| How to Save Money by Greener Driving |
|
|
|
|
|
| Green Car
Guide |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Top 10 Green Cars
| Small Family Cars |
 |
Biofuel
8. Ford Focus FFV
(Flexi-Fuel Vehicle)
 |
| Model/Engine size: 1.8 5 dr |
| Fuel: Petrol or Bioethanol |
| Fuel economy combined: 28.2mpg |
|
Summary
The Ford Focus was initially launched in 1998 and helped to embed the new design language started by the Ka two years earlier. The Focus has come to epitomise modern Fords, with creative design combining with impressive material quality, build quality and outstanding road manners to make a fearsome package.
Ford’s latest update is the third major overhaul and aims to keep the Focus at the top of the class, a position it has held since its introduction. Ford has concentrated on updating the styling, which is evolutionary, and the mechanicals which are revolutionary.
The ECOnetic, apparently so-called as it links ecologically friendly technology to Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ styling language, uses Ford’s most advanced diesel technology and improved aerodynamics to achieve very low CO2 emissions thanks to great fuel consumption. A key element was reducing friction which was achieved by BP developing a bespoke transmission oil which so impressed Ford it will now be used in other models too.
Thankfully whilst Ford has made many changes they have left the chassis well alone. This is good news as, despite its age, it is still the benchmark in the class for driver involvement. This means that the ECOnetic achieves our nirvana of combining really low CO2 emissions and fun.
The Focus remains the default driver’s choice and now this comes at a reduced impact. The addition of a diesel particulate filter means extra bonus marks from us too. The best news is that Ford developed this car because they believe that customers are increasingly seeking class leading CO2 emissions. That the big players have realised that low CO2 emissions are now a key battleground is great news for us all. |
|
| Fuel economy extra urban: TBC |
| Fuel economy urban: TBC |
| CO2 emissions: 115g/km |
| Green rating: VED band B - £35 |
| Weight: TBC |
| Company car tax liability (2007): 18% |
| Price: £16,295 (From £11,945 to £20,595) |
| Insurance group: TBC |
| Safety: NCAP TBC |
| Max speed: TBC (approx 116 mph) |
| 0-60mph: TBC (approx 11 seconds) |
|
| DPF: Yes |
|
|
|
