xcel
05-25-2008, 11:50 PM
Ford ECOnetic Fuel Efficient Driving Challenge launched with Energy Saving Trust at Eden Project's 'Sexy Green Car Show' (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=100293)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_European_Ford_Focus.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - May 25, 2008
2008 European Ford Focus 5-door hatch with the infamous 1.6L TDCi turbo-diesel.
Cornwall – Ford and the Energy Saving Trust today announced a nationwide smart driving challenge to find the UK's greenest motorist.
Hypermiling techniques deliver environmental, financial and safety benefits through reduced fuel consumption and a smoother driving style designed to reduce wasteful acceleration and braking.
Ford's ECOnetic range of low CO2 models, showcased at this year's 'Sexy Green Car Show', will go on to regional smart driving events this summer.
Motorists will compete at six regional heats including July's British International Motor Show in London. The Focus ECOnetic models they will be driving have a combined fuel consumption figure of almost 66mpg – resulting in a class-leading 114g CO2/km.
Andy Taylor, Ford's sustainability director, said: "Designing and manufacturing fuel efficient cars such as Ford ECOnetic range becomes even more meaningful when linked to other measures to reduce emissions.
"Smooth and smart driving plays a huge but often unrecognized part in motoring – both financially as well as environmentally."
Candidates answering Ford's call in local media to demonstrate smart driving techniques will tackle a three-part test. The first will establish existing eco driving skills among the 200 participants, with fuel consumption/ CO2 output recorded.
Next comes a session of eco driving instruction from the Energy Saving Trust before a second mpg/ CO2 reading is produced – accompanied by the improvement expressed as an annual fuel saving.
Heats will be at Murrayfield Stadium, in Scotland, on July 5; then Longleat, Wilts, July 12; Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth, July 19; London International Motor Show, ExCel, from July 22; Knowsley Park, Merseyside, August 9; and West Midlands Safari Park, Worcs, August 16.
Each regional winner will be rewarded with the loan of a 1.6L Ford Focus ECOnetic – with the option of a tour of Ford's wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre where the car's ultra low CO2 engine is produced.
The overall winner will receive a home 'eco makeover' addressing energy efficiency to deliver lower utility bills (value £10,000).
What is eco driving?
Change up through the gears at between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm
Ease your speed. Driving at 70mph uses around 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph
Anticipate to avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
Use auxiliary equipment selectively – turn off air conditioning
Switch off the engine whenever safe to do so
Check and adjust tire pressures regularly, according to load and speed driven
Remove unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce weight
Reduce aerodynamic drag whenever possible - close windows or remove roof racks
A few of the above are out to lunch albeit it is the way Ford trains :confused:
What are the benefits?
Reduced fuel consumption
Lower fuel bills
Less CO2 emissions
Lower accident rates as a result of improved anticipation
Ford Focus 1.6L Turbo-diesel ECOnetic
Make|Model|Engine|Max mph|0 – 62 mph|Urban (mpgUS)*|Extra Urban (mpgUS)*|Combined (mpgUS)*
Ford|Focus|1.6L TDCi|119|10.9|42.0|65.2|54.7
* Euro Urban/Extra Urban test cycles
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_European_Ford_Focus.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - May 25, 2008
2008 European Ford Focus 5-door hatch with the infamous 1.6L TDCi turbo-diesel.
Cornwall – Ford and the Energy Saving Trust today announced a nationwide smart driving challenge to find the UK's greenest motorist.
Hypermiling techniques deliver environmental, financial and safety benefits through reduced fuel consumption and a smoother driving style designed to reduce wasteful acceleration and braking.
Ford's ECOnetic range of low CO2 models, showcased at this year's 'Sexy Green Car Show', will go on to regional smart driving events this summer.
Motorists will compete at six regional heats including July's British International Motor Show in London. The Focus ECOnetic models they will be driving have a combined fuel consumption figure of almost 66mpg – resulting in a class-leading 114g CO2/km.
Andy Taylor, Ford's sustainability director, said: "Designing and manufacturing fuel efficient cars such as Ford ECOnetic range becomes even more meaningful when linked to other measures to reduce emissions.
"Smooth and smart driving plays a huge but often unrecognized part in motoring – both financially as well as environmentally."
Candidates answering Ford's call in local media to demonstrate smart driving techniques will tackle a three-part test. The first will establish existing eco driving skills among the 200 participants, with fuel consumption/ CO2 output recorded.
Next comes a session of eco driving instruction from the Energy Saving Trust before a second mpg/ CO2 reading is produced – accompanied by the improvement expressed as an annual fuel saving.
Heats will be at Murrayfield Stadium, in Scotland, on July 5; then Longleat, Wilts, July 12; Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth, July 19; London International Motor Show, ExCel, from July 22; Knowsley Park, Merseyside, August 9; and West Midlands Safari Park, Worcs, August 16.
Each regional winner will be rewarded with the loan of a 1.6L Ford Focus ECOnetic – with the option of a tour of Ford's wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre where the car's ultra low CO2 engine is produced.
The overall winner will receive a home 'eco makeover' addressing energy efficiency to deliver lower utility bills (value £10,000).
What is eco driving?
Change up through the gears at between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm
Ease your speed. Driving at 70mph uses around 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph
Anticipate to avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
Use auxiliary equipment selectively – turn off air conditioning
Switch off the engine whenever safe to do so
Check and adjust tire pressures regularly, according to load and speed driven
Remove unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce weight
Reduce aerodynamic drag whenever possible - close windows or remove roof racks
A few of the above are out to lunch albeit it is the way Ford trains :confused:
What are the benefits?
Reduced fuel consumption
Lower fuel bills
Less CO2 emissions
Lower accident rates as a result of improved anticipation
Ford Focus 1.6L Turbo-diesel ECOnetic
Make|Model|Engine|Max mph|0 – 62 mph|Urban (mpgUS)*|Extra Urban (mpgUS)*|Combined (mpgUS)*
Ford|Focus|1.6L TDCi|119|10.9|42.0|65.2|54.7
* Euro Urban/Extra Urban test cycles