Ford’s all-new Focus has arrived on the local market bringing with it sharp styling, a raft of high-tech features and great expectations as it sets foot in the hotly contested compact segment.
The Focus will initially be offered with a choice of four- and five-door body styles, three engines, three specification levels and two transmissions.
Both body styles are characterised by Ford’s Kinetic Design language which incorporates such features as a prominent, three-piece front air dam, steeply raked windshield and a rising beltline that lend the cars an athletic air. In addition to improved NVH suppression, the underpinnings are 30 per cent more torsionally rigid than the previous model.
The interior features a cockpit-style design that wraps around the driver. Soft-touch materials lend a premium feel to the cabin, while technological highlights include the latest version of Ford’s HMI (Human Machine Interface) with a 25-way toggle control that encompasses various vehicle and infotainment functions.
The engine line-up includes an all-new 2,0-litre GDi (Gasoline Direct injection) petrol engine that combines high-pressure direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). This unit develops 125 kW and 202 N.m of torque while returning an average fuel consumption figure of 6,7 litres/100 km and emitting 156 g/km of CO2.
Ford’s 2,0-litre Duratorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine has been extensively re-developed to offer significant increases in power and torque compared to the outgoing model. In this case the updated powerplant delivers 120 kW and 340 N.m of torque – increases of 20 kW and 20 N.m over the outgoing model. Average fuel consumption for this model is 5,3 litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. Both 2,0-litre units are mated with the latest version of the firm’s six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.
The entry-level engine is a 1,6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol unit. Developing 92 kW and 159 N.m of torque, this unit is mated with a five-speed manual transmission and returns 6,0 litres/100 km whilst emitting 139 g/km of CO2.
Driving dynamics was an area where the previous car gained a number of plaudits and the latest model aims to build upon that strong foundation with an array of driver aids that major in both safety and driver enjoyment. Among these features is a Torque Vectoring Control system, which acts in a similar manner to a limited-slip diff to reduce understeer, as well as a revised Control Blade rear suspension and optimised electric power steering.
The Focus range comprises the following models:
Four-door:
• 1,6 Ambiente – Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R208 400
• 1,6 Trend – Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R226 400
• 2,0 GDi Trend – GDi petrol engine with 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission R264 300
• 2,0 TDCi Trend – TDCi diesel engine with 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission R281 100
The five-door:
• 1,6 Ambiente – Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R208 400
• 1,6 Trend – Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R226 400
• 2,0 GDi Trend – GDi petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R241 800
• 2,0 GDi Sport – GDi petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission R266 400
The new Focus comes with a four-year/120 000 km warranty and five-year/90 000 km service plan, as well as a three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km for both petrol and diesel derivatives.
Specifications can be downloaded from the document section above the images on this article.