Last year’s redesign of the Ford Focus revived sales of the little car, so for 2009 Ford is looking to continue the rebirth of the Focus with a new coupe version. The hatchback’s replacement is now on sale at a starting price of $16,875.
The Coupe version will be powered by a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), and an inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 143 horsepower when combined with a five-speed manual transmission and 140 horsepower when paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Also available is a super-clean, 130-horsepower Duratec 20E engine that qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California emissions states. The 20E’s tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles’. The Duratec 20 and 20E in Focus Coupe are mated to a five-speed manual transmission and achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg highway.
> More
The Ford Focus is the most improved vehicle in the industry’s top study measuring customer-pleasing design, content, and vehicle performance. In J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM, Focus raised its score over last year by 88 index points – the biggest improvement in the industry.
The popular compact car performed better than the segment average in every category, scoring especially well in the areas of fuel economy, audio/entertainment/navigation, interior styling and exterior styling.
This Focus appeal to buyers bears out in the marketplace: Ford Focus retail sales are up 64 percent year-to-date, while industrywide retail sales of small cars are up 10 percent. In response, Ford is increasing Focus production at the Wayne Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., where a third shift will be added to the plant’s body and paint shops in September.
> More
Ford today unveiled the 2009 Focus Coupe on American’s hottest television show – “American Idol.” The 2009 Focus Coupe will go on sale later this summer at a MSRP that starts at $15,920.
The 2009 Focus Coupe is equipped with a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 143 horsepower when mated to a five-speed manual transmission and 140 horsepower when paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Also available is a super-clean, 130-horsepower Duratec 20E engine that qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). The 20E’s tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles’. The Duratec 20 and 20E in Focus Coupe are mated to a five-speed manual transmission and achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg.
The high-end Focus SES will feature a standard high-mounted spoiler that is incorporated into the design of the roof. The high-mounted design contributes to Focus’ overall muscular stance. A decklid spoiler will remain part Zf the Focus SE exterior design.
Press release after the jump.
> More
.
Ford UK announced that the 2008 Focus ST will officially go on sale from May 1. Created by the performance vehicle division TeamRS the new ST is powered by the 2.5-liter engine which delivers 225 hp and is capable to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds while the top speed is limited to 240 km/h.
Ford added three levels of equipping: The ST comes with 18” wheels, Recaro sport buckets, unique sport steering wheel, with the new „Ford Power” starter button and Easyfuel capless refuelling system. The ST-2 has also a Sony audio system, bi-xenon lights, LED rear lights and Quickclear heated windscreen while the ST-3 includes a full leather trim plus an in-dash six CD player. For all the ST fans, the vehicle also set a segment-leading record of 8min 35sec at the Nurburgring race track.
Press release after the jump!
> More
Ford will launch the next generation Focus sometime in 2010 or 2011. It will be built on the Ford’s global C1 platform.
Kuzak offered the figure for parts sharing on the Focus during a presentation at the SAE 2008 World Congress in Detroit—pointing to the car as evidence that Ford’s efforts to cut costs and globalize its engineering process are beginning to show results.
That figure compares with the redesigned Ford Fiesta, which takes 66 percent of its parts from global sources. The new Fiesta goes on sale in Europe later this year. A U.S. version of the Fiesta goes on sale next year. That car’s development didn’t use the same worldwide plans as the next Focus.
"Our business starts and stops with product," Kuzak said.
Ford has been looking to leverage its global footprint to save money and speed development time. Kuzak said Ford’s engineering costs in North American will be reduced by 30 percent through 2009 as a result of its global product-development strategy.
The Changan Ford Racing Team is looking forward to the 2008 China Circuit Championship (CCC) series and the opportunity to build on the outstanding success of the Changan Ford Racing Focus race car in its 2007 season.
The Changan Ford Racing Focus delivered a strong performance throughout the 2007 season, winning the annual champion of CCC 2007 and the racer’s annual runner-up title. The excellence performance of Focus racing car is fully demonstrated to consumers through the competition which strongly promoted the sales of Focus.
The Focus race cars used by Changan Ford Racing boast reworked versions of the 2.0-litre Focus engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 215 Nm of torque. The Changan Ford Racing Focus race cars demonstrated superior performance in all conditions throughout the 2007 season.
> More
It seems that Loder1899, one of Germany’s top tuners, have a special passion for Ford models. After the Mondeo, the tuner put its hands on the recently facelifted Ford Focus. and make it looking sportier, and of course with more power.
The tuned Focus features a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and roof spoiler and is complemented by 17 to 20 inch alloys. The output was increased by 30 hp, so the hatchback now peaks at 165 hp at 4,200 rpm.
With the Chicago Auto Show being held this week, here are the most important debuts:
Ford will present at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, a true four-seater that combines a high emotional appeal with "must have" means for everyday use: With the roof closed, new Focus Coupe-Cabriolet offers a best-in-class luggage capacity of 534 litres. The Coupe-Cabriolet version joins the three-door, four-door, five-door, wagon and sporty ST models. It will be manufactured at the Bairo plant of Pininfarina, Ford’s partner in designing, engineering and building the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet.
Under the hood there is a range of Duratec petrol and Duratorq diesel engines. The entry level is powered by a 1.6-litre 99 hp Duratec petrol; while the top of the class is powered by a 2.0-litre 143 hp Duratec HE engine. It is mated by a sporty 5-speed manual transmission or the very comfortable FN automatic transmission for relaxed cruising joy.
The entire front end design of the new Ford Focus was fully adopted for the Coupe-Cabriolet: The new three-dimensional bonnet design flows harmoniously into the iconic dual-trapezoidal-grille design, with both the upper and lower grille being equipped with a classy chrome surrounding. The front bumper, lights and front fender designs clearly reflect the latest dynamic Focus styling, but are also tailored to perfectly fit the elegant side view of the Coupe-Cabriolet.
The interior styling of the new Focus Coupe-Cabriolet also received a fresh approach with bold design statements, high quality finishes and hard-wearing materials all completed with a high level of craftsmanship. Most prominent for the driver is a new instrument cluster of a ’binocular’ style with instruments illuminated in red.
Press release after jump.
> More
Ford is preparing to take on models like Audi A3,
Saab 9-1 and
BMW 1-Series! The next generation Focus will be launched in 2010 and will be better in every way, with sleeker looks, more space and a sharper driving experienc
> More
Pages: 
Post a comment
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |