Ford Scores A Hat-Trick At Fleet World Honours

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – May 18, 2012: Ford’s new 1.0-litre turbo-powered EcoBoost engine has won the Innovation Award at the 2012 Fleet World Honours, joining Ranger and Transit to form a hat-trick of Ford prize winners.

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually by the magazine and web publishing group to manufacturers that have excelled in their sector.

Fleet World editor Steve Moody said: “Diesel dominates the fleet industry, but with its brilliant new EcoBoost engine, Ford has proved that petrol can offer an alternative. Already available in the Focus, this small, turbo-charged 125PS engine is a game changer.”

Fleet World’s Innovation Award is the second prize in as many months for the 1.0-litre turbo direct-injection unit. In April the EcoBoost-equipped Ford Focus was named Best Company Car by Business Car Manager.

The new power unit delivers high levels of performance and refinement combined with the fuel economy advantages of downsizing. It produces 125PS and 170Nm peak torque (200Nm with overboost) between 1,400 and 4,500rpm. These output figures are achieved in combination with fuel economy of 56.5mpg – a 20 per cent improvement over the outgoing 1.6-litre 125PS unit.

Commercial vehicle success
Transit won the prize for Best Large Van in the Van Fleet World Honours – the third year in succession that the Transit family has received an accolade. In 2010 Transit Connect was dubbed Best Small Van and last year Transit was voted Best Medium Van.

Van Fleet World editor John Kendall said: “It has been the best-selling van in Britain for the past 47 years and there’s no denying Ford’s thorough approach to engineering the Transit, nor the all-round quality of the product. Ford was the first to offer a choice of front- or rear-wheel drive in the 3.5-tonne sector 12 years ago, giving fleets a comprehensive choice of drivetrain and body styles according to need.

“That continues with Transit to this day. Ford offers a vast range of body styles and chassis, as well as its One Stop Shop ready-bodied conversions.”

Ranger earned its win as Best Pick-Up thanks to its unrivalled choice of options and ‘SUV-like’ driving controls, said Kendall. “Power comes from an adapted version of the British-built Transit diesel engine offering 125hp and 150hp, plus a 3.2-litre five-cylinder 200hp option, and there’s a choice of two- and four-wheel-drive models. Ford is offering three cabs: single, extended ‘super cab’ and double cab. It’s a comprehensive list and an award winner.”

Ford of Britain fleet director Kevin Griffin said: “The Fleet World Awards are among the most competitive and firmly judged in the fleet industry, so to collect prizes for our commercial fleet mainstay the Transit, as well as for Ranger and the exciting new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, is a testament to the passion and hard work involved in developing these great products.”