An advanced line-up of Ford electrified vehicles marks a new milestone for Ford and its customers, the company announced at a special “Go Electric†experience in Amsterdam.
A new range of models under the Ford Hybrid banner features sophisticated mild-, full- and plug-in hybrid powertrains to enhance fuel-efficiency and driving experiences for customers in Europe. Ford today announced 16 electrified models that will deliver the company’s brand values of trust, affordability and fun-to-drive for passenger car and commercial vehicle customers.
Ford unveiled at “Go Electric†the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid variant of the company’s all-new mid-size SUV – Ford’s most electrified vehicle ever and the first Ford to offer mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid, powertrains.
The new Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid eight-seat people-mover today made its global debut, offering pure-electric driving capability alongside the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine.
Ford also revealed the new Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid models that feature sophisticated mild-hybrid technology for reduced CO2 emissions, optimised fuel-efficiency, and a more responsive and rewarding driving experience.
In addition, Ford announced that a new all-electric Transit will join the company’s line-up of electrified commercial vehicles in 2021. Designed to deliver pure-electric propulsion, the new van will contribute to cleaner, quieter towns and cities, and reduced running costs for business and operators.
“Forward-looking, technologically advanced and using a wide range of electrified solutions to suit the different needs of different consumers, our new Ford Hybrid vehicles will make electrification relevant and affordable for more drivers than ever before,†said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. “The models introduced today are just the start of our plans to develop a comprehensive line-up of smart vehicles for a smart world. From Fiesta to Transit, every new vehicle that we introduce will feature an electrified version that best suits the needs and pockets of our customers across Europe.â€
Ford Hybrid vehicles already offered or confirmed for introduction in Europe include:
Mondeo Hybrid four-door and wagon – featuring self-charging, full-hybrid, petrol-electric powertrain technology that offers a compelling alternative to diesel. The Mondeo Hybrid wagon was shown today for the first time as a sporty new ST-Line variant
Transit EcoBlue Hybrid and Transit Custom EcoBlue Hybrid – using mild-hybrid technology to reduce running costs for van owners and operators
Tourneo Custom EcoBlue Hybrid – featuring mild-hybrid technology that enhances fuel-efficiency for eight/nine-seater people-mover customers
Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid – equipped with an advanced electric powertrain using Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine as a range extender. The vehicle is currently being trialled to better understand the benefits for the environment and for customers in London, with further trials soon to begin in Valencia, and Cologne.
Ford’s Mustang-inspired all-electric performance SUV will arrive in 2020, with a pure-electric driving range of more than 370 miles calculated using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), and fast-charging capability.*
A one-of-a-kind Ford Transit Smart Energy Concept 10-seater minibus is helping the company explore solutions for further optimising the energy-efficiency and driving range of electrified vehicles.
Electrifying the future
Ford is committed to being a leader in providing customers with a broad choice of electrified vehicles with easy access to charging, and supporting them with enhanced connectivity and related mobility services.
Earlier this year, Ford announced that every one of the company’s nameplates launched from the all-new Focus onwards will include an electrified option. This includes new nameplates and new versions of existing vehicles. Either one of, or a combination of, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery electric options will be offered, delivering one of the most encompassing line-ups of electrified options for European customers of any manufacturer.
Ford Hybrid and all-electric models utilise a range of powertrain technologies and technical solutions to tailor performance and capability to surpass customer expectations and reflect diverse operating scenarios for different vehicles.
For example, electric torque assistance from a Belt Integrated Starter/Generator will enhance the dynamic petrol engine driving experience for Fiesta and Focus EcoBoost Hybrid family cars by enabling greater power, responsiveness and fuel-efficiency. For EcoBlue Hybrid models including Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom, the technology is employed solely to further improve the fuel-efficiency of diesel powertrains.
The new Kuga Plug-In Hybrid combines combustion engine, mains-chargeable battery and electric motor for greater fuel-efficiency and zero-emissions driving capability. It deploys a power-split hybrid transmission that blends both power sources for optimised fuel-savings.
The series-hybrid configuration of the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid further adapts the mains-chargeable battery and electric motor configuration to suit the application – using a fuel-efficient petrol engine solely to recharge the battery, with no physical connection to the wheels.
And the self-charging full-hybrid technology employed by the Mondeo Hybrid is capable of pure electric driving for refinement, particularly in city and stop-start driving scenarios. The powertrain eliminates both range anxiety and the need for customers to use an external power source to charge the battery.
Ford’s future all-electric vehicles will deliver next-generation connectivity for over-the-air updates, and the company is in the advanced stages of setting up charging solutions for its electric-vehicle customers. Ford is a founder member of the IONITY consortium that aims to build 400 fast-charging stations in key European locations by 2020, with a charging capacity of 350 kW. This enables a significant reduction to charging times compared to existing systems.
Ford will also partner with NewMotion to provide a one-stop-shop for charging, using NewMotion’s charging network, which covers more than 100,000 charging points in 28 countries across Europe. In addition, Ford has commissioned its own smart wall-box solution and will partner with major energy companies to give customers access to specialist electric-vehicle tariffs and installation services.
“There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to electrification – every customer’s circumstances are different,” said Joerg Beyer, executive director, Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Ford’s nuanced powertrain strategy is designed to help our customers find the right solution to make their electrified vehicle experience easier and more enjoyable.”
Kuga’s comprehensive hybrid line-up
The all-new Ford Kuga is the first Ford passenger car to be offered with plug-in hybrid, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid powertrains.
Available from launch later this year, the all-new Kuga Plug-In Hybrid offers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain. Combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine, electric motor and generator, and 14.4 kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver 225 PS, Kuga Plug-In Hybrid delivers a pure-electric driving range in excess of 31 miles and anticipated 235 mpg fuel efficiency and 29Â g/km CO2emissions.
The stylish and distinctive all-new Kuga Titanium, sporty Kuga ST-Line and upscale Kuga Vignale range debuts sleek new exterior design, more interior space and advanced technologies. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring technologies will help drivers negotiate stop-start and highway traffic with greater confidence. Active Park Assist 2 enables fully automated parking manoeuvres simply by holding down a button.
Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid contributes to cleaner cities
The eight-seat Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid – designed to contribute to reduced local emissions and enable operation in growing number of ultra-low-emission vehicle zones being introduced across Europe – will be available to European customers from late 2019.
The Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid’s front wheels are driven exclusively by an electric motor/generator, powered by a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine acting as a range extender. The advanced hybrid powertrain targets a zero-emission driving range of up to 31 miles or 310 miles using the range extender, alongside anticipated 85.6 mpg fuel efficiency and 75 g/km CO2 emissions.
Comfort is optimised using Tourneo Custom’s unique-to-segment ability to arrange the two rear rows in conference format for outstanding access and enhanced interaction between passengers – or in two rows of three seats facing forward.
Transit goes all-electric
Anticipated for volume launch in 2021, the new all-electric Ford Transit van is designed to address the needs of businesses for a practical and versatile load-carrier with zero-emission driving capability for urban applications. The all-electric Transit will be available in multiple body styles, delivering full Transit capability and durability.
