Ford Focus EV

[chimpanzee]

Ford Focus EV @2012 CES

I'm leaving for CES for start of Media events (Sunday & Monday), the Exhibit & Conference Sessions are from Tue-Fri

Just got this in from CES press-release:

See why following the leader means following Ford, when you visit the Ford display at the 2012 CES. It's all here. From the totally new 2013 Fusion - the Official Car of CES - to the 2012 Focus Electric* and a wide array of smart features, Ford will showcase new technologies bound to set the pace for the automotive industry. Electrics and more. All-electric, plug-in and hybrid Ford vehicles will all be on display. So will MyFord[SUP]®[/SUP] Mobile, the award-winning app that helps Ford Electric Vehicle drivers maximize their gasoline-free driving. Stay Connected with SYNC[SUP]®[/SUP] with MyFord Touch[SUP]®[/SUP]. You'll see and experience the faster, simpler, better SYNC[SUP]®[/SUP] with MyFord Touch system. And check out SYNC AppLink[SUP]TM[/SUP]** - the game-changing technology that lets you use your voice to control mobile apps like Pandora[SUP]®[/SUP]internet radio.[SUP]®[/SUP] iHeartRadio, Stitcher Smart Radio,[SUP]TM[/SUP] Slacker[SUP]®[/SUP] Radio, and more to be announced at the show. Views from the top. On Wednesday, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be among top executives gathered for an informative Innovation Power Panel discussion about integrating your digital life and your vehicle. Experience all the latest tech developments and more at the 2012 CES. CESweb.org

Ford's CEO Mulally will be giving keynote speech, he also talked at 2010 CES:

2010 CES Jan 7 - a set on Flickr

Ford is definitely doing some good things, they announced a Pandora partnership at 2010 CES. I was at the Media event for Monster Cable (CEO talking), & found myself standing next to the Pandora founder! (we exchanged business cards)

I had met Martin Eberhard for the 1st time in 27 yrs at 2009 LA Auto Show (just prior to 2010 CES on Dec/2009)

2009 LA Auto Show: M. Eberhard @Chevrolet Booth [ '09 LA Auto Show, 12/2 ]

& also got a ride in the Ford Focus EV (prototype) there, will upload the video soon (interview of driver while on demo ride).

The integration of electronics (Bluetooth, Wireless, etc) into modern cars, not just Drivetrain "drive by wire" (e.g. PEM/Power Electronics Module in Tesla Roadster), is an interesting component of what I call "Smart Cars". Not just Alternative Transportation (electric, hydrogen, clean diesel, etc), but Immersive Technology. The latter is a field in Computer Science.

 

[AnOutsider]

Ask about range! This and the Tesla booth are on my list (and the goody-bag booths of course!)

 

[EVNow]

If they have a Ford Energi - can you grab a photo of the back seat & cargo area ? They have been trying to keep that under the wrap for a long time now ...

 

[TEG]

At the Silicon Valley auto show they had the Focus EV and Transit Connect EV on display.
I sat in both, but the hoods were locked so you couldn't look at the e-Drivetrain.
2012 Silicon Valley International Auto Show - General Info

CODA was also there... No Tesla though.

 

[KBF]

Ford Focus BEV

I haven't seen many people talk about the Ford Focus EV. Wikipedia has an article as well. Has anyone seen these cars in the wild? Are they actually being delivered or are there delays? Any opinions on it?

 

[Rifleman]

The few reviews I have read on it are positive, but underwhelmed. The price point is higher than the leaf, for a vehicle with essentially the same capabilities. If it was 5K cheaper, or has 20-30 miles additional range, it would be a fairly compelling vehicle.

 

[doug]

Merged with existing thread. See also this thread: Ford EVs by 2012

 

[EVNow]

The few reviews I have read on it are positive, but underwhelmed.

Where are the reviews ? Ford hasn't even let any journalist drive the car yet ...

 

[Mycroft]

Where are the reviews ? Ford hasn't even let any journalist drive the car yet ...

To be fair, neither has Tesla.

 

[Rifleman]

Where are the reviews ? Ford hasn't even let any journalist drive the car yet ...

I read one or two of them online a few weeks ago, as I recall they were non-driving reviews, just based off of sitting in the car, and giving a general impression. I will see if I can find them again to post them here for everyone to check out.

 

[neroden]

Agh horrible! I'd been thinking the focus EV could be extremely popular if it was priced right, but with that dropped in the boot, I doubt it. Astonishing how much of a packaging difference there seems to be between purpose-built EVs and those built on existing platforms.

That's quite consistent, isn't it?

It reminds us how much of the design of the average ICE is determined by... the ICE. Watching carmakers do these electric conversions is a bit like watching someone trying to shoehorn an electric locomotive into a steam locomotive chassis; it's just not a wise thing to do.

 

[EVNow]

To be fair, neither has Tesla.

But, supposedly deliveries started in December.

 

[ElSupreme]

That's quite consistent, isn't it?

It reminds us how much of the design of the average ICE is determined by... the ICE. Watching carmakers do these electric conversions is a bit like watching someone trying to shoehorn an electric locomotive into a steam locomotive chassis; it's just not a wise thing to do.

Exactly entirely too much room under the hood for an electric motor. And they just waste it. I was so disappointed when I looked under the hood of a Leaf. A fake valve cover for their inverter. And it was cast iron too! Oh the shame. And no room in the trunk because there is a battery there. Does the Focus EV come with a spare tire? Probably not.

 

[Mycroft]

ElSupreme, that's exactly why I'm investing in TSLA. The drivetrain is an absolute technological marvel and a work of art!

 

[EVNow]

Does the Focus EV come with a spare tire? Probably not.

Focus EV doesn't even come with a trunc ;-)

BTW, according to couple of people who have ordered an FFE - they were told the deliveries have been pushed out to summer (in one case) and fall (in another).

So, inspite of so called deliveries in December - and videos FFE being made on the assembly line, Ford is a few months away from actually producing them. That is the reason we don't hear much about it - nor have they allowed anyone to ride in one, let alone drive.

 

[dpeilow]

2012 Ford Focus Electric Won't Be Available Outside NY, CA Until Sept.

 

[AnOutsider]

Focus EV doesn't even come with a trunc ;-)

BTW, according to couple of people who have ordered an FFE - they were told the deliveries have been pushed out to summer (in one case) and fall (in another).

So, inspite of so called deliveries in December - and videos FFE being made on the assembly line, Ford is a few months away from actually producing them. That is the reason we don't hear much about it - nor have they allowed anyone to ride in one, let alone drive.

Reminds me of the karma around April of last year. Puffing smoke in the air.

 

[vfx]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120302/CARNEWS/120309964

The Ford ​

Focus electric

is officially the country's most fuel-efficient five-passenger car. The Environmental Protection Agency certified the vehicle at 105 miles per gallon-equivalent (mpg-e) in the combined cycle of city and highway driving.​

Ford says the Focus is the flagship of its new, fuel-efficient lineup that will soon include the Fusion, Taurus, Edge and Explorer EcoBoost, the Fusion hybrids, the Fiesta and the F-150.The Focus electric is built at Ford's assembly plant in Wayne, Mich., and will be available in 19 markets by the end of this year.​

 

[dpeilow]

I'm wondering how the LEAF, with its wacky super-aerodynamic but not-too-pretty face is beaten for MPGe by... a Focus.

 

[stopcrazypp]

I'm wondering how the LEAF, with its wacky super-aerodynamic but not-too-pretty face is beaten for MPGe by... a Focus.

The Focus actually is fairly aerodynamic: 0.295 cd. It also has active shutters to close off the grille at highway speeds. The Leaf's cd is 0.29. It's good but not "super-aerodynamic" (plenty of other hatches also have the same cd).