I don't envisage getting anywhere near the mpg stated by Ford

The following has been said by myself and countless others on this and other forums. Ford (or any other manufacturer) do not state the mpg figures you should expect. The figures quotes are the official ones (along with the CO figure) that only have relevance for comparing with other cars or calculating company car tax. All manufactures havce to qute these figures by law, to do otherwise would lead to a prosecution. If people could be bothered to read the brochures it clearly says this after the figures but all they see is the figures, think great and are then disapointed.

With a turbo car, be sure to let it idle for 20 seconds after starting and before shutting down. Good practice for any engine, but especially turbo bearings

Been driving turbo cars (petrol and diesel) now for 20 years. In that time I have never sat with the engine idling before switching it off and have never had a turbo problem. That advice is only relevant to racing/rally cars where the turbos and engines are put under much greater load. If you drive on the public roads in a manner that gets the turbo that hot you need jailing for a very long time. Won't do any harm but totally pointless and if it was really hot 20 seconds would achive nothing.

You clearly have no idea where the test takes place and the rules. Lets take your points one by one:

eg winding the brakes off so the discs are friction free

It is not possible to wind off disc brakes (as used on at least the fornt of all current cars) like you could old manual drums. Even if the pistons were pushed back as soon as they were applied during the test they would be back in their normal operating position until pushed back again

eg no spare tyre to save weight

The car is tested in a lab so the actual weight makes no difference

eg only one gallon of fuel to save weight

See above

eg taping over all the gaps between the various panels with tape to minimise drag

Since the car is tested stationary in a lab there is no wind resistance thus no point in wasting time taping joints.

eg folding the mirrors back & removing the aerial to reduce drag

See above

eg low rolling resistance tyres that are over inflated

Why would a manufacturer fit low rolling resistance tyres to any model in the range other than the eco models that have them as standard. If they did improve the figures the eco modle would not have the supposed advantage they give. As regards inflation pressure if one manufacturer did it they all would so where would the advantage be gained.

You have either been listening to a bar room expert or have no idea of how the tests are carried out. If they did take place on the public roads all your points except the first and last would be valid.but in a lab it would malke no difference whatsoever.

Suggest you Goggle the EU Test proceedure and learn a little more about it.

And I would suggest that you learn a little bit about a subject before being quite so condescending - especially when you are wrong.

While the tests may be carried out in labs, they are based on the 'Road load curve' which the manufacturer establishes beforehand. The road load curve figures are what are prone to 'gaming' for want of a better word. The lower those figures, the lower the figures that are inputted into the computers for the lab tests, and the lower the figures that come out at the end.

Fancy trying again ?

I hate being right LOL