Ford Reporter

Ford presented the first official pictures of the new generation Focus model will be released world premiere during the day, in the Auto Show in Detroit. Unlike previous generations, the new Focus is a global model, planning to look the same both in the U.S. and Europe, which is also why the model is presented to a room across the ocean. Moreover, Ford has chosen – for this very reason – to present in the same time, the hatchback and the sedan versions of the new model, the U.S. market is rather used with the four-door version of its Focus than the  hatchback  version found mostly on the Europe streets .

On the aesthetic, the new Focus highlights very clearly it`s belonging to the new line of models of the Blue Oval, being practically a larger version of the Fiesta subcompact model. Focus’s design is a purely European design center was developed in Germany that it owns the mark in Michigan. Remained in high dimensions the same for sedan, hatchback and the dimensions of the chassis and the suspension hardware is also borrowed from the old generation with the necessary improvements.

“This is Fords new face . It’s sport and more sport, with a lower figure, but with the same interior volume that pulled in front of the market model”, Said Ford officials first notified about the next generation Focus.

Chassis and the entire suite of mechanical elements that make up the new model will be the basis of a series of 10 different models of family Focus, these will be launched by 2012. Engines, great new appearance will be represented by a unit Ecoboost 1.6-liter turbo that will rise to the same performance figures as the 2.0 liter it replaces, provided that consumption will be, say those at Ford , “an exceptional”. Duratorq diesel units won`t escape from improvements, but these will be presented only in March, when the new Focus will make its European debut in the Geneva Motor Show. Both in U.S. and Europe, the new model from Ford will have a new automatic transmission with six-speed dual-clutch that promises, in turn, consumption figures interesting.

The new generation Focus will be made in parallel in Ford plants in Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (USA) and Chongqing (China), following the later to play the game and production sites in Spain and Russia. The new Focus will go on sale in 2011.

Well, we`ve lived to see this happening. Ford made an off-road  version based on the Ford Focus 3.  This car, named X Road has 17 inch wheels, silver paint  and a new body.

They say the suspensions remained the same but the car is a bit bigger. The engine is 1.8-liter 125 hp , enough for this car but we`d like to see a bigger engine available as well.  The car will be available in Netherlands and only 300 units will be sold.

We have to admit it – VW Scirocco is a beautiful car which made a lot of heads turn around as it was driven down the road. Now most of the Car producers in the world will compare their coupes with Scirocco. Ford wants to do the same thing with their new Focus Coupe, and they surely want to win this competition.

In 2010 Ford want to launch Focus Coupe  with diesel and petrol engines with powers between 89 and 197 BPH. Of course there will be special versions of this coupe like RS and maybe ST with powers up to 300 BPH similar with the actual Focus RS.

Some rumors says that we`ll see two hatchbacks  – one in 5 doors for family type drivers and one in 3 doors for younger clients. 

The next-gen Ford Focus might get a new engine. While the EcoBoost Series gets a 3.5L V6 Engine in 2009 the same technology may be used in a smaller package like a 1.6L turbocharged 4 Cylinders with direct injection. The engine will deliver up to 180 horsepower with enough torque to send you through the driver`s seat when you press the throttle. They say that this engine will give up to 43 mpg in the highway. The engine could debut with dual clutch gearbox and most likely will debut in 2010 offering 25% fuel efficiency over the standard 2.0L engine.

Ford gave us some pictures featuring the 2009 Ford Focus RS in blue paints. The RS is practically an upgrade on the ST version with an aggressive body kit and more power  – a modified Duratec 2.5-liter 5-cylinder which develops 300PS and over 410Nm of torque and is capable to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 164 mph. Modifications to the standard motor include unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and intake manifold.

It is said that Ford wants to launch a new Ford Focus, based on the same Kinetic design they used on the new Ford Mondeo and the Facelift of the actual Ford Focus. They want this new model to go head-to-head with the Opel`s forthcoming Astra. I wonder if this new "Kinetic Focus" will compete against BMW 1 Series as well.

This aggressive new look with an outrageous grille  will be a real head-turner, and it`s obviously that this new car is specially made for young buyers.

For the first time Ford wants to put turbocharged engines in a regular car and the cabin will feature an all-new BMW iDrive-style control system. As with the Mondeo, the Focus will head further upmarket with greater emphasis on quality but with higher price tag than the current generation also.

And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We have good reasons to believe that the five-door model pictured here will be joined by a Focus-based coupé with a  bold three-door shape to rival the likes of the VW Scirocco and Renault’s new Mégane Coupé. It will help
differentiate the Focus range and appeal to younger buyers in the process.

The modifications won`t stop at the body and chasis, but on the interior as well. We want what`s best for Ford and we hope that this new Focus will have an interior worthy of his exterior since the interior of the previous models wasn`t quite extraordinary.

The things we liked most on the Ford Focus was his stability at any speed. It`s said that this car had the best chasis on his class and the best steering. Practically it has no rivals and this new Focus will have to be a worthy successor. We hope to see multi-link suspensions on the back and a new and improved suspension in front. It has to, since they want to put under the bonnet those supercharged motors. It was announced a 1.0 litre turbo four-cylinder unit with 89bhp or 108bhp.
The majority of sales will be taken probably by a new 1.6-litre turbo available in both 148bhp and 178bhp form. These new units will offer great performance, quick response and low CO2 emissions, too. Maybe they put a new breaking system as well.

Most likely Ford also has two new diesel motors as well: a 1.6-litre TDCi with 89bhp, 108bhp or 128bhp, and a 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp. All engines get manual gearboxes as standard, although Ford will expand the use of its PowerShift twin-clutch transmission.

The new Ford Focus will go on sale in late 2010, with a three-door coupé arriving in the same year, plus an estate and CC coupé-cabrio appearing in 2011.

We are still waiting for the ST and RS version with supercharged engine and at least rearweel drive.