Ford Focus

With the Focus ECOnetic, Ford has shown that some useful cuts in fuel consumption and emissions can be achieved simply by refining existing technology. And these improvements have come without any penalties for the driving experience. As ever, the Focus performs brilliantly on the road. We’d have liked Ford to have pushed further by using a stop-start system, for example, but the results are still impressive.

Bluemotion, Greenline, ECOmotive... these days, manufacturers are tripping over themselves to produce greener versions of regular family cars. And Auto Express has got its hands on the most eagerly awaited model of all: the Ford Focus ECOnetic.

With rising forecourt prices and tightening emissions-based taxation, a hatchback that sips fuel miserly and emits as little CO2 as possible has never been more important.

So, as the Focus is the UK’s best-selling family model, the ECOnetic is one of the most important cars Ford has ever introduced. It’s powered by a 1.6 TDCi diesel, available in 89bhp and 108bhp outputs, and comes in every bodystyle except the saloon and CC.

Model-for-model, the latest Focus costs £250 more than an identically powered Style version, but promises lower fuel consumption and emissions. So do the sums add up?

The more aerodynamic a car is, the less drag it creates, so the engine doesn’t have to work as hard – and that’s the key behind the ECOnetic. Ford has tweaked the Focus’s aerodynamics, modifying the front bumper and lower grille, and adding new side skirts and a rear spoiler. Flush-fitting wheeltrims finish the visual changes, although these look rather cheap. Engineers have dropped the suspension, too, while narrow 195/65R15 tyres help to reduce rolling resistance. A further measure is the use of a low-viscosity transmission oil, which was developed in partnership with BP.

As for the TDCi, which comes with a diesel-particulate filter as standard, it’s business as usual. The five-speed manual is unchanged, too; in contrast, the Golf Bluemotion gets longer ratios.

We drove the 108bhp ECOnetic in five-door form, and were impressed by the results. Combined fuel economy is 65.6mpg – up 2.9mpg on the regular 1.6 TDCi – while CO2 emissions drop 4g/km to 115g/km. That means the newcomer costs £35 annually in vehicle excise duty and falls into the 13 per cent company car tax band. Also, come October, it will be exempt from the London congestion charge – although that applies to the regular 1.6 TDCi, too. Crucially, the ECOnetic beats the Golf Bluemotion on economy and emissions.

You won’t skimp on creature comforts, though. As standard, the Focus is equipped with air-con, curtain airbags, a punchy CD stereo and electric windows. On the road, the ECOnetic feels no different to the standard car. A glance at the performance figures reveals that the newcomer posts the same 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds, although those aero-dynamic tweaks raise the top speed slightly. More importantly, the diesel pulls strongly from low revs, makes light work of overtaking manoeuvres and cruises quietly on the motorway. It’s smooth, too, while the five-speed manual box is slick, with well spaced ratios.

As with other Focus models, the ECOnetic is great fun. It offers class-leading handling, sharp steering and decent grip, as well as a supple ride.

But do the sums add up? Well, this Focus makes sense for business drivers and fleet managers who are keen to limit costs. Most private buyers will be just as well off with the regular 1.6 TDCi, which is only slightly less economical, but also slips under the 120g/km CO2 barrier. We’re left with a nagging feeling that Ford could have gone a bit further, too. With Efficient Dynamics, BMW has proved there are even bigger benefits to be had, mainly due to the stop-start system it uses. But the ECOnetic is the cleanest and most economical car in its class – and for that it must be praised.