Ford Focus 1.0-litre Ecoboost (2012)

A Ford Focus with 1.0 liter engine! Is not that like getting a Charles Hawtrey compete for the World's Strongest Man, or sent Samson into the battle after a crewcut? In one of the most extreme example of downsizing again, Ford has plumbed all-new, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine family to hatch, all the previously svelte 1270 pounds in the lightest. The Ecoboost 1.0-liter is available to order now, and it will be launched to the weight of the C-Max and, less outlandishly, Fiesta supermini at the end of 2012. That's because Ford is very serious - and proud - new threepot.

What's so special about the 1.0 liter?When Ford Focus revealed in late 2009, executives at guffed rather emptily about how the Blue Oval will be a class-leader on the economy. How: with breakthrough machine worthy of praise poured on Fiat TwinAir two-cylinder gasoline - and one that will get closer to the middle of an 50-mpg figure, Ford executives joke, if you drive like you stole it Focus.

999cc engine comes in two guises: with 100ps and 125PS (or 123bhp to 99bhp and horsepower addict). Both variants' max torque is 170nm (£ 125 ft) from 1400rpm underground, although the 125PS unit has overboost function, which cranks up to 200Nm peak torque to overtake the 30-second blast. Output equal to 1.6 liter petrol engine, but engine 100ps 58.8mpg and 109g/km CO2 back in the Focus five-door hatch. Economic dips just 56.5mpg for the 125PS engine, with low carbon emissions at 114g/km.
It sounds like a bold corporate accounting: how they do it?The 1.0-liter 12-valver is a piece of paper design - literally. Ultra compact block can sit on a sheet of A4, and on top of the tower a number of bespoke technology. Because it is so small, the block can be made of cast iron without the weight penalty. Certainly has a sleek, three-cylinder, instead of four, reducing friction and pumping losses. There is a split cooling system operating in the head and block, helping the engine and the catalyst up to operating temperature quickly, reducing emissions.
Exhaust gas turbocharger spins a small, whose size is reduced due to inertia and lag at low revs. More expensive, high-tech features, including direct injection to precisely meter the amount and timing of fuel into the cylinder, twin camshaft and timing variables. That is, injection turbo system and acts as a variable cam timing holy trinity, optimize combustion to minimize consumption and torque increase.
Ford has designed a simple system to fight the urge to rock threepot side - and it's not a balancer shaft, which would add cost and weight. Instead the engineers are not balanced flywheel, which also has the effect of minimizing vibration. Of triple has stop-start, which is the engineering challenge due to lack of friction makes it difficult to stop the engine quickly, and requires some sophisticated hardware and software for fire once again.
Simply technology: how to drive?The first thing you notice is the smoothness to make Gillette envy: this machine is barely perceptible at idle. And forget Charles Hawtrey, 1.0 liter of interest such as Charles Atlas, given displacement. At 20mph in a 30mph in third or fourth with nearly 1500 revs on the clock, it vibrates like a shrug Ecoboost briefly before the machine starts pumping and the acceleration began to build. Ford cites 11.3secs to sprint from rest to 62mph in a 125PS version we drove, which combined with no-nonsense gearbox six-speed manual. Each tooth pulled neatly with a 6400rpm redline, and the machine actually get on the track above 3000 rpm, with a nervous ring of three-cylinder engine. If there is a remarkable improvement of mechanical Focus - you feel closed in - more beautiful record-pressing machine.
It takes a little context: 1.0 liter Ecoboost likely to be responsive, linear in power delivery and wide torque spread packing, but it certainly does not have the kick of a four-cylinder diesel. So huffs and puffs a bit on the hill where you may have to drop a gear or two, and you need to wise crack to overtake. But for fans, free-revving nature and cheerful soundtrack makes it very attractive, while the accountant you will be welcomed to zero in the first year road tax, corporation tax and small cars. And the engine weighs just 97kg dressed - about 30 pounds less than the 1.6-liter it replaces - the steering is quick but anodyne Focus feels lighter, the nose was sharper than the heavier model and ride quality remains very good.
DecisionThe Ecoboost 1.0 already on the list price of focus, ranging from £ 16,245 for the 100ps five-speed unit, and £ 17,745 for the 125PS six-speeder in the hatchback bodystyle. That's only £ 250 premium over the outgoing 1.6-liter engine, for a car that would be cheaper to run and more subtle. No other mainstream family hatches can be combined with three-cylinder engine, give Ford powertrain excellence normally you would expect from Volkswagen Group. If you like the whip of technology, free-revving, engine charismatic and ecological benefits in the form of cash and low consumption, Ecoboost Focus is also worth a look.This sleek new rich make some larger engines look small.