The 2010 Ford Focus is taking on a European feel.
Apparently, the latest model of the Focus franchise will not be produced on its home continent and instead, will be manufactured exclusively at Ford’s Saarlouis production plant in plant in Germany.
While it may seem strange to produce the Focus from across the pond that is the Atlantic, Ford justifies their reason by saying that the move will allow its European division to get back on its feet. According to John Fleming, the Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, “Our objective is to return to sustainable profitability as soon as we can.” He also added: "We’ve already shown that we will make the necessary decisions and do whatever is required to ensure that Ford of Europe emerges from the downturn as a leaner and stronger company, ready to take on the opportunities presented once the economic situation finally improves."
The Focus is not the only Ford vehicle that will be produced exclusively in Europe. One of its variants, the Focus C-Max MPV will be produced in Valencia, Spain. Incidentally, the same plant in Valencia that produces the C-Max will distribute the vehicle to all the European markets and if plans push through, all the markets outside of Europe, including the US.
With the industry taking a massive hit in America and in Europe, it figures that Ford is putting all its resource into making sure that all of its plants have an opportunity to keep their heads above water.
Ford extended our test session with their stylish two door and we have to admit that we are enjoying double stinting the Focus. As we drive the coupe around for a little longer we are starting to notice the small things, like the colorful bunch of LEDs throughout the interior, and the removable cup holder for easy cleaning. Although we are pining for a version where the driver can sit in a sport bucket that isn’t supported by an electronic platform and has a turbo strapped to the back of the engine, after all there’s plenty of room for it.
Unfortunately we had to make a trip to the gas station, but without paying too much attention, or money we filled up the tank for $30, not bad, but we’re still waiting for higher prices this summer.
This is a great entry-level ride, coming with features like leather, Sync and a set of really nice looking wheels. The Focus is a different vehicle all together when seen in the eyes of a European; these cars stand for value, sport and convenience. If only Ford could convince domestic consumers. The Ford engineers can try a little harder with the styling possibly a Ford Edge Sport treatment, but definitely on to something.
We have just received the all new 2009 Ford Focus Coupe in the Top Speed test fleet. The profile of the two-door Focus with its fastback styling immediately reminded us of the old Sierra Cosworth, with the modern day car’s long slanted C pillar and oversized rear wing. The Focus Coupe gives the impression of being a sports car, something that is only accentuated by its Sangria Red metallic paint and the rally inspired premium dark painted wheels.
The interior of our Focus Coupe comes with Medium Stone leather seats and Ford’s Sync audio system. These are two luxuries that you won’t find in many other $20,000 new cars. It looks like Ford is targeting the youth market with the Focus Coupe, aside from the sporty exterior styling; the gauges have a very tuner style look to them, they are bright, bold and in your face. Another interesting feature that we’ve noticed is the door chime, gone is the annoying monotonous “ding” and in its place is a sound that is more reminiscent of something coming from an Atari video game.
Our Focus is powered by a 2.0 Liter Duratec 16 valve four cylinder that makes 140 HP. The blue oval guys claim that the Coupe comes with a sport tuned exhaust as well as a sport tuned suspension, two things we are looking forward to listening to and trying out. Despite the sporty nature of the Focus Coupe, Ford is already ready for the future CAFÉ standards because our car get an EPA estimated 35 MPG.
For a 360 degree view of the Focus check out the video after the jump.
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Ford revealed at the Geneva Motor Show the iosisMax, a concept that it was said to offer glimpse for the company’s next generation global C-segment (compact) car. Now the people at AutoExpress have tamed down the concept to show what the 2010 Focus may look like.
Since 2004 Ford split the Focus line between North America and the rest of the world. While the North American Focus has been profitable for Ford, the international model has been a best seller. So for the 2010 car, Ford is reuniting the Focus line and selling one car with European appeal. Since Ford has a lot riding on its European cash cow, we in North America can not only expect the 2010 car to have more European characteristics, but also one that has spent a lot of time in development.
Since the original iosis concept of 2005 was a curvy interpretation of the production Mondeo, we think the iosisMax is likely to be a good indication of the next-generation Focus. Now in it’s third International generation, the 2010 Focus will feature what almost seem like rounded and stretched lines of the current car. Just like in the iosisMax, the production car should have less dramatic lines that will blend the front end with the rest of the car.
The engine lineup should include both gas and diesel variations as well as Ford’s new EcoBoost system. The international offerings should start with a 1.0-liter gas engine making 89 hp, and should top out at units approaching 200 hp. North America will not likely receive the smallest capacity engine nor many or all of the diesel offerings.
File this one under ‘another cool hatch for Europe only’. There is a new generation of Ford Focus on the way for 2010, and it seems Ford has some big plans for it. Part of that may include a hatchback coupe in the vein of models like the Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Mégane coupe, with a convertible version possibly in the works.
Now there is the argument that there already is a Focus coupe in the U.S., but for those who don’t know, the European version of the economy car is much cooler. Engines that are expected for this focus include gas and diesel units that make between 89 and 197 hp.
It’s true that the next generation of the European Focus will have a home in North America, but that doesn’t mean all variations will have a home on these traditionally hatchback unfriendly shores. VW nixed the Scirocco here because of fears it would cannibalize the GTI’s sales, and Renault doesn’t even sell to the U.S. But who knows, maybe the Ford Focus coupe is just right...
Ford revealed the new Focus in 2008 in order to celebrate the model’s tenth anniversary. It comes with fresh, new ’kinetic design’ exterior, upgraded interior, new features and technologies. The line-up includes the new four-door saloon, the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet and the sporty flagship model Focus ST.
The new Focus features a more sporty and muscular styling with new front end with dynamic new form of the bonnet and the enlarged, trapezoidal opening of the new lower grille, plus newly sculpted headlamps.
The Focus is being offered with both gasoline and diesel engines. Standard cylinder capacities range from 1.4 to 2.0-litres, 80 hp to 145 hp respectively. All Duratec petrol engines are equipped, as standard, with a five-speed manual transmission. The ST version is powered by a 2.5-litre Duratec five-cylinder engine that delivers 225 hp at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm available throughout the range from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm.
For the diesel line-up, all the engines come with state-of-the-art common rail injection technology for high efficiency, high pulling power and low fuel consumption. Depending on the market, the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi delivers either 90 or 109 hp. Next in the powertrain line-up for Focus diesel engines is the popular 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi, delivering 115 hp and a maximum torque of 280 Nm at 1,900 rpm. The 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine has 136 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.
The Focus can hit a top speed of 245 km/h.
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Ford is currently preparing the next generation Focus for the European market. It will be launched in 2010 and will compete with the future Opel Astra. Ford will also unveil a three-doors coupe version that will compete with models like Volkswagen Scirocco and Renault Megane Coupe. The CC version will follow in 2011.
The North American market will not get its hands on a euro-spec Focus until 2010, and it will likely be the current model. No word yet on when this revised Focus will/if make its way to the U.S.
The design, which will likely be inspired by the new Fiesta, will feature a dramatic change, dominated by an outrageous grille. Exterior will also feature: a prominent bonnet, with lines that run from the base of the windscreen to form an overhanging focal point for the Ford badge, the huge headlights and further air intakes in the lower part of the front bumper.
The 2010 Focus will come with the EcoBoost range of turbocharged engines, while the cabin will feature an all-new BMW iDrive-style control system.
Engine range will include 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, while the PowerShift twin-clutch transmission will come as an option.
When the Ford Focus first appeared in 2000, it was Ford’s modern attempt at a real “world car” (the mid-90s Contour/Mystique wasn’t built for the world, it was an attempt at getting the U.S. to buy the second generation Mondeo.) The Focus was a vast improvement over the Escort, but the problem was that since it was built for multiple continents, it had multiple compromises.
The original Focus needed to be both a full hatchback for Europe and a full sedan for North America. While the resulting car was successful, the look was somewhat odd. Now that Ford makes two separate Focus lines (one for U.S. and Canada as well as a separate one for the rest of the world,) Ford can now focus on a traditional shape for the sedan and for the first time offer a true coupe.
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For the people who consider that the European Ford Focus ST to be bordering on perfection, Loder1899 is trying to tip the scales with its new customization kit for the stylish hatchback. This consists of a new suspension kit that lowers the vehicle for better handling, a new stainless steel sport exhaust system, a new set of 20 inch “IRA” wheels.
Probably the best part is the engine management system upgrade and a new sports air intake. The 2.5-liter engine now makes an extra 45 hp, bringing the total to 270.
Ford UK revealed today the sporty Zetec S. The car is now on sale at Uk dealers and is priced £750 above the equivalent Zetec derivative.
The Ford Focus Zetec S is available in three-door and five-door versions and is offered with the same wide choice of engines as the existing Focus Zetec with the addition of a 1.6 Ti-VCT 115PS petrol unit. Other available engines are the 1.8 125PS and 2.0 145PS petrol units and the diesel 1.8 TDCi 115 PS, 2.0 TDCi 136PS, and 2.0 TDCi 136PS with diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can also be specified with Ford’s acclaimed six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.
Where the extra money goes for in the Zetec S comes with front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions, 17" alloy wheels and aluminum-style foot pedals and hand brake cover.
Press release after the jump.
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