Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost sets 16 world speed records

It’s just a few months since the Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost went on sale and already it has gained many admirers for its fuel efficiency.

But now the 125 ps Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost also proved its surprising performance by setting 16 Federation Internationale
de l’Automobile (FIA) speed world records over distances ranging from 1 km (0.6 miles) to 4,104.7 km (2,550.5 miles).

Drivers including World Rally Championships star Jari-Matti Latvala set the records at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France, over a two-day period. Latvala and eight journalists from France and the US drove three Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost cars identical to those sold in Ford dealerships throughout Europe.

“This little engine punches way above its weight when it comes to performance,” said Latvala, whose regular ride is a 304 ps Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car. “The records prove the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost can be lots of fun - as well as a very frugal car.”

To be eligible, each car was required to be run-in under the supervision of an official FFSA (Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile) steward, after being selected from the Ford manufacturing facility in Saarlouis, Germany.

The three Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost models set the 'sub-1.0-litre class' world records for times recorded covering both 1 km and 1 mile from a standing start and a flying start; and for highest average speeds recorded over distances ranging from 10 km (6.21 miles) to 4,104.7 km (2,550.5  miles). The cars also set highest average speed records over timed sessions lasting one, six, 12 and 24 hours.

The highest average speed recorded was 191.056 km/h (118.716 mph) during the setting of the world record for the highest average speed over one hour.

The 125 ps Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost is capable of 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h (120 mph). It delivers fuel efficiency of 5.0 l/100 km (56.5 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. A 100 ps version of the 1.0-litre engine delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency of 4.8 l/100 km (58.9 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.

Posted in: EcoBoost Engine,Federation Internationale de l’Automobile,Ford,Ford Focus,International,Jari-Matti Latvala,World Record