2012 Ford Focus ECOnetic

Although it will be presented next week, this model will not be sold until early 2012. We talk about the Ford Focus ECOnetic third generation, more austere version of the range, designed in seeking the highest savings over the life of the car. Has a provisional consumption of 3.5 l/100 km of diesel for the five-door.


Ford tells us that the approval of the car is not finished and will be in late 2011, for which the data is not exact. Diesel will be another rival low-power solutions (less than 4 l/100 km) and the Toyota Auris HSD (3.8 l/100 km, but gasoline). This finding, if real then, is the best C-segment

Be immediately identifiable by their steel wheels with aerodynamic hubcaps and a badge on the trunk. If we strip the dream and we looked we would see below that has the fairings bass than any other Ford Focus , everything is to scratch a few tenths of consumption. Will be available in compact body and family, no sedan.

ECOnetic, the vision of the minimum consumption of Ford

Compared with a new Focus, has several things in common: they stop and automatic engine start, regenerative braking, monitor Ford Eco Mode and recommended gear. It also has a smart grid ( Active Shutter Grille ), which varies the airflow to the radiator or engine to actual needs of the car.

There are 20 different positions for the flaps, from fully open to closed, which achieved a saving of 2%, or get the engine warm up before. It also has ultra-low tire rolling resistance and longer end developments , ie worse recoveries.

The engine is the 1.6 TDCi 105 hp , is 10 hp less than the normal version. As this is a Euro version 5, is not exactly like the previous generation TDCi. It has changed the design of the turbocharger and the antipollution system (catalytic converter and particulate filter).

We have also worked to reduce internal friction in piston rings, oil pump, vacuum pump and the crankshaft. The heat exchanger (Intercooler) works with water, not air. Until oil gearbox has lower viscosity and therefore loses less useful energy .

The transmission is a six-speed manual . Should be riding in performance between TDCi 95 hp and 115 hp, and the tip should be a little higher than normal (to be more streamlined and have final development stretched). Ford believes it will be the compact with better fuel economy in Europe.

Who would be your rival? Opel Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX (95 hp and 3.9 l/100 km), SEAT Leon Ecomotive (105 hp, 3.8 l/100 km), Toyota Auris HSD (136 hp and 3.8 l/100 km) and Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion (105 hp, 3.8 l/100 km). No other compact on the market unless it approves these .

These diesel versions "tight" have a relatively inexpensive technology , removing the Stop & Start, which all have ECOnetic Focus rivals turn. At the moment it is not necessary to use diesel to lower hybridization of 4 l/100 km, but gasoline is essential today, and is a more expensive technology.

However, these diesel versions tend to move further consumption approved a hybrid of gasoline, especially in town. If conditions are favorable, and cruise at 2,000 rpm in sixth pinned, the fact is they are very frugal. This is more useful in Europe flatter, not exactly in Spain.

As we see, the compact club of less than 4 litres/100 km is still selected , most still moves in the 4-5 and always l/100 km diesel versions, with manual and modest power. The Auris HSD remains the "weirdo" with more power (though less noticeable), automatic transmission and fuel up.

NOTE : Left out of this analysis, the Compact Premium (Audi A3 TDI e, CT 200h Lexus, BMW 116d, Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe ...) to be models for other public and budget .
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