Greenest Ford Focus to debut at Sexy Green car show

The most eco-friendly version of Ford's best-selling Focus is to make its public debut at The Co-operative Insurance Sexy Green Car show from May 23-31 at the Eden Project.

The UK launch of the low-emission ECOnetic represents a major coup for the world's foremost green motor event at the home of the world-famous Biomes in Cornwall.

With a 1.6-litre diesel engine, the car produces 115g of CO2 per kilometre and boasts fuel economy of almost 66 miles per gallon. The environmental impact of the car's production is also reduced as its engine is assembled at Ford's wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre.

Eden's Gus Grand, the show's executive producer, said: "This is a significant development for The Co-operative Insurance Sexy Green Car Show. The Focus is one of the most recognisable cars on the road and we're very excited to be hosting the launch of the ultra-green version at Eden."

David Neave, Director of General Insurance at The Co-operative Insurance said: "We are delighted that Ford have chosen The Co-operative Insurance Sexy Green Car Show to Launch the innovative ECOnetic Focus.

"When we launched our eco motor insurance product* in 2006 we reinforced our own commitment to tackling climate change and at the same time looked to the motor industry to produce greener vehicles, which would ultimately provide consumers with more choice. The launch of the ECOnectic Focus is a real positive step in that direction.

"By combining an innovative motor insurance product with one of the most popular family vehicles on the road today, consumers can continue to drive with a conscience and make a real difference in the bid to combat climate change."

Also on display at Ford's The Co-operative Insurance Sexy Green Car Show stand will be the story behind the company's latest green models. The Focus has seen its CO2 emissions fall by 13 per cent from 130g/km at its launch in 1998 to the current 115g/km.

Ford have reported strong sales for their models boasting sub-120g/km CO2, claiming they have increased by 33 per cent on a year ago.

Transport for London recently proposed to waive congestion charging for cars emitting less than 120g/km CO2. Within two years all sub-130g/km CO2 cars will be free of vehicle excise duty (VED) for their first 12 months on the road.

The Co-operative Insurance Sexy Green Car Show is now in its second year and 2008 will see more vehicles on display, testing their green credentials at what is normally a car-free zone. Among other major manufacturers showing off their latest low-emission cars will be Citroen, Honda, Peugeot, Saab, Fiat and Volkswagen.