Ford Focus ECOnetic

Upgrades such as Ford’s new Auto-Start-Stop system bring many benefits to the Focus ECOnetic. And crucially, they do so without the driver having to make any compromises. It’s incredibly economical, cheap to run and qualifies for free road tax. While the Focus is starting to show its age a little, the model is still brilliant to drive. Yet the price tag is a serious concern. It’s going to deter many potential customers – not least because VW’s excellent, all-new Golf BlueMotion is so much cheaper.

THIS is the most efficient Focus ever. It’s the latest version of Ford’s super-green family hatch and, in a first for the blue oval, it uses stop-start technology.

The newcomer promises 74.2mpg fuel economy, and as it emits 99g/km of CO2, it’s exempt from road tax. So, the Focus ECOnetic is set to save motorists a packet.

Then again, it costs a hefty £19,995 to buy. Is it really worth over £2,000 more than VW’s latest Golf BlueMotion?

As with the outgoing ECOnetic, the new model gets a frugal 1.6-litre TDCi engine, lowered suspension, a subtle bodykit, aerodynamic wheel trims and low-rolling-resistance tyres. The turbodiesel has new injectors, a revised intake and engine management system, plus a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). It’s linked to a five-speed manual transmission with longer third, fourth and fifth gearing.

There’s also what Ford calls a Smart Regenerative Charging system – basically a clever alternator that keeps the battery topped up with energy generated when the car brakes or slows down. Plus, drivebelt friction has been reduced.

The unit is available with 89bhp or 108bhp, and the latter has the option of a £500 Auto-Start-Stop package. This is likely to become standard on most Fords in the coming years.

On the move, the ECOnetic is clearly well engineered. Come to a halt, put the gearlever in neutral, release the clutch and the engine shuts down. Press the clutch again and, thanks to a beefed-up starter motor, the powerplant fires up in a mere three-tenths-of-a-second, before you’ve even selected first gear. The process is completed almost imperceptibly, too.

On the road, the diesel’s 240Nm of torque means there’s plenty of urge whether you’re travelling on B-roads or motorways, and it’s easy to achieve amazing economy figures. The Michelin Energy Saver tyres make the ride very comfortable as well, even if they don’t have much outright grip.

Helping you drive more efficiently still is a gearshift light on the dash, to suggest the best point to change up. Then there is the Eco Mode – a system that rewards drivers’ cost-effective shifts, general anticipation and efficient motorway speeds by illuminating the petals of three digital flowers on the instrument panel. The more the flowers grow, the more efficient the motorist. And as with the rest of the car, the set-up soon becomes a part of your driving.

So the Focus ECOnetic is clearly a very tempting package. We’re just not sure buyers will warm to its price so easily.

Rival: VW Golf BlueMotion
stop-start and other tweaks help the green Golf return 74.3mpg and emit 99g/km. It’s a better all-rounder than the Ford, and also far cheaper, at £17,910 for the five-door.