Sophisticated 48-volt mild hybrid technology is now available on the Ford Focus.
The new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid delivers 155 PS of power alongside 116 g/km CO2 emissions (WLTP) – a 17 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared with the outgoing equivalent combination of 150 PS 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission.
Also available in 125 PS power output, Focus EcoBoost Hybrid models replace the 1.0‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine’s standard alternator with a belt-driven integrated starter/generator, enabling recovery of energy usually lost during braking and coasting to charge a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack.
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The belt-driven integrated starter/generator also acts as a motor, integrating with the engine and using the stored energy to provide torque assistance during normal driving and acceleration, as well as running the vehicle’s electrical ancillaries.
The intelligent, self-regulating mild-hybrid system continuously monitors how the vehicle is being used to determine when and how intensively to charge the battery for optimal benefit, and when to utilise the stored battery charge.
The belt-driven integrated starter/generator has also enabled Ford engineers to lower the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine’s compression ratio and add a larger turbocharger for more power, by mitigating turbo-lag using torque supplementation that also rotates the engine faster for maintained turbocharger boost response.
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The more powerful belt-driven integrated starter/generator enables the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid’s auto start-stop technology to operate in a wider range of scenarios for even greater fuel savings.
In addition, Focus EcoBoost Hybrid powertrains feature the fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology that continues to support the available Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost.
Cylinder deactivation further enhances fuel efficiency by automatically switching off one of the cylinders when full capacity is not needed, such as when coasting or cruising with light demand on the engine.
Focus join Ford’s Puma, Kuga, and Fiesta passenger cars as well as Ford Transit and Transit Custom commercial vehicles in offering mild hybrid technology for enhanced fuel efficiency.
The carmaker says it’s committed to offering an electrified version of every passenger vehicle it brings to market in Europe and will grow its range of electrified vehicles in Europe to 18 on sale before the end of 2021, including mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
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Roelant de Waard, vice president, marketing, sales and service at Ford of Europe said: “Our electrified powertrains are designed not just to save drivers money on fuel, but also to boost the fun-to-drive character of our vehicles.
“The Focus EcoBoost Hybrid seamlessly integrates electric and petrol power for efficiency and performance that would have seemed the stuff of dreams just a few years ago.”
Customers can also continue to choose from 1.5-litre EcoBlue and 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines, with advanced eight-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions available.
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