The next-generation Ford Focus made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. It will spearheads Ford’s new generation of global C-cars, based on a common platform that will underpin up to 10 vehicles around the world. Production of the new cars will simultaneously being in Europe and North America in late 2010 for sale in early 2011.
The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80% parts commonality around the world. It marks Ford’s renewed efforts to create a global car: "The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company," said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.
"The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations," he added.
Initial production will be concentrated at assembly plants in Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China).
"Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles," explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.
In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering centre in Dearborn, MI.
The two Focus models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s kinetic design language. With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus telegraphs a rewarding driving experience to customers.
This quality is reinforced by the distinctive interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with a centre console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.
Introduced in 1998, the original Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C-segment. The all-new Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more, targeting class-leading driving quality that blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control.
Engineers have updated the innovative suspension concepts from prior models, developing optimized new designs for the 'control blade' multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front and rear subframes. The chassis design is complemented by a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system, which has been carefully tuned to deliver pure and precise responses at high speed while remaining light and maneuverable for parking.
The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include a range of state-of-the-art Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines - including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of 10-20% compared to the outgoing models.
The technology of the new Focus promises leadership in the C-segment, designed to be simple and intuitive, while enhancing convenience and safety for the vehicle occupants. It includes driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features.
MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a variety of devices and media players.