5.4.2012 Beat rising fuel prices with Ford EcoBoost

Ford claims that the new Focus with 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine delivers lower per-mile fuel costs than a Focus driver would have paid in 2008, despite a 34% rise in fuel prices.

As many carmakers have done over recent years, Ford has been working hard on improving the efficiency of their conventional engines.

In January 2008, with petrol at 104.3 pence per litre, owners of the 100PS 1.6-litre Ford Focus five-door paid an average of 11.2 pence per mile in fuel costs. Fast forward to today, with unleaded prices at 140 pence per litre, and the 1.0-litre Ford Focus five-door costs 10.8 pence per mile in petrol – 0.4p per mile less.

The Focus 100PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine achieves 58.8 mpg on the combined test cycle compared with 42.2 mpg on the 2008 model, while delivering the same power and more torque.

"The Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine changes the economics of family motoring, delivering exceptional fuel economy from a petrol engine. It's a time machine which takes you back to the days of lower fuel costs, without compromising power or driveability," said Andy Barratt, Ford Britain sales director.

Ford's new EcoBoost petrol engine uses the latest technology – including advanced turbo-charging and direct injection – to deliver the performance of a traditional 1.6-litre engine with the fuel economy of a 1.0-litre.

Being more conscious about the rising cost of fuel, UK motorists are becoming increasingly attracted to the most economical cars, which is, in part, encouraging manufacturers to develop more frugal models. Like Ford, many manufacturers have introduced start-stop systems, more efficient tyres and improved aerodynamics to help lower fuel consumption.

Newspress