Pretty in Pics: Leno's electric Ford Focus gets a face, specs
Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
The new Jay Leno Show has been given as much push as any new program in recent memory, with a constant barrage on TV, the radio and all over the interwebs. One part of the show that has really piqued our interest is Jay's Green Car Challenge, which puts celebrities behind the wheel of an electric Ford Focus. We reported on Jay's Top Gear-like challenge last week, but we hadn't gotten our hands on any pics or specs... until now.
The special battery-powered Focus started life in Germany as a run-of-the-mill Focus ST five-door hatch back in July, then it was shipped to Dearborn, MI for electrification. The one-of-a-kind Focus was given an extreme makeover in only six weeks, but we think the results are pretty remarkable. The Green Car Challenge Focus is bright orange, has more decals than Tony Stewart's car and packs a permanent magnet electric motor. The electric Focus weighs in at a portly 3,421 pounds due in part to the vehicle's 98 air-cooled, 60 Ah lithium ion batteries. The electric motor kicks out 141 hp (105 kW) and 235 lb-ft of torque and has a 7,500 rpm redline.
The goal of Leno's Green Car Challenge is for celebrities to achieve the best possible lap times, so Ford made sure its ecologically friendly Focus could also handle track duty. Among the added features in this Euro Focus ST are Recaro racing seats, a full roll cage and a five-point racing harness. Ford also added 12.6 inch front rotors and 11 inch discs out back to make sure this hot orange Focus could stop as well as it can go.
The Green Car Challenge Ford Focus will first hit the airwaves tonight as actress Drew Berrymore gets behind the wheel for some track time. Hit the jump for more details about Ford's converted Euro Focus ST, and click on the gallery below to see a couple great looking pics.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
ELECTRIC FORD FOCUS READY TO RACE TONIGHT IN "THE JAY LENO SHOW'S" GREEN-CAR CHALLENGE
Background: A battery-electric Ford Focus will appear tonight, Friday, Sept. 18 on "The Jay Leno Show" (NBC, Monday-Friday, 10-11 p.m. ET) in a segment they call "Green Car Challenge." The battery-electric Ford Focus will be used throughout the first season of the show, driven by celebrity guests who accept the challenge.
SUMMARY / PHOTO CAPTIONS:
• An electric-powered Ford Focus is ready to race tonight on "The Jay Leno Show" (NBC, Monday-Friday, 10-11 p.m. ET) in a segment called "Green Car Challenge." Tuned to perform on a racetrack that was specifically designed for "The Jay Leno Show," the battery-electric Ford Focus will be the car used throughout the first season. Actress Drew Barrymore is the first celebrity to accept "The Jay Leno Show's" "Green Car Challenge."
• A one-of-a-king battery-electric Focus will make its television debut tonight in "The Jay Leno Show's" "Green Car Challenge." Celebrities who accept the challenge will be at the wheel, driving quickly to establish a fast lap time that future guests will try to beat. The "Green Car Challenge" will be a regular segment on "The Jay Leno Show."
• The electric Focus to be driven by celebrity guests on "The Jay Leno Show" is one-of-a-kind vehicle, based on the European five-door production Focus ST, modified into a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as part of Ford's BEV test fleet. The Focus BEV foreshadows many of the same systems that Ford will begin selling to consumers in an all-new electric Ford Focus, scheduled to go on sale in North America in 2011. The new Focus BEV is one of four electrified vehicles Ford is introducing now through 2012 as part of the company's commitment to deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency with every new vehicle it introduces.
• "The Jay Leno Show"'s unique Focus BEV started life as a European production Focus ST, built in Germany in July. The car was delivered to Ford's world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., where engineers went to work, removing the traditional engine and gas tank and installing an entire electric powertrain – all in six weeks. With Recaro racing seats, a full roll cage, a five-point racing harness and wearing a unique (and fitting) "Electric Orange" paint scheme, the battery electric Focus ST is ready for racing.
• With a sophisticated electric powertrain, the zero-emissions Ford Focus BEV delivers nearly as much torque at the wheels as a 2010 Ford Mustang V-6. It also stores enough energy to power an average household for 24 hours.
• Thanks in part to the battery placement, the race-ready Ford Focus BEV has a nearly ideal 50/50 weight distribution for improved race track handling. The front springs and dampers come from the performance-minded Ford Focus RS, a popular, high-performance European production model. The rear dampers and springs are unique to Leno's Focus BEV.
• The car is specifically tuned to perform on the track built alongside "The Jay Leno Show" studio at NBC. To help improve performance, Ford created a similar track at its proving ground in Michigan so the vehicle would be ready to handle the tight turns.
• Besides an ability to perform on the track, the Ford Focus BEV boasts the impressive statistics of a conventional battery electric vehicle, with a range of nearly 80 miles on a charge and peak power of 141 horsepower (105 kilowatts).
VEHICLE SPECS:
Powertrain: permanent magnetic electric motor
Power: 141 hp / 105 kw
Torque: 236 lb.-ft. / 320 Nm
Redline: 7500 rpm
Batteries: 98, air-cooled, 60 A-h Lithium-ion batteries
Capacity: 23 kilowatt hours
Transmission: Single speed gearbox
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Front suspension: Macpherson-type struts
Rear suspension: Independent short-long arm (SLA), control blade multi-link system
Brakes: Front: 12.6 in / 320 mm ventilated discs
Rear: 11.0 in / 280 mm solid disc
Anti-lock system
Wheelbase: 104 in / 2640 mm
Overall length: 171.7 in / 4362 mm
Overall height: 58.9 in / 1497 mm
Overall width: 72.4 in / 1840 mm
Curb weight: 3,421 lbs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eliot 12:16AM (9/18/2009)
That looks 1000 times better then the current US Focus. Bring that over here in gas or diesel that gets 30mpg or better in the city and I'll give you a down payment right now Mr Blue Oval.
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John Pelletier 12:20AM (9/18/2009)
indeed, the euro spec focus is much nicer, although you can still tell they are twins
should be interesting to watch and I am glad he is doing it, now lets get a roadster on that track and really see what a BEV can do ;)
Tohe 4:44AM (9/18/2009)
"Bring that over here in gas or diesel that gets 30mpg or better in the city"
Why not this very BEV? I agree, this car is much nicer, same goes for the Fiesta and the newly US bound Mazda 2. The current US Focus looks dated to me.
Throwback 8:24AM (9/18/2009)
The next gen Focus will be the same the world over. It is debuting at the Detroit show.
eliot 1:19PM (9/18/2009)
Tohe,
To answer your question, why not the exact BEV. Several reasons, but the biggest is I know that's wishful thinking. A car small car that's fun to drive, fuel efficient, and dependable will do much more for the environment in the near term than electric vehicles will.
Electric vehicles and mass transit are the holy grail of environmental transportation and worth the effort. Theyre just not ready for the mass adoption by the public yet. This car is ready for mass adoption. Small. fuel efficient and a taunt sporty ride/handling. I want!
Nick From Montreal 2:40AM (9/18/2009)
Ah, a normal-looking car. I like that. An affordable Ford focus EV with 4 seats would sell tons, even with a limited 100 miles range.
It's also cool that the Focus will provide some early publicity until it finally arrives. This way, people will know that there's something else beside the Volt & Tesla.
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Geoff de Ruiter 3:49AM (9/18/2009)
There is a video on youtube about the development and program. 2 mins but it gets the point across.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnOBmitCDEs
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Nick From Montreal 9:38AM (9/18/2009)
Too much talking, not enough showing the car. Just kidding...I like the enthusiasm.
They build just one car for the entire show season? No backup in case the battery dies or someone drives into a wall?
Chris M 5:09PM (9/18/2009)
Ford is building two, not just for backup, but so Leno can host match races between two celebs.
andrichrose 4:38AM (9/18/2009)
Seems a little weird to put such large brakes on this car , surely the
regen braking from its 100kw motor should be enormous !
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NeilBlanchard 10:10AM (9/18/2009)
Hi,
The video (linked above) mentions that they built TWO cars for the show.
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NeilBlanchard 10:12AM (9/18/2009)
(con't) I'd buy one in an instant! Bring it on, Ford!
Sincerely, Neil
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Rom 11:17AM (9/18/2009)
Wow. I can't enjoy the hype for a few reasons.
How the heck does this qualify as green or eco-friendly? Don't let the hype fool you. In short, they shipped the car from Europe to race on a track that was designed for this race. Way to blow money and CO2 at the same time.
It is absurd that he chose an American car NOT made in America. It absolutely stinks that both Jay AND Ford had to think the US models were not good enough to use.
It down right pisses me off that Ford can boast about preparing and converting the car in 6 weeks but they don't have any reasonable excuse for an electric car in the US at all. Not only is it electric, but they've also given it more power than a mustang and 'nearly ideal handling'.
Well Ford, glad to see you can put in an effort when it counts for you but not for the American car market.
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NeilBlanchard 11:43AM (9/18/2009)
Hi Rom,
I think the reason that Ford is providing the 2 Focus EV's to the Jay Leno show is precisely because they will be selling this car in the USA, and they want to promote it. Also, as mentioned above, the Focus will be the same around the world, and the ones sold in the US will (most likely) be built here.
Sincerely, Neil
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bozzakwebmaster 2:11PM (9/18/2009)
It's funny how they're able to build an EV focus that looks really nice within 2 months - put still have yet to release a production EV.
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meanderingthemaze 4:01PM (10/23/2009)
What are we chop liver? Why don't they do a research test here in LA? I'd sign up in a heartbeat. Can't wait to get a BEV.
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