Brilliant looks inside and out; handy powertrains; loaded with features/technology
Titanium diesels getting pricey
Ford has taken the challenge right up to Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf with the launch of the all-new Ford Focus lineup. Boasting an un-changed starting price of $21,990, the European-designed Ford Focus is a belter, offering a choice of hatchback or sedan variants powered by petrol or diesel engines and technology such as ‘Active Park Assist’ (automated parallel parking).
The all-new Ford Focus joins an enticing lineup at Ford – the excellent Fiesta compact, hot-selling Mondeo mid-sizer and just-launched Ford Territory all showcase the strengths of the global ‘one-Ford’ strategy. In fact by February next year, some 85 per cent of the Ford Australia model range will be all-new or significantly updated (the stunning Ranger ute comes next).
Ford Focus is a global car for Ford, initially designed in England, refined in the Ford Europe styling studios in Germany and slated for sale in every corner of the planet. Like the Mondeo and Fiesta, the all-new Ford Focus highlights Ford’s new ‘Kinetic Design’ philosophy which has transformed the company’s styling.
Until the middle of next year Ford Focus models for Australia will be manufactured at Ford’s plant in Saarlouis, Germany ahead of a switch to Thailand.
Ford Focus Overview
All-new model, all-new model names for the Ford Focus with the previous CL, LX and Zetec grades scrapped. Like Ford Mondeo and the new Ford Territory, Focus’ range-topper is now the ‘Titanium’ grade but for Focus, entry-level is the ‘Ambiente, next up is the ‘Trend’ and then there is the ‘Sport.
The same models apply to both hatchback and sedan ranges.
Amongst extra features over the Ambiente, Trend models adopt the 2.0-litre Cdi Ti-VCT petrol engine, or the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, body colour door handles, cruise control with speed limiter, a leather gear-lever and lumbar adjustment for the drivers’ seat.
On top of those features, Sport models include some great extras such as sports suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated electric mirrors with integrated indicator lights, ‘Follow me home’ lighting, a rear spoiler and LED tail-lights for hatch models, auto headlights and wipers, chrome exterior trim, nine-speaker Sony audio with 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-function screen, dual-zone climate control, sports seats, leather steering wheel and LED courtesy lighting.
Range-topping Titanium adds 18-inch alloy wheels, Active Park Assist, keyless entry, leather interior trim with heated front seats and electronic adjustment for the driver.
The full range is:
Hatchback
Ambiente 1.6l petrol 5-spd manual $21,990
Ambiente 1.6l petrol 6-spd auto $24,290
Trend 2.0l petrol 5spd manual $24,490
Trend 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $26,790
Trend 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $30,500
Sport 2.0l petrol 5-spd manual $27,390
Sport 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $29,690
Sport 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $33,190
Titanium 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $32,590
Titanium 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $36,090
Sedan
Ambiente 1.6l petrol 6-spd auto $24,290
Trend 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $26,790
Trend 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $30,500
Sport 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $29,690
Sport 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $33,190
Titanium 2.0l petrol 6-spd auto $32,590
Titanium 2.0l diesel 6-spd auto $36,090
Ford Focus Engine
Ford has launched the all-new Ford Focus with a three-engine lineup.
Entry-level Ambiente models will be exclusively powered by Ford’s new 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine. Maximum power is 92kW at 6300rpm and peak torque is 159Nm at 4000rpm, but the big news is fuel consumption – down to 6.2l/100kms (combined cycle).
“Optimizing efficiency and reducing fuel costs for our customers has been an absolute priority during the development of the all-new Ford Focus,” revealed Graham Hoare, Executive Director, Powertrain Development, Ford Europe.
Also new, and a milestone for Ford, is the new 2.0-litre GDi Ti-VCT petrol engine which – again highlighting Ford’s global strengths – is manufactured in North America at the Ford HQ in Dearborn, Michigan. With gasoline direct injection (GDi) and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), the 2.0-litre is one of the most advanced naturally aspirated engines in Ford’s global lineup.
Performance is up from the outgoing Ford Focus with the all-new 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 125kW at 6600rpm and peak torque of 202Nm from 4450rpm.
Changes too for Ford Focus’ 2.0-litre Duratorq turo-diesel engine with an improved combustion system, higher pressure common-rail direct fuel injection and a smaller, low inertia variable-geometry turbocharger. Ford says these upgrades deliver improved driveability.
Maximum power is 120kW at 3750rpm and peak torque of 340Nm is available from 2,000rpm. By comparison, Mazda3 turbo-diesel is good for 110kW/360Nm.
Drive is via a five-speed manual transmission or Ford’s six-speed PowerShift automatic. All sedan models and the Titanium hatchback are exclusively sold with the automatic.
Ford Focus The Interior
Following the lead of its European designed team-mates, Mondeo and Fiesta, the all-new Ford Focus delivers a thoroughly modern interior with great looks and functionality – Ford calls it ‘Modern Techno’. As part of its global ‘1Ford’ strategy, the American giant has worked hard to ensure a consistent quality of interior trims and finishes wherever the Focus will be manufactured and this is evident in nice soft-touch feel for instruments, handles, switchgear, dashboard and centre console.
Ford Focus Sport models feature extra bolstering in the sport front seats, while range-topping Titanium gains very stylish leather-trimmed seats with electronic adjustment for the driver.
We particularly liked the steering wheels in all models – adjustable for rake and reach, leather-trimmed in Titanium and Sport models, and with sensible layouts for the various buttons for audio, cruise control etc.
As usual with the latest Fords from Europe, the dashboard/gauges offer very high quality graphics with nice colour choices. Buttons on the right spoke of the steering wheel control the trip computer which turns-up several pages of screens offering a massive range of information.
Rear seat accommodation is on par with others in this segment and Sport and Titanium models come with a fold-down centre console for those passengers.
Audio choices range from a six-speaker CD system with 3.5-inch dot matrix control panel for Ambient and Trend models to a nine-speaker Sony with 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-function display for Sport and Titanium grades.
All models, including Ambiente, run hands-free Bluetooth and Voice Control.
Luggage space is impressive – up to 421-litres for sedan models and 1101-litres for hatchbacks (rear seat folded).
Ford Focus Exterior & Styling
German Gunnar Hermann, Ford’s Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director and Englishman Christopher Svensson, the company’s Asia-Pacific Design Director were both on-hand for the launch of the all-new Ford Focus.
Mr Svensson ran the ‘Pre-Program’ styling which created the first drawings of all-new Ford Focus sedan and hatchback in England before the final development took place at Ford Europe in Germany - he’s justifiably proud of the outcome. “The dynamic A and C-pillars, roof and sweeping lines from the grille to the front wheels all highlight performance and I’m pleased the sedan has the same dynamics and surface tension as the hatchback,” Mr Svensson told Car Showroom.
We particularly like the front end with the hallmark Ford grille and modern headlights incorporated into a design which is very powerful and punctuated by stylish creases and folds – very dynamic.
Same at the sides and rear where the Ford stylists have crafted a modern look which is certainly sporty and upmarket.
And, unlike some rivals, the incorporation of Ford Focus sedan models isn’t an after-thought – the four-door looks stylish and dynamic.
Ford Focus On The Road
Ford set us off on a drive program which included some heavy morning rush hour Melbourne commuter traffic and high-speed runs on both sealed and dirt roads in the Yarra Valley. During the day, Car Showroom sampled Titanium, Trend and Sport models, diesel and petrol, manual and automatic.
Ford Focus runs the latest version of Ford’s ‘Control Blade’ multi-link rear suspension, a MacPherson strut front, a new version of Electric Power Steering (the latter not fitted to Ambiente models) and standard Torque Vectoring Control. The cars we drove were fitted with a variety of European-made Pirelli and Michelin tyres.
For Car Showroom, the result is very high standard driving dynamics with nice levels of grip and balance. Some of the back roads around the Yarra Valley were very slippery but our various Ford Focus’ were never caught-out and were very impressive.
Both the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines were excellent – a nice torque spread and quiet at speed.
Equally impressive was the refinement inside with low levels of noise intrusion. In fact Ford Focus uses the same door structure and sealing concept as the Mondeo - featuring a three-lip continuous glass run design – and even sound deadening material made from re-cycled denim jeans.
If pressed for a favourite we would nominate the Sport models for the extra support from their sports seats, but in saying that, the Ford Focus Titanium with its nice leather-trimmed interior and Active Park Assist for easy parallel parking is a hugely impressive overall package.
Ford Focus Challenges
While the overall pricing of the new Ford Focus range is unquestionably sharp, Titanium diesel models are in the Golf league at north of $36,000.
Ford Focus Verdict
In the ‘Small Car Olympics’, the bar is set very high thanks to Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf. By any measure the all-new Ford Focus matches the best.
Range, driving dynamics, features, value…the new Ford Focus challenges all that Golf and Mazda3 have to offer and then some.
And, going out on a limb again, we reckon Ford Focus has trumped its rivals for exterior and interior style.
Ford Focus The Competition
The other small car stars are Mazda3 (starting price $21,330) and Volkswagen Golf ($22,990). You need to compare specific models and prices to get a direct comparison but make no mistake for on-road dynamics the all-new Ford Focus is more than a match – and that’s a major shift.
Holden Cruze (hatchback models due in October) and Toyota Corolla are in the mix and Hyundai i30 plus Kia Cerato both provide quality, lower priced alternatives.
