Latest Ford Range Set to Lead New "61" -Plate Sales

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 17, 2011: Ford is entering the bumper September market and new "61"-plate change with its strongest-ever range, including updates and additions designed to appeal to all sectors of the market.

Ford small cars
The Ford Fiesta, voted best supermini 2011 by Auto Express, boasts the new "Centura" limited edition. Launched to mark 100 years of Ford in Britain, the 1.25 petrol Ford Fiesta "Centura" from £13,395 includes over £600 of additional customer value through standard extras.

Only 1,000 Ford Fiesta "Centura" examples will be available, offering metallic Panther Black paint, chrome mirror and door caps, LED daylight running lamps, 16in seven-spoke alloy wheels and parking camera mounted in the rear view mirror.

Continuing its reign as Britain's best selling car, the Ford Fiesta now starts at £9,495 for the Studio model also on sale this summer. The Fiesta Studio joins the new Style at £9,995, with both models making Fiesta ownership more affordable than ever.

Ford medium cars
An all-new entry level Focus Studio goes on sale next month priced at £13,995 on-the-road. This latest addition is available as a five-door hatchback with a fuel-efficient 85PS 1.6-litre petrol engine delivering almost 48mpg.

Standard equipment includes 16in sports-style alloy wheels, body-coloured rear spoiler, USB connectivity, radio/CD and electrically operated body-coloured door mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

From September, the all-new Focus will benefit from the introduction of Ford's six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission with petrol-engined models. The 1.6-litre Ti-VCT 125PS petrol PowerShift will deliver 149g CO2/km, return over 44mpg and be offered on Edge, Zetec and Titanium series at a £1,250 premium.

The stylish Ford Kuga crossover range adds a new flagship model next month. The Ford Kuga Titanium X will feature an impressive list of standard equipment over Titanium including full leather trim, 18in alloy wheels, LED daylight running lamps, large rear spoiler, panoramic roof, Bluetooth with voice control, USB connectivity, bi-xenon headlamps, heated front seats and power adjust driver seat. The Kuga Titanium X can be specified with 2.5-litre petrol AWD, 2.0 TDCi 140PS FWD or 2.0 TDCi 163PS AWD powertrains.

Ford large cars
Sales of frugal 1.6-litre diesel and petrol engines are rising since becoming available on all Ford large cars, with Auto-Start-Stop as standard, from earlier this year. The powertrains already account for over eight per cent of Mondeo sales since joining the range at the end of last year. They make up more than four per cent of Multi-Purpose Vehicles (Ford S-MAX and Galaxy) after debuting only six months ago.

The 1.6 TDCi emits only 114g CO2/km while returning 65.6mpg – meaning zero road tax in the first year and £30 annually from then. Ford's new 1.6 EcoBoost turbo petrol engine delivers 160PS, compared with 145PS for the non-turbo 2.0-litre in Ford's large car range. As well as offering more power, for a £500 premium over the 2.0-litre, the 1.6 EcoBoost also boasts fuel economy improved by five mpg and emissions reduced by 35g CO2/km (on Mondeo).

Andy Barratt, Ford Britain sales director, said: "Ford has the right '61'-plate line-up, combining design style, technology and affordability for our September customers. Dealers nationally are eager to introduce them to Ford's best range ever."