Sculptured to perfection
All-new Ford Focus
Ten years ago, the Focus was introduced to the world. It was a success story.
Since 1998, around five million vehicles have been produced in Europe. It has been named "Car of the Year" in Europe and in North America, and it has won over 80 awards in Europe alone.
Despite this, Ford have not sat on their laurels and this year have 'reinvented' the Focus with a fresh new look to bring it in line with the kinetic theme being gradually introduced throughout the Ford line-up and recently pioneered on the Iosis, the Mondeo and the C-max.
"The focal point for the development of the new Focus was crystal clear: to make it look as good as it drives," Gunnar Herrmann, C-Car Vehicle Line Director, Ford of Europe, explained.
"In addition, we wanted to introduce some of the new technologies from our larger cars, and make its driving quality even better. Cost of ownership has always been a major reason for buying a Focus, so we also made it a priority to improve fuel economy and, in particular, environmental performance to keep the new Focus at the top of its segment."
Presenting the redesigned car to the international motoring press in Nice last month, Chris Bird, from the design team behind the whole kinetic concept, said that it was the turn of Ford's major recent success to get the kinetic treatment which gives the car "superior driving dynamics" even when the car is stationary. The Focus is now a member of the new Ford of Europe vehicle portfolio, he said.
Most of the changes made to the Focus are in the looks and quality of materials, since little needed to be changed in the car's driving qualities. A few surgical changes, however, have further enhanced the already superior overall performance. The car is now more silent, especially the diesel models; it has an all-new Ford Powershift optional transmission system that combines both manual and automatic gear changes, including a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission which will be available with the 136 PS (100 kW) and 110 PS (81 kW) 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel engines.
What is really different to its predecessor, though, is its new sculpted look. The Focus has a redesigned front end, in particular a dynamic new form of the bonnet and an enlarged, trapezoidal opening of the new lower grille. The headlamps have been newly "sculpted to turn people on and not just be functional," Mr Bird said.
However illumination has also been improved, as the dramatic swept back housings are filled with the latest technology and offer improved light distribution, eight degrees better side lighting, and further reduced glare and scattered light.
In the lower front part, Ford's designers have put in an inverted lower trapezoid grille, balanced by a smaller upper grille capped with a chrome strip.
In top-of-the-range Ghia and Titanium models, the lower trapezoid grille is framed by an elegant chrome surround, with new-look fog lamps too.
The body sides have the least modifications to them and have been kept uncluttered and clean. A strong undercut line links the front to the rear - framed by Ford's characteristic bold wheel lips.
The back of the car has been styled to give it a wider dimension with a newly sculpted tailgate and glass area, a new rear valence, and highly visible new LED rear lamps which are standard.
A new upper rear spoiler further enhances the look, together with a new range of 15- to optional 18-inch wheel designs with alloy rims or wheel covers.
An interesting feature is the solar reflect windscreen which blocks nearly five times the level of solar radiation as standard tinted glass, helping to keep the interior cooler and significantly improving the air-conditioning's efficiency.
In the interior, materials have been improved and comfort enhanced thanks to a soft feel top to the doors, new instrument panel, revised centre stack, and redesigned window and mirror switches.
The kinetic theme also allows for a new centre console standard on the Ghia, Titanium and ST series models, or as an option on Trend models. This console features a movable armrest and a storage compartment; the back of the console provides additional storage area for rear-seat passengers or customers can specify an optional 230-volt socket which provides direct power for laptops, printers, vacuum cleaners and other appliances. The console will also house the Ford Power start button for easy, keyless engine activation.
The new Focus is available in five model series - from entry Ambiente series, followed by the Trend series, and at the top of the range, the classic luxury of Ghia and the Titanium variants and finally the ST performance derivative. Customers can further enhance and personalise their vehicles with the Sport, Comfort, Style and Business trims.
As to new technologies, the new Focus has a Easyfuel capless refuelling system as standard. Portable audio device can be connected to the car's audio systems, including iPods. It also comes with an optional Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) tuner with a Sony audio system. Bluetooth connectivity and voice control are also available.
Safety has not been left untouched. Along with the Ford Intelligent Protection System and no fewer than six airbags, the new Focus comes with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with traction control.
The new Focus features an available tyre pressure Deflation Detection System (DDS) and all new Focus models come with an automatic hazard warning light activation system.
Its five-star Euro NCAP rating permits it to have as standard ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, and a rigid, reinforced passenger cell, besides the halogen-based AFS headlamp system, Ford's Quickclear heated front screen, and high intensity discharge xenon headlights which deliver almost twice the light intensity of conventional headlamps.
Ford have also looked into lower emission levels and have added the new Ford Focus Econetic to its range which use conventional technology and a combination of fuel-saving measures to dramatically reduce CO2.
Powered by the acclaimed 109 PS (80 kW) 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), average consumption for this vehicle has been homologated at 4.3-litres/100km which corresponds to an average CO2 emission of only 115 g/km - a class-leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment. With the 90 PS (66 kW) version of this engine, the CO2 emissions drop to 114 g/km.
At a glance
• New look, 'kinetic design' styling
• Enhanced interior, new instruments
• ESP as standard for Europe
• Fuel-efficient and clean powertrain line-up
• State-of-the art PowerShift six-speed double-clutch transmission
• Available in five series
• Dedicated 'X' packs plus bundled feature packs
• Four-door saloon, ST and Coupé-Cabriolet due this year.
Since 1998, around five million vehicles have been produced in Europe. It has been named "Car of the Year" in Europe and in North America, and it has won over 80 awards in Europe alone.
Despite this, Ford have not sat on their laurels and this year have 'reinvented' the Focus with a fresh new look to bring it in line with the kinetic theme being gradually introduced throughout the Ford line-up and recently pioneered on the Iosis, the Mondeo and the C-max.
"The focal point for the development of the new Focus was crystal clear: to make it look as good as it drives," Gunnar Herrmann, C-Car Vehicle Line Director, Ford of Europe, explained.
"In addition, we wanted to introduce some of the new technologies from our larger cars, and make its driving quality even better. Cost of ownership has always been a major reason for buying a Focus, so we also made it a priority to improve fuel economy and, in particular, environmental performance to keep the new Focus at the top of its segment."
Presenting the redesigned car to the international motoring press in Nice last month, Chris Bird, from the design team behind the whole kinetic concept, said that it was the turn of Ford's major recent success to get the kinetic treatment which gives the car "superior driving dynamics" even when the car is stationary. The Focus is now a member of the new Ford of Europe vehicle portfolio, he said.
Most of the changes made to the Focus are in the looks and quality of materials, since little needed to be changed in the car's driving qualities. A few surgical changes, however, have further enhanced the already superior overall performance. The car is now more silent, especially the diesel models; it has an all-new Ford Powershift optional transmission system that combines both manual and automatic gear changes, including a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission which will be available with the 136 PS (100 kW) and 110 PS (81 kW) 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel engines.
What is really different to its predecessor, though, is its new sculpted look. The Focus has a redesigned front end, in particular a dynamic new form of the bonnet and an enlarged, trapezoidal opening of the new lower grille. The headlamps have been newly "sculpted to turn people on and not just be functional," Mr Bird said.
However illumination has also been improved, as the dramatic swept back housings are filled with the latest technology and offer improved light distribution, eight degrees better side lighting, and further reduced glare and scattered light.
In the lower front part, Ford's designers have put in an inverted lower trapezoid grille, balanced by a smaller upper grille capped with a chrome strip.
In top-of-the-range Ghia and Titanium models, the lower trapezoid grille is framed by an elegant chrome surround, with new-look fog lamps too.
The body sides have the least modifications to them and have been kept uncluttered and clean. A strong undercut line links the front to the rear - framed by Ford's characteristic bold wheel lips.
The back of the car has been styled to give it a wider dimension with a newly sculpted tailgate and glass area, a new rear valence, and highly visible new LED rear lamps which are standard.
A new upper rear spoiler further enhances the look, together with a new range of 15- to optional 18-inch wheel designs with alloy rims or wheel covers.
An interesting feature is the solar reflect windscreen which blocks nearly five times the level of solar radiation as standard tinted glass, helping to keep the interior cooler and significantly improving the air-conditioning's efficiency.
In the interior, materials have been improved and comfort enhanced thanks to a soft feel top to the doors, new instrument panel, revised centre stack, and redesigned window and mirror switches.
The kinetic theme also allows for a new centre console standard on the Ghia, Titanium and ST series models, or as an option on Trend models. This console features a movable armrest and a storage compartment; the back of the console provides additional storage area for rear-seat passengers or customers can specify an optional 230-volt socket which provides direct power for laptops, printers, vacuum cleaners and other appliances. The console will also house the Ford Power start button for easy, keyless engine activation.
The new Focus is available in five model series - from entry Ambiente series, followed by the Trend series, and at the top of the range, the classic luxury of Ghia and the Titanium variants and finally the ST performance derivative. Customers can further enhance and personalise their vehicles with the Sport, Comfort, Style and Business trims.
As to new technologies, the new Focus has a Easyfuel capless refuelling system as standard. Portable audio device can be connected to the car's audio systems, including iPods. It also comes with an optional Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) tuner with a Sony audio system. Bluetooth connectivity and voice control are also available.
Safety has not been left untouched. Along with the Ford Intelligent Protection System and no fewer than six airbags, the new Focus comes with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with traction control.
The new Focus features an available tyre pressure Deflation Detection System (DDS) and all new Focus models come with an automatic hazard warning light activation system.
Its five-star Euro NCAP rating permits it to have as standard ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, and a rigid, reinforced passenger cell, besides the halogen-based AFS headlamp system, Ford's Quickclear heated front screen, and high intensity discharge xenon headlights which deliver almost twice the light intensity of conventional headlamps.
Ford have also looked into lower emission levels and have added the new Ford Focus Econetic to its range which use conventional technology and a combination of fuel-saving measures to dramatically reduce CO2.
Powered by the acclaimed 109 PS (80 kW) 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), average consumption for this vehicle has been homologated at 4.3-litres/100km which corresponds to an average CO2 emission of only 115 g/km - a class-leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment. With the 90 PS (66 kW) version of this engine, the CO2 emissions drop to 114 g/km.
At a glance
• New look, 'kinetic design' styling
• Enhanced interior, new instruments
• ESP as standard for Europe
• Fuel-efficient and clean powertrain line-up
• State-of-the art PowerShift six-speed double-clutch transmission
• Available in five series
• Dedicated 'X' packs plus bundled feature packs
• Four-door saloon, ST and Coupé-Cabriolet due this year.