Performance Ford Focus Rs Takes on Eco Challenge

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM - September 23, 2009: Ford’s fastest-ever European production car will chase a fuel efficiency record when it enters the UK's seventh annual MPG Marathon this month.

The 2.5-litre 305PS Ford Focus RS will target over 35mpg during the 360-mile route.

Capable of 163mph and 0-60mph in under six seconds, the Ford Focus RS aims to demonstrate its remarkable efficiency with class honours in the leading frugal motoring marathon.

Motoring writer Jeremy Walton and co-driver Alyson Marlow are preparing to beat the official 30.1mpg combined fuel economy of the Ford Focus RS by a margin of over 15 per cent.

"I'm setting out to prove you can use an efficient high-performance car in daily driving without enormous fuel bills," said Jeremy, who has entered the Ford-supplied RS in the Warwickshire-based marathon's class for cars with CO2 emissions of 160+g/km.

Before customer deliveries even started earlier this year, more than half of the UK's Ford Focus RS allocation had been sold. The £26,395 car continued the RS badge's acclaimed 40-year association with exciting and affordable performance cars.

David Calder, Ford's medium car product manager, said: "We launched the latest Ford Focus RS not only as the ultimate front-wheel drive performance car but also as a car you can live with every day, and wish Jeremy and Alyson a smooth and safe journey as they prove this out."

The MPG Marathon, organised by FleetWorld magazine, demonstrates real world fuel economy figures delivered by a wide range of vehicles, not just those designed for low fuel consumption. More about the event on September 30/October 1 at mpgmarathon.com