FORD has introduced a new diesel engine to the Focus range in a bid to sidestep the global shortage of diesel particulate filters.

The 1.8 TDCi engine, available in all Focus and Focus C-MAX models, is priced the same as the 1.6 TDCi but does not need the particulate filter to meet Euro IV emissions requirements.

Ford’s move follows that of Saab, which introduced a lower-spec Euro-IV diesel engine without a particulate filter to its 9-3 range (Fleet NewsNet, May 5).