Ford is claiming that one version of its latest Focus hatchback more than offsets the vast increases in fuel prices over the last few years, costing less to fuel per mile travelled than the equivalent model four years ago.

Despite a 34% hike in fuel prices since 2008, Ford is claiming that its new 1.0-litre, 99bhp Ecoboost petrol engine sees motorists paying less out in fuel than they did back then.

Using the claimed fuel economy figures and fuel prices from both then and now, Ford has compared the old Focus 1.6 petrol (42.2mpg) with the new version equipped with the small-capacity Ecoboost unit (58.8mpg) and worked out that even though petrol has risen from 104p to 140p per litre, the new one costs 10.8p per mile to fuel as opposed to 11.2p per mile.

"The Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine changes the economics of family motoring, delivering exceptional fuel economy from a petrol engine," said Andy Barratt, Ford Britain sales director. "It's a time machine which takes you back to the days of lower fuel costs, without compromising power or driveability."