Archive for the ‘auto related news’ Category.

Eden project launch for Ford ECOnectic

The Ford Focus ECOnetic boasts class-leading CO2 emissions of 114g/km, equating to 65.6mpg. Priced from £16,050, Focus ECOnetic slots into the range between Studio/Style and top end Zetec/Titanium models.

It is the first of a series of ultra low CO2 models announced by UK vehicle market leader Ford. The sub-140g Ford Mondeo ECOnetic, capable of 53.3mpg, goes on sale in July from £18,455 and an ECOnetic version of the all-new Ford Fiesta will follow in early 2009.

Sales for Ford’s existing Focus, Fiesta and Fusion models with CO2 emissions under 120g have risen by a third in the last year. During this period it has been announced that cars in this sub-120g segment will be exempt from the daily £8 London Congestion Charge from October this year. In addition, this year’s Budget declared that the £35 road tax applied to those vehicles will be waived from 2010 for the car’s first year on the road.

In the first four months of this year alone, 2,800 more new car buyers opted for low CO2 Fords than during the same period last year.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “Drivers want to be green but without giving up comfort and performance or paying a high price. ECOnetic answers that demand.

Ford ECOnetics, along with the low CO2 169g Ford Kuga crossover, deliver style with a green conscience.”

Ford Focus ECOnetic: what’s different?
Improved aerodynamics: Focus ECOnetic is lowered by 10 millimetres at the front and 8mm at the back. Its aerodynamics kit, comprising modified front bumper skirt, rocker claddings and rear spoiler, helps to deliver an aerodynamic drag coefficient (cd) of 0.31
Low rolling resistance 195/65R15 tyres
Enhanced lubrication: New low-viscosity transmission oil developed by Ford’s fuel partner BP
1.6 Focus TDCi Max
mph 0-62
(secs) Urban
(mpg) Extra urban Combined
(mpg) CombinedCO2
(g/km)
5-door
90PS 112 12.6 51.3 78.3 65.6 114
110PS (DPF) 119 10.9 50.4 78.3 65.6 115
Estate
90PS 112 12.9 51.3 78.3 65.6 114
110PS(DPF) 119 11.1 50.4 78.3 65.6 115
1.8MondeoTDCi Max
mph 0-62
(secs) Urban
(mpg) Extra urban Combined
(mpg) Combined
CO2 (g/km)
5-door
125PS 126 10.4 41.5 64.2 53.3 139
Estate
125PS 123 10.6 40.9 62.8 52.3 142

DRIVERS TEST GREEN DRIVING SKILLS WITH FORD AND SAVE ON FUEL

Ford Focus ECOnetic Smart Driving Challenge on this summer

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 18 June, 2008 – Drivers eager to limit the impact of rising fuel prices have flooded Ford with applications for its summer Smart Driving Challenge.

The strong response to the Ford Focus ECOnetic eco driving competition, launched in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, has led to the challenge being extended to run throughout the British International Motor Show in London from July 23.

Smart driving techniques deliver environmental, financial and safety benefits by reducing fuel consumption thanks to a smoother driving style aimed at eliminating wasteful acceleration and braking.

Eco driving will be taught at six venues, including the British International Motor Show, as part of Ford’s nationwide challenge to find the UK’s greenest motorist. On the first day of registration alone, over 50 people signed up.

Candidates will tackle a three-part test: the first to 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 measure is produced –expressed as an annual fuel saving. Fuel consumption is typically reduced by 15 per cent and savings can be as much as 25 per cent.

The driver with the most improvement at each event will win the loan of a new Ford Focus ECOnetic and a £1,000 eco home makeover, which looks at the fuel efficiency of a property and its appliances to deliver lower utility bills. Britain’s top eco driver will win £10,000 worth of free advice and appliances for the home.
The Focus ECOnetic has 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 the Ford ECOnetic range becomes even more meaningful when linked to other measures to reduce emissions. Smooth and smart driving plays a huge but often unrecognised part in motoring – both financial as well as environmental.”

Nigel Underdown, Energy Saving Trust head of transport advice, said: “The Energy Saving Trust believes that typical savings of 15 per cent – in litres, pounds and CO2 – are achievable and realistic by adopting smarter driving techniques. Drivers will welcome the savings as fuel prices reach record levels and will also help address climate change by reducing CO2 emissions.”

Ford Focus ECOnetic Smart Driving Challenge

Murrayfield Stadium
Scotland
5 July

Longleat Safari Park
Wiltshire
12 July

Blue Reef Aquarium
Tynemouth
19 July

Knowsley Safari Park
Merseyside
9 August

West Midlands Safari Park
Worcestershire
16 August

British International Motor Show
ExCel, London
23 July – 3 August

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, eg air conditioning

Switch off the engine whenever safe to do so

Check and adjust tyre pressures regularly, according to load and speed driven

Remove unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce weight

Reduce aerodynamic drag whenever possible, eg close windows or remove roof racks
What are the benefits?

Reduced fuel consumption
Lower fuel bills
Less CO2 emissions
Lower accident rates as a result of improved anticipation

The Volvo Group’s Capital Market Day 2008 will be held in Lyon on June 18, 2008.

Leif Johansson, President and CEO of the Volvo Group
Stefano Chmielewski, President of Renault Trucks
Heinz-Jürgen Löw, Senior Vice President, Renault Trucks Europe
Tony Helsham, President of Volvo Construction Equipment
Mikael Bratt, Senior Vice President and CFO of the Volvo Group.
Pär Östberg, SVP, AB Volvo

BMW R 1200 S OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

The world’s most powerful production sport Boxer has arrived in New Zealand.
BMW Motorrad’s new R1200 S combines incredible power delivery with cutting-edge
design offering an exceptionally smooth and sporting on road experience.

The R 1200 S’s superior performance and sporting power is evident from the minute
your fire up its 1170-cc engine which reaches a peak of 90 kW/122 hp at 8250 rpm.
The machine in road trim weighs just 195kg making it 13 kg lighter than its 1100-
cc predecessor the R 1100S which was the catalyst for BMW’s focus on
performance bikes.

BMW Motorrad general manager, Australasia, Mac McMath, predicts the
R1200S will be a preferred option for riders looking for exceptional sporting
performance and a wide array of options.
A key objective in developing the new R 1200 S was achieving a balance
between sportiness and everyday riding qualities enabling the rider to take
on a relaxed seating position for effortless riding enjoyment even on long
distances.

The Ohlins sports suspension package ensures extremely precise and
smooth handling at all times coupled with a high-performance ABS brake
system maximum safety and agility are in the forefront of the design.
BMW Motorrad ABS anti-lock brakes combine low weight and fast
response ideal for the sports rider in this case without the integral
function, but with on-demand operation allowing the rider to deactivate
ABS for the racetrack. A wide range of BMW options and accessories
ensures enthusiasts seeking to highlight the looks of their machine can do
so.

BMW’s new Boxer comes with all the features expected of the brand such
as a fully controlled catalytic converter, the single-wire system for the onboard
CAN-Bus network complete with an electronic immobiliser, a smooth
and easy-shifting six -speed gearbox, maintenance free shaft drive with a
single swinging arm, as well as Telelever front suspension.
The most sporting and dynamic Boxer of all times is ready to go!

R 1200 S features:
· Air-cooled flat-twin, 1,170-cc power unit with balance shaft
· Max output increased to 90 Kw/122 HP at 8,250 rpm
· Electronic BMS-K engine management with dual ignition, knock
control, two oxygen sensors, and a fully-controlled three-way
catalytic converter
· Light and stable, three-piece frame structure made of steel and
aluminium tubes
· Extra responsive Telelever with superior steering precision
· EVO Paralever with extra-light drive shaft
· Dry weight 195 kg weight in road trim with full tank 213 kg
· Front fairing support made of extra-light pressure -cast magnesium
· LED tail lights
· Silencer under the rear seat
· Aerodynamically optimised, extra-slender body
· Ohlins suspension
· High-performance brake system
· New extra light ABS
· Heated grips
· Wide range of accessories tailored to the sports rider

Special accessories
· Paddock stand with an appropriate adapter
· Passenger seat cover
· Tank bag
· Sports rear seat bag (small)
· Tinted windscreen
· Silencer cover made of carbon-fibre -reinforced plastic
· Heated grips
· Anti-theft warning system
· Supplementary on-board toolkit