Thanks to its widespread use and low emissions, the Ford ECOnetic lineup of cars, which are focused on low CO₂ emissions, got an OekoGlobe 2008 award in Germany. The award, given in the category of "mass produced car," was designed by environmental artist HA Schult. The ceremony took place at the DEVK insurance building in Cologne, Germany. Ford started its lineup of ECOnetic cars last February and the name is derived from ECOlogy and kiNETIC, the design theme that Ford is using for its latest creations. The first model to spot this label was the Focus, with a 1.6-liter diesel engine, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), fuel consumption of 4.3 l/100 km (55 mpg U.S.) and CO₂ emissions of 115 g/km. There's also a Ford Mondeo ECOnetic that emits 139 g/km and an upcoming Fiesta spotting 98 g/km. This is not the first time Ford has won this award; last year the company won thanks to its flex-fuel powertrains.

[Source: Ford Germany]

We're fully aware that Ford will be bringing the 62mpg, 98g/km CO₂ Fiesta Econetic to the British Motor Show. What was less noticeable was just how much faith Ford is putting into how this fuel-efficient little ride and the others in the Econetic lineup. As the release pasted after the jump makes clear, Econetic models and other eco-friendly rides are responsible for a 38 percent sales "surge" in the UK, and Ford says the upcoming Fiesta Econetic will - it is hoped - continue this success. Any good sales data much we music to the ears of Ford execs these days. You will find more details from Ford after the jump. For people who want a little more racing style with their Fiesta, Ford will also be bringing the Zetec S Red to the UK in a limited edition.


[Source: Ford]

British environmental site Whatgreencar has decided that nary a hybrid nor a tiny car should win their Car of the Year award. Instead, they chose the Econetic version of the Ford Focus. The Focus Econetic sports improved aerodynamics, engine lubrication and low rolling resistance tires to reduce fuel consumption. Whatgreencar's ratings range from 0 for the greenest vehicles to 100 for the most polluting and the Focus won with 33 points. Why? The 1.6-liter diesel, co-developed with PSA, produces 110 HP and still manages to make 65.6 mpg IMP (that's 4.3 l/100 km or 55 mpg U.S.), which leads to emissions of just 115 g/km of CO₂. Those emissions place the car between the Toyota Prius and the Peugeot 107/Citroën C1/Toyota Aygo 1.0-liter gasoline triplets. Find the complete press release after the jump.

[Source: Whatgreencar?]

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic

Think you know how to wring every last centimeter of distance out of the energy in your car's tank? Ford is ready for you to prove what you've got through the "Ford ECOnetic Smart Driving Challenge," which was announced today at the Eden Project's "Sexy Green Car Show." The test won't rely on your handwritten records of how much fuel you've purchased over the past year and compared it to your odometer. Instead, in a convenient bit of advertising, Ford will bring models from the Ford ECOnetic range around the UK this summer for six "regional smart driving events." See the full schedule after the break.

The six events will be made up of three parts. The 200 selected participants will be tested on their fuel consumption and CO₂ output in two rounds. Between the two, Ford and the Energy Saving Trust will provide greener driving tips. Regional winners will win a loan of a 1.6-litre Ford Focus ECOnetic and the overall winner gets an eco makeover for their home worth £10,000.

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Soon after the new Ford Fiesta launches in Eurpe in July, a version "with 99 grams per kilometer CO₂ will come very quickly," Ford of Europe Chairman Lewis Booth has told Automotive News Europe. This is the EcoNetic version of the Fiesta, which was announced at the Geneva Motor Show, and would essentially have "conventional technology" underhood, Booth said. By using options like low rolling resistance tires, different gear ratios and aerodynamic tweaks, a sub-100 g/km CO₂ version is possible.

The Fiesta is Ford's global small car, so the low-emissions option should be welcomed no matter where you live. In the U.S., Ford says the American Fiesta will be well-equipped and profitable right from the get-go. BusinessWeek is reporting today that the Fiesta might also soon makes its way to India.


[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

Click the S-Max for a high-res gallery

Ford has already sold 3000 Euro-market Focus ECOnetic models prior to the vehicle's official on-sale date. Many of these units are headed to businesses interested in lowering their fleets' carbon footprints. Because of the low added cost, the vehicles are proving to be more popular than expected; popular enough that Ford is rethinking how many ECOnetic Mondeos that they need to make. The Focus ECOnetic emits just 114 g/km of CO₂, and the new Mondeo is rated at less than 140g/km.

In other related news, Roelant de Waard, head of Ford U.K., says that an ECOnetic S-Max is a possibility, but don't expect any hybrids from Ford's outpost in Blighty. Instead, the EurOval is looking at stop/start technology and low-emission diesels, which have a proven track record of selling well in Europe.

[Source: Business Car]

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• EcoBoost.
• The ECOnetic brand, including the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, a car that emits under 100g/km of CO₂
• Flexifuel engines
• Compressed natural gas

These four items are the cornerstones of Ford of Europe's attempt to reduce the environmental impact of the Blue Oval across the pond. At the Geneva Motor Show today, Ford issued a wide-ranging press release (available after the jump) about the company's low-CO₂ targets. With Toyota continuing the all-hybrid line in Geneva and GM making their own waves with the Two-Mode BAS hybrid upgrade announcement today, the lack of a strong hybrid component is all too noticeable here. This is understandable considering the low popularity of hybrids in Europe today. Ethanol-capable and cleaner gasoline engines are the stars here, with CNG and LPG making an appearance as well. Will Ford's cornerstones be enough to win over increasingly eco-aware drivers?

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Ahead of the Geneva Motor Show next month, Ford has further elaborated on its sustainable mobility plans. Just as Ford execs like Derrik Kuzak have described here in the U.S. recently, Ford's European plan includes cost-effective solutions. With the intent to get large numbers of cars with reduced emissions and fuel consumption on the road as soon as possible, Ford intends to pursue some of the same strategies in Europe that it's using in the U.S. Last fall in Frankfurt, Ford announced plans to add an ECOnetic edition to each model in its lineup. The ECOnetic models would be optimized for ultra-low CO₂ emissions, with extra-efficient diesel engines, low rolling resistance tires, and other tweaks.

Ford will also offer their EcoBoost engines in European models. The EcoBoost engines were announced at the Detroit Auto Show and feature turbocharging and direct fuel injection on smaller displacement four- and six-cylinder engines. The EcoBoost engines will provide the power and torque of larger engines with much lower fuel consumption. By the end of 2008, Ford will have E85 flex-fuel engines to the Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy, bringing its total in Europe to five models. In certain markets where a fueling infrastructure is available, Ford will offer models that run on LPG or compressed natural gas, too.


[Source: Ford]

Ford has announced the complete range of ECOnectic models of its lineup. Besides the already known Ford Focus ECOnetic, which is good for 115 g of CO2 per km, with a new oil develped by BP which helps reducing even more engine friction, there are two new models.

First, a Ford Mondeo which has CO2 emissions that are kept under 140 g per km. Although unannounced, it will probably be fitted with the 1.8 liter TDCi engine tweaked for emissions.

Finally, the new small model (it seems it won't be named Fiesta anymore), based on the Verve concept, with announced CO2 emissions under 99 g per km.

Ford has announced that these models won't have a special premium over equivalent models (the base versions). Full release after the jump.

Related:

• Spy Photos: 2009 Ford Fiesta/Verve that's coming to the US!
• Ford of Europe releases what it calls a "ground-breaking" Product Sustainability Index Report
• Frankfurt Preview: Ford unveils Verve Concept

[Source: Ford]

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford will take the wraps off their own lineup of special low CO2 variants of their European model range. Joining VW's BlueMotion and GM's ecoFlex, Ford has created the ECOnetic brand for their cleanest models. The first one to hit the streets will be the Focus ECOnetic which will have CO2 emissions of just 115g/km.

The special Focus will be powered by a 1.6L, 109hp common rail diesel engine. Following the same path as the competitors, Ford will tweak the aerodynamics, lowering the ride height and use low rolling resistance tires. The Focus ECOnetic will average 54.7mpg (US) and will go into production by the end of 2007 and be on sale shortly after the new year. Other models in the ECOnetic lineup will be announced at Frankfurt in September.

[Source: Ford]