FORD is planning a nationwide tour to get motorists behind the wheel of new alternative fuel versions of the Focus and Mondeo, which are being launched this year.

The firm already offers a liquefied petroleum gas-powered version of the Transit and will launch a 1.6-litre LPG Focus in the autumn, followed by a 1.8-litre LPG Mondeo towards the end of the year.

The Transit Connect, sub 1-tonne van that Ford revealed this year, will also be available as an LPG model.

Vehicles will be produced in-house by the firm, allowing Ford to offer a full warranty on each model of 100,000 miles or three years for the LPG system.

The latest model to be revealed was the short wheelbase Transit, at the Commercial Vehicle show at Birmingham's NEC last month.

It includes a new under-floor fuel tank installation, so the van's load area is not reduced, a common concern among fleets looking at the alternative fuel option. Ford says the environmental benefits of LPG include a potential 50% reduction in tailpipe emissions and a reduction of 15-20% in CO2 emissions.

Together with a fuel price that is half the price of petrol or diesel, Ford claims the models could provide a winning solution for fleets.

A spokesman said: 'With LPG now a regular sight at fuel pump forecourts and offering a saving of £15-£20 per 1,000 miles, there has never been a better time to switch to LPG.'

The Ford LPG Transit has a range of about 200 miles on one tank of gas. The new short wheelbase, 2.3-litre petrol/ LPG Ford Transit starts at £15,900 on-the-road price for the 300 SWB van.

The spokesman added: 'We will be travelling around the country giving people the opportunity to drive the cars. There is also a training programme in place for dealers and we are building plans now to make sure the LPG car range has a smooth launch.'