Ford has ramped up its ECOnetic programme to offer a Focus with only 99g/km of CO₂, meaning the family hatch joins the just launched Leon Ecomotive, the Golf BlueMotion and the Toyota Prius as one of only four C-segment family hatchbacks in that club.

The maker has achieved the magic number by giving the Focus Auto-Start-Stop (as opposed to SEAT's hyphen-less Auto Start/Stop), which is Ford's first (and quite late) foray into the world of engine idle shutdown in a European production car. Brake energy recapture makes an appearance too, as well as a system the maker calls 'Ford Eco Mode', which basically goes one step further than a simple gear shift indicator by monitoring driver behaviour, scoring it, and advising appropriately on the best way of saving fuel.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre TDCi engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox whose third, fourth and fifth ratios have been lengthened. The engine is modified too, with new injectors, a revised intake system and a remapped ECU, while the exhaust gains a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Power is 107bhp and torque 177lb.ft at 1,750rpm, making the Focus ECOnetic a very slightly better performer than the Leon Ecomotive. The Ford returns 74.2mpg combined.

It rolls on tyres with lower resistance than standard - Michelin Energy Saver, specifically - and the grille is blanked. It's lowered too, by 10mm at the front and 8mm at the rear. Buyers not convinced by start-stop technology can opt for a version without it, whose CO₂ rating jumps to 104g/km and consumption to 70.6mpg. However, that model can be specified as an estate, which the Auto-Start-Stop version can't. All the other ECOnetic changes apply.

And the price for all this eco savvy? That'll be £20,000; compared to the £17k Leon Ecomotive and the £18k five-door VW Golf BlueMotion.