After a Hiccup at launch, the new Suzuki Celerio gets updates and upgrades.

• New Dualjet engine with 84g/km CO₂ emissions is the cleanest and most fuel efficient new car on sale for less than £10,000.
• SZ3 Dualjet priced at £8,499 includes air conditioning, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and alloy wheels as standard.
• Auto Gear Shift (AGS) now available on SZ4 model as an £800 option.
• “A+ compact” car that exceeds ‘A’ segment standards gives class leading interior space.
• Six airbags and ESP fitted as standard safety equipment for all UK models.
• Class leading luggage capacity of 254 litres.

The Celerio, Suzuki’s all-new global compact city car, went on sale in the UK in February and more than 2,000 have been delivered to date. Suzuki has now introduced two new derivatives to the range which are the Dualjet and Auto Gear Shift models.

The new ultra clean Dualjet engine emits 84g/km of CO₂ and attains 78.4mpg on the EC Combined fuel cycle making it the most fuel efficient new car on sale for less than £10,000. Dualjet is a lot less in fact, as it is on sale for £8,499 which is just £500 more than the 99g/km SZ3 model.

The new engine incorporates twin fuel injectors for improved fuel economy; Dualjet technology positions the fuel injectors very close to the engine inlet valves and allows for a finer fuel mixture which in turn provides a more effective transfer into the engine. This engine also incorporates a stop start facility when stationary.

Also now on sale is Suzuki’s new development in automated manual gearbox technology. Known as Auto Gear Shift (AGS), this system features an Intelligent Shift Control Actuator positioned at the top of the transmission that operates the gearshift and clutch automatically.

With AGS, the driver can enjoy the effortless driving of an automatic, particularly in city traffic, but without any loss in fuel efficiency or increase in CO₂ that would normally be the case with a conventional torque converter equipped automatic transmission. CO₂ emissions are only 99g/km and Celerio with AGS is therefore VED exempt.  A unique feature of the Suzuki AGS is a low speed ‘creep’ facility which allows the car to move in gear without the accelerator being applied, ideal in slow traffic and when parking.   

AGS is offered on the top SZ4 grade for £9,799 representing an additional £800 over the manual transmission model.

Standard specification highlights for all Celerio models is comprehensive and includes six airbags (Driver, passenger, side and curtain), ESP*, air conditioning, alloy wheels, DAB Radio, CD Tuner, USB, Bluetooth connectivity and remote central locking.

The even higher equipped SZ4 model adds polished alloy wheels, rear electric windows, front fog lamps, body coloured door mirrors and chrome front grille.

Ford announces first petrol family car in Europe to offer 99g/km CO2 emissions

• Ford announces first petrol family car in Europe to offer 99g/km CO2 emissions
• New Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost is capable of 67.5mpg and becomes Ford’s most fuel-efficient family petrol car ever when it goes on sale in early 2014
• Focus’ new 1.0-litre EcoBoost will be powered by a specially calibrated 100PS version of the award-winning engine
• Ford ECOnetic Technology including special tyres, unique aerodynamics and revised gearing help achieve 99g CO2
• New Focus model will be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty
• Focus range realigned in the UK with Zetec Navigator, Titanium Navigator and Titanium X Navigator series added

Ford has announced a new ultra-efficient version of the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost that will be the first petrol-powered family car in Europe to offer 99 g/km CO2 emissions.

The Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost has returned 67.5mpg in tests thanks to its specially calibrated 100PS version of Ford’s award-winning engine.

The new Ford Focus will feature Ford ECOnetic Technology including ultra-low rolling resistance tyres, unique aerodynamics under the car and revised gearing to help deliver the company’s most fuel-efficient ever petrol-powered family car.

“Just a couple of years ago few would have thought that a medium-sized petrol car could break the 100g/km CO2  barrier,” said Barb Samardzich, European Product Development vice president. “Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has a habit of taking expectations of what a petrol engine can deliver and turning them upside down.”

The International Engine of the Year 2013 and 2012 makes the new model more powerful than a first generation Ford Focus with a 1.6-litre engine from less than 10 years ago, while producing 47 per cent less CO2.

The new model will extend to three the number of Focus models offered with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, alongside the standard 100PS version, with 109g/km CO2 emissions, and the 125PS with 114g/km CO2.*

Introduced to the Fiesta, B-MAX, C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX last year, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be extended to the EcoSport SUV, Transit Connect and Transit Courier commercial vehicles; Tourneo Connect people mover; and later the all-new Mondeo.

Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine uses a low inertia turbocharger, split cooling system and direct fuel injection to deliver surprising levels of performance from the three-cylinder engine block. The new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 99 g/km will also use a range of fuel-efficient Ford ECOnetic Technologies including Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter and Ford EcoMode to support a more economical and environmentally friendly driving style.

Ford is also currently launching the zero emissions Focus Electric, and also offers the diesel Focus ECOnetic that delivers 88g CO2 emissions.*

“With the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost, Focus Electric and Focus ECOnetic, Ford offers customers an unrivalled power of choice of fuel-efficient family cars,” said Sherif Marakby, medium car vehicle line director, Ford of Europe.




New Focus Navigator models available immediately in the UK are new Ford Focus derivatives with satellite navigation as standard.

The Focus Zetec Navigator is offered in addition to the standard Zetec series and adds Ford nav, new-design 16in alloy wheels and centre console.

The Titanium Navigator series replaces the Titanium series and adds Sony satellite navigation, new 16in alloy wheels and rear parking sensors.  The Titanium X Navigator supplants the Titanium X series, offering Sony nav, rear view camera and new 17in alloy wheels.

These series are priced from £17,555, £19,295 and £21,295 respectively, compared with £17,305, £19,045 and £21,045 for Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X currently.