1,000 miles on a tank of diesel.
Imagine driving from Boston to Atlanta without tanking up. Besides needing to find a restroom fast, you might be amazed by the money you’ve saved.
For the moment, unfortunately, you’ll have to head to Europe to enjoy that sort of fuel economy, as there are no immediate plans to bring the new Ford Focus ECOnetic to the U.S. But, who knows, with the current run-up in fuel prices and the fact that the upcoming American version of Ford’s new compact sedan could readily borrow the new diesel drivetrain debuting on the Continent.
With the launch of the Ford ECOnetic, the maker lays claim to having the most fuel-efficient model in its class – in fact, the five-door matches and exceeds the mileage of most smaller models, as well.
How does the ECOnetic work its magic? It delivers nearly 70 mpg — about 10 mpg over its already efficient predecessor — with the use of an updated 105-horsepower 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel that integrates a new injection system, a redesigned turbo, enhanced charge cooling and a variety of features to reduce internal friction.
Even the 6-speed manual transmission has been specially modified, using unique low-friction oil and fitted with an extremely tall top gear.
The body has been tweaked for improved aerodynamic efficiency. One of the more intriguing details is the Active Grille Shutter system which can close when cooling demands are light, improving efficiency by as much as 2%.
There are low rolling resistance tires, as might be anticipated.
And the Ford Focus Econetic shares several other efficiency-enhancing features with the European version of the compact car, including Auto Stop/Start and smart regenerative charging. The former temporarily shuts the engine off at a light, then restarts when the driver’s foot lifts off the brake. The latter removes the alternator from the driveline when the battery is fully charged, reducing frictional losses.