[HoosierRon]

Brit show debut for green Fiesta

The greenest Fiesta ever is nearly here! Ford is getting set to unleash an ECOnetic version of its all-new supermini. And it’s going to be one of the stars of the blue oval’s stand at this month’s British Motor Show, boasting economy of nearly 80mpg and emitting less than 100g/km of CO2.
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Power comes from a 1.6-litre TDCi turbodiesel, available with 89bhp. Unlike VW’s Bluemotion range, no changes are made to the engine’s ECU, but thanks to a lengthened final drive the five-speed manual gearbox’s ratios are longer than those in the standard model.

Small but significant tweaks to the car’s aerodynamics allow it to slip through the air with less drag. This makes easier work for the engine.
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Thanks to a programme of weight-saving measures, the standard next-generation Fiesta will tip the scales at less than the outgoing model, and the ECOnetic version will take this a step further using lightweight materials. Engineers are likely to lower the suspension, too, while narrow tyres will help reduce rolling resistance. The Fiesta ECOnetic decreases friction further by using a low-viscosity gearbox oil, developed in partnership with BP.

Together with a diesel particulate filter fitted as standard, the Fiesta ECOnetic emits only 98g/km of CO2. That puts it in band A – making it exempt from road tax.

And under the current system, it will sidestep the London congestion charge, too. It will also save owners even more money with incredibly low fuel consumption, returning around 75mpg on the combined cycle.

However the Fiesta ECOnetic won’t skimp on equipment, with air-con, curtain airbags, a CD stereo and electric windows all fitted as standard.

lus, of course, it promises the best drive in the supermini class, with direct steering, a finely judged ride and class-leading agility in the corners.

mpg figures need to be converted from Imperial gallons to U.S. gallons for American readers. Suddenly the Cobalt XFE does not look that impressive.