Ford Focus 'Trend' 1.6 CNG
Ford will bring a new natural gas vehicle to the Swedish market in November, capable of running on compressed natural gas (CNG) or renewable biogas (biomethane). It introduced the new Ford Focus CNG in connection with the Gasdagarna 2012 event held on 24-25 October in Trollhättan. Based on the standard Ford Focus with 1.6L petrol engine and 120HP, the converted vehicle will have the bi-fuel option to operate on either petrol or gas. Using clean biogas, carbon emissions will be as low as 26 g/km.
“With yet another green car options on the Ford Focus, we get a very strong offering of green cars – from the acclaimed 1.0 EcoBoost, fuel-efficient and eco diesels Flexifuel the new Focus CNG,” says Anna Muller, CEO of Ford Sweden.
The compressed gas is stored in specially built tanks of composite materials under the floor of the luggage compartment. This composite material provides low weight and very high security. The regular fuel tank is left completely untouched, providing ample scope for long distance travel and fuel security in areas that have yet to install natural gas refuelling infrastructure.
Development and conversion to gas is a Swedish project, conducted by BRC in Trollhättan Sweden AB – a subsidiary of Italian CNG technology company BRC. BRC Sweden also produces CNG vehicles for Subaru — the Legacy and Outback models.
The price of the Focus Trend 5d 1.6 CNG starts at 232,700 crowns (approx. USD 35,100), and can be ordered immediately with first deliveries scheduled for November 2012.
(This article primarily compiled using information from a Ford Sweden press release)
