Other renewables

Ford Tackle Future Car Challenge With New Transit Connect Electric

Three Ford vehicles will participate in the event, supported by the Royal Automobile Club, which rewards competitors that use the least energy on a 60 mile route from Madeira Drive, Brighton to Regent Street, London. Joining the Ford Transit Connect Electric, the Ford entry also includes ECOnetic versions of the Ford Fiesta Van and Ford Focus, both of which have emissions less than 100g/km of CO2 and can exceed 70mpg.

The event takes place ahead of the famous RAC Veteran Car Run and uses the identical route, but in reverse, with the Future Car Challenge ending among the veteran cars on display in Regent Street.

Transit Connect Electric

The Ford Transit Connect Electric is a zero-emission, pure electric-powered version of the award-winning Transit Connect light commercial vehicle and goes on sale in Europe in 2011.

It features a state-of-the-art lithium ion battery pack with a capacity of 28kWh and a chassis-mounted 55kW electric traction induction motor. With a range of up to 80 miles, it has a top speed of 75mph.

The Transit Connect Electric’s lithium-ion battery pack is charged via a standard power outlet – an onboard converter then charges the battery pack. Fully charging the batteries takes under 10 hours using a household 230 volt supply.

Focus ECOnetic

The Ford Focus ECOnetic targets customers prioritising low carbon motoring and high fuel efficiency. It features the Ford Eco Mode system as standard – a driver information system that encourages improved fuel economy.

The Focus ECOnetic has Smart Regenerative Charging and Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive) – technologies which combine to deliver lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. The Ford Auto-Start-Stop system is also available, which combines automatic engine start-stop operation with the car’s smart regenerative charging and advanced battery management systems.

Power comes from Ford’s 109PS (80kW) 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF). Target average CO2 emissions for the Auto-Start-Stop equipped car are as low as 99g/km, with a combined fuel economy of 74.2mpg*.

Fiesta Van ECOnetic

Ford’s super-frugal, stylish and ‘green’ Fiesta Van ECOnetic shows form can exist with function, offering the same Fiesta style with lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres and a specially calibrated Duratorq 1.6-litre TDCi for an ultra-low 98g/km CO2.

Made at Ford’s wind-powered engine plant at Dagenham, Essex, the cleverly calibrated 95PS version 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, combined with cDPF, delivers a combined fuel economy figure of 76.4mpg.*

Special improvements have been made to aerodynamics: lowered ride height and details such as low-drag wheel deflectors improve Fiesta’s already streamlined drag co-efficient of Cd0.33.

Graham Hoare, executive powertrain director, Ford of Europe, said: "Ford is developing a portfolio of vehicles offering customers affordable environmental technologies in vehicles they want and value.

"The RAC Future Car Challenge is a great opportunity to showcase our latest production-ready electric powertrains and internal combustion engine technology."

Ford has committed to introduce five full-electric and hybrid models in Europe by 2013 as part of its global electrification strategy. These include the Transit Connect Electric in 2011, the next generation Ford Focus Electric in 2012, followed by hybrid and plug-in hybrid derivatives of the all-new C-MAX and another hybrid-electric model in 2013.

www.ford.com