2012 Ford Focus Electric Review, Interior and Exterior

"Focus Electric is the mainstay of our new family of electric vehicles that show our commitment in providing a choice of vehicle fuel efficiency or free to customers," said Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President Global Product Development at Ford. "Powertrain its advanced energy efficiency will provide significant advantages as well as free CO2 emissions without compromising driving pleasure. And a series of information technology for the smart driver will change the way customers look at energy use and transportation needs. "

Focus Electric will be launched in late 2011 and is designed to provide sufficient coverage to be used as a daily vehicle for most Americans. This car gives equivalent miles per gallon better than the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle and compete with other berbaterai.

Full charge is estimated to take three to four hours using a 240 volt charging station installed in the house - half of the charging time Nissan Leaf

Focus Electric introduces new features and technologies - including a unique version of MyFord Touch driver connectivity system especially for electric vehicles, charging value of new features supported by Microsoft and smartphone applications, MyFord Mobile, which help owners control their vehicles from a distance.

Five-door hatchback is sleek and stylish use of Ford's global C-car platform that also use gasoline and diesel-powered Focus, which is premiering at the North American International Auto Show in 2010 and launched at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Variants of gasoline and electric-powered Focus will be sold in the United States will be manufactured at Ford's Michigan Assembly Facility in Wayne, Mich.., Whose production part using the system's largest solar power plant in the country.

For the European market, where decisions about production of the Focus Electric is still in discussion.

Focus Electric is one of five new electric vehicles in Ford's strategy of electric power usage. The first delivery of the Transit Connect Electric began in North America late last year and the vehicle will be launched in Europe in 2011.

The Real Car

Focus Electric is not only designed to deliver outstanding energy efficiency and use of reliable, this car also provides real driving pleasure. Electric power train and single-speed transmission provide immediate response and smooth acceleration when the driver stepped on the gas pedal, up to a maximum speed of 84 miles / hour (136 km / h).

Sense of driving, handling and braking Electric Focus Focus engined variant resembling conventional agile and sporty which became his base, making the Focus Electric cars a dynamic driver. At the same time, the absence of gasoline or diesel engine coupled with superb aerodynamics of experience in producing cars that are very quiet and comfortable.

"Unlike other electric vehicles that are marketed, Focus Electric retains the dynamics and ride quality of traditional cars," said Sheriff Marakby, Director of Electrification Programs and Engineering Ford. "This car has the components and features the same premium to gasoline-powered variant, while providing the efficiency of different and very enjoyable driving experience."

Focus Electric offers a number of standard safety and security features, including six airbags and electronic traction control, along with hands-free phone connectivity SYNC ® and MyKey ® for North America. Environmentally friendly materials, such as bio-foam seat cushions and recycled fabrics are also used on these vehicles.

Other standard features on the Ford Focus Electric for North American customers include the use of connectivity technologies MyFord Touch riders a unique, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 15 spokes, separate 60/40 rear seat, push button start, AM/FM/CD/MP3 Sony ® audio with nine speakers, Sirius ® Satellite Radio with Travel Link, HD Radio ™ and the Navigation System is activated by voice.

Charging is easy
 Prospective owners are likely to Focus Electric charge the advanced lithium-ion batteries made by Ford at home every day, using 240 volt charging stations are recommended and will be sold separately or 120 volt cable provided with the vehicle.

At the time of charging, the charger on the Focus Electric convert AC current from the power grid into DC current for charging the cooled / heated using a liquid.

 "We are very pleased with the marketing potential of Focus Electric. Since many of us who are used to charge a battery of electronic products every day, we are confident our customers will not have difficulty in recharging the vehicle battery, because it is easy to do, "said Nancy Gioia, Ford Director of Global Electrification. "We not only have made charging the battery becomes simple and easy, we are also working with leading technology companies and public service industry to make the EV experience memorable and amazing."

Experience The Impressive

Owner Focus Electric will be provided a series of rider information systems - inside and outside the vehicle - is designed to help them deal with the battery charging process, to handle the most environmentally friendly route in a vehicle, the battery monitor and maximize energy efficiency to optimize their driving range. A series of carefully designed equipment that is designed to give advantage to the Focus Electric compared to rival products, which provide a new electric vehicle owners with the information they need to enjoy the freedom offered by the fuel-free driving.

Among these tools is the use of connectivity technologies MyFord Touch driver. Features developed for electric vehicle owners are offering an innovative presentation of vehicle information, such as battery status, distance charging point, budget-related coverage and the estimated margin range. MyView feature allows riders to access more data vehicles, including electric power demand of vehicle accessories such as air conditioners, which can affect the driving range.

Just as the image leaves the first-generation SmartGauge ™ with EcoGuide represents fuel efficiency on Ford Fusion Hybrid, the display on the Focus Electric uses blue butterfly images that symbolize additional coverage beyond the purpose of charging points - the more butterflies, more far-reaching.

The Ford designers inspired by the phenomenon known as the "butterfly effect," where small changes, for example, choose to use electric vehicles, can produce a great impact. To underscore this message, at the end of each trip, the display shows the distance that has been taken, the distance obtained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and the ratio of the fuel savings obtained through the use of electric vehicles.

This view is also integrated with a map-based Navigation System MyFord Touch uses touch screen 8 inches in the center of the vehicle. After adding their riding goals, including the next charging point, into a vehicle Navigation System, the vehicle will guide motorists on how to achieve the desired range - or if travel plans need to be adjusted. Navigation systems in cars ecoRoute provides options based on the characteristics of efficient EV driving.

The Remote Control

Outside the car, the owner of Focus Electric in the United States will be able to keep in touch with his car as long as it has access using a mobile phone application developed by Ford MyFord Mobile.

MyFord Mobile is an application that enables access via smartphone or web-based interface for:

·         Obtain a vehicle status information instantly

·         Implement the main function of the distance

·         Monitor the battery charge status and the current car range

·         Get notification when the car needs charging or has been filled

·         Program the charging settings remotely and download vehicle data for analysis

This feature also enabled owners to program the vehicle to use electricity from the network to heat or cool the battery and connecting cabins - called to preconditions. For example, throughout the summer, owners can program charging a car battery the night before - and cooled to a certain temperature - at a certain hour in the morning. Users also can search through the GPS location of the vehicle, turn and lock and unlock car doors remotely.

Working closely with MapQuest ®, MyFord Mobile can communicate battery charging stations and other interesting places to Focus Electric using SYNC Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI). Appropriate guidance is provided by the map-based Navigation System on the car. Motorists can also directly get the latest information about the battery charging station in their vehicle through the SYNC TDI connected to SYNC Services.

Value Charging

Focus Electric offers value charging, backed by Microsoft, to assist owners in the United States Electric Focus battery charge their vehicles at unbeatable prices, thus lowering cost of ownership.

"Value charging enables our customers to reduce their electricity costs by utilizing off-peak rates or other price reductions from the electricity provider without a complicated setup process," said Ed Pleet, Manager of Ford's Connected Services Organization. "This is an approach to 'plug and forget' for customers to reduce energy costs.

The tool is designed to help customers avoid unnecessary costs by providing optimum battery charging. In the future, smart battery charging habits will help companies understand and electricity providers to better handle the demand for electricity network of electric vehicles.

Charging The Battery

Electric Focus owners will likely handle the vehicle charging cable connectors several times each day. This is why Ford worked with Yazaki to provide a five-point plug which is the industry standard that is ergonomically comfortable to hold and durable and uniquely designed.

Plug using a black rubber grip abrasive so comfortable touch and not slippery. Plug head is protected by a shiny white plastic.

When the cable connector is inserted into the vehicle charging port, which lies between the driver door and front wheel well, the ring that surrounds the charger port will light two times, indicating connectivity. The rings are then lit in several sections along with the vehicle battery charging. The part that blinking indicates charging in progress and quadrants are lit light shows charging stages of completion. When an error occurs, the entire ring will flash. If the ring is brightly lit, charging the vehicle battery has been completed.

Including Batteries

Focus Electric will get its power from lithium-ion battery system engineered by Ford, in collaboration with LG Chem. The battery system uses a liquid heating and cooling to help maximize battery life and range of fuel-free driving.

Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of a fully electric-powered vehicles. Focus Electric to use liquid cooling and heating systems are sophisticated active to regulate the conditions and temperature on lithium-ion battery systems are large and complex.

Active liquid system heats or cools the coolant before pumping it into the battery cooling system. These cycles regulate the temperature throughout the system to face the external conditions. On a hot day, the cooled liquid to absorb heat from the battery, pass through the radiator before pumping it back into the cooler. On cold days, a heated liquid warms the batteries, which gradually brings the temperature of the system to a level that enabled him to effectively receive the charging energy and provide adequate power usage for the expected performance of the vehicle.

"Focus Electric is the culmination of research and development for years," said Kuzak. "It is more important, it's an impressive beginning a new era for Ford and our customers."