Ford’s first global performance car will take centre stage next year with a starring role in new film blockbuster The Sweeney.

Flying Squad detectives Jack Regan (Ray Winstone) and George Carter (Ben Drew aka Plan B) will lead a cast of crime-busting officers as they give chase to London’s criminals in black Ford Focus ST hot hatchbacks.

Thanks to the Ford Focus ST’s 2.0-litre 250PS four-cylinder EcoBoost engine and explosive acceleration, the criminals will always struggle to make a clean getaway.

The new Ford Focus ST, which goes on sale in 40 countries from next year, was shown in final production-ready form at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Anthony Ireson, Ford Britain marketing director, said:  “The new Focus ST is a hugely exciting car for Ford with terrific dynamic credibility.  It will be a car for real driving enthusiasts, so Regan and Carter won’t be disappointed.”

Last month special early-build Ford Focus ST models were secretly delivered to The Sweeney set, joining Ford Mondeos, Galaxys and Transits also being used as unmarked vehicles.

Director and co-writer Nick Love, whose prior films include The Football Factory and The Firm, said:  “It was important for me to collaborate with Ford on The Sweeney as their legacy with the original TV show is so strong – they’re the perfect partner.  I like the Ford Focus ST so much, I want one!”

Ford’s strong link with the 1970s Sweeney TV series saw Regan, Carter and their Flying Squad colleagues using a string of Ford Granadas, Consuls and Cortinas to make the streets of London a safer place.

Production company Vertigo has the use of six Ford Focus ST models during filming, which is continuing until Christmas.  Set in modern day England, The Sweeney movie also features Hayley Atwell (from Captain America), Damien Lewis (The Escapist), Steven Mackintosh (Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans) and Paul Anderson (The Firm).

Ford’s newest sport utility vehicle unveiled as the Ford Escape in Los Angeles today, is destined for the US and Europe next year.  Its European equivalent, the Ford Kuga, will be shown in Geneva in March and will offer unique powertrains and features.

“We call our all-new Ford Escape the ‘Smarter Utility Vehicle’ because it offers the strengths that customers today really value – fuel economy, versatility and new technology that makes driving and living with the vehicle easier and more fun – all wrapped in a sleek, more modern design,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Ford understands that more people every year are looking at vehicles like Escape, and we want to give them even more reasons to buy.”

In addition to more cargo volume behind the first and second rows than today’s vehicle, the new Escape delivers:

• Eleven features no other small SUV offers
• Clever technologies including an available hands-free power liftgate that allows quick and easy access to cargo with the kick of a foot
• Projected best fuel economy of any US compact SUV, up to five mpg better than the previous Escape
• Driving dynamics that make the drive experience more engaging on-road and a new Ford Intelligent 4WD system that provides better traction off-road
• Sleek new design, with better interior materials and finishing touches

Escape technology makes life better

An array of clever technologies adds to the new Escape’s versatility, helping make life easier for its owners. Key features include:

• An available hands-free power liftgate brings new technology to the SUV market and is enabled by motion technology used in today’s video game systems. A gentle kicking motion under the centre of the rear bumper activates, unlocks and raises the liftgate when the driver has the Escape key fob. This allows quick and easy access to the cargo area. The same process closes the hatch
• SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® offers multiple ways for customers to manage and control information through voice commands, menus accessed through controls on the steering wheel, touch screens, buttons or knobs
• Parallel parking the Escape is virtually stress-free with active park assist. With the press of a button, the system detects an available parallel parking space and automatically steers the vehicle into the space. Drivers control only the accelerator and brake pedals
• Escape’s sensor-based BLIS^® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert, triggers a warning sound when a vehicle is detected entering a blind spot
• The all-new Ford Escape is the first Ford SUV to combine class-exclusive technology to  automatically slow the vehicle when it’s cornering too fast (Curve Control) or help accelerate through a turn (Torque Vectoring Control); a new Intelligent 4WD System helps deliver outstanding handling on pristine pavement and in adverse conditions as well, along with  excellent traction off-road

Spirited performance with outstanding fuel economy

In the US, Escape offers Ford’s broadest nameplate range of EcoBoost^® engine choices yet. Strong fuel economy comes from either the available 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine or 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine.  The European Ford Kuga powertrain line-up will be announced closer to launch.

Aiding fuel economy is Escape’s sleeker design. The new model is nearly 10 per cent more aerodynamic than the outgoing model.

Plus, the new Escape’s active grille shutter system, which is on all models with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost and 2.5-litre four-cylinder engines, reduces wind resistance. Grille slats stay open when extra engine cooling air is required, such as low-speed stop-and-go driving. When cruising on the highway at steady speeds, the grille slats automatically close to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

Versatility and capability come standard

Stowing and towing are even easier in the new five-passenger Escape, thanks to a low liftover height of 27in, more innovations and cargo volume that surpasses the outgoing Escape – with 68.1 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 34.3 cubic feet behind the second row.

The new Escape’s rear seats have been designed to fold flat easily. With the touch of a button, the head restraint folds down and with the lift of a handle on the seat, the seatback folds and dives as the seat folds flat and clicks into position.

Escape also features an available two-position load floor, which can be configured to allow the customer to choose among maximum luggage volume or flat load floor.

Engaging driving performance through seamless system

Using new advanced software and sensors, the new Intelligent 4WD system analyses data from 25 external signals, including wheel speed, accelerator pedal position and steering wheel angle, assessing road conditions and driver input 20 times faster than the blink of an eye.

The system uses all the sensor inputs to turn the vehicle in the direction the driver wants it to go. Intelligent 4WD builds on the pre-emptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch.

New SUV goes global

Following its world debut in Los Angeles, this new vehicle will head to Europe, where sales of compact sport utilities have grown 200 per cent since 2000. It will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March for European customers as the all-new version of the Ford Kuga and will have unique powertrains and features. Chinese customers also will see the all-new Kuga next spring.

“This all-new Ford model opens a new chapter in the world of SUVs,” Kuzak said. “By being smarter, this utility vehicle will help customers around the globe find better, easier ways to connect with technology, maximize fuel efficiency and find the versatility and capability they need and want.”

The all-new Ford Ranger combines the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, outstanding safety and the highest standards of quality and comfort. The new Ranger goes on sale next month from £15,515 (on-the-road, excluding VAT).

Ranger will be offered in three cab bodystyles – Double, Super and Regular – along with an extensive list of practical features that are available across XL, XLT, Limited and Wildtrak models. The pickup will also come in 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains.

Totally new from the ground up, Ranger was designed and developed to be best-in-class or amongst the leaders in every area important to customers, especially those whose use spans both work and leisure. Ranger now delivers more payload and class-leading towing capability and, at the same time, is fitted out with innovative and comfort features that a dual user has come to expect.

“The all-new Ranger is a perfect example of how our ‘One Ford’ global strategy works,” said Ford of Europe chairman and CEO Stephen Odell.  “Far from producing a vehicle that is compromised by the need to serve different market requirements, it was developed by drawing on resources, facilities and expertise from Ford locations around the world to deliver an excellent product that will satisfy customers everywhere.

“The range of qualities pickup customers demand from their vehicle is far greater than the differences in conditions from country to country.  The real challenge has been to build a Ranger that is tough and yet comfortable, rugged yet stylish, safe, technologically advanced and powerful, yet remaining affordable.  We believe the team has succeeded in every goal.  There is no compromise here.”

Developed for the world
Designed and developed by a global team headquartered in Australia, the new Ranger platform takes advantage of global Ford assets, particularly robust engines and six-speed transmissions proven in tough commercial-vehicle usage. The design and product development teams also had full access to Ford’s global capabilities, testing facilities and extensive pickup truck knowledge.

The collaboration was crucial in developing the all-new Ranger. Everything is new – engines, gearboxes, frame, suspension, steering system, brakes, chassis, exterior sheet metal and vehicle interior. The list continues with brand-new features for safety and passenger comfort.

“Ranger is truly all-new,” said Jim Baumbick, engineering director, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “Developing this pickup from scratch was an exciting opportunity that allowed us to benchmark what our competitors are doing, listen to what truck customers around the world want and deliver a vehicle that meets and exceeds expectations.”

Using latest computer technologies, the product development team conducted about 30,000 computer-aided assessments on areas such as safety, durability, ergonomics, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics during the virtual phase. Of these, 7,500 virtual assessments were carried out in the under-body to ensure a robust vehicle foundation and more than 10,000 virtual assessments on the upper-body to align styling and functional requirements.

Once Ranger prototypes were ready, they were tested extensively in 15 countries around the world to deliver a vehicle that is tough enough for the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback, provides confidence when driven on high-speed German autobahns and is reliable when driven for hours in the endlessness of the Argentinean Pampa.

Tested in places such as Australia, Dubai, Thailand, North America, Brazil, Sweden and South Africa, Ranger had to face severe heat and cold, monsoon rains, high altitudes as well as rushing rivers, arid deserts and potholed roads. Prototypes clocked more than a million kilometres on the road supported by countless hours of exhaustive testing in state-of-the-art laboratories.

Volume production was initiated in Thailand, for markets in the Asia Pacific region and followed by the newly revamped manufacturing facilities in South Africa, which produces Ranger for the home market and Europe, as well as emerging markets in Africa. Later this year, Argentina will begin production of the pickup for South America. Ultimately, Ranger will be sold in 180 markets, making it one of the farthest-reaching Ford products in the world.

‘21st Century Tough’ styling
Exuding power and confidence in a styling that the designers call “21st Century Tough”, the taut and muscular Ranger is equally at home on a construction site or outside an upmarket restaurant. Its front end features a short overhang with the signature three-bar grille, a global Ford truck design cue.

The windscreen has been raked back for a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, while the traditional square form of the truck has been sculpted to give the vehicle a more modern and aerodynamic look. Larger headlamps, bigger mirrors and stamped-in wheel lips provide an integrated look across all series and contribute to an aggressive and sporty stance.

Designers also raised the beltline significantly, along with the rails of the load box, giving the Ranger a substantive presence on the road while increasing its functionality with the deeper box. The Regular Cab and the Super Cab have the biggest box volume in its class at 1.82 cubic metres and 1.45 cubic metres respectively while the Double Cab is among the top with 1.21 cubic metres.

At 5,359mm long and 1,850mm wide, the new Ranger is bigger than the previous-generation model, but remains easily manoeuvrable on narrow city streets and during parking, thanks to a responsive steering system requiring no more than 3.5 turns of the wheel lock-to-lock – one of the best in the segment.

A smart and comfortable interior
The all-new Ranger offers a contemporary look and feel with features and comfort normally found only in passenger cars. Bold new interior surfaces are finished with materials that will stand up to the demands of a workhorse while delivering a lasting quality appearance.

The B-pillar in the Double Cab has also been moved forward, delivering best-in-class rear leg room and knee clearance. Three adults can easily fit in the second row of the Double Cab while two six-footers can comfortably sit one behind the other.

Making full use of the spacious interior, the Ranger Double Cab offers 23 storage spaces in the cabin – more practical stowage than any competitor. Its deep centre console bin is the biggest in its class at 8.5 litres and can cool up to six cans of beverage in models with a duct from the air-conditioning.

The glove box is large enough to accommodate a 16-in laptop computer, while door pockets can comfortably take 1.5-litre water bottles. Ample storage for mobile phones and other small items can be found in the console and in areas within easy reach of the driver. Underneath the rear seats, a convenient hidden storage area for tools can be easily accessed.

Poised to be a leader in innovation, the new Ranger comes with smart technologies that make the pickup easier, safer and more fun to drive. On selected models with Bluetooth®¹, USB and iPod®²connectivity, there is voice control over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, electronic air-conditioning and mobile phone functions. Dual-zone climate control and cruise control are available on the high series while selected models offer a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

More muscle at greater fuel efficiency
The all-new Ford Ranger powertrains have been engineered to give customers a superior combination of power and torque at class-leading fuel efficiency. Three new engines are available to suit every purpose and pocket.

Leading the way is Ranger’s new 3.2 litre five-cylinder diesel engine. With a flat torque curve giving higher levels of torque over a broad rpm, Ranger is able to pull full loads on the highway easily without having to change gear. Ninety percent of its peak 470Nm torque is available from 1,700 to 3,500rpm, providing better engine flexibility. The fuel consumption of the 3.2 litre engine in a combined cycle is ranging from 28.3mpg on a 4×4 manual transmission variant to 28.7mpg on a full-option 4×4 model with automatic transmission*.

For those who require an engine with a smaller displacement, the 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel engine delivers peak torque output of 375Nm and power output of 150PS by utilising variable geometry turbochargers that allow more accurate control of boost pressure over a wider operating range. This enables lower-end torque capability for improved launch and driveability while deliver the engine fuel efficient. When fitted to a 4×2 model, the 2.2 litre engine consumes 32.8mpg in a combined cycle*.

For the first time, selected Ranger diesel models will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission to provide reduced engine rpm and extend its range on long highway trips or in city traffic.

“Our all-new engine family bears out our commitment to make Ranger the clear choice for today’s pickup customer,” said Gary Boes, vehicle line director, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “We know they want more power, more torque, and we deliver all that – as well as increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.”

Class-leading capability
The all-new Ranger has been engineered and tested to ensure it can stand up to the toughest challenge. It can tow more, carry more, wade deeper and climb higher than many competitors.

In fact, Ranger’s towing and water-wading capabilities are right at the top of the segment. Ranger can tow up to 3,350kg on selected models with diesel engines while the 4×4 can wade through 800 millimetres of water even when fully laden. It also boasts outstanding payload capacity of more than 1,340kg on some 4×4 variants, as well as excellent ground clearance of up to 232mm.

For those aiming to go off the beaten track, Ranger’s superior off-road capability has been enhanced by an all-new front differential, a new upgraded rear axle and lower overall ratios. A robust electronically controlled transfer case – for both manual and automatic transmissions – allows drivers to shift on the fly from 4×2 to 4×4 high anytime via a knob on the centre console.

To give drivers even more confidence when going off-road, selected Ranger models come with a Traction Control System which maintains vehicle stability by maximising traction at each driven wheel. Unlike a limited slip differential, it is able to reduce the level of engine torque to the exact amount that can be delivered to the ground through the wheels as well as brake a spinning wheel completely, allowing all the available engine torque to the wheel, or wheels, with the most grip.

“Ranger’s rugged capability was purposefully engineered and carefully crafted into the pickup,” added Jim Baumbick. “We wanted to give customers a tough truck that they can truly rely on whether in high waters, on challenging terrains, or just commuting to work.”

New levels of ride quality and chassis control
The same level of detail that makes Ranger stand out in a crowd will set it apart from the competition with an entirely new chassis that provides even more capability along with car-like quietness, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability.

Up front, a new coil-over-strut suspension allows for better tuning of the upper and lower wishbone design. The suspension set-up, while similar for two- and four-wheel drive models, has unique capabilities and has been tuned with specific damper valving and spring rates on all models to compensate for weight, centre of gravity, engine torque and drive distribution.

Giving drivers more precise steering control, Ranger’s new rack-and-pinion steering system has been carefully tuned for low-speed manoeuvrability and responsive on-road driving.

Ranger more than holds its own in cabin quietness, an attribute not often associated with a pickup truck. From being better sealed and having stiffer doors than competitors to using sound-deadening materials in the doors, roof and body, Ranger introduces high levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) refinement.

Advanced safety protection
New to Ranger, selected models are equipped with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) using advanced sensors to continuously monitor the path the vehicle is travelling on and compares it to the path the driver want to follow, as indicated by the steering wheel.

Integrated into the ESP are other new control features that assist vehicle stability and control:

• Hill Descent Control: Helps the driver on steep downhill grades
• Hill Launch Assist: Helps the driver pull away on steep climbs
• Trailer Sway Control: Provides stability control when towing a trailer
• Adaptive Load Control: Optimal vehicle stability regardless of vehicle load
• Emergency Brake Assist: Provides additional brake pressure in emergency stopping manoeuvres
• Emergency Brake Light: Signals to other drivers by flashing the indicators when the vehicle decelerates quickly
• Roll-Over Mitigation: Helps prevent the vehicle getting into a roll-over situation

Ranger also offers new passive safety technologies, with the availability and array of airbags dependent on the model. Side curtain airbags are available on all cab styles for the first time.

These airbags deploy from the headliner to provide a protective cushion for the head of outboard occupants in the event of a side impact and the curtain is designed to protect both rows of occupants by covering the upper side structure and glass from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

Also available are newly designed side thorax airbags which deploy from the driver and front passenger seats, further cushioning the impact and reducing the crash forces experienced by occupants in the front seats. All-new frontal impact airbags are available for the driver and passenger, along with seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters.

“The all-new Ranger is the culmination of four years of hard work by almost 500 engineers in Australia and around the Ford world,” said Boes. “The Ranger has been designed, engineered and produced to lead in its segment. It is capable, comfortable, powerful, fuel-efficient, safe – and it is a pickup that anyone will be proud to own and confident to drive.”

• Fiesta Metal special edition on sale now priced from £15,695
• Produces 134PS from 1.6-litre, Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine
• 17-in black alloy wheels
• Piano Black painted centre stack bezel, air vent rings and interior door handles
• Ebony Black leather sports seats with silver contrast stitching
• Limited edition of 1,000 on sale in three colours

The latest Ford Fiesta range includes a new special edition 134PS hot hatch in the Metal model now on sale.

Priced from £15,695 on the road, and limited to just 1000 examples, the Ford Fiesta Metal boasts 134PS at 6,700rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,250rpm from its 1.6-litre, Duratec      Ti-VCT petrol engine, and can reach 62mph in just 8.7 seconds.

Anthony Ireson, Ford of Britain’s marketing director, said: “This Ford Fiesta special edition gives the customer great exterior styling with an enhanced performance engine. Customers love that we create Fiestas with special features that prove to be real head-turners.”

Based on the popular three-door 120PS Ford Fiesta Zetec-S, the Fiesta Metal boasts: chrome twin exhaust pipes, silver-painted front grille surround, front aerofoil and front fog light bezels, Piano Black painted centre stack bezel, air vent rings and door pulls, Ebony Black leather sports seats with silver contrast stitching, unique floor mats with silver piping, stainless steel door scuff plates with Fiesta logo, 17″ Black alloy wheels and sports tuning with lowered ride height.

The new Ford Fiesta Metal’s standard specification includes: Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Home Safe headlights, Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS), Intelligent Protection System (IPS), front, side and knee airbags and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).  It is available in Panther Black, Midnight Sky and Frozen White.

Ford is revealing its vision for a future high-performance Fiesta ST at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The Ford Fiesta ST Concept signals the next step in Ford Motor Company’s global performance vehicle strategy and hints at how a future Fiesta ST performance model might look when it joins the Focus ST in the global Ford small car portfolio.

The Fiesta ST Concept combines eye-catching, muscular and sporty styling with a dynamic sports chassis and a high-performance powertrain capable of delivering impressive fuel economy with low CO₂ emissions.

A global Fiesta ST would continue the proud, 35-year Fiesta history of delivering high performance thrills to small car customers. Iconic past models have included the Fiesta XR2 and XR2i, Fiesta RS1800 and RS Turbo and more recently the first generation Fiesta ST.

The bold and distinctive new three-door Fiesta ST Concept embodies the spirit of Fiesta’s high-performance history while infusing the latest model with dynamic, futuristic looks and innovative technology.

“The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models so a new ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Fiesta ST Concept continues that tradition by showing how a global performance version of our best-selling B-car can be both technically advanced and dramatically styled.

“With a racing silhouette inspired by the global Fiesta race and rally cars currently competing on the world stage, and influenced by the unique appearance of the all-new Focus ST, the new Fiesta ST Concept is an exciting demonstration of the road-going Fiesta’s future potential.”

WRC-inspired, EcoBoost-powered
With the Fiesta RS World Rally Car and Fiesta Rallycross cars currently demonstrating the potential of Ford’s global small car in the toughest of international motorsport events, there could be no better time for Ford to offer customers a glimpse of what is also technically possible with the road-going Fiesta.

Like Ford’s World Rally Championship contender, the Fiesta RS WRC, Fiesta ST Concept uses a 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine to deliver performance every bit as breathtaking as the vehicle’s striking design.

The use of a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit in the Fiesta ST Concept and Ford’s EcoBoost downsizing strategy in general reflects not only the current WRC engine guidelines, but also the trend within international motorsport to deliver greater fuel economy through technical advancement.

As with all engines in the EcoBoost family, the Fiesta ST Concept’s advanced engine combines turbocharging and direct injection to deliver the powerful performance of a larger capacity traditional petrol engine.

Like the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine that will power the forthcoming Ford Focus ST, the 1.6-litre EcoBoost in the Fiesta ST Concept also features Twin-independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and has been specially developed to provide power and torque worthy of the ST badge.

For the Fiesta ST Concept, the 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost engine achieves a target power output of 180PS with 240Nm of torque, enough to propel the concept vehicle from 0-100km/h in less than 7 seconds. A top speed exceeding 220km/h is possible.

Yet the advanced design of the turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine – connected to a 6-speed manual transmission – means the Fiesta ST Concept is also able to deliver target CO₂ emissions of lower than 140g/km.

Improving fuel economy and emissions remains one of the driving factors behind Ford’s continuing development of the EcoBoost engine family, with the Fiesta ST Concept proving that responsible and attractive fuel economy need not come at the expense of performance.

• Ford’s first global performance car, the new five-door Focus ST, debuts in production-ready form at Frankfurt, and is joined by a stylish ST Wagon for the European market
• Focus ST five-door will launch around the world in 2012 and be sold in over 40 markets
• Performance comes from a powerful 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, providing impressive levels of power – 250 PS – and 360 Nm of torque
• The fuel-efficient new 4-cylinder engine helps Focus ST cut CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous-generation European Focus ST
• Focus ST builds on the DNA of the Sport Technologies badge, combining strong performance, fine handling dynamics, eye-catching style and the refinement needed for everyday use

The covers finally came off the production version of the dramatic new Focus ST five-door today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, revealing the performance car that enthusiasts around the globe are waiting for.

European customers can also choose a stylish wagon version of the Focus ST, which will launch alongside the five-door model in 2012.

The Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car, building on the heritage of previous Focus ST models in Europe and evolving it to allow drivers around the world to experience and enjoy the exhilarating performance, unrivaled handling, addictive sound and muscular sports design that the ST badge represents.

With innovative design and technology throughout, the new Focus ST will be more powerful and surprisingly fuel efficient, raising the bar once again when it comes to handling too. For drivers who want refinement for everyday use but with exhilarating performance on tap, the passion, enthusiasm and expertise of Ford’s Global Performance Vehicles group shines through and makes the new Focus ST the most rewarding and obvious choice.

“The new Focus ST is a really exciting car for Ford,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles. “It’s the first performance model to build upon the design and technology strengths of one of our new global production vehicles. It’s a car built for driving enthusiasts all around the world and they will not be disappointed.”

Making its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Ford Evos Concept represents the ultimate expression of Ford’s new global design language, and explores key future powertrain and vehicle technologies.

Created as a bespoke concept vehicle, the fastback introduces Ford’s first truly global design language as the momentum of the company’s One Ford product plan continues to build.

“The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. 

“With its compelling design and innovative technology experience, this is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand. While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products around the world will display many of the distinctive design ideas and advanced technologies it showcases.”

Technology vision for enriched customer experience

Ford Evos Concept is not just a design-led exercise. It also embodies the global Ford product development team’s move to design and develop vehicles as more than just an interior and exterior, or a collection of attributes.

“Our goal is to focus on enriching a customer’s every experience with their vehicle – by personalising it, adapting it, and creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them,” said Kuzak. “In the Ford Evos Concept, this objective is explored and extended to the area of connectivity, where the intent is not to convert the vehicle into a smartphone, but rather to provide personalised and safe connection to the outside world in an enriching manner designed totally for the vehicle context.”

Ford’s global Research and Innovation team, led by Paul Mascarenas, was tasked with building Evos Concept around a technology experience as visionary as the design. The result signals how Ford intends to build on the momentum of innovations like the SYNC in-car connectivity system.

“At Ford, the future of technology in the car will be defined by the experience that it delivers to the driver and passengers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. “We see technology as more than just an impressive list of microprocessors, sensors and software; it’s about the application of that technology to create an experience that enhances the driver’s time behind the wheel.”

The concept’s technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories.  Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information is at the heart of the vision for its capabilities.

“The possibilities are fascinating when we explore how to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and car linked by access to the driver’s personal information,” Mascarenas said.

With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an exceptionally dynamic driving experience.

Ford researchers are focusing their efforts in this area to deliver on four key customer benefits: personalisation, seamless enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver’s well-being and delivering smart electrified powertrain optimisation.

Six street artists brought Glasgow City Centre to a standstill yesterday, transforming a brand new Ford Focus into a four-wheeled, vividly-coloured work of art.

Working from a temporary public ‘studio’ outside the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in Buchanan Street, the artists Lyken, FiST, Syrkus, Rue 5, Death Rattles and Al White, who are from the city’s Independent Recoat Gallery, spent six hours producing the artwork that will now be featured for the next month, as part of the Ford Centenary Tour.

Recoat Gallery manager, Amy Whiten, said: “The artists we have at Recoat have been doing great work in Scotland and we are delighted to get the chance to show what we can do.  We’ve worked on a few different vehicle projects but this is the first time the artists have collaborated on completely restyling the paint job of a car.”

The Ford Centenary Tour is an exhibition charting the company’s unique history in the UK and its future plans.  It will visit 20 UK locations, including Ford plants and dealers, as it makes contact with Ford customers, employees and enthusiasts from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands to Plymouth on the south coast.

The tour, which got underway in London last week, runs until September 18, finishing at the Goodwood Revival in Chichester, West Sussex.

A Ford survey of British motorists reveals a lack of confidence behind the wheel.

While women believe themselves to be the safest drivers, many male and female motorists confess to potentially dangerous driving habits.

The majority of drivers reckon they could not easily pass the driving test if they took it today, with the newly qualified having the least belief in their ability to pass a second time.

Ford active safety technology

Ford’s Active City Stop, available on the all-new Ford Focus, is an example of one active safety technology operating when the driver is distracted or unable to brake or respond quickly enough.  Active CityStop assists in slow moving traffic at speeds of under 20mph. If its sensors detect the car in front has stopped unexpectedly, the car applies the brakes automatically.

Voice control is available on all Ford cars today and is standard on the all-new Focus range (from Edge to Titanium X), enabling the radio station or music track to be changed, climate control adjusted and a phone call to be made – all without the drivers taking their eyes off the road.

Ford’s survey reveals an interest in future technologies such as the vehicle automatically dialling the emergency services in the case of an accident (a feature of the SYNC system which will be available on Ford vehicles in Europe in 2012) or inflatable rear seats belts.

Men or women:  who’s safer on the road?

Nearly half of all women believe they are safer behind the wheel, a view shared by only one in five males.

Adrian Walsh, director of motoring safety partnership RoadSafe, said: “Women are generally much safer drivers than men; every piece of substantial research done on this subject reveals that. Fundamentally it’s because they take fewer risks.”

Driving test anxiety

Around 67 per cent of drivers are not confident they would easily pass the driving test if they had to take it again today.  Worryingly this is highest amongst the newly qualified, with 73 per cent of 17 to 24 year olds not confident of passing a retest.

Said Adrian Walsh: “The driving test is primarily about skills, it’s not a measure of motoring attitudes. It’s the attitude this age group takes to risk which has a negative impact on road safety.

“Males aged 17 to 24 are high risk drivers, and so are involved in proportionately many more accidents.

“There is a need for people to learn again how to drive. Advanced driving lessons are an extremely good idea.”

Bad British driving habits

The most dangerous pastime at the wheel is texting (including posting messages on social networks using a handheld phone).  The 10 per cent of UK drivers texting on the move doubles among 17 to 24 year olds.

The data shows other hazardous behaviours are frequently displayed at the wheel.  Motorists confess to being driven to distraction: changing the CD or radio station is the most common habit (by 60 per cent), followed by driving with one hand (40 per cent), eating and drinking on the move (30 per cent), driving when tired (20 per cent) and talking on a handheld phone (10 per cent).

When asked which features and new technologies would make drivers feel safest, respondents ranked airbags first (32 per cent), Active City Stop (19 per cent) and voice control (11 per cent).

Britain’s best-selling small car, the Ford Fiesta, continues to expand its appeal with the launch of an exciting new special edition, the “Centura”, which builds on the most popular model and engine choice in the UK.

The Centura celebrates the 100^th anniversary of Ford in Britain, and, available exclusively in black, it pays tribute to the first Ford vehicles to be manufactured in the UK, the Model T in 1911.

Based on the Ford Fiesta Zetec, the Centura boasts a comprehensive list of additional standard equipment valued at £600, including metallic Panther Black paint, chrome mirror and door caps, LED daylight running lights, 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels,  automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers,  reverse parking sensors and a parking camera mounted in the rear view mirror.

Just 1,000 Ford Fiesta Centura special editions will be available, priced at £13,395 for the three-door version and £13,995 for the five-door. The Ford Fiesta remains the UK’s best-selling car with 52,327 sold in the first half of this year.

Anthony Ireson, marketing director, Ford of Britain, said: “Fiesta has been a UK favourite its entire lifetime and it was a natural choice to use this great icon to help mark our centenary. With a unique specification and affordable price, the Centura will appeal to thousands of customers, and we anticipate strong demand – who knows it might even become a collector’s car one day!”

The Ford Fiesta Centura 1.25-litre 82PS petrol engine is exempt from vehicle excise duty in the first year.

Access to the all-new Ford Focus range becomes easier with the arrival of the all-new Focus Studio which goes on sale in September, as customers rush for new “61-plate” cars.

This latest addition extends the all-new Ford Focus range to five series, with prices from £13,995 for the Focus Studio to £24,000 the top-of-the-range Titanium X with six-speed Powershift automatic transmission and 163PS TDCi engine.

This newcomer replaces the popular Ford Focus Sport, a final special edition of the previous model which has been on sale since October 2010 and reached sales of 15,000.

Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain managing director, said: “With the high end of the new Focus range fully established, we are now making it easier for customers to get behind the wheel at the entry level – and this new Studio model is not only affordable but it is also well equipped, attractive and economical too.”

Standard equipment on the all-new Focus Studio includes 16in sports-style alloy wheels, body-coloured rear spoiler, radio/CD player, USB connectivity, air-conditioning, electrically-operated body-coloured door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, electrically-operated front windows, Ford Easy Fuel ‘capless’ refuelling, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with torque vectoring control.

The Studio will be offered as a five-door hatchback with 85PS 1.6 Ti-VCT powertrain, delivering a fuel efficient 47.9mpg.  There will be three colour choices – Panther Black, Moondust Silver and Frozen White.

The all-new Focus estate which has joined the Focus five-door, is set to be a popular choice among British customers with 2,000 orders already confirmed.

Since Ford Focus launched in October 2008 selling over 1.4 million to end of May, 2011, Focus estate sales of 179,000 have accounted for around 12.5 per cent.  The all-new Focus estate is a stylish addition to the range and expected to increase this mix to 18 per cent.

Mark Simpson, Ford Britain marketing director, said: “The all-new Ford Focus has been a big hit with UK customers looking online and visiting dealerships and our attractive Focus estate completes the line up for them. The new Focus estate’s athletic looks gives the car its own unique personality and we believe will broaden its appeal.”

The Ford Focus estate brings the same class leading levels of technologies as that of the five-door, with many of the features new to the mainstream medium car market.  These include the optional £750 Driver Assistance Pack comprising seven advanced technologies – Active City Stop, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Information System, Auto High Beam and Driver Alert.

The estate is also available with the same choice of low-CO₂ powertrain options. These include the 1.6-litre TDCi 115PS engine which comes equipped with standard Auto-Start-Stop and has CO₂ emissions starting at just 109g/km.  Sales of this powertrain account for 43 per cent of all-new Focus in the UK.

The new Ford Focus range also includes the state-of-the-art new 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost 150PS turbo-charged direct injection petrol engine, which debuted on the C-MAX last year.  This is one of a new generation of global, downsized, high-efficiency, low-CO₂ petrol engines which deliver the strong low-end torque and responsive performance of a large capacity engine, but with the size, weight and fuel economy of a much smaller unit.

The Ford Focus estate is both dynamic and practical offering the extra space and flexibility customers expect.  Compared to the five-door it is 20cm longer, has 10cm greater width between the wheel arches and a maximum load capacity of 1,502 litres (in two-seat mode). The estate therefore provides generous interior accommodation for both passengers and their luggage.

Priced from £17,100 on-the-road, the all-new Focus estate comes with over £1,000 additional standard equipment versus the equivalent outgoing model, including Bluetooth and voice control, USB connection, DAB, Thatcham Category 1 alarm, aluminium roof rails, tonneau cover, driver lumbar adjust and torque vectoring control all as standard.

Ford is expanding its industry-leading range of fuel-efficient powertrains with the addition of an all-new 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder, developed in Europe – the smallest engine Ford has ever built.

Additionally Ford confirms that its next generation of hybrid vehicles, including the C-MAX in 2013, will have a Ford-designed, engineered and built transmission.

The arrival of the latest member of the EcoBoost family, and Ford’s new hybrid transmission, will further strengthen the company’s line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles. Introducing the powertrain newcomers, Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development, said the three cylinder in-line powerpack was developed in Europe for worldwide application and is a significant addition to Ford’s EcoBoost range of engines.

“In the last five years, we have made a record investment in new powertrains and fuel-saving technologies,” he said. “Today we have the freshest powertrain line-up in the industry. And there is plenty more coming.”

The new engine has already been confirmed for the new Ford B-MAX, which goes on sale in the UK during 2012, and is also destined for global applications on a number of the company’s other small cars.

Ford’s smallest engine yet

Engineers at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in the UK were responsible for developing the new EcoBoost 1.0-litre as a cornerstone of the ambitious EcoBoost petrol engine family.  Technically advanced, it is a super-efficient three-cylinder engine that delivers the same performance as a four-cylinder, but with much higher fuel economy and lower emissions.

To achieve this, engineers at Dunton, Essex, Ford’s global centre of excellence for small-capacity engines, focused on improving thermal efficiency and reducing friction of the engine’s internal moving parts, especially during warm-up. That is when an engine emits higher levels of CO₂ and other pollutants. The new engine introduces many new technologies that could be part of the DNA of future Ford engines.

Technology powerhouse

Joe Bakaj, vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering, said the new 1.0-litre engine, might be small in size, but is big on advanced technology.

“No one has ever built a three-cylinder engine quite like this.It’s one of the most technically advanced and efficient engines we’ve ever designed,” Bakaj said.  “The new engine introduces many new technologies that could be part of the DNA of future Ford engines.”

The 1.0-litre engine offers a number of innovative efficiency solutions:

• An offset crankshaft that reduces friction
• An advanced, Ford-designed split cooling system that allows the cylinder block to warm up before the cylinder head. Faster cylinder block warm-ups save fuel, especially in cold weather
• An exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head. The one-piece assembly lowers the temperature of the exhaust gases. This enables the engine to run in a wider rpm band with the optimum fuel-to-air ratio. The new design also saves weight and allows the engine to operate more smoothly
• EcoBoost technologies, such as turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT)

For comparison, the newest member of Ford’s global EcoBoost engine family has about the same displacement as a touring motorcycle engine. Ford has never before built a regular production car with fewer than four-cylinders.

“Drivers are going to like the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost because it delivers great low-speed responsiveness, power, torque and smoothness,” said Bakaj.

More details of the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be released in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

New hybrid transmission

Ford has also announced that it is to begin production of a new transmission, specifically for installation in its upcoming hybrid vehicles, later this year. To be manufactured at the Van Dyke plant in Detroit, full production will be under way by the first quarter of 2012. The new transmission replaces a unit currently made in Japan and used today in Ford and Lincoln hybrid vehicles available in North America.

The new hybrid transmission is Ford–designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built. An electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), the new hybrid unit will offer improved performance over the current unit, with a greater top speed on electric only power and a longer range.

“It’s absolutely essential for Ford to further develop its core competencies in engineering electrified powertrains,” Kuzak said.  With this new transmission and assembly of battery packs at our Rawsonville, Michigan plant, Ford will be positioned well to meet the quality and performance requirement of future electric and hybrid vehicles,” Kuzak said.

The recently refreshed Ford Mondeo range is now offering powertrain enhancements to the UK market leader’s flagship large car.

Spanning 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2-litre displacements, the latest engines feature emissions which are lower by up to 20 per cent than earlier models.

“The introduction of our new small displacement diesel engine to Mondeo, and Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop system, are important steps towards meeting customers’ demand for performance, comfort and refinement coupled with outstanding fuel economy,” said Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain fleet director.  “The Ford Mondeo’s powertrain line-up reflects the 1.6 engines’ all-round capability, while its 2.0 range offers unprecedented performance.”

Auto-Start-Stop

Both the Ford Mondeo’s 1.6 115PS TDCi diesel and EcoBoost 160PS petrol units boast Auto-Start-Stop as standard.  The diesel’s CO₂ emissions of 114g/km, equating to 65.7mpg for both five-door and estate bodystyles, make it the most frugal Mondeo ever.

Emissions have been reduced by 12 per cent, or 25g/km, compared with the 2.0-litre 140PS diesel engine.  Other Ford ECOnetic Technologies contributing to this achievement are an aero kit including lowered suspension, smart regenerative charging, Active Grille Shutter and Eco Mode driver feedback.  The new 1.6-litre TDCi delivers 270Nm of torque (290Nm with overboost) from 1750-2500rpm.

Ford’s new EcoBoost petrol engines combine three technologies, which enable a smaller displacement to offer fuel economy benefits and more power than conventional larger capacity versions.  Direct injection, turbo charging and variable cam timing mean the Mondeo’s 1.6 EcoBoost delivers up to 160PS, 44.1mpg and 149g CO₂/km – 20 per cent better than the 2.0-litre 145PS petrol.

Ford Auto-Start-Stop system can reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to five per cent in mixed driving conditions. In an urban environment and in heavy traffic with frequent stops, the savings could increase to as much as 10 per cent.

Ford Auto-Start-Stop features an enhanced, durable starter motor to support the increased number of engine starts and a high performance Improved Flooded (IF) Battery with a Voltage Quality Module (VQM).  This maintains the energy supply to electrical components such as the entertainment system during engine restart.  In addition a Battery Monitoring System (BMS) continuously checks the battery charge and communicates with the Auto-Start-Stop function, so the system leaves the engine running in the event that the battery does not have sufficient charge.

The Auto-Start-Stop system’s sensors detect when the driver performs an action that signals the intent to drive off, such as pressing the accelerator or clutch pedal.  As soon as the driver prepares to move away, the engine starts almost instantly – it only takes around 0.3sec to fire up. The process is virtually imperceptible, and happens before gear selection is completed.

High performance options

Following the 2.0-litre EcoBoost 203 and 240PS range-topping petrol choices announced at the launch of the new Ford Mondeo, a premium 2.2 TDCi 200PS diesel has been added to the Titanium series.

This performance engine provides 420Nm of torque (450Nm with overboost) while retaining fuel economy at an impressive 47.1mpg.  The diesel flagship is available with Ford’s smooth-operating six-speed automatic transmission for a powerful yet relaxed driving experience.  The renewed auto box is a second generation of the well-proven Durashift 6-tronic transmission. This torque converter transmission is a perfect match for the torquey 2.2-litre unit.

Ford dealers will soon start selling the new estate version of the all-new Ford Focus, with full production now underway.

The new German-built model is being shipped to dealers for sale from late May. Customers will then have a choice of two dynamic and attractive bodystyles – five-door and estate – to suit their lifestyles.

“Customer and media reception for the all-new five-door Focus has been exceptional, and we expect an equally enthusiastic welcome for the estate model,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.

“Ford dealers across Europe are seeing strong demand as they launch the new Focus range, with well over 20,000 customer orders by early April – and this figure is rising fast.

“New Ford Focus brings class-leading levels of technology, design and driving quality to the medium car market, and the estate will deliver these same qualities to an even broader group of customers,” he added.

Dynamic and Practical Estate

The attractive Ford Focus estate is an important model for the UK market, with about 15 per cent of all Focus customers forecast to choose this bodystyle.

“The estate has always been a key strength of the Ford Focus range in Europe and its popularity is second only to the five-door,” said Gunnar Herrmann, who oversaw the development of the new Focus as Ford’s global medium car line director.

“Customers want the extra space and flexibility a traditional estate provides, but still expect all the technology, great driving dynamics, and superb styling of the five-door.

The new Focus estate provides a balance of dynamic looks and functional practicality. Standard full-length integrated aluminium roof rails enhance the estate’s attractive kinetic design, while the tailgate neatly incorporates a compact roof spoiler.

Stylish and Spacious

The spacious interior has been carefully designed to offer generous accommodation for both passengers and their luggage.

At 2,648mm, the estate shares the same wheelbase as the five-door model, but to accommodate a larger load area, overall length is increased by 198mm to 4,556mm. This provides valuable extra space, without sacrificing the compact overall dimensions of the Focus.

With the rear seats in place the estate has a large, regular load compartment, with a volume of 476 litres.  The rear seats offer a flexible 60/40 split and have a convenient ‘flip and fold’ mechanism to tip the seat cushion forward and create a flat load platform with the seat backs.  In two-seat mode, the maximum load capacity is a substantial 1,502 litres (luggage volumes quoted with standard mini spare wheel).

The suspension layout, with inclined monotube dampers, enables the lowest possible floor height, while also maximising load width between the wheel arches. The estate can accommodate loads measuring 1,149mm wide, an increase of 119mm compared with the five-door model.

Flexible and Versatile

In keeping with its family car character, the new Focus estate is available with a comprehensive range of features.

Customers can tailor the load compartment with a variety of accessories, from floor liner mats and luggage nets to dog guards and load retention barriers.

The standard polished aluminium roof rails provide the stylish basis for a complete roof carrier system, including dedicated cross bar fittings to transport everything from bicycles to skis.

For the comfort and safety of younger passengers, the driver can be reassured by convenience features like the rear seat belt minders – to alert the driver if rear seat passengers are not securely belted in – and power operated rear door child locks.

Full Choice of Low-CO₂ Powertrains

The estate is available with the same exciting choice of low-CO₂ powertrains and smart technology features as the all-new five-door Ford Focus.

The powertrain line-up includes the state-of-the-art new 150PS 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost turbocharged direct injection petrol engine, and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer significant reductions in fuel consumption compared to the outgoing model.

In addition to the highly efficient petrol and diesel powertrains, the new Focus range also incorporates other features from Ford ECOnetic technologies to help minimise fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

All vehicles with 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol and 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engines are equipped with standard Auto-Start-Stop, meaning CO₂ emissions at 109g/km on the diesel model.

Unprecedented Level of Smart Technologies

The new estate also benefits from unprecedented investment in vehicle technologies, which has resulted in the Focus line-up offering customers an exciting array of advanced features generally found only in larger, more expensive vehicles.

Some of the key innovations in the all-new Focus include:

• Low Speed Safety System – available for the first time in a Ford, this system is designed to help drivers avoid the kind of low speed collision when a car drives into the rear of the vehicle in front. It uses a forward-facing infra-red laser mounted next to the rear view mirror to detect objects in front of the car. If the system foresees that a collision is imminent, it pre-charges the brakes. If the driver does not react, the brakes are then automatically applied and the throttle is released.
• ActiveParkAssist– an advanced new system which automatically steers the vehicle into parallel parking spaces.  The system uses two ultrasonic sensors to scan for large enough gaps between parked cars. Once a suitable gap has been identified, the driver is informed and clear parking instructions are shown in the centre console display. The driver controls the accelerator and brake, and selects a forward or reverse gear, while the system turns the steering wheel completely automatically.
• Lane Departure Warning – using a forward facing digital camera, this feature is designed to warn the driver via a vibration in the steering wheel if it detects an unintentional drift out of the lane. The camera system continuously monitors the vehicle’s position relative to the road markings.  If the vehicle drifts from the centre of the lane, and the system does not detect an obvious lane-change manoeuvre or use of the indicators, the vibration alert is triggered.
• Lane Keeping Aid– this advanced feature extends the functionality of the Lane Departure Warning system by using the steering system to actively steer the vehicle very smoothly and precisely back into the lane, rather than just triggering an alert.
• Traffic Sign Recognition – this system uses the digital camera to identify traffic signs on either side of the road and on bridges, providing the driver with information about the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking regulations via the instrument cluster display.
• Auto High Beam– this feature switches the headlamps automatically between high beam and dipped beam, helping the driver to maximise visibility.
• Driver Alert– this system uses the digital camera to detect when a driver is becoming tired or even falling asleep.  By monitoring the vehicle’s position relative to the road markings, the system can recognise the kind of sideways drifting which is typical when a driver is feeling drowsy or their concentration levels start to drop. If this is detected, the system alerts the driver.
• Adaptive Cruise Control – a radar-based cruise control system which helps to maintain a comfortable distance to other vehicles. If the system detects that the vehicle in front is slowing down or is too close, it decelerates automatically to maintain the preset distance.

The exciting all-new Ford Ranger pick-up enters the stage on the Ford stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK, ahead of its European sales launch later in 2011.

New from the ground up – with everything changed except its name –the Ranger has been engineered to combine the model’s traditional strength and durability with increased loading capability, improved performance and economy, enhanced comfort and safety, smarter technology and a tough new look.

The all-new Ranger is the first commercial vehicle to be built under the One Ford strategy as part of a global product programme, bringing together the full engineering expertise of Ford around the world. Developed in Australia, it will be produced in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina for sale in more than 180 markets worldwide.

Outstanding range of versatile, capable pick-ups

New Ranger will be offered as a complete family of pick-up models with a choice of three versatile cab body styles – Single Cab, RAP (Rear Access Panel) Cab and Double Cab – along with the option of 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, two ride heights and up to five series choices to suit every pocket and market.

European customers will have a choice of two new state-of-the-art Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels which deliver improved power, torque and fuel efficiency: 2.2-litre (150PS and
375Nm) and 3.2-litre (200PS and 470Nm).

Building on Ranger’s long-standing reputation for strength and dependability, the all-new model offers an outstanding depth of capability. A larger load box offers increased carrying volume with all cab styles; generous towing capacity ranging up to a best-in-class 3350 kg; and models with the 2.2-litre diesel have an outstanding payload capacity of up to 1333 kg.

Improved comfort, technology and safety

The all-new Ford Ranger is just as much at home on a leisure trip as it is delivering goods to a construction site, and the new model redefines the level of comfort, technology and safety that customers can expect from a hard-working pick-up.

A completely redesigned cabin offers generous space and superb craftsmanship, and is packed with the kind of smart technologies which are more commonly found on contemporary passenger cars. These range from features like satellite navigation, Bluetooth®connectivity and voice control, to the Rear View Camera System with a display integrated in the rear view mirror which is unique in the pick-up class.

With its incredibly strong high-strength steel passenger cell structure and advanced restraint systems – including new side curtain airbags and thorax-protecting front-seat side airbags fitted as standard across all cab styles in Europe – the all-new Ranger has been engineered to deliver class-leading safety performance.

The new model also utilises a whole suite of technologies to enhance active safety, including features like Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control, and a carefully tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system to help the vehicle keep its wheels sturdily planted on the road under all conditions.

Built tough, for total dependability

Built to last, the all-new Ranger has undergone one of the toughest development and testing regimes ever undertaken for a vehicle of this type.

Tested in Australia, Dubai, Thailand, North America, South America, Sweden and South Africa, it had to face severe heat and cold, monsoon rains, high altitudes as well as rushing rivers, arid deserts and potholed roads. Prototypes clocked more than a million kilometres on the road, supported by countless hours of exhaustive testing in laboratories.

Combine this hard-earned dependability with the new model’s impressive fuel economy, and the Ranger offers European customers a highly competitive package with attractive lifetime ownership values.

“Since it was introduced to Europe in 1997, the Ford Ranger has established itself as a major player in the European pick-up segment,” said Jesus Alonso, Ford of Europe’s director for Commercial Vehicle Marketing, Sales and Service. “This all-new model will reinforce the reputation of the Ranger brand with its bold new appearance, improved depth of capability for hard working businesses, and new levels of comfort, technology and safety. And with a significantly improved fuel economy this new vehicle offers both low cost of ownership and sustainability benefits. We are starting a new chapter in the Ranger success story.”

21^st Century Tough styling

The all-new Ranger is immediately recognisable from its bold new exterior style, which its designers have named ‘21^st Century Tough’.

Toned, taut and muscular, the new Ranger is designed to look powerful and confident, equally at home in an industrial estate or outside a high-class restaurant. Its front end features a short overhang with the signature three-bar grille, a global Ford commercial vehicle design cue.

The windscreen has been raked back for a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, while the traditional square form of the truck has been sculpted to give the vehicle a more modern and aerodynamic look. Larger headlamps, bigger mirrors and stamped-in wheel lips provide an integrated look across all series and contribute to an aggressive and sporty stance.

Designers also raised the beltline significantly, along with the rails of the load box, giving the Ranger a substantive presence on the road while increasing its functionality with the deeper box.At 5,359mm long and 1,850mm wide, the new model is 279mm longer and 62mm wider than the outgoing model, benefitting both interior space and load capacity.

Dynamic new Wildtrak

For customers seeking a ruggedly stylish and supremely functional lifestyle vehicle, the Wildtrak version takes Ranger’s sporty appearance even further, with a unique colour split on the front.

Designers masked out the feature line on the front fascia and contrasted it by highlighting the lower intake. The same dark accent colours were used on the side mirrors, door handles and side air vents to give the vehicle a dynamic sporty look.

“Wildtrak’s aggressive look and bold new graphics are a perfect fit for those who appreciate a sporty and more expressive image. It will look fantastic transporting the latest quad bike or jet ski for weekend getaways”, said Craig Metros, chief designer of the all-new Ranger.

Sitting high on 18-in alloy wheels, the Wildtrak also comes with a roof rack and a sports hoop which enhance its profile. Exclusive Wildtrak badging and graphics help to set it apart from other lifestyle vehicles.

Three spacious and versatile cabs

Ford’s new global truck will be offered in a choice of three cab body styles – Single Cab, RAP Cab and Double Cab – to suit the diverse needs of pick-up customers. All three cab styles are among the roomiest in the segment.

The two-door Single Cab is a two-seater that provides exceptional load space. For additional storage and space to seat four people, the innovative RAP Cab – first introduced on the Ranger in 2002 – has a unique four-door system that provides unobstructed access to the cabin via two forward-hinged doors and two rear-hinged access panels. The four-door Double Cab has plenty of room for five adults, providing flexibility for both leisure and business.

Engineers have optimised every millimetre of Ranger’s dimensions to give maximum interior space without compromising the volume of the cargo box. With Ranger increasingly being a work-and-family vehicle, the engineers have paid special attention to the rear seats in the truck, with the second row in the RAP Cab more spacious than key competitors.

The B-pillar in the Double Cab has been moved forward, delivering best-in-class rear leg room and knee clearance. Three adults can easily fit in the second row of the Double Cab while two six-footers can comfortably sit one behind the other.

Outstanding cargo capacity

In terms of space for loads, the deeper load box and increased length and width of the all-new Ranger have resulted in outstanding cargo capacity. The Single Cab and the RAP Cab have the biggest box volume in its class at 1.82 cubic metres and 1.45 cubic metres respectively while the Double Cab is among the top with 1.21 cubic metres.

For example, the cargo box of the new Double Cab is more than 100mm wider than before – 1,549mm long by 511mm high and with a maximum cargo width of 1,560mm.

Width between the wheel arches is 1,139mm on all models and special provisions are provided in the cargo box to place timber inserts in pockets that are located above the wheel arch. This allows plywood or sheet rock to be stacked flat. Width at the rear tailgate opening, at the top of the box, is 1,330mm.

A flexible cargo management system is available where attachment points can be moved along a rail, instead of fixed points on the body, so customers have greater choice when tying down a load.

All-new Ranger can also haul exceptionally heavy loads, with a towing capacity ranging up to a best-in-class 3,350kg, and an outstanding payload capacity of up to 1,333kg on models with the 2.2-litre diesel engine.

Car-like interior comfort

With a completely new interior design, the Ranger offers a contemporary look and feel with features and comfort normally found only in passenger cars. The bold graphics of the interior surfaces are finished with materials that will stand up to the demands of a workhorse while delivering a lasting quality appearance.

From the no-fuss vinyl seats of the base series to the cloth trim and leather option of the higher series, all materials used in the new Ranger were subjected to heavy-duty testing for commercial vehicle use.

“We’ve developed materials that are tough, not rough, which will deliver a quality appearance matched by high performance,” said interior design manager Peter Jones. “So, for example, you get passenger car comfort in the design and trim of the seats with commercial vehicle durability to withstand a whole range of rigorous usage.”

The dynamic Wildtrak model features unique materials and finishes, including seat trim inspired by sportswear which combines leather and woven cloth. Contrast stitching and a discreet strip on the seat upper and bolster, all in distinctive Wildtrak Orange, accentuate the premium feel of the interior.

Making full use of the spacious interior, the Ranger Double Cab offers 23 storage spaces in the cabin – more practical stowage than any competitor. Its deep centre console bin is the biggest in its class at 8.5 litres and can keep up to six cans of beverage cool in models with a duct from the air-conditioner.

The glove box is large enough to accommodate a 16-in laptop computer while door pockets can comfortably fit 1.5-litre water bottles. Ample storage for mobile phones and other small items can be found in the console and in areas within easy reach of the driver. Underneath the rear seats, a convenient hidden storage area for tools can easily be accessed.

Loaded with smart technology

Poised to be a leader in innovation, the all-new Ranger comes loaded with smart technologies that make the pick-up easier, safer and more fun to drive.

Selected models offer Bluetooth® audio streaming, USB and iPod connectivity, together with voice control over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, air-conditioning and mobile phone (with software that recognises English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Turkish). Dual-zone climate control and cruise control are available on the high series while selected models offer a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

The Ranger is also the first vehicle in the segment to offer a Rear View Camera system.  This system which displays the camera image in a section of the rear view mirror when reverse gear is selected dramatically improves visibility of objects behind the truck and also simplifies hooking up a trailer.

Marker lines superimposed on the camera image help drivers reverse even more safely and accurately, showing the path of the vehicle based on the current steering angle. Two yellow lines indicate the total width of the pick-up, along with additional coloured bars that signpost distances of 0.3 metres, one metre and two metres. A black dotted line that marks the pick-up’s centre line assists the driver in lining up a tow hook with a caravan or trailer.

More power, more torque, more economy

Ranger customers in Europe will have a choice of two new state-of-the-art common-rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels which serve up exceptional performance with more power and torque, while also delivering outstanding fuel efficiency.

The two new diesel engines feature numerous refinements, including the implementation of the latest high-pressure common rail fuel injection systems. The injection systems have been precisely tailored and calibrated for outstanding combustion efficiency, achieving excellent fuel economy ratings while meeting the most stringent exhaust emissions standards.

The 150PS 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine replaces the previous 2.5-litre unit in the Ranger line up, and with a substantial 375Nm of torque offers over 13 per cent more pulling power. When fitted to a 4×2 model, it consumes as little as 7.6 L/100 km (37.2 mpg)* in the combined cycle – a reduction in fuel consumption of over 10 per cent compared to the previous model – making it one of the most fuel-efficient pick-ups in the segment.

The formidable new 200PS 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine delivers a stump-pulling 470Nm of torque, over 23 per cent more than the 3.0-litre engine it replaces. Its fuel consumption in a combined cycle is among the leaders in this area, ranging from 8.4 L/100 km (33.6mpg)* on a 4×2 variant to 9.6 L/100 km (29.4mpg)* on a full-option 4×4 model.

With a generous 80-litre fuel tank, new Ranger also offers one of the longest ranges in its segment, with as much as 1,000km (620 miles) possible between fill-ups.

Advanced new six-speed transmissions

The all-new Ranger breaks new ground by being available with a choice of advanced new six-speed transmissions, with both manual and automatic gearboxes being offered.

These new six-speed transmissions offer significant benefits over the more traditional four and five speed alternatives, delivering increased fuel economy, greater responsiveness and enhanced refinement.

The new six-speed automatic transmission has been extensively tuned to deliver smooth, quick shifts that are almost imperceptible to the driver, reinforcing new Ranger’s car-like refinement. In Normal mode, the calibration focuses on comfort and fuel economy. For sportier driving, a quick flick of the shifter changes the transmission to Performance mode, providing later shift points and giving the driver the option to select gears manually through a forward (downshift) or rearward (upshift) movement.

New Ranger also features smart Ford technologies such as Adaptive Automatic Mode, which adapts gear shifts according to driving style and Grade Control Logic, which automatically downshifts when driving downhill and the brake pedal is depressed. This feature prevents the transmission from changing to a higher gear.

For those who prefer greater involvement, the six-speed manual transmission with its short, car-like shifter, provides crisp and precise shifting matched perfectly to the generous torque output of the new diesels. An upshift indicator in the instrument panel helps drivers select the best moment to change gear for optimum fuel economy.

Enhanced fuel efficiency

Maximising fuel economy was a key priority for the Ranger engineering team, and the new truck features a host of measures to eliminate any waste or inefficiency.

The aerodynamics of the Ranger’s body was rigorously optimised using cutting-edge simulation technology. Ford’s aerodynamicists performed more than 1,000 full-vehicle aerodynamic simulations to minimise drag and deliver the most streamlined shape.

Design refinements introduced to improve efficiency include the addition of a hard line at the fender top, a more vertical backlight position, an optimised A-pillar shape and a small spoiler added to the top of the tailgate. The shape of the front air dam also plays a significant role in controlling the airflow underneath the vehicle, and was optimised to achieve a significant reduction in drag.

To make Ranger more efficient than ever, the engineers insisted on tyres offering the best rolling resistance but without compromising grip, ride and handling. The gear ratios and final drives were also meticulously matched to the engines to deliver maximum fuel economy while ensuring optimal performance, towing capability and payload capacity.

The powertrains also feature a Smart Regenerative Charging system which increases the alternator output when the vehicle brakes or decelerates. This converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy without having to use additional fuel. The ‘free’ electric current is used to recharge the battery, so that it can be used by the electrical systems at a later stage.

Robust drivetrains for all terrains

Capable of handling even the most challenging topography, the drivetrains of the all-new Ranger have been extensively tested to ensure they offer optimum reliability and durability.

Four-wheel-drive models are equipped with a well-proven electronically controlled transfer box – for both manual and automatic transmissions – that allows drivers to shift ‘on the fly’ from 4×2 to 4×4 anytime via a switch conveniently located on the console. If extra torque or additional downhill braking is needed, the driver has the option of selecting low-range.

A variety of final drive ratios, from 3.31 to 5.3, will be available depending on the drive configuration and whether the vehicle is a low- or high-ride model.

Advanced safety protection

Although an independent vehicle safety assessment testing will not take place until later this year, Ford is forecasting that the all-new Ranger will be a leader in safety for its segment.

Like all contemporary Ford products, Ranger is engineered to provide comprehensive safety protection, starting with the highly protective body structure utilising high-strength steel throughout to protect occupants in a collision and the all-new frame that manages the brunt of crash energy.

Engineers used sophisticated computer modelling to go through more than 9,000 full-vehicle crash simulations before the first prototype vehicle was subjected to a physical crash test.

Standard on all cab styles in Europe for the first time, side curtain airbags deploy from the headliner to provide a protective cushion for the head of occupants in case of a side impact. The curtain is designed to protect both rows of occupants by covering the upper side structure and glass from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

New side airbags also deploy from the side bolster of the front seats to protect the thorax from side-impact forces, working in tandem with the front airbags for the driver and front passenger. Knee airbags are also standard across all models.

Other passive safety technologies include three-point safety belts for all seating positions, with pre-tensioners and load limiter for the front seats, as well as Ford BeltMinder technology which helps remind front-seat occupants to wear their belts.

Enhanced pedestrian safety

On top of the passive safety technologies, the new Ranger has been engineered with the latest pedestrian protection features.

Technologies that emerged from a global Ford research project on pedestrian-friendly vehicle designs have now been applied to a pick-up for the first time ever. This includes a “hexageneous” under-bonnet structure to reduce the potential for pedestrian head injuries, and a pedestrian-friendly front bumper design incorporating energy-absorbing materials.

Other new Ranger technologies which aid the driver but can also help them avoid potential contact with pedestrians include Rear Park Assist and the advanced Rear View Camera System.

Innovative active safety technologies

The all-new Ranger also uses innovative active safety technologies to help drivers avoid accidents. A key component is the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which comes with a full suite of features that make driving the Ranger even safer in both on- and off-road conditions.

The Trailer Sway Control system monitors the behaviour of the tow vehicle and trailer array to sense the advent of trailer sway and apply braking countermeasures to reduce its effects. Adaptive Load Control provides additional stability assurance for drivers dealing with heavy payloads.

When driving downhill, Hill Descent Control ensures that the brakes will be applied to control the vehicle at a set speed. Or when stopping on a steep grade, Hill Launch Assist helps the driver to pull away confidently without creeping, even when fully laden.

The Ranger’s ESP system includes off-road logic which recognises when the pick-up is driven on rough roads and modifies the system to ensure the best balance between stability and timeliness of interventions.

In 4×4 models, the ESP system can be partially switched off to disable over- and understeer control as well as engine torque reductions, while maintaining the brake intervention traction control. This setting is most suitable when driving through deep sand or extreme mud as vehicle momentum can be maintained whilst maximising available grip. The ESP can be switched to a second setting to further amend the ESP braking intervention that aids the initial pull away in snow and icy conditions.

Powerful braking performance

The all-new Ranger has been engineered with the largest brakes in its segment, resulting in a system which provides powerful braking performance with excellent fade resistance, even when driving with maximum payload.

An array of braking technologies work together to ensure short stopping distance under all circumstances, such as the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution which maximises brake force used on the rear wheels as payload changes while maintaining optimal stability. During emergency braking, the hazard lights also come on to warn other motorists.

The ABS system features a Gravel Road Logic which further improves stopping distances on loose surfaces such as unsealed roads.

Rugged chassis, ready for all conditions

With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, the new Ranger promises car-like comfort, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability.

Front and rear suspension designs are entirely new, for a smooth, firm and comfortable ride whatever the road conditions or the size of the payload. The front suspension features a coil-over-strut layout, with carefully optimised designs for the upper and lower wishbones, while the rear suspension is based on a rugged leaf spring design.

Even on narrow city streets, the pick-up’s tight turning circle makes it easily manoeuvrable despite sitting on an increased wheelbase. The responsive rack-and-pinion power steering system requires just 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, for precise and nimble responses.

The 4×4 Ranger features a higher frame height as standard, although the 4×2 version can also be specified as a Hi-Rider model which shares the same frame as the 4×4 model.

Tackling rough terrain

Engineers have found ways to tuck key components out of harm’s way so that the all-new Ranger can perform on rough terrain. Its ground clearance of up to 241mm is enhanced by having the driveline components mounted above the frame rail so that items like the transfer case and oil pan are protected by strong crossmembers.

To improve Ranger’s water-wading capability, the truck’s key electrical components and air inlets are strategically placed high in the engine compartment, enabling the pick-up to go deeper than any others. The 4×4 and 4×2 Hi-Rider models can wade through up to 800mm of water – a class-leading feature that will be welcomed by customers who need to ford rivers or floods.

When the terrain gets really rough and Ranger is in four-wheel drive low gearing, it provides the driver with more control through the accelerator pedal, which becomes damped and less sensitive. This prevents unintentional acceleration due to the bouncing motion of the driver’s foot while moving over bumpy terrain.

“The all-new Ranger is a very capable and composed vehicle both on- and off-road,” said Jesus Alonso. “It has been designed as a global vehicle and combines the best of all worlds – exceptional safety, outstanding fuel economy, contemporary styling, interior comfort, cutting edge technologies, and class-leading towing and payload capabilities – in a one-tonne package that fits in perfectly with the needs of our customers.”

Ford Motor Company today announced the new Focus ECOnetic, debuting next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, will establish a new industry benchmark for fuel efficiency in the popular compact class.

The new Focus ECOnetic, which will go on sale in the UK early next year, leverages a host of advanced technologies that are expected to make it more fuel efficient than any other compact vehicle on the road today in Europe, including diesel, petrol and hybrid powered vehicles.

Focus ECOnetic is expected to achieve 80mpg* on the combined cycle (less than 3.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres).  In addition, Focus EConetic is expected to deliver ultra-low CO₂ emissions of less than 95g/km when certification is completed later this year.

“The Focus ECOnetic is a testament to our company’s relentless drive for technological innovation and commitment to environmental leadership,” says Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global medium car line director.  “It’s also going to be a great car to drive.”

The new Focus ECOnetic will be available in both stylish five-door and estate bodystyles.

Latest Low-CO₂ Technologies
To achieve its outstanding fuel economy, the new Focus ECOnetic employs the latest low-CO₂ technologies in its powertrain, aerodynamics and driver information systems.

The vehicle is powered by a new 105PS version of the 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi diesel which has been optimised for enhanced fuel efficiency, with a new injection system and turbocharger, enhanced charge cooling and further friction reduction measures.

The Focus ECOnetic also benefits a number of additional low-CO₂ features which have been developed specifically for this model including a unique aerodynamic package with an Active Grille Shutter, ultra-low rolling resistance tyres and a revised final drive ratio.

The new Focus ECOnetic incorporates the full range of Ford ECOnetic Technologies shared with other models in the all-new Focus line-up, including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.

Unique High-Efficiency Engine

The common-rail fuel injection system of the diesel engine has been completely redesigned, with eight-hole nano sac injectors operating at injection pressures of up to 1,600 bar, controlled by a more powerful engine management system. The new injection system delivers more precise control and increased combustion efficiency.

To provide more accurate control of the charge air temperature and to deliver a cooler, denser charge, the intake system features a water cooled intercooler in place of the standard air-to-air system.

Other new, or completely revised, features to enhance fuel efficiency include:

• New variable geometry turbocharger design
• Reduced engine friction from low-friction piston ring coatings and variable flow oil pump
• Additional reduction in engine losses from low inertia vacuum pump and asymmetric crank sprocket design
• Updated emissions system combining a diesel NO_x-reducing catalyst with a coated Diesel Particulate Filter system

The 1.6-litre ECOnetic diesel is paired with Ford’s six-speed Durashift manual transmission.  This transmission is a totally new high-efficiency design which has been optimised to eliminate frictional losses, and utilises special low friction transmission oil.

A revised final drive ratio has been selected to raise the overall gearing, reducing engine speed and offering improved fuel economy when cruising in top gear.  Economy is further enhanced by fitting the latest-generation dedicated low rolling resistance tyres.

Exclusive Aerodynamic Package

While the standard all-new Focus already boasts an exceptionally aerodynamic bodyshell (five-door C_D = 0.295), the ECOnetic model has been designed with a number of additional features to minimise drag still further.

Much of the aerodynamic development was concentrated on smoothing the airflow underneath the vehicle. The ECOnetic derivative features additional undershields and deflectors.

Aerodynamic performance is also improved by the use of special low-drag ECOnetic wheel covers, which are more streamlined than a conventional alloy wheel design.

The ECOnetic model features, as standard, the innovative Active Grille Shutter – an advanced new system that optimises aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment.

If air is required to cool the engine the vents are opened; but if no airflow is needed, the vents are shut, thereby significantly reducing aerodynamic drag.  When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO₂ emissions by two per cent.

Low-CO₂ Ford ECOnetic Technologies

The Focus ECOnetic incorporates as standard the full range of low-CO₂ Ford ECOnetic Technologies which are shared with other models in the new Focus line-up including Ford Auto-start-stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Shift Indicator Light.  In addition the Focus ECOnetic includes:

• Electric Power Assisted Steering
• Low-friction engine and transmission oils
• Low tension Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD)
• Thermal Management Systems to optimise warm-up

Today is Ford of Britain’s 100^th birthday and this year also sees Ford marking 100 years of vehicle manufacturing in the UK.

As it recognises these centenary landmarks in the UK, Ford is confirming its commitment to a country which has made it the market leader in car sales for 34 consecutive years and the commercial vehicle sales leader for 45.

Ford’s UK automotive industry leadership is broader than pure sales.  In the UK, Ford directly employs over 15,000 people, many in highly skilled roles developing and building high-technology, fuel-efficient, low CO₂engines. The Ford plants at Bridgend in South Wales and Dagenham in East London have the combined capacity to assemble two million engines annually and one in three Ford cars globally is powered by a UK engine. A further 100,000 jobs are supported through the Ford supplier chain and dealer network.

Ford is investing £1.5 billion in low carbon engineering and manufacturing that will help underpin the UK’s manufacturing and export-based economic recovery.

Ford of Britain chairman, Joe Greenwell, said: “Ford of Britain has been in the fabric of the nation for over a hundred years.  We have a proud heritage and a bright future. Ford of Britain is a major pillar of Ford’s global strategy and the new Ford Focus, centrepiece of the centenary, features advanced powertrains developed and produced in the UK.”

Over 80 years after its opening, Dagenham is still London’s largest industrial employer and around 40,000 Ford vehicles – the iconic Ford Transit – are built in the UK each year at the Ford Southampton plant.

Ford Dagenham also provides a leading example of the company’s sustainability strategy.  The most economical internal combustion engines Ford produces are assembled in a plant that generates all its own electricity, from wind power.  The Dagenham wind turbines produce 6.7 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year – which has avoided over 6,500 tonnes of annual CO₂ emissions, since 2004.

There are parallels between Henry Ford’s success with the Model T, in the early 20^th Century and the success of the company today, with the Ford Focus, created for the 21^st Century.  It is the basis for 2.5 million units of global annual production and at the heart of the new Ford Focus are engines and transmissions designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK at Dunton in Essex, Dagenham to the East of London, Bridgend in Wales and Halewood near Liverpool.

Heritage

Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and within months, had exported the first Ford cars to England.  He established the first British Ford dealer, through a company based in Long Acre, in London.  The UK quickly became the most important market for Ford cars, outside the United States.

By 1911, Henry had decided to start building cars in Britain.  Ford Motor Company (England) Limited was incorporated in London on 8 March 1911 – the first Ford company to be established outside North America.

Later in 1911, Trafford Park, a suburb of Manchester, played host to Ford’s first UK factory with a disused tram works converted to Model T assembly opening in October. Four-man teams built individual vehicles until Henry Ford’s revolutionary introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913. By 1914 Ford sales of nearly

10,000 cars were equal to the output of the next six biggest British manufacturers combined.

A few years later, in 1928, Henry Ford oversaw the construction of the “Detroit of Europe” – a new British plant on the banks of the Thames, at Dagenham.  Its first vehicle rolled off production lines in October 1931 – a Ford AA truck.

Motorsport and family values

The Dunton Technical Centre was born in 1966.  That same year, Ford scored its famous 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans, with the iconic, Ferrari-beating GT40 race car – built by Ford of Britain in Slough and Ford engines powered the top five finishers in the Indianapolis 500.

One year later, the Ford Cosworth DFV engine scored the first of a record 155 Grand Prix victories, over 18 dominant years.

Ford’s unmatched motorsport heritage has benefitted greatly from British talent.  Ford’s first ‘works’ rally efforts were based at Boreham in Essex and the UK has been intrinsically linked with top level Ford rally success.

Ford’s World Rally Team is today run by Cumbria-based M-Sport and they are one the largest employers in their local area, with 216 full-time staff.  M-Sport works directly with Ford engineers in the UK and Europe sharing skills and experience from competition that feed back into engineering processes and inform further development of vehicles, engines and components.

The results of their efforts have been seen in the all-new Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car – powered by a Bridgend-built, 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost engine – that scored a 1-2-3 victory last month in its debut WRC rally in Sweden and followed that up with second and third places in Rally Mexico.

Ford of Britain has been associated with cars whose names have earned affection and admiration in the streets and on the racetracks.  Zephyr, Anglia, Cortina, Capri, Escort, Sierra, Fiesta, and Focus are often fondly remembered family members while the Ford Transit has been adopted as a generic name for a carry-all van.  Mondeo man has even entered popular culture but in all cases Ford vehicles have been known for providing successive generations with great motoring and great value.

Celebrations

The history of Ford of Britain’s first 100 years is captured in entertaining, and comprehensive, fashion in Eric Dymock’s “The Ford in Britain Centenary File”.  Dove Publishing’s (www.dovepublishing.co.uk) book provides a fascinating insight into 100 years of company history and detailed descriptions of the vehicles that have touched the nation more than any other car company.

Ford plans a year-long centenary celebration with themed marketing campaigns to flag up this special year.  A Ford of Britain centenary logo has been created, which delivers its message as text on a keyless Ford Power starter button.

Historical displays will take place at various motoring events and a gala event will take place in the first half of 2011.

Ford-related events are being held around the country including the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire and the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, Warwickshire.  This year’s Goodwood Revival, the country’s premier historic motoring event, will see a significant number of classic Ford cars take to the circuit, in September.

Ford’s top-selling vehicle range secured 14.2 per cent of the total UK February market with Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta as top two bestsellers for the year.

Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) continue to perform strongly, as highlighted in the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).  The official figures released by the SMMT on 4^thMarch show that without the benefit of the scrappage incentive scheme total UK car sales last month were down 7.7 per cent to 63,424 units.

Ford car sales of 7,542 were down from 9,915 in February 2010.  Ford’s retail car market share in February was 11.2 per cent, 0.7 percentage points up compared with the same period in 2010.

Ford Focus is the UK car sales leader for the year with the Ford Fiesta in 2^nd place.  Ford people movers were sales winners in February with Ford C-MAX range sales up from 290 to 475 compared with February 2010 and Ford Galaxy increasing sales from 271 to 387.

Ford total CV share for the month was up from 23.4 to 25.1 per cent, compared with February 2010 and total Ford CV sales were up from 2,493 to 3,371.  All Ford commercials – Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Transit Connect, Ford Ranger and Ford Transit – increased sales and share, compared with February 2010.

Ford Transit sales, for example, were 2,631, up from 1,864, and its share of medium commercial sales was 28.7 per cent, up 0.4 percentage points compared with February 2010.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director, said:  “February is effectively a curtain raiser for the plate change month of March, when Ford customers will have the first chance to experience the exciting, new Ford Focus at the head of the company’s best ever vehicle range.  In addition to the Ford Focus there is the new Ford C-MAX range and a newly refreshed Ford large car range together with a number of new low CO₂ powertrain options.”

Ford’s new Metal Ka will bring style inside and out to Britain’s roads when it goes on sale in March. The Metal Ka replaces the Tattoo version and sits alongside the Grand Prix and Digital models which add an extra layer of style and fun to Ka for customers who want to make a bolder statement.

With its dark styling the new Metal Ka is a stark contrast to the highly colourful Ka Grand Prix and Digital models. Using the Zetec model as a base, Metal Ka combines dark, glossy and metallic elements to give customers an expressive and contemporary package that includes exterior and interior treatments.

“With Metal Ka we’re looking at fashion and also a little bit of luxury. You often see high gloss black in large and luxury segment cars but combined with the chrome this is something that is really fun,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s executive design director.

Exterior styling features on Metal Ka

• Chrome door and tailgate handles
• Large chrome finish  ’Ka’ badge on the rear
• Chrome finish tailgate handle
• Small chrome ‘Ka’ badge on the B pillars
• Standard silver 16″ alloy wheels
• Optional black 16″ alloy wheels
• High gloss black painted grille surround
• Optional metallic paint in midnight, Strobe or Moonlight.

Interior styling features on Metal Ka

• Leather steering wheel with gloss black spoke shell, top-stitched with silver thread
• Leather, high gloss black and chrome gear shifter
• Handbrake lever in leather and chrome effect
• Silver top-stitched floor mats with metallised Ka emblem
• Chrome effect air vent surrounds
• Chrome effect Ka badge on centre console
• Chrome effect rings on seat squab and cushion

Metal Ka is available with the 1.3-litre Duratorq TDCi and 1.2-litre Duratec engine. As part of Ford’s commitment to deliver enhanced fuel consumption and low CO₂ across the range, all Ka models are already fitted with Auto-Start-Stop technology as standard.

Ford is unveiling its dramatic new B-MAX vehicle at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, providing an early preview of exciting innovations from Ford in the small car market.

The B-MAX has a unique new body design which eliminates the traditional B pillar and features twin rear sliding doors.  This innovative format – which has already been engineered for production – promises best-in-class access to the cabin, together with unmatched convenience and flexibility.

The dynamic and stylish new B-MAX illustrates how Ford’s kinetic design language can be translated to a unique new vehicle format.The innovation continues inside the cabin, where the interior offers exceptional space and versatility for such a compact vehicle.  The use of high quality materials highlights the vision that small, practical cars can also be comfortable and well-equipped.

“With its highly popular S-MAX and Galaxy, and more recently the all-new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, Ford has a proven history of bringing innovation and style to the multi-activity vehicle market,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

“The new B-MAX signals that Ford is ready to bring the same bold thinking to the small car market.  With its unique door format and dynamic design, the B-MAX sends a strong message that customers looking for a compact, stylish and versatile vehicle will soon have an exciting new choice.”

New vision for compact vehicles

Based on Ford’s global B-car platform – shared with the highly successful new Fiesta – the B-MAX is slightly more than four metres in length, the B-MAX is just 11 cm longer than the Fiesta five-door, and is 32 cm shorter than the new C-MAX.

With this highly compact footprint, the B-MAX is ideally placed to meet the fast-growing demand for downsized cars which are better suited to congested urban conditions, but without sacrificing interior space and comfort.

“With the B-MAX we set out to create a vehicle that captures the spirit of a smaller
S-MAX,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s executive design director.  “We wanted to show that a small car could be very spacious and practical inside, while still having the sleek, dynamic appearance that has made the S-MAX so popular.”

Unmatched interior versatility

With both front and rear doors open there is outstanding access to the interior, with a huge, clear aperture measuring over 1.5 metres wide. This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts, making it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load shopping.

Having folded the 60/40 split rear seats and the front passenger seat to create an extensive flat load floor, the side access is particularly convenient to load bulky items such as flat-pack furniture or even a bicycle.

With the front passenger seat folded, the interior is capable of swallowing exceptionally long loads measuring up to 2.35 metres in length.

Sitting 11cm taller than Fiesta, the B-MAX also provides extremely generous accommodation for its occupants.  Drivers benefit from a higher ‘command’ seating position, while rear seat legroom and headroom is significantly improved.

Engineered for outstanding safety

In developing the B-MAX’s unique integrated B-pillar body design for production, Ford engineers have ensured that it delivers the same outstanding levels of crash protection as Ford products with a more conventional structure.

To deliver the required performance in side impacts, the structure of both front and rear doors has been significantly strengthened – with ultra-high-strength Boron steel in key load-bearing areas – so that the door frames work together to absorb energy like a ‘virtual B pillar’.

Special safety interlocks and reinforced latch mechanisms ensure that the doors remain firmly fixed to the roof and floor structure during an impact, and enable the front and rear doors to act together to protect the occupants.

When these measures are combined with other structural enhancements to the bodyshell and the latest restraint system technologies, the result is a body design which meets the highest safety standards.

Compact, sporty and stylish

The exterior design of the B-MAX shows how Ford’s kinetic design language can be applied to its unique new vehicle format, creating a compact, sporty and stylish car which adds its own distinctive character to Ford’s popular MAV line-up.

The vehicle’s striking front-end features a bold new interpretation of Ford’s signature trapezoidal grille. Other distinctive kinetic design elements include strong headlamp graphics, the muscular shoulder line with its powerful undercut, a characteristic window line with its kick-up behind the rear doors, and the prominent wheel lips.

The bold three-dimensional surfacing of the body sides helps to avoid the tall, blocky look which is common in this class of vehicle, and includes a unique new rocker treatment, with a stylish ‘zig-zag’ form on the rear doors.

With its distinctive window graphic, wraparound tailgate glass, and slim tail lamps split by the tailgate, the rear of the B-MAX is closely reminiscent of the S-MAX.  Strong horizontal feature lines help to emphasis the vehicle’s wide and confident stance.

Spacious premium interior

The cabin retains the dynamic, sporty feel of Ford’s small-car interiors, but introduces the more premium character and decorative elements from the larger C-MAX.

Driver controls are based on Ford’s HMI (Human Machine Interface) approach, with a large six-inch touch screen display mounted in the centre of the upper IP, above the much-acclaimed mobile-phone style integrated control panel.

The sensation of space in the interior is enhanced by a full-size panoramic glass roof, which covers the entire roof area.

Ultra-low CO₂ powertrain

The B-MAX is powered by an ultra-low-CO₂ powertrain, featuring a state-of-the-art three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine equipped with the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system.

This three-cylinder Ford EcoBoost represents the next addition to the global family of Ford EcoBoost engines. Like the 1.6- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engines, which have recently been launched in Ford’s European medium and large cars, the 1.0-litre unit combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing to achieve significant reductions in fuel-consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Designed to replace larger conventional four-cylinder petrol engines, the three-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine is undergoing final development prior to its production launch.

“The B-MAX demonstrates Ford’s commitment to providing customers with exciting and innovative vehicles,” said Stephen Odell.  “We believe that the new concepts and technologies it showcases will have a major impact on the small car market.”

The all-new Ford Ranger will draw Commercial Vehicle Show visitors to the Ford stand at the NEC, Birmingham (Hall 4, stand 4C20, 12-14 April). The stunning new Ford Ranger has exceptional towing capability and Smart technologies including Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control, Voice Control and the segment’s first rear-view camera system.

Steve Clary, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: “With the CV Show reverting to its traditional format this year, we are delighted to be in attendance and supporting the message of innovation and development in road transport. We will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of our existing vehicles and some of our exciting future models. The show presents a fantastic opportunity for us to meet with many important customers.

“Despite the recent economic turbulence, Ford has continued to heavily invest in exciting and technologically advanced vehicles for the CV industry.”

Ford Ranger

The new Ford Ranger will be on sale around November this year and available in three different cab body styles, 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, two ride heights and four series choices. With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, Ranger delivers outstanding towing capability of 3,300kg, up 300kg on the current model.

New Ranger is powered by a choice of two new fuel-efficient state-of-the-art common rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic and manual transmissions:

A new Dagenham-built 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi I4 diesel engine with peak torque of 375Nm and power output of 110kW (150PS). This is a global engine that will also appear in Transit Stage V models
A highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre, Ford Duratorq TDCi I5 diesel engine with 470Nm of torque and power rated at 147kW (200PS)
Pricing will be announced nearer to launch.

The dynamic all-new Ford Focus comes to the UK in March, with its exciting two-model line-up of sporty 5-door hatchback and stylish 5-door estate.

With over 1,4 million examples sold in Britain since its launch in 1998, the Ford Focus has become a favourite with consumers for its outstanding value, comfort and safety, and above all, for being fun to drive.

The all-new Focus also offers customers the highest standards of quality and detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy, and takes the legendary Focus driving dynamics to a new level.

“We are very excited about introducing the new Ford Focus to the European market given the strong heritage this model has here,” said Stephen T. Odell, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “With its desirable combination of dynamic design, outstanding driver appeal, unmatched levels of technology and impressive fuel economy, we believe that the new car will not only delight our existing customers but also expand the appeal of the Focus brand to a whole new generation of Ford customers.”

Developed in Europe, For Sale Worldwide

Developed in Europe, for sale in over 120 markets worldwide with 80 per cent parts commonality, the next-generation Focus is the hero model created from Ford Motor Company’s new global C segment platform. This platform will underpin at least 10 vehicles around the world and account for two million units of annual production by 2012.

Striking, Streamlined Design

The Focus bodystyles share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium global cars.

At 1,484mm high (on 17-inch wheels), 4,358mm long and 1,823mm wide (without mirrors), the new 5-Door model is 16mm lower, 21mm longer and 16mm narrower than the current Focus. Its wheelbase is 8mm longer at 2,648mm.

Stylish, Functional Interior

The dynamic quality of the exterior is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has a modern, cockpit-style interior incorporating Ford’s latest generation Human Machine Interface (HMI) system with twin five-way toggle switches on the steering wheel controlling the two main vehicle displays located in the instrument cluster and high in the centre of the instrument panel.

Unmatched Driving Quality

When it was introduced in 1998, the original Ford Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C segment and the next-generation Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more.

An advanced Torque Vectoring Control system fitted as standard enhances cornering stability and agility and Ford engineers have also retuned and enhanced the innovative suspension concepts, developing optimised new designs for the ‘Control Blade’ multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front subframe. The chassis design incorporates a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system.

Ford ECOnetic Technologies Minimise CO2

In addition to the highly efficient petrol and diesel powertrain offering, the new Focus range incorporates other features from the Ford ECOnetic Technologies programme to help minimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Focus is the first Ford model to standardise Auto-Start-Stop technology across a significant part of the range. All vehicles with the 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine and the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine are equipped with Auto-Start-Stop, with CO2 emissions starting at just 109g/km on the diesel model.

Ford’s all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car was revealed in its 2011-specification today when the company unveiled the colour scheme that will adorn the car in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Team driver Mikko Hirvonen and Ford of Europe motorsport chief Gerard Quinn unveiled the livery for the eye-catching Fiesta RS WRC at the Autosport International Racing Car Show in Birmingham, motorsport’s traditional start-of-season showcase event.

Ford’s official WRC squad for 2011 also confirmed its new name and logo – it will compete as the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.

Title partner Abu Dhabi will continue its support throughout 2011 and its distinctive branding will also feature strongly in the new-look livery. Abu Dhabi has been a team partner since 2007 and Emirati driver Khalid Al Qassimi will drive a third Fiesta RS WRC in support of team-mates Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

The team will also be sponsored by Castrol, the world’s leading lubricants producer and a partner since 2005. Branding for Castrol EDGE, its global range of best-in-class motor oils, will feature prominently in the Fiesta RS WRC’s livery.

BP, Castrol’s parent company, plans to promote the Castrol EDGE range of advanced synthetic oils, and demonstrate their strength to perform in the demanding surroundings of the WRC.

“The preview version of the car we unveiled in September at the 2010 Paris Motor Show was dramatic in its blue and grey livery, developed specifically for the show by Ford of Europe’s design team,” said Quinn.

“But now we have a fully finished car in a really eye-catching new livery plus a new team name, and excitement is building throughout the squad as we prepare for the opening round in Sweden next month.

“Ford’s designers and product development engineers have worked closely and efficiently alongside the expertise of our partners at M-Sport. The aim was, of course, to produce a car capable of challenging for world championship titles, but one which also reflects the much-admired ‘kinetic design’ styling cues synonymous with Ford’s current road vehicles,” added Quinn.

Ford’s WRC challenger, derived from the best-selling Fiesta road car, has been developed by Ford of Europe and British-based rally partner M-Sport. It is based on the Fiesta S2000 rally car, which won the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in January 2010 and other international and national rallies during the season.

The Fiesta RS WRC will form part of a new era in the world championship, for which a revised cost-effective formula is introduced this season. It boasts four-wheel drive transmission and a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, based on the new Ford EcoBoost road vehicle power plant, to comply with the new regulations.

The full specification of the car will be available at the beginning of February. Testing will continue in Sweden next week ahead of the Fiesta RS WRC’s championship debut in Rally Sweden, the opening round of the series, on 10 – 13 February.

Ford’s all-new Focus range, priced from £15,995, will introduce an impressive equipment list of high technology smart features to the medium car market when it goes on sale in March 2011.

Standard equipment on all models will include Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control technology which debuted on the new Ford C-MAX. This electronic system balances the distribution of engine torque between the driven front wheels to optimise grip and stability irrespective of driving conditions or road surface.

Also included on all new Ford Focus models are digital radio (DAB), Bluetooth and USB connectivity, voice control of key convenience features, Thatcham Category 1 alarm, Ford Easy Fuel (to prevent misfuelling), front, side and curtain airbags, ESP, ABS and Isofix child seat attachments.

Mark Simpson, Ford of Britain marketing director, said: “Ford Focus set the class benchmark for ride and handling at launch in 1998 and the all-new model will set another new standard in the segment – this time for next-generation features and smart technology.

“Ford Focus is firmly established as one of the UK’s favourite cars, and this all-new range is set to grow that reputation even further thanks to its sporty exterior styling, advanced technology-laden cabin and rewarding dynamics,” he added.

Simple new Focus line up

The lead-in model, the Ford Focus Edge, is priced from £15,995 for the 1.6-litre 105PS petrol and £16,995 for the 1.6-litre 95PS TDCi.

The Zetec model, forecast to be best seller, starts at £16,995 (1.6-litre 105PS petrol) and adds 16in alloy wheels, Quickclear heated front windscreen and door mirrors, leather steering wheel, front fog lamps and sports-style seats.

The luxurious Titanium series, from £18,745 (1.6-litre 125PS petrol), comes with supplementary features including keyless start, dual electronic automatic temperature control, Hill Start Assist (HSA), rain-sensing front wipers, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control with speed limiter, premium Sony audio and Ford’s tyre deflation detection system.

Topping the range is the Titanium X (from £21,245 for the 1.6-litre 150PS EcoBoost petrol), which adds partial leather trim, heated front seats, 17in alloy wheels, Active Park Assist, Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED day running lights, headlamp jet wash, power driver’s seat and power-fold mirrors.

Option packs will offer Low Speed Safety System, Lane Keeping Aid and Ford’s Blind Spot Information System. Those choosing Sony DAB Navigation will also enjoy the benefits of a rear-view camera.

New Focus powertrains

Customers can select from three petrol engines including the new 1.6-litre 150PS Ford EcoBoost engine, which debuted in the Ford C-MAX, and four diesel engines. These are the upgraded 1.6 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi powertrains with six speed manual transmission (and optional dual-clutch PowerShift automatic on the 2.0-litre). The 1.6-litre EcoBoost and 1.6-litre TDCi come with auto start-stop as standard. All powertrains achieve sub 140g/km CO₂ emissions, with the 1.6-litre TDCi (115PS), achieving 109g/km – the only car in its segment with CO₂ emissions under 110g/km across all series.

To complement its sporty styling, all-new Focus is offered in two new eye catching colours – Candy Red and Candy Yellow.

New rate VAT prices effective January 4

Ford official recommended list prices in general will be raised from January 4 to reflect the increase in VAT from 17.5 to 20 per cent that is effective from the same date.

The price rises are broadly in line with the amount necessary to reflect the change in VAT. In some cases prices have been rounded up, or down, by a small amount to maintain sensible price points for individual models.

Examples of the new prices are included in the table below.

All-new Focus powertrain and pricing overview

The all-new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models have been awarded the maximum 5 star safety ratings by the independent Euro NCAP organisation.

The pair of multi-activity vehicles, which went on sale in the UK this month, achieved the highest score recorded for whiplash protection and excelled in both adult occupant and child occupant safety categories.

Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are built on Ford’s global C-car platform and are the first Ford passenger cars to undergo Euro NCAP’s new crash test procedures introduced last year.

“Crash test ratings are an important factor when designing and engineering our vehicles and we’re delighted that Euro NCAP has recognised that both the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models offer excellent protection in the event of a collision,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global medium car vehicle line director.

“These are the first vehicles to be built on our new global C-car platform and for them to score so highly bodes well for future products including the all-new Focus which goes on sale next year.”

High strength body structure

Both new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX feature Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS) which marries a high-strength body structure with state-of-the-art restraint systems.

In total, 53 per cent of the bodyshell in each vehicle is made from high-strength steels, compared to 45 per cent in the previous generation vehicle.

Ultra-tough Boron steel is used in the A-pillars, B-pillars, rocker panels and door reinforcement beams help to create a passenger cell that manages deformation in a crash – including frontal impacts, side impacts and side pole impacts.

High strength dual-phase steel is used in the front crash structure, inner rocker panels and floor cross members for maximum crash energy absorption, and to manage deformation of the passenger cell.

C-MAX and Grand C-MAX also feature a front chassis subframe designed to de-couple from the lower body in a frontal collision, reducing deformation in the passenger cell footwell area.

Ford Intelligent Protection System

A key feature of Ford’s Intelligent Protection System restraint system for the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX is individual single stage front airbags and 3D side thorax airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus standard side curtain airbags for the first and second row seats.

Driver safety is improved thanks to Ford’s horizontal stroking steering column that reduces loads on the occupant’s head and chest by stroking away from the driver in high speed frontal impacts.

Ford has also fitted more effective retractor pretensioners to the front seats, providing increased retraction travel, along with belt load limiters.

Front-end design has also been carefully engineered to provide increased pedestrian protection. The result is a collapsible wiper system, and the addition of ‘soft’ cowl design in the body structure, to reduce the effect of impacts at the base of the windscreen.

Rear seat passenger safety in the new C-MAX range is an important element of the design. Three-point safety belts are fitted to all rear seats in the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, while the outer pair of second row seats has provision for ISOFIX in both models.

The seven-seat Grand C-MAX also features a special new Rear Seat Beltminder system, which alerts the driver if any passengers in the second or third row seats do not have their safety belts correctly fastened – helpful with young children on board.

The driver is alerted via a visual warning in the instrument cluster display, along with an audible chime. The system also provides warning signals if a safety belt is released during the journey.

Ford’s new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are packed with standard ‘infotainment’ features to keep the family connected, including Bluetooth with audio streaming and voice control, USB connectivity, Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) tuner and next-generation audio and navigation systems.

Across all new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models, customers can enjoy the safe and convenient benefits of Bluetooth with audio streaming and voice control, enabling hands free calls and voice operation of the mobile phone, audio and climate controls. Integrated sockets for an ipod, MP3 player or USB stick are also mounted in the central stowage compartment and can be operated via the car’s audio system.

In addition, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are the first vehicles within the Ford range to have DAB as standard on all models.

Ford Ennals, chief executive, Digital Radio UK said: “Drivers love listening to digital radio in their car so we welcome Ford’s announcement that 100 per cent of the market leading C-MAX range will have digital radio fitted as standard. This is an important milestone in the transition for all new cars to have digital radio fitted as standard by 2013.”

Customers choosing the Zetec model will enjoy the latest Ford audio system which includes a Digital Sound Processor to optimise sound settings, six speakers, DAB tuner and twin-antenna aerial system. The Titanium version has the premium Sony system with a stylish piano black integrated control panel, superior digital process capability, MP3 playback feature and nine speakers.

Both Sony and Ford audio systems can be combined with a new SD card-based optional navigation system. Navigation information is presented on the large five-inch high resolution colour display in the instrument panel and includes turn-by-turn instructions, real sign posts, 3D views and speed limit display. The system is supplied with an SD card containing all western European maps.

The Sony DAB navigation system comes complete with a rear view camera. The rear view image is overlaid with lines that mark the width of the vehicle for easier parking in tight spots. The camera’s low light capability, combined with the intensity of the reversing lamps, means full functionality even in dark parking areas.

Mark Simpson, marketing director, Ford of Britain, said: “The C-MAX has evolved to offer the family maximum flexibility, convenience and comfort. These smart new audio, mobile and navigation systems will enhance the driver and passenger experience. No matter which C-MAX or Grand C-MAX a customer chooses, they’ll stay connected.”

Ford’s all-new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are on sale now, priced from just £16,745 for the C-MAX Zetec and £18,745 for the Grand C-MAX Zetec.

Ford’s latest Mondeo range, now available in UK dealerships, features a new high-tech 1.6-litre direct injection turbo petrol EcoBoost engine which offers sporty performance while returning over 41mpg*.

This new 1.6-litre engine joins the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine which was introduced across all Ford’s large cars earlier this year. Sharing the same direct-injection, variable valve-timing and turbo-charging, the new 1.6-litre version, produced at Ford’s Bridgend Plant in Wales, is also available on the new Ford C-MAX MPV range.

In five-door form, the new Ford Mondeo equipped with the 1.6-litre 160PS EcoBoost engine and six-speed manual transmission is capable of 134mph, while returning 41.5mpg (combined) and emitting 158g CO₂/km.

The Mondeo 1.6-litre EcoBoost’s fuel consumption and lower personal, and employer, taxation combine to make the car comparable with a diesel-powered 2.0-litre TDCi:

Kevin Griffin, Ford of Britain fleet director, said:  “Ford’s newest Mondeo has an exterior look and standard of interior well suited to the executive car park.  We’ve added powertrains which support the lower carbon economy we now live in.  The efficient 1.6 EcoBoost in Mondeo is a sporty alternative for petrol advocates who switched to diesel in order to pay less tax.”

Ford’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine uses a combination of turbocharging, direct injection and variable cam timing to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while producing an extra 40PS over the Mondeo’s conventional 1.6 petrol engine. It also produces a remarkable 10 per cent more power than Ford’s 2.0-litre 145PS petrol engine.

Further Ford Mondeo powertrain news follows in February next year when the 1.6 TDCi diesel engine with start-stop technologies arrives in UK showrooms. This Mondeo, targeting 115g/km CO₂ to return 65.6mpg (combined), features a specially calibrated 115PS version of the Dagenham-built engine and will be fitted with an aerodynamic kit to minimise drag and low rolling resistance tyres.

The 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine will also be available this year in Ford S-MAX and Galaxy.  With power output at 160PS, the engine produces CO₂ emissions of only 164 and 169g/km respectively.

The all-new Ford Ranger makes its worldwide debut today at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney as the latest addition to a wave of global vehicles being introduced by Ford.

Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, said: “The new Ranger is an exciting and dynamic vehicle that will undoubtedly raise the bar in the pickup market. The scope of its capability and technology are further evidence of how powerful the One Ford initiative is in helping us globally to develop a whole range of all-new class-leading vehicles. We look forward to bringing new Ranger to European customers by 2012 and I am confident it will exceed their expectations.”

From impressive gains in power and safety to exceptional towing capability, the all-new Ford Ranger emerges as a clear leader. It not only builds on the Ranger heritage of pickup capability, but will also give owners a spacious, comfortable and feature-filled interior, with a sophisticated driving experience.

Built on innovation, it boasts a list of technologies and features including a new rear-view camera system, Voice Control, Trailer Sway Control and Adaptive Load Control. The new Ranger will be available in three different cab body styles, 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, two ride heights and four series choices.

All-new model builds on strong heritage

The all-new Ford Ranger offers even more capability, but has also been transformed with a taut and muscular contemporary design that exudes strength and toughness. With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, Ranger delivers more payload and outstanding towing capability. It is powered by a choice of two new fuel-efficient state-of-the-art common rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. Add in more chassis and safety technologies, and the story of Ranger pickup leadership becomes as vivid as its powerful, purposeful stance.

“21st Century Tough” styling inside and out

The all-new Ford Ranger creates a bold and purposeful presence, with a fresh, contemporary exterior design that exudes Ford’s famous pickup personality. Designers call its new look “21st Century Tough”. Taut, toned muscularity and a bold, confident stance instantly signal the strength and capability of an ultra-modern pickup. Yet it also communicates a transformed, more sophisticated and refined style that appeals to a new generation of pickup owners.

“In many areas of the world, the role of Ranger has changed,” said Craig Metros, chief designer.

“It still has to be a work vehicle, with a durable interior and the ability to carry a heavy payload, but it also serves a dual role with refinement, comfort and more consumer-friendly features topping the list for many buyers.”

Three passengers can easily fit into the second row of the new Ranger Double Cab. It offers ample knee clearance and better foot clearance between the B-pillar and seat. That means getting in and out of the new Ranger has never been easier for rear-seat passengers.

To help reduce ownership costs with Ranger, especially at the fuel pump, a wide range of design features were optimised to improve fuel efficiency. Using the same leading-edge simulation technology employed by Formula One teams, aerodynamicists performed more than 1,000 full-vehicle aerodynamic simulations to perfect the shape of the vehicle. Engineers were able to demonstrate, for instance, that a hard line at the top of the bumper divided wind flow and lowered resistance. Similarly, this technology indicated that the backlight should be positioned more vertically, A-pillars optimised and a small spoiler be added to the top of the tailgate. The front air dam plays a major role in controlling airflow underneath the vehicle, which leads to a significant reduction in drag coefficient.

More muscle under the bonnet – two new engines

Ranger introduces new diesel engines:

A new Dagenham-built 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi I4 diesel engine with peak torque of 375Nm and power output of 110kW (150PS).
A highly responsive and efficient new 3.2-litre, Ford Duratorq TDCi I5 diesel engine with a powerful 470Nm of torque and power rated at 147kW (200PS).
Increased fuel economy, coupled with other advances to facilitate maintenance and serviceability, help reduce annual ownership cost. Transmissions and final drive ratios have been carefully matched to deliver exceptional acceleration, excellent fuel efficiency, towing and a quiet ride.

The all-new Ranger four-wheel drive models are equipped with a well-proven electronically controlled transfer case that allows drivers to shift from 4×2 to 4×4 anytime via an electronic switch conveniently located on the console. If extra torque or additional downhill braking is needed, low range gearing can also be enabled.

New levels of ride quality and chassis control

With an entirely new chassis, new Ranger provides even more capability along with car-like comfort, reduced steering effort, more precise handling and better on-road stability.

Off-road performance has been improved with a stiffer frame, ground clearance of up to 232mm and driveline components that have been strategically mounted above the frame rail. Despite an increased 3,220mm wheelbase and wider track 1,560mm for the 4×4 model, and 1,590mm (front and rear) for the 4×2 model – the all-new Ranger’s turning circle makes it easily manoeuvrable in parking and on narrow city streets. Its rack-and-pinion steering system has been thoroughly designed to provide robust performance while delivering more precise steering.

An entirely new front suspension, with coil-over-strut layout, allows for better tuning of the upper and lower wishbone design. The suspension set-up, while similar for two- and four-wheel drive models, has unique capabilities and has been tuned with specific damper valving and spring rates on all models to compensate for weight, centre of gravity, engine torque and drive distribution.

The rear also benefits from an entirely new suspension system, which provides a smooth, firm but comfortable ride, with a rear leaf suspension design that has been carefully tuned for a variety of road conditions while still delivering outstanding payload capacity. This also gives Ranger a firmly planted ride for high-speed driving on dirt roads with reduced sway and less vehicle “skate” on corrugated or rough surfaces.

The brake system has been developed to have excellent fade resistance particularly with maximum payload. While competitive systems start to fade and stopping distances increase, the Ranger is engineered to keep performing. For superior braking performance, Ranger will have as standard Ford’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system that includes four-wheel traction control, yaw control and roll-over mitigation.

Exceptional towing capacity and sure-footed grip and stability is ensured with the available Trailer Sway Mitigation and Adaptive Load Control. If a trailer begins to sway, brakes are selectively applied to slow down the vehicle-and-trailer combination. To ensure that Ranger maintains a stable ride when carrying full loads of cargo, Adaptive Load Control determines the payload and applies the necessary measures to maintain a straight and level ride.

The all-new Ford Ranger offers new passive safety technologies, including the availability of side curtain airbags on all cab styles for the first time. Other new Ranger technologies include Rear Park Assist and new Rearview Camera system.

Payload capabilities

The cargo box of the new Double Cab is more than 100mm wider than before – 1,549mm long by 511mm high and with a maximum cargo width of 1,560mm. Volume is an impressive 1.21 cubic metres.

Width between the wheel arches is 1,139mm on all models and special provisions are provided in the cargo box to place struts of lumber in pockets that are located above the wheel arch. This allows plywood or sheet rock to be stacked flat. Width at the rear tailgate opening, at the top of the box, is 1,330mm.

With the Ford Transit reaching its 45th year as Britain’s best selling van, Ford is releasing 100 special edition Transit SportVan models in distinctive red livery.

The Ford Transit SportVan was first created in 2006 for customers wanting to make a bold statement with their commercial vehicle. All previous models are sold out: Performance Blue with white stripes (500), Sea Grey with silver stripes (80), Panther Black with silver stripes (500), Frozen White with blue stripes (80) and Ink Blue with silver stripes (150).

Ford of Britain’s marketing director, Mark Simpson, said: “We know that ‘white van man’ is image conscious both personally and for his business. The SportVan is a real head-turner as well as a reliable workhorse and that’s why they sell out so fast.”

The Transit SportVan is based on the popular 260, short wheelbase model with front wheel drive, the 140PS 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine and a six-speed transmission. The red SportVan will be the first medium van to come with DAB radio as standard.

The exterior features Colorado Red paintwork, Le Mans-style white bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, 18in graphite colour alloy wheels, low profile 235/45 tyres, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches. Standard safety features include ABS, ESP and driver and passenger airbags.

Inside the cab: velour trim, air conditioning, six CD-player with remote steering-column-mounted controls, cruise control, power windows, powered and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass, leather gearshift knob and a perimeter alarm are also standard.

Power deadlocks, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, front fog lights and a load area protection kit similarly come on every SportVan. Optional are leather seats, Satellite Navigation FX system with 5in colour screen, LED cargo lights in rear and LED daytime running lights.