Ford‘s new three-cylinder, 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine, which senior company management believes could play its part in reducing fleet dependence on diesel, is being introduced to the UK market, and will make its debut in the Focus.
Available in turbocharged, direct-injection 100hp and 125hp forms, the compact power units generate respective 109g/km and 114g/km CO2 ratings and both qualify for zero VED during the cars’ first year.
Ford is claiming “direct customer savings” courtesy of petrol being 10p per litre cheaper than diesel, and BIK rates of 13% for the next two years, which equates to monthly savings of £32 per month for a 40% taxpayer versus the current 1.6-litre 105hp and 125hp petrol engines.
The 1.0-litre Ecoboost-powered engine involves a £250 price penalty over the 1.6-litre 125hp engine versions and will also feature in C-max, Grand C-max and the upcoming new B-max Mini-MPV (right).
There is a price difference of £500 between the Focus models fitted with the 100hp and 125hp 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines. Ecoboost-powered Focus models have a price range of between £16,245 and £21,845.
Anthony Ireson, Ford’s marketing director, predicted late last year: “Diesel will continue to lead but I think small-capacity, highly efficient petrol engines like Ecoboost will generate a swing back to petrol.”