Ford has announced a new version of its 1.0-litre petrol EcoBoost engine to be launched in the Ford Focus next year, with CO2 emissions starting at 99g/km.
Diesel has been dominant in the company car segment for many years now with petrol engines struggling to match them for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. However, Ford’s EcoBoost engine is bucking the trend and has been named the 2013 International Engine of the Year for the second year running.
Importantly, company car drivers have the potential to save money on company car tax if they opt for the new engine as BIK will be 12 percent at the start of the new tax year.
Designed and engineered here in the UK, the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost Focus will be powered by a specially calibrated 98bhp version of the engine. As a result, it returns official fuel economy figures of 67.5mpg combined.
The car will become Ford’s most fuel-efficient family petrol car ever and will feature Ford ECOnetic technology including low rolling resistance tyres and revised gearing. Further systems such as Stop/Start, regenerative charging, Active Grille Shutter and Ford EcoMode will also be included.
“Just a couple of years ago few would have thought that a medium-sized petrol car could break the 100g/km CO2 barrier,” said Barb Samardzich, European product development vice president. “Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has a habit of taking expectations of what a petrol engine can deliver and turning them upside down.”
Introduced to the Fiesta, B-MAX, C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX last year, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be extended to the EcoSport SUV, Transit Connect and Transit Courier commercial vehicles; Tourneo Connect people mover and later in 2014, the new Mondeo.
Ford will also be launching the zero emissions Focus Electric next year.
