Drew Barrymore to Drive Jay Leno's Electric Ford Focus Tonight
Photo: FordJay Leno's "Green Car Challenge" Will be a Regular SegmentJust a few days after Ford's unveiling of its electric Focus prototype at Frankfurt, we get photos and specs of the electric Focus that will be used in Jay Leno's Green Car Challenge (which is basically just getting the best lap tip on the track, and beating any previous records) during the first season of his new show. It is based on a German made European 5-door Focus ST (not the upcoming new Focus, which will be a global car) which was turned into a battery-powered electric car in Michigan over six weeks. Read on for more details.
Photo: FordJay Leno's Electric Ford Focus Technical Specifications
VEHICLE SPECS:Powertrain: Permanent magnetic electric motorPower: 141 hp / 105 kwTorque: 236 lb.-ft. / 320 NmRedline: 7500 rpmBatteries: 98 air-cooled, 60 A-h Lithium-ion batteriesCapacity: 23 kilowatt hoursTransmission: Single-speed gearbox
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinionFront suspension: MacPherson-type strutsRear suspension: Independent short-long arm (SLA), control blade multi-link systemBrakes: Front: 12.6 in / 320 mm ventilated discsRear: 11.0 in / 280 mm solid discAnti-lock system
Wheelbase: 104 in / 2640 mmOverall length: 171.7 in / 4362 mmOverall height: 58.9 in / 1497 mmOverall width: 72.4 in / 1840 mmCurb weight: 3,421 lbs
Ready for the TrackCurb weight is pretty high thanks to the batteries, but attention has been given to weight distribution so that it is almost the ideal 50/50. The brakes have also been beefed up to make sure the electric Focus could stop quickly enough.
The electric range is 80 miles (129 kilometers).
A production electric Ford Focus should go on sale in 2011.
If you want to watch the show, it plays on NBC at 10 p.m. ET. Not sure when the Green Car Challenge segment will be, though...
Via Ford, EcorazziMore Ford ArticlesFord Shows Electric Focus Prototype at Frankfurt Auto ShowFord's Electric Cars Will Talk to the Power Grid, Pick Least Expensive Electricity RatesMore Electric CarsFisker Working on $39,000 Plug-in Hybrid to be Sold in 2012, Made in USAToyota Reveals Details About Plug-In Prius Concept (Lithium-Ion Batteries!)
