Ford has spilled the beans on its acclaimed, all-new, Ford Focus ahead of its Australian International Motor Show (Melbourne) unveiling on 1 July.
In fact the new Focus – a critical plank in Ford’s 2011 sales aspirations – goes on-sale at Ford dealerships the following month (August).
A creation of Ford Europe, the new Ford Focus has some outstanding features available for small car buyers – including Adaptive Cruise Control, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, hill-launch assist and Ford’s Active Park Assist which, like the similar Volkswagen system, can self-park a Focus into a parallel parking space
Arrival of the all-new Focus lineup brings a complete change in model grades. Like the new Territory and Mondeo, new Ford Focus’ range-topping variant will be badged as the ‘Titanium’, the entry-level version is labeled ‘Ambiente’ and in between are ‘Trend’ and ‘Sport’.
The entry-level Ford Focus Ambiente is unique in being powered by Ford’s 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine. All other models will be offered with a choice of 2.0-litre engines – one Ford’s new direct injection GDi Ti-VCT petrol and the other a Duratorq TDCi diesel.
Ford Focus Titanium drives exclusively via Ford’s six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission and Ford Focus Sport drives exclusively via a six-speed PowerShift manual gearbox. Buyers of all other models can choose either a five-speed manual transmission or the six-speed PowerShift automatic.
On paper the 2.0-litre direct injection petrol powerplant looks a pearler with 125kW/202Nm (107kW/185Nm for the current Focus 2.0-litre). Ford says the newcomer delivers fuel consumption as low as 6.6l/100kms (7.1l/100kms for the now superseded Focus).
The 1.6-litre Duratec engine is also new to the Focus lineup in Australia. It delivers 92kW/159Nm and very impressive fuel consumption of just 6.2l/100kms (combined cycle) – more fuel efficient than, for example, Hyundai i30 1.6 (6.5l/100kms) and Kia Cerato 2.0 (7.7l/100kms).
Ford’s Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre turbo-diesel returns with changes to comply with Euro V emissions standards and fuel consumption slightly reduced to average 5.5l/100kms.
Underneath is the normal Ford Macpherson strut front suspension and a revised version of the ‘Blue Oval’s’ excellent ‘Control Blade’ independent rear. First seen on the stunning, high-performance Focus RS, a modified version of Ford’s Dynamic Cornering Control system debuts (it manages power transfer between the front wheels to reduce understeer).
With standard stability control, a new steering column design and eight airbags, the new Ford Focus has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP.
No word on pricing, but we do know this: Ford Australia is focused on recapturing lost ground on the sales front and we bet the great-looking and impressively-equipped new Ford Focus will be very sharply priced. We wouldn’t be surprised if (helped by the strong Aussie dollar) if the new 1.6-litre entry model Ford Focus undercuts the current version’s $21,990 starting point.
Also Ford products out of Europe deliver standout manufacturing standards and high quality interior materials that are a cut above many rivals – we expect the new Ford Focus will continue that trend, making its value proposition even stronger.
