Assisted Steering;
- Low-friction engine and transmission oils;
- Low tension Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD); and
- Thermal Management Systems to optimize warm-up.
The new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be produced for the European market at the lead Focus manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Market introduction is scheduled to be in early 2012.