New Ford Focus

By Dan Strong

08th January 2010

It’s official! Britain’s best-selling car is getting a radical new face for 2010 – and Auto Express has the first pictures.

This is the new Ford Focus – revealed over the next four pages as a hatchback and saloon, and starring at this week’s Detroit Motor Show – which will arrive in dealers in just over a year.

With a dramatic look, it promises to be the most ambitious evolution yet of the nation’s favourite car. And even though prices have still to be confirmed, Ford is insisting that this edition of the Focus will offer the best value for money yet. Despite the raft of improvements and upgrades, it’s believed that entry-level editions could cost from £15,000. There’s a new range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, advanced automatic transmissions and a more driver-focused chassis.

Auto Express has been granted exclusive access to the newcomer – and can deliver a first verdict on the car that’s charged with keeping Ford right at the top of the UK sales charts.

Bosses claim the Focus is a new model with the world at its feet. It has been conceived as the most desirable family car the firm has ever produced. Although the Focus has been designed and engineered in Europe, it will be built across the world – not only in Germany and Spain, but also America, China and Russia.

It will be sold in markets around the globe, and is sure to leave the competition trailing with a winning combination of class-leading road manners, fuel economy, safety, technology and build quality.

Some key changes have been carried out. For starters, the Focus sits 25mm lower to the road than the existing car. Bold trapezoidal radiator grilles give the nose a dramatic appearance, while at the back, the lamps are no longer mounted in the C-pillars. Instead, there is an all-new set of tail-lights which cuts deep into the rear wings. The roofline takes on an arching, coupé-like shape, helping to make the hatch look longer and wider than the car it replaces.

Inside, Ford is promising an elegant look, with trim finished in contrasting colours. There will also be hand-stitching for the seats and steering wheel and new, soft-touch materials.

But what will really help define the Focus is the technology under its bodywork. While the current model remains one of the finest-handling cars in the class, Ford has developed an advanced new chassis in a bid to take the latest generation leagues ahead of the VW Golf MkVI and recently launched Vauxhall Astra. For the first time, the Focus will use torque vectoring, which sees stability and steering response improved through a combination of braking and engine power.

As a result, the car will not only be more comfortable and refined than ever, but it will also set the bar higher for driving involvement.

In addition, a new electric power-steering system has been carefully tuned, and for the first time offers dynamic cornering control – a set-up that helps the driver make the most of the car’s handling.

Ford will offer engines from its new family of turbocharged EcoBoost petrol units. These will include a British-built 1.6-litre four-cylinder delivering between 148bhp and 178bhp, as well as a high-performance 2.0-litre giving up to 203bhp.

The lightweight 16-valve units feature direct-injection, and comply with strict Euro V emissions regulations. In the future, Ford has hinted it will offer a smaller EcoBoost engine – possibly a 100bhp 1.0-litre.

A new 2.0-litre TDCi diesel motor is also in the pipeline. This is likely to be offered in two states of tune, delivering 134bhp or around 160bhp. A choice of six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes will be available on all variants.

Backing up the cutting-edge mechanicals will be one of the most comprehensive lists of standard equipment ever seen in the family car market.

A radar-based adaptive cruise control system will feature, as will lane keep assistance. And to boost the car’s safety credentials further, sensors monitor how alert the driver is – with an alarm sounding if it appears you are falling asleep at the wheel.

Top-spec models will get an automatic parking system, as well as adaptive lighting to boost visibility after dark. These cars are also set to be fitted with a central touchscreen, which gives access to the entertainment and satellite navigation set-ups. In addition, various functions will be voice controlled,using Ford’s SYNC technology, and wireless Internet is to be offered for the first time.

Alongside the hatchback, Ford also unveiled the new Focus saloon. Click here to get a closer look.

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