Ford Focus EcoBoost Hybrid Debuts With MHEV Tech, Digital Dash

First announced in March last year, the Ford Focus mild hybrid is now making its official debut for the European market. It benefits from the company's latest MHEV powertrain, which is also available for the Puma and Fiesta.

Under the hood is a 1.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, supported by a belt-driven integrated starter-generator (BISG), which helps the mill recover the energy usually lost during braking and coasting. There's also an air-cooled 48-volt lithium-ion battery pack, located underneath the front passenger seat.

All in all, the new powertrain delivers a peak output of 155 horsepower (115 kilowatts), which is more than twice the power density of a 145-hp (108-kW) 2.0‑liter gas engine available for the Focus just 10 years ago. According to Ford, the Focus MHEV will deliver combined fuel consumption of 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers with CO2 emissions from 115 grams per kilometers, both measured by Europe's new WLTP cycle. A 125-hp (93-kW) version of the Focus EcoBoost Hybrid will also be available.

Depending on the market, the electrified Focus will be offered in all trims available for the model, including Titanium, Active, Focus ST-Line, Vignale. The EcoBoost Hybrid powertrain will also be offered for the wagon, hatchback, and sedan body styles.

Another significant improvement to the Focus range is the addition of a fully-digital instrument cluster. The display is shared with the new Escape/Kuga duo and is 12.3-inches wide, providing "detailed, high definition, more intuitive images and icons in the full-color spectrum, making them brighter, less tiring on the eyes and easier to read." The system will integrate Ford's Hazard Warning technology, which gives drivers warnings of developing situations beyond their field of vision.

The Focus will continue to be offered with other powertrains, too, including a 1.0- and 1.5-liter turbo gas engines, as well as 1.5- and 2.0- turbodiesels.