UNIQUE BATTERY ELECTRIC FORD FOCUS MEETS THE STARS IN THE "JAY LENO SHOW"

• In the US, Ford teams up with “The Jay Leno Show” on NBC to showcase battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology as part of the show’s “Green Car Challenge
• Electric Orange Ford Focus ST will be driven in the show’s first season by celebrity guests competing for best track times
• Ford is the only car maker to participate in the challenge
• Focus ST BEV previews Ford's electrified vehicles programme which will see the introduction in North America of a battery electric Transit Connect in 2010 and a battery electric Focus in 2011

BRENTWOOD, Essex, September 22, 2009 – Ford Motor Company has teamed up with “The Jay Leno Show” in the United States to provide an all-new battery electric version of the Ford Focus ST five-door for celebrities to drive in the programme's regular "Green Car Challenge" segment.

Ford has especially made the car for the programme, using an Electric Orange Ford Focus ST five-door as the basis. It uses the same prototype technology that Ford is developing for its future North American Focus BEV production model in 2011.

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe unveiled its first Focus BEV prototype for the UK Low Carbon Vehicle Initiative, which uses similar technology and which will join a 15-car fleet in 2010 for evaluation in everyday use by drivers and scheme partners.

“Having a Focus ST battery electric vehicle on the new Jay Leno programme in North America is a great way to demonstrate that a BEV can also be fun to drive,” said Ian Porter, Ford of Europe's powertrain strategy manager. “Beyond the immediate excitement of driving, it demonstrates that Ford is investing in this technology and that we’re committed to electric vehicles.

"The European Ford Focus ST was chosen specifically for the programme, even though the model is not available in the US, because the ST offers both 'stand out' styling and dynamic handling," Ian said. "We were delighted to assist the North American development team by supplying the appropriately coloured Electric Orange five-door."

Focus ST BEV meets the stars
The Focus appearing on “The Jay Leno Show” is a one-of-a-kind vehicle, based on the five-door production Focus ST and modified into a battery electric vehicle (BEV) as part of Ford’s global BEV test fleet. The Focus ST BEV features 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.

Actress Drew Barrymore is the first celebrity guest to accept the show’s “Green Car Challenge.” Celebrity guests will set a lap time thatfuture guests will try to beat. The “Green Car Challenge” will be a regular feature on “The Jay Leno Show”.

The “Green Car Challenge” vehicle started life as a European production Focus ST delivered to Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, where engineers removed the engine and fuel tank and installed an entire electric powertrain – all in six weeks. With Recaro racing seats, a full roll cage and a five-point racing harness, the battery electric Focus ST is ready for the challenge.

Thanks in part to the battery placement, the Focus ST BEV has a near ideal 50/50 weight distribution for improved handling on the track. The front springs and dampers have been taken from the high performance Focus RS road car. The rear dampers and springs are unique to Jay Leno’s Focus ST BEV.

The car is specifically tuned to perform on the track built alongside “The Jay Leno Show” studio at NBC in Los Angeles. To help optimise performance, Ford created a similar track at their proving ground in Michigan.
The Ford Focus ST BEV has a range of nearly 80 miles and peak power of 141hp (105 kilowatts).

Committed to electrified vehicle development
Ford has an aggressive plan to put at least four electrified vehicles on the road in North America by 2012, including a new Focus BEV in 2011, as well as new hybrids and a plug-in hybrid.

“Ford is absolutely committed to delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency with every new vehicle we introduce,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, global product development. “The Focus showcases how electric vehicles can be smart, green, fast and fun. It also illustrates Ford’s commitment to fuel efficiency and doing our part to contribute to a better world.”

Ford Focus ST BEV technical specifications
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

Wheelbase: 104 in / 2,640 mm
Overall length: 171.7 in / 4,362 mm
Overall height: 58.9 in / 1,497 mm
Overall width: 72.4 in / 1,840 mm
Curb weight: 3,421 lbs