(April 7, 2011) AMSTERDAM — Ford today announced the new Focus ECOnetic, debuting next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show. It will establish a new industry benchmark for fuel efficiency in the popular compact class.

The ECOnetic, which is propelled by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, is rated at 80 mpg and can go nearly 1,000 miles on a single tank of diesel fuel. Unfortunately, the car, which will go on sale early next year, will not be sold in the United States. It will be introduced in Europe.

The Focus ECOnetic leverages a host of advanced technologies that is expected to make it more fuel efficient than any other compact vehicle on the road today in Europe, including diesel, gas and hybrid powered vehicles.

“The Focus ECOnetic is a testament to our company’s relentless drive for technological innovation and commitment to environmental leadership,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director. “It’s also going to be a great car to drive.”

The all-new Ford Focus ECOnetic will be available in both five-door and wagon bodystyles.

The vehicle is powered by a completely new 105-horsepower 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.

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
    • Updated emissions system combining a diesel NOx-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system

The 1.6-liter diesel is paired with Ford’s 6-speed Durashift manual transmission, which is also used in other new Focus models.  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.  Economy is further enhanced by fitting the latest-generation dedicated low rolling resistance tires.

While the standard all-new Focus already boasts an exceptionally aerodynamic bodyshell, 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.