The Jay Leno Show's Ford Focus Electric

Watching prime time television as of September 2009 introduces us to Ford Motor Company's latest demonstration with electrical power; the Ford Focus BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). For this segment on NBC's The Jay Leno Show, celebrities are invited to get behind the wheel of the electric-powered Focus for a race lap around a specialized course. Showcased in The Jay Leno Show's Green Car Challenge, this special eco-friendly Focus is driven through an unique obstacle course which includes streamers and ping-pong balls.

As for the show's host Jay Leno, his personal interest in automobiles included collaborations with General Motors for SEMA show cars including a E85-powered Chevrolet Corvette C6RS. Informed in alternative power sources in automobiles like the Ford Focus BEV, part of Jay Leno's considerable car and motorcycle collection is a Stanley Steamer; a steam-powered car he actually drives on numerous occasions to the television studio.

While celebrities like Bob Costas and Drew Barrymore having partaken in the Green Car Challenge, the Ford Focus BEV is the prime time star.

Ford Focus BEV Exterior

Intent on exhibiting the viability of fully electric powertrains, the Ford Focus BEV's addition of some sport tuner touches continues to redefine zero emissions motoring as an exciting endeavor.

A radiant electric orange layers over the Focus BEV with yellow and blue graphics advertising the alternative energy powerplant. Along with the unique paint scheme, the casual American automotive observer will note an oddity with this Ford Focus being a five-door hatchback. The Ford Focus used in the Green Car Challenge is actually a European-spec Ford Focus ST which varies drastically from the American sold Focus. Riding on a platform shared with the Volvo C30 and the Ford Transit Connect, the European Focus is an inch longer in wheelbase compared to the American version.

Ford chose the ST model of the Focus based on some favourable handling attributes, which includes cross-members joining the MacPherson front strut units for greater stiffness. To upgrade the performance prowess, Ford continued to dive into the corporation's European parts bin with springs and dampers from coming from the high-powered sport compact Focus RS.

Ford Focus BEV Interior

The interior underwent some mild touches to suit the friendly competition the Focus BEV is providing the Green Car Challenge drivers. Front driver and passenger sit in Recaro racing seats with five-point racing harnesses fastening them securely as they venture through the challenge's course. Providing a first-line defense to a worst-case scenario crash, this Focus BEV interior is lined with a full roll cage.

Ford Focus BEV Performance

The European spec Focus ST arrive at the Ford's Dearborn with a typical fuel-burning engine. American-based Ford engineers outfitted the compact car to an experimental zero emissions vehicle powertrain employing a permanent magnetic electric motor. Delivering the equivalent of 141 horsepower, the Ford Focus BEV produces just two horses less than the current American Ford Focus powered by a two-liter, four cylinder engine. Pushing the Focus BEV over the top, the characteristics of the electric motor allows this compact car's tires to be driven by an astonishing 236 pounds feet of torque.

Matching wits with many gasoline-powered vehicles on the road, the Ford Focus BEV does come with the present restrictions of electric vehicles. With 98 lithium-ion batteries, the total capacity of 23 kilowatt hours tenders just under 80 miles of driving distance at peak performance. Though the Ford Focus' battery is primarily responsible for motivating the vehicle's drivetrain, it also powers the compatc's steering system.

With the Ford Focus BEV currently being maintained as a demonstration vehicle, Ford is investing $550 million dollars in the refitting of a Michigan plant to produce anall-electric Focus for the 2011 model year.