Ford is taking a leading position in terms of fuel economy improvements across its range. The company has launched a new ECOnetic range for the Mondeo and the Focus models to deliver impressive economy figures and lower emissions levels in what are affordable cars. Michael Moroney reports on his test drive of the new Ford Mondeo ECOnetic, where economy brings no compromise in terms of performance.

Ford's Mondeo is now offered in a new economical and lower emission mode through the ECOnetic models. These are impressive lower running cost diesel cars that come with a price of €29,715 before delivery charges.

Ford continues to tweak the performance ability of the Mondeo model and this latest achievement brings further fuel economy results. Ford has launched a new Mondeo range, called the ECOnetic models, to shave a little more off the economy and CO2 emission figures for the car.

The concept behind the ECOnetic models is to offer a cost effective and competitive saloon car with some extra economy benefits. The end result is the Mondeo ECOnetic, which is available in just two models, the Zetec specification five-door hatchback or estate model.

To achieve the better economy figures, Ford uses the 1.8-litre turbo-diesel engine. It has been modified along with some changes to other parts of the car to get better economy results.

Other than some slight engine tuning, Ford has lowered the chassis of the car to make it more aerodynamic. New low rolling resistance 215/55R16 Michelin Primacy HP tyres are fitted to make the car drive that bit smoother and lower the car's drag co-efficient to 0.31cd. This is aided by a colour coded rear boot spoiler.

Ford has developed some new gearbox oils for the ECOnetic models in association with BP to lower transmission resistance. These oils deliver efficiency benefits that have been shown to be significant during testing.

From the outside, there appears little different from the standard Mondeo, apart from the rear end ECOnetic badge. To see the value of this car you have to compare it with the standard 1.8-litre TDCi Mondeo.

The ECOnetic model comes with a five-speed gearbox, as against a six-speed in the standard model. The ECOnetic model delivers a higher road speed, even if its acceleration performance is very marginally slower. Acceleration in the higher gears, from 50 to 100km/hr, is faster in the six-speed model.

The economy figures are marginally better for the ECOnetic models but the real value is in terms of the lower emissions.

The ECOnetic models come with a CO2 rating of just 139 g/km as against 154 g/km for the standard model. That difference means a lower Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) rate equalling lower prices, topped off with lower annual road tax charges. Ford has succeeded in reducing the annual road tax charge for the Mondeo ECOnetic to just €150, a fantastic result and comparable with what BMW has been achieving.