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Ford Focus ST to be revealed in Paris 
Inside sources have let out a much anticipated secret; Ford will unveil an ST version for their new Focus at the Paris Motor Show. At that same show we will also see the full production versions of the five-door and estate models. Rumors have been getting around that the Focus would be an ideal vehicle to boost and those rumors were solidified when Ford’s product development boss, Derrick Kuzak announced back in March that the new model would get "an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for”. So you can expect to see a Focus ST powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine that will deliver around 250bhp and 350Nm of torque. These figures are a tad bit lower than the Ford Focus RS model. Why endanger a great vehicle, right? The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in around 6 seconds and top speed will be limited to 155 mph. The future Focus ST will be offered with clever torque vectoring software and a variety of driving modes. It will go on sale in late 2011. 2010 Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet Cool & Sound Edition
Ford Netherlands has unveiled the Ford Focus Coupe and Cabriolet Cool & Sound special editions just in time for the summer. Prices start at € 27,995 for the coupe and € 33,995 for the cabriolet version. The Cool & Sound edition is based on the Trend trim level and adds 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch alloy wheels for the convertible version), a Visibility Pack (rain sensor, automatic switching dipped headlights and auto dimming interior mirror), cruise control, rear parking sensors, an electrically heated windshield, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a windbreaker. The cabrio version also gets an advanced navigation system with 5-inch color screen, the Ford Power start button, a tire pressure monitoring system, a wind breaker, an electrically heated windscreen, Bluetooth phone, parking sensors, and Voice Control (voice control of the audio system, air conditioning, phone and the navigation system). The coupe version is powered by a 1.6 16v engine with 100 HP, while the cabrio version gets a 2.0 16v with 145 HP. All of the added features to the Ford Focus Coupe and Cabriolet models are just what the doctor ordered for the long and hot summer ahead. Ford’s timing couldn’t be better and we are sure these special editions will run out quickly. 2012 Ford Focus Wagon
After seeing the next-generation Ford Focus unveiled last January at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford isn’t wasting any time by unveiling a wagon variant of the Focus at the Geneva Motor Show. Incidentally, the Ford Focus Wagon is the fifth vehicle to be unveiled from Ford’s new global C-segment platform that will create at least ten vehicles around the world where Ford hopes it would account to two million units produced by 2012. In addition to the Ford Focus Wagon, Ford will also unveil a three-door hatchback and coupe-convertible versions, but also a small SUV sharing the same platform. According to John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s chairman and CEO, the Ford Focus Wagon is a popular choice among European customers, with the Wagon trailing only the five-door in terms of popularity across the Atlantic. "These customers want the extra space and flexibility a traditional wagon provides, yet they still expect all of the technology, great driving dynamics, and superb styling," he says. "We believe the new Focus wagon will more than satisfy their requirements in every way." Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 Ford FocusWhen the Ford Focus was first introduced the new car was a smash hit in Europe with a slew of Cosworth tuned and RS spec Foci available for overseas rally enthusiasts who harked for the return of the old Sierra Escort special something to dream about. However with the blue oval’s latest recent focus (no pun intended) on the smaller offerings in their lineup, Ford is making the Focus a global vehicle for economical and practical reasons. The American automaker from Dearborn unveiled the latest generation Ford Focus at their home show, the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ford’s new Focus is built on top of the new global C-segment platform, a unit which replaces the three different substructures that are currently in use. The small car builder is shooting for the stars and are dedicated to moving more than 2 Million units by 2012. Mark Fields should have no problem achieving his goal, with the 2011 Focus being the latest evolution of Ford’s European "Kinetic" design language. A dialect of car speak that is well trained in the art of tooling out attractive compacts, which is why the new Focus features a large trapezoidal front fascia, bulging wheel arches, swooping large lamp clusters and a set of bold hips. All begging the eye to take a longer look. Powered by a fuel efficient 2.0 Liter four cylinder engine that makes 155 HP and 145 lb-ft of torque, made with Ford’s patented Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI) as well as a gas sipping dual-clutch PowerShift transmission. The Focus will be sold as both a sedan and a hatchback after they go into production almost simultaneously in both Europe and North America later on in 2010 and destined to arrive in dealerships in early 2011. Full details in the press release after the jump. Full story Video: Jay Leno and Justin Bell give the electric Focus a proper introductionIf you haven’t already seen the “Green Car Challenge” on NBC’s the Jay Leno Show then you might want to check out Hollywood starlet Drew Barrymore making her way around the new track in a zero emissions all electric Ford Focus. In this video, Jay invites world class racing driver Justin Bell to come along and say a few words about the electric orange Focus before the host of the show takes advantage of his title and gets behind the wheel of his latest toy. Jay Leno is the epitome of a car guy, knowing that the world’s fossil fuel supply is eventually going to run dry, he sees electric vehicles taking over on our daily commutes or for around town shopping, while our favorite gas powered cruisers will be kept for Sunday driving. There is also one other benefit from an electric car, instantaneous torque. One of the things that Jay boats about, is the Ford’s endless amount of low end torque, which is quite useful on the new back lot short track. The unique battery powered Focus started life as a European production Focus ST, built in Germany before being delivered to Ford’s world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, where engineers went to work, removing the traditional engine and gas tank and installing an entire electric powertrain before fitting a set of Recaro racing buckets, a full roll cage, five point racing harness and bespoke electric orange paint scheme. With a sophisticated electric powertrain, the zero-emissions Ford Focus BEV delivers nearly as much torque at the wheels as a 2010 Ford Mustang V6. It also stores enough energy to power an average household for 24 hours. Thanks in part to the battery placement, the race-ready Ford Focus BEV has a nearly ideal 50/50 weight distribution for improved racetrack handling.
Ford has prepared an electric Focus to star in "The Jay Leno Show’s" Green Car ChallengeAs part of the late night comedian Jay Leno’s newfound power with his own prime time television show appropriately named the "Jay Leno Show" the automotive enthusiast is using that newfound fame to promote environmentaly friendly vehicles with a Green Car Challenge. The bit is very much like the BBC’s Top Gear segment, "star in a reasonably priced car" except that the American show will feature an environmentally friendly vehicle, in this case an Electric Orange Ford Focus battery electric vehicle.  As we learned a few days ago, actress Drew Barrymore will be the first famous person to lap the specially designed track inside of the NBC compound inside a zero emissions vehicle. The show airs tonight, so check you local listing for the time and channel in your area. The Green Car Focus features a sophisticated electric power train that delivers almost as much torque to the wheels as a V6 powered 2010 Ford Mustang and is capable of storing enough energy to power an average household for an entire 24 hours. Thanks in part to the design team’s attention to detail, the Ford Focus BEV has a nearly 50/50 weight distribution due to the battery’s placement and a set of front springs and dampers from a Ford Focus RS as well as a unique rear suspension make this the perfect Focus to see constant time on the track. More information after the jump. Full story
2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic
The blue oval has just unveiled the extremely efficient new for 2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany without the use of any electric motors. The new more environmentally friendly Focus incorporates the American automaker’s new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system that eliminates wasteful emissions by brining the car’s engine to a halt when the Focus is at rest, this mild hybrid system was first previewed on the Ford iosis MAX Concept from the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.  The 2010 Focus ECOnetic is powered by a 1.6 Liter Duratorq TDCi engine that makes a maximum output of only 109 HP because when you are looking for efficiency, power isn’t quite a priority when you are getting 74 MPG. The Duratorq four cylinder engine makes use of a standard coated Diesel Particulate Filter that reduces the vehicle’s harmful emissions to a road legal level. The Focus ECOnetic is also the first vehicle from the automaker to feature Ford’s new Eco Mode system standard, a software application that is integrated into the instrument cluster in order to give the Focus’s driver a more useful and realistic green driving experience. According to Dr. Thilo Seibert, Manager of CO2 Technologies for Ford of Europe, "From the very beginning of Ford’s ECOnetic approach it has been our clear intention to offer customers affordable eco-technology, and to also pave the way for the possible integration of these technologies into the core vehicle programs,...with its new comprehensive set-up, the new Focus ECOnetic offers exactly what it takes: versatility, latest level technology and – regardless of version – excellent CO2 and fuel economy figures." Press release after the jump. Full story Ford Focus ST by JMS Racelook
The Ford Focus is a popular automobile around the world and the restyled ST hatchback is an even sportier model guaranteed to captivate a few more automotive enthusiasts. The German tuners from JMS Racelook have just developed a subtle appearance package made up of a few simple yet tasteful touches that only accentuate the new car’s good looks.  The kit starts off with a more aggressive front lip, a rear apron with integrated diffuser and a pair of lower hanging side skirts to round out the ground effects package and a pair of Focus RS style front fenders vents for that extra visual muscle. Perhaps if we can’t have the 300 HP fire breathing monster here in the states at least we might be able to look something like it with some pieces of carbon fiber fiber fender jewelry. Complimenting the sports inspired body pieces, JMS lowers the Focus with a set of H&R lowering springs which bring the front end down by 40 mm and 35 mm at the rear virtually eliminating whatever wheel gap was in between the new 19 inch rims and the Ford’s fenders. JMS also upgraded to a dual exhaust that not only looks better underneath the rear diffuser, but add an extra 5 to 8 HP thanks to its free flowing stainless steel construction. Ford Focus tops list of car models sold under the Cash for Clunkers program; Detroit 3 accounts for 47% of cars sold
The good news just keeps coming in for Ford. After already posting the first positive sales month in 19 months, the Detroit-based automakers also learned that the Ford Focus has emerged as the runaway winner for most bought car under the Cash For Clunkers program. With the program having seemingly opened a floodgate of automotive sales, Ford has taken advantage of this unexpected interest to post strong sales numbers, including the company’s C-Segment vehicle, which increased its sales percentage by 43.6%. In addition to that, the Ford Escape also posted a dramatic 97% rise in sales last July. While Ford is the first to say that the Cash for Clunkers program may have had a lot to do with it, the company is nevertheless ecstatic about its increasing sales numbers. The Detroit-based automakers two main rivals – GM and Chrysler – have also had their fare share of sales spikes. Continued after the jump. Full story
2009 Ford Focus
The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe is an excellent economy car that features attractive fastback styling that will make you think twice about this car’s role as an econobox. Our Focus gives the impression of being a sports car with its Sangria Red metallic paint, large rear wing and rally inspired 17 inch premium dark painted wheels. However the exterior is only the beginning of the story, it was the interior of our $20,000 Ford Focus Coupe that made us fans of the well finished affordable method of transportation. It’s not the gauges or the synthetic door panels, but the Medium Stone leather seats and Ford’s voice commanded Sync audio system that earned our affection. These are two luxuries that you won’t find in many other $20,000 new cars. Our Focus is powered by a 2.0 Liter Duratec 16 valve four cylinder engine that makes 143 HP when connected to a 5 speed manual transmission. The blue oval guys claim that the Coupe comes with a sport tuned exhaust as well as a sport tuned suspension, two things we thoroughly enjoyed listening to and putting through its paces. Despite the sporty nature of the Focus Coupe, Ford is already ready for the future CAFÉ standards because our car gets an EPA estimated 35 MPG. However, no matter how good the Focus is, for some reason U.S. consumers have never been able to focus on the car’s highlights. You have to travel all of the way to Europe where the Ford Focus has earned multiple Car of the Year awards where these automobiles stand for value, sport and convenience. If only Ford could convince domestic consumers how good this car really is, perhaps next year wouldn’t be a Europe only model. Continued after the jump. Full story | Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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