FIRST DRIVE
Ford Focus ECOnetic 1.6 Diesel - Test Drive
Time to green? In the current climate it may not be on the top of your agenda but this may change your tune as the Ford Focus ECOnetic is not only green but it could be one of the cheapest cars to run that is launched this year.
LOOKS
It looks just like a normal Ford Focus, other than the ECO badge on the rear of the car you would just think that this is a standard Focus. The wheel trims may not be to everyone’s taste but they are to enhance the car’s green stats – more on those later.
INTERIOR
On the inside, Ford has kep the cockpit that has been such a hit – it has a sophisticated look to it. The materials and plastics look to be quality made and the switch gear is within easy reach of the driver. On the outside, the ECOnetic has cheap looking wheeltrims but they are an important part of this car’s green heart. These wheel trims reduce drag which makes for better fuel economy – a boon in the current economic climate.
PRACTICALITY
The Ford Focus has one of the best driving positions for a standard family car in the UK market. Passenger space is also good both in the front and in the rear. However flexibility can be an issue, as the rear seat folds as one – there is no split – it’s easy to fold it’s just space can be compromised due to the inflexibility of this method.
Even though the ECOnetic is a green car it still has a few creature comforts like air-con, a great sounding CD stereo and electric windows. Safety is high on the Ford wish list and the Focus is proof of this as it received a five star Euro NCAP rating for adult occupant protection. It also has an IPS system fitted, which will activate the appropriate safety systems in a millisecond, such as all-round airbags if you are involved in an accident. The Ford has also got Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) as standard.
ON TEST
Our test car was powered by a 1.6 TDCi diesel engine with an output of 108bhp – there is also a 89bhp available for this power plant. Our car performed really well, the diesel engine pulled away strongly from stop and overtaking was a breeze as the 108bhp has plenty of torque letting you complete the manouevre with ease.
The Focus ECOnetic was comfortable when cruising on long motorway journeys as the boffins have spaced the gear ratios well. The five-speed gearbox had a smooth shift which made for pleasurable driving. On the road the ECOnetic is much the same as the standard car – the green variant will get from 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds – the same as the regular 1.6TDCi.
Even though this is the green version, Ford’s engineers have not touched the handling – why would they? It’s the best in class.
So what makes this car so green?
They have tweaked the aerodynamics on the car to reduce drag and therefore save you fuel and money. Modifications have been made to the front bumper and lower grille new side skirts have been added as has a rear spoiler, the flush fitting wheel trims may not look good but they do reduce drag. The Focus ECOnetic stands on skinny Michelin Energy tyres to reduce drag and rolling resistance. The downside is that the tyres detract slightly from the handling but the Focus still remains at the top of the class in this respect.
AT A GLANCE
| Name/Price: | Ford Focus ECOnetic/From £16,050 |
| Engine/power: | 1.6-litre Diesel /108BHP |
| Co2 emissions: | 115g/km |
| Official Combined fuel economy: | 65.5mpg CHECK |
IMN VERDICT
One of the finest green cars on the market and it starts at a price of £16,050. On test we averaged 58.8mpg on the combined cycle with a high at one point of 60.1mpg and got from The Eden Project in Cornwall to Glasgow on one tank of fuel. That’s mega. The Focus ECOnetic costs £250 more than an identically powered Style version but with these results we pick the ECOnetic every time. The all-important CO2 emissions come out at 115g/km. That means the Focus ECOnetic costs £35 annually in vehicle excise duty.
Simon McBride
*Details correct at time of publishing