Ford confirms Focus line-up for August launch

Ford has announced that the all-new third-generation Focus will be launched in Australia barely three months from now.

As is the case with the current LV series II Focus, the replacement will be built in two body styles: four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. According to a press release issued today, the new model range will be "expanded" with the addition of a new flagship level, the Focus Titanium. Ford anticipates that Titanium variants will provide a high-specification small car for buyers keen to downsize from mid-sized and large cars -- a strategy that has been paying dividends for Ford with the Fiesta in the light-car segment.

Like the Fiesta, the new Focus will be a concrete product of the company's 'One Ford' rationalisation strategy, which aims to reduce the number of autonomous platforms Ford builds around the world.

While the new Focus has been developed in Europe, it will be sold in 120 different markets around the world. According to Ford, 80 per cent of parts will be of common design. In addition, the Focus's 'C-segment' platform will underpin 10 distinct model derivatives in all and Ford expects production based on the platform to reach two million units a year by 2012.

"The new Focus is evidence of One Ford in action, and truly represents the best of Ford Motor Company," said Ford Australia President Bob Graziano, quoted in the press release.

"Our investment in a new global small car platform is enabling us to provide consumers in Australia, and around the world, with an affordable range of cars which offer quality, fuel efficiency, safety and smart technology beyond their expectations."

Production has already commenced in the US and Germany, with a plant in Russia coming on line around the middle of this year. Australian production will be sourced from the German plant at Saarlouis.

The new car is more aerodynamic, with the drag coefficient reduced from 0.32Cd to 0.295Cd. NVH is lower as a consequence, although the quieter ride is also due to the improved body stiffness -- 30 per cent better than the current car's. This is a consequence of extended use of high-strength (55 per cent of the body shell) and ultra-high-strength/Boron steels (26 per cent) in the vehicle's construction.

Ford Australia has revealed in its press release that the new Focus will introduce sophisticated new features such as Active Park Assist, Adjustable Speed Limiting Device, keyless entry/push-button start and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Dynamically, the new Focus will up the ante in the VFACTS small-car segment with EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering) and Torque Vectoring Control to reduce understeer.

Three engines for the range will comprise a 2.0-litre GDi ('gasoline direct injection') four-cylinder petrol engine, a 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel ('TDCi') four-cylinder and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder. Both the petrol engines are DOHC units with independently variable camshaft timing. Transmissions will be a five-speed manual for the GDi engine, a six-speed manual for the TDCi engine -- or the option of  a six-speed 'PowerShift' dual-clutch unit.

Ford claims that the frugal 1.6-litre petrol engine is over 15 per cent more economical, but the press release didn't mention whether the transmission specified for this engine.

Pricing and further specification details will be announced at the launch of the new car.

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