Ford has expanded the Ford Focus range in Europe for 2020, ushering in a new Zetec trim option, enhanced infotainment and mild-hybrid technology that’s said to improve efficiency by up to 17%.
The existing 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine is being phased out to make way for a hybridised version of the Focus’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost unit that, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox, raises power 5bhp to 153bhp and emits 116g/km of CO2 on the WLTP cycle. It’s available on Titanium trim upwards from £23,610.
A 123bhp version, priced from £24,260, is also available. Both units are capable of 51.4mpg, a noticeable increase on the old engine’s 48.7mpg.
The Ecoboost Hybrid engine uses a variation of the existing 1.0-litre engine but swaps that unit’s alternator for a belt-driven integrated starter/generator, which recovers energy when braking and coasting to charge a 48V lithium ion battery.
Stored power is then used to provide extra torque while driving, as well as to run the car’s ancillary systems. The system automatically determines when to store and when to send its power reserves to a low-output electric motor, which supplements the torque of the petrol engine, boosting output by up to 50% at low revs.
The battery pack is located under the front seats, which, according to Ford, means cargo and passenger space is unchanged over the existing car's.
The engine itself has been modified for optimal efficiency and uses a lower compression ratio and a larger turbocharger, with the electric motor’s torque used to mitigate the effects of turbo lag.
Ford has also upgraded the car’s stop/start system to minimise fuel wastage. The engine will now restart in just 350 milliseconds after a stop and a new stop-in-gear function deactivates the engine when coasting to a stop with the clutch depressed.
The Focus is the fourth model in Ford’s passenger car portfolio, after the Ford Kuga, Ford Puma and Ford Fiesta, to adopt mild-hybrid technology, as the company maintains a commitment to electrifying all its European cars by the end of 2021. Expect both variants to arrive in dealerships in July.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Zetec was always available..
I see Will86 also pointed this out, the Zetec has always been available for the Focus. The change here is that Ford has added extra kit and called it the Zetec 'Edition' as they have with all their other trim levels.
Zetec isn't new
The zetec model has been available from launch. It might have been briefly dropped but not for long. As for the hybrid, is there some reduction in complexity by not having separate starter motor and alternator? Anything to recoup a bit of energy lost on braking seems sensible, though perhaps a back to back comparison would help.
Hybrids are inevitable
First it makes sense to increase efficiency by capturing and redeploying some of the energy normally wasted during braking. Furthermore it avoids or minimises the fines manufacturers must pay for breaching EU CO2 targets. Finally by using a combined starter generator in place of the usual separate components, there is a degree of mechanical simplification and minimal weight gain because the hybrid battery is small and light (compared with anything you'll find in an EV or plug in). There is probably a minimal cost penalty too, or there will be once manufacturers overcome their initial greed in charging more for that hybrid badge!
I agree
I agreewith Mikey C seems a bit of a con these mild hybrids (not just Ford) and Ford forget to mention the loss of the gem of a 1.5 182 engine.As for thenew Zetec its always been available in this shape just so poorly equiped in the paast no one knew.