Ford of Europe is further accelerating its efforts to deliver improved fuel economy for customers across its vehicle range with the launch of two important new Ford ECOnetic Technology models at the Paris Motor Show – the new Ford Mondeo ECOnetic and the Ford Ka TDCi with standard Ford Auto-Start-Stop technology.

The introduction of these new models follows Ford’s substantive contributions to lower CO₂ mobility already delivered to European customers in 2010. So far this year, the company has introduced its new range of powerful yet fuel-efficient Duratorq TDCi diesel engines across its line up.

Also new are the Ford ECOnetic Technologies collection of features designed to help customers equip their car with technical equipment specifically aimed at greener and more fuel efficient motoring.  Features such as Ford Eco Mode and Smart Regenerative Charging have been introduced widely in the Ford range, and these combined with the new Ford Ka TDCi and dedicated Mondeo ECOnetic models ensure that Ford of Europe is on track to surpass its goal of a 30 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions from its new vehicles by 2020, relative to a 2006 model year baseline.

The new Ford Mondeo ECOnetic model will be the most frugal Mondeo to date, and will go on sale from the first quarter of 2011. The new Mondeo ECOnetic features a specially calibrated 113bhp version of the 1.6-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi engine equipped with a standard diesel particulate filter and coupled to a Ford Durashift 6-speed manual transmission with a longer final drive of 1:3.69 (compared to 1:4.06 for the standard Mondeo) and purposefully matched ratios across all gears.

Key to the new Mondeo ECOnetic’s performance is the standard Ford Auto-Start-Stop system which can reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to five per cent in mixed driving conditions. In an urban environment and in heavy traffic with frequent stops the savings could increase to as much as 10 per cent. Ford Auto-Start-Stop features an enhanced and very durable starter motor to support the increased number of engine starts and a stronger pinion-engagement mechanism with reduced noise levels.

A high performance Improved Flooded (IF) Battery with aVoltage Quality Module (VQM) completes the system. It maintains the energy supply to electrical components like the entertainment systems during the re-starting phase of the engine. In addition a Battery Monitoring System (BMS)continuously monitors the Battery status and communicates with the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, so the system will leave the engine running in the event that the battery does not have a sufficient level of charge. An integrated system of sensors is used to detect when the driver performs an action that signals the intent to drive off, such as pressing the accelerator or clutch pedal. As soon as the driver prepares to move away, the engine starts quietly and almost instantly – it only takes the system around 0.3 seconds to fire up. The process is virtually imperceptible, and happens before gear selection is completed.

The new Mondeo ECOnetic model also includes a special aerodynamic kit including lowered suspension and low rolling resistant tyres.  The combination of all of these detail changes means the second generation Mondeo ECOnetic is targeted to deliver a combined fuel consumption lower than 4.3 l/100km (more than 65.6 mpg)*, which translates into average CO₂ emissions of 115 g/km – an important tax break point in some European markets.

Prioritising fuel efficiency does not have to come at the expense of luxury, as the new Ford Mondeo ECOnetic will be available across all Mondeo bodystyles and series except for the Titanium S. The newly introduced Mondeo range also includes a number of available Ford ECOnetic Technologies like Smart Regenerative Charging, the Ford Eco Mode driver information system and an Active Grille Shutter system.

With the addition of Ford Auto-Start-Stop technology the Ford Ka is now an even more efficient city car where frequent stops at traffic lights and queues due to heavy traffic are the norm. Ford is now equipping both available engines options for the Ka with Ford Auto-Start-Stop system as standard from November 2010. Both engines will also meet the Euro V emission levels.

This change improves the nominal fuel economy and CO₂ emissions by 3 per cent. The 1.3-litre TDCi diesel engine achieves an impressive fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100km (68.8 mpg)* and CO₂ emissions of only 109 g/km. The Ford Auto-Start-Stop system in the Ka features an advanced battery, a reinforced starter motor and a more powerful alternator. The voltage stabilizer module and a battery sensor take care of the battery’s charging status and the power supply to the electrical components during the cranking phase. In order to help the driver to reduce the real world fuel consumption as far as possible, the Ka’s instrument cluster now also features a shift indicator light.