Green Focus demonstrates that style need not be sacrificed for green motoring Open-top motoring and environmentally friendly operation is a relatively new concept, and for the British International Motor Show, Ford is showing off a model that brings eco-friendly motoring to a new level. The American carmaker has created a concept Focus Coupe-Cabriolet that is capable of running on bio-ethanol fuel. It will headline the display of
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(Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
flexible fuel vehicles (FFV's) from Ford at the show. The underlying principle of the Green Focus Cabriolet is that style and looks need not be sacrificed in order to enjoy a vehicle that is practical and offers environmentally friendly operation. The Green Focus Cabriolet concept features a specially selected arrangement of graphics applied over the standard paint, visually representing its environmental friendliness. The Green Focus Cabriolet is flanked by a pair of other FFV's at the show, including the C-Max FFV which goes on sale today in the UK. The C-Max is a multi-purpose, multi-activity family vehicle which is available in several trim levels as well as sedan or estate configurations. The FFV technology in the C-Max doesn't command a price premium from buyers, with the starting price of ₤14,695 being the same for a conventional gasoline-fueled model as for the FFV. Similarly, the Focus commands no price premium between regular gasoline and bio-ethanol models. The Focus LX in FFV form can run on any combination of gasoline and bio-ethanol fuels in the same tank and is priced at the same ₤14,045 as the regular model. Continuing a tradition of innovation, the Focus FFV was the first bio-fuel car for sale in Britain, hitting the streets last year. Ford of Britain chairman and
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(Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
managing director, Roelant de Waard is excited about the lineup. "Our new FFVs, the Coupé-Cabriolet concept and C-MAX show that every model in the Focus range - Britain's top-selling car - can run on renewable bio-ethanol." he said.Flexible fuel technology for Ford consisted of a joint effort between the carmaker and bio-ethanol retailers. De Waard mentioned the need for Government to take part and make flexible fuel motoring even more attractive for customers in the UK.