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New-Car Review: 2013 Ford Focus Electric

September 3, 2012   ·   0 Comments

Vehicle Highlights

2013 Ford Focus Electric: What Is It?

The Focus Electric is Ford’s first mass-production full-electric vehicle. The company adapted its manufacturing plant in Michigan to assemble both conventional and electric Focus vehicles on the same line, which helps reduce cost and complexity.

Focus Electric comes only as a 4-door hatchback. Its battery pack can be charged via a 120- or 240-volt outlet. The Ford-branded charging station, available at extra cost, is designed to be easily removable in case owners change residences. Ford claims a depleted battery can be fully recharged in 3-4 hours on a 240-volt connection, the car can achieve a top speed of 84 mph, and has about 100 miles of range on a full charge.

2013 Ford Focus Electric: What’s New

Ford is ramping up production for 2013 after a very limited run in 2012. There’s nothing new to report as far as the car itself, but it should be available in more markets.

2013 Ford Focus Electric: Model Lineup, Features, and Options

The electric model has equipment levels similar to that of the gasoline-powered Focus Titanium. Included are rear-obstacle detection, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation system, rearview camera, heated front seats, keyless entry/engine start, HD Radio receiver, xenon headlights, and Ford’s Sync infotainment system.

The specially designed version of Sync includes remote charging and vehicle control programs that allow owners to control certain aspects of the car over the Internet or from a supported smartphone.

Options are limited to leather upholstery and assorted dress-up and protection accessories.

2013 Ford Focus Electric: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

Focus Electric is front-wheel drive. Its electric motor produces 143 horsepower, and it pairs with a single-speed transmission that behaves like an automatic.

2013 Ford Focus Electric: Fuel Economy

The EPA uses a formula called “Miles Per Gallon Equivalent” (MPGe) when calculating “fuel economy” of an electric car. Focus Electric gets a rating of 110 city/99 highway. One gallon of gasoline is equivalent to 33.7 kilowatt-hours.

2013 Ford Focus Electric: Safety Features

The 2013 Ford Focus Electric includes a standard complement of expected and federally mandated safety features. Some features offered on the conventional Focus, such as blind-spot alert, are not available on the Electric.

We have not yet tested the Ford Focus Electric.

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