Advanced gas-burner: The Ford Fiesta - closing in on 100 mpg!
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric Car is the forward part of the new electric Ford fleet. The car will use the same platform as the Focus Hybrid.
This new Ford EV is a modified 2009 ICE Focus platform called the Focus RV.
The plans are to have 10,000 Focus EVs on the roads of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific starting in 2012.
The 2010 Fusion Hybrid has received rave reviews. From our ride in the car, the new Fusion deserves the praise. It seems to be tight, responsive and the ICE engine to electric motor transitions while driving are seamless. The 2013 model claims 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. Your cost: around $28,000 USD.
The 2012 Electric Focus hit dealer showrooms in the spring of 2012. Google was one of the first Focus customers.
Focus EV specifications are similar to other EVs in this small sedan class. A 105 kW electric motor will propel the car to 85 mph (137 kph) top speed with an average 100 mile (160 km) range. The Li-Ion battery pack holds 23 kWh.
The specs look good, and the Focus comes standard with: 10-speaker Sony stereo, backup camera, MyFord Touch navigation, 8-inch touch-screen display, rear parking sensor, passive entry system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, recycled materials interior, and push-button start.
For example, recent test results from the BMW Mini e, and the Mitsubishi i Miev
are showing claimed range figures reduced to near half in freezing climes and
hard runs. The Mini e weighs in at 3,200 lbs (1,455 kg) with a 35 kWh pack. The i Miev weighs in at around 2,000 lbs (910 kg) with a smaller 16 kWh pack.
The Focus electric car will start at $39,200. Reviews so far give the Focus a thumbs up in comparison to the Leaf. The brakes though are reported as too touchy and the re-gen function could stand to be better integrated and tuned for every day driving.
