Grill Shutters

[ferrum]

The wording is this way because the SFE Package is available on the SE sedan only.

 

This would make sense from what I've seen in the build system. It looked like SFE isn't available for Titanium or SEL in "Build Your Ford" (and it doesn't look like it is standard on those models either).

[jtrump]

This would make sense from what I've seen in the build system. It looked like SFE isn't available for Titanium or SEL in "Build Your Ford" (and it doesn't look like it is standard on those models either).

 

I think part of the reason the SFE package is not available on the higher trim levels is because it includes low drag wheel covers. And who wants those on a nice Titanium :D Plus the Titanium has larger wheels.

 

I did not know that the grill shutters were included in other Focus models.

 

The winter package thing would make sense, because if you live in a warm climate, you may not be able to take advantage of grill shutters often (your engine would need its cooling).

[MKII]

This confusion is nonsense and Ford must take responsibility for the failure to clarify exactly how a Focus must be ordered so that one can buy a car with assurance of having this feature.

 

With a nanny government hectoring manufacturers and consumers about using less fuel and with a simple and clever technology available from Ford to accomplish exactly this, why is this feature not standard on every North America Focus?

 

I'd like to know exactly how this "grille shutter" system works and why it is not used on every Focus (and later on every Ford) produced.

 

This is very smart aerodynamic engineering. It should be on all cars and Ford (or whomever figured out a mass market application) should get very big royalty fees.

 

- ranchero -

 

Agreed, at a time when fuel economy is one of the main priorities in new car consumers minds, plus with fuel economy being a main point of the marketing of these new vehicles. Fords decision not to include this feature on all Focus is puzzling, and to make it worse Ford is not saying which models (trim) come equipped with the shutters.

 

Video from Ford

http://www.youtube.com/fordofeurope#p/u/21/WIixELzJSP0

 

Image of grille shutters

http://pics.livejournal.com/ffocused/pic/001fs6zc

 

image with shutters open

http://pics.livejournal.com/ffocused/pic/001587zp/s640x480

 

image with shutters closed

http://pics.livejournal.com/ffocused/pic/00157es4/s640x480

 

This is what KC Dallia U.S. Ford Focus Consumer Marketing Manager answered to the question

Comment From Mike C. ]

in regards to the louvers on the grill moving for air resistance, is that standard or an option?

 

Answer - KC Dallia: It is not an option per se, but is equipped on a majority of Focus vehicles

Edited April 7, 2011 by MKII

[egon0119]

Two SE models appeared at my hometown dealership in Harrisburg PA sometime within the last week. Both have shutters.

 

VINs:

Blue Candy - 1FAHP3f20CL125310

Sterling Gray Metalic - 1FAHP3f24CL125309

[emerrill]

Two SE models appeared at my hometown dealership in Harrisburg PA sometime within the last week. Both have shutters.

 

VINs:

Blue Candy - 1FAHP3f20CL125310

Sterling Gray Metalic - 1FAHP3f24CL125309

 

So people don't have to look - those are both Sedans.

[Detroit Mustang]

Hey neat. If we have a VIN, how soon can we see our own window sticker?

[mettech]

So does the shutters increase MPG vs the Focus without the shutters?

 

It appears to me that with or without shutters, MPG is the same and the only increase in MPG is when you get the SFE package.

 

 

[jtrump]

So does the shutters increase MPG vs the Focus without the shutters?

 

It appears to me that with or without shutters, MPG is the same and the only increase in MPG is when you get the SFE package.

 

 

That is the impression I am getting. The grill shutters result in a marginal MPG increase, or possibly an increase that cannot be claimed as part of the EPA numbers?

 

Maybe the upgrades in the SFE package are included in MPG numbers because they are permanent, but the grill shutters only work part time, so they can't be counted towards MPG?

[emerrill]

So does the shutters increase MPG vs the Focus without the shutters?

 

It appears to me that with or without shutters, MPG is the same and the only increase in MPG is when you get the SFE package.

 

It does increase the MPG, but they likely didn't test all configs. Even if they did, it's only a few %, so it wouldn't change it a whole MPG (and the labels are rounded to the nearest MPG).

 

I speculate that the higher trim levels get it, to keep their MPG the same, even though those configs have higher weight.

[MKII]

So does the shutters increase MPG vs the Focus without the shutters?

 

It appears to me that with or without shutters, MPG is the same and the only increase in MPG is when you get the SFE package.

 

The new Focus is the first car in its class to standardise an Active Grille Shutter – an

innovative new system that optimises aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through

the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment.

If air is required to cool the engine the vents are opened; but if no airflow is needed, the vents

are shut, thereby significantly reducing aerodynamic drag

Mounted in the grille aperture ahead of the radiator, the Active Grille Shutter features

motorised horizontal vanes which can rotate through 90 degrees to block the air flow.

Automatically controlled by the car’s electronic control unit, the vanes can be rotated into 16

different positions – from fully closed to fully open – depending on the amount of cooling air

required.

When fully closed, the reduction in drag means that the Active Grille Shutter can reduce CO2

emissions by 2 per cent.

As an additional benefit, the system keeps the vanes closed as long as possible when starting

from cold, so that the engine reaches its most efficient operating temperature more quickly.

This benefits both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, as well as ensuring that the

vehicle cabin warms up quicker.

 

With careful optimisation of aerodynamic details, it was possible to achieve a significant

reduction in drag compared to the previous Focus:

• 4-door – CD = 0.274 (was 0.304), reduced by 10 per cent

• 5-door – CD = 0.295 (was 0.318), reduced by 7 per cent

[WillSD]

The product source book indicates that "feature availability varies by model, trim level and region sold".

[jtrump]

Was at the dealership today.

 

4/4 SE Sedans had the grill shutters. 0/2 SE Hatchbacks had them. I forgot to check the one in the showroom.

[mrgdr57]

A CA-bound Titanium hatchback spec sheet I reviewed on Etis indicates inclusion of "Kysor Radiator Shutter" as a build component. These components may be a product supplied by Borg Warner.

[WillSD]

Received some more info from Ford on the availability of the active grille shutters:

 

AGS is not a feature or free-standing option. Later this year, Active Grille Shutter will be standard across the board on Focus, however it must ramp-up to that level first. Currently, AGS is included in conjunction with the models, series, and/or features below:

 

* All SE 4 door models

* All Titanium 4 & 5 door models

* All models with "Green State" Emissions

* All models with the optional Winter Package (available SE, SEL, Titanium)

* All models equipped with the optional Engine Block Heater

[mrgdr57]

Received some more info from Ford on the availability of the active grille shutters:

 

AGS is not a feature or free-standing option. Later this year, Active Grille Shutter will be standard across the board on Focus, however it must ramp-up to that level first. Currently, AGS is included in conjunction with the models, series, and/or features below:

 

* All SE 4 door models

* All Titanium 4 & 5 door models

* All models with "Green State" Emissions

* All models with the optional Winter Package (available SE, SEL, Titanium)

* All models equipped with the optional Engine Block Heater

 

Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

[svtenthusiast]

thank you

[pgagoober]

Received some more info from Ford on the availability of the active grille shutters:

 

AGS is not a feature or free-standing option. Later this year, Active Grille Shutter will be standard across the board on Focus, however it must ramp-up to that level first. Currently, AGS is included in conjunction with the models, series, and/or features below:

 

* All SE 4 door models

* All Titanium 4 & 5 door models

* All models with "Green State" Emissions

* All models with the optional Winter Package (available SE, SEL, Titanium)

* All models equipped with the optional Engine Block Heater

 

Very cool. Thanks!