Ford's Dunton Technical Centre celebrated its 40th birthday with a visit by HRH the Prince of Wales earlier this week.
Prince Charles was given a preview of the company's green products, many of which are developed on the 3,000-strong engineer team on the site in Essex.
The prince also used the visit to the UK's largest automotive research facility to test drive a fuel efficient Focus.
During the short trip to Dunton's recreation area from its environmental test labs, where engineers can simulate hot and cold temperatures, the car averaged over 70 miles per gallon while emitting less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Ford announced £1 billion investment in environmental technologies last year.
The site was first opened by prime minister Harold Wilson in 1967 and engineers carry out research into petrol, diesel and bioethanol-enabled engines as well as high tech transmissions.
Final products designed by engineers at Dunton working on diesel engines are produced in Dagenham while petrol engines are assembled in Dridgend and Ford Transits are manufactured at a Southampton plant.
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