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NEWS
Ford reveals 1.0-litre Focus
EcoBoost triple to take its place under the bonnet of Ford's small car from 2015Ford's Focus small car is anticipating a far-reaching makeover for its 2015 model year – due out near the end of 2014.
Chief among the changes will be the 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder already here in the Fiesta range. But the Focus will also gain new driver-assist technology, including a reverse parking camera.
“We have taken the title of world’s best-selling nameplate to impressive new heights with the redesigned Focus,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford executive vice president and president of The Americas, speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barelona overnight.
“Its combination of compelling, modern design and the most high-tech interior in the class will appeal to contemporary consumers who desire a small car with very sophisticated features. What makes Focus so attractive to consumers today – being great to drive, delivering exceptional fuel economy and value, and offering leading-edge in-car technologies – is amplified with the new Focus.”
Just one transmission will be available in the Focus with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost powerplant – a six-speed manual box. That will likely hamper sales in North America and Australia, but according to Ford, the 1.0-litre engine accounts for 32 per cent of Focus sales and 26 per cent of Fiesta sales in Europe, where the engine has been available in the Focus for some time. That has prompted Ford to double manufacturing capacity to facilitate production of over 1000 three-cylinder EcoBoost engines each day.
New driver-assist features include Blind Spot Information System and a Lane Keeping function. The rear-view camera displays to a 4.2-inch infotainment screen or, in upmarket models, an eight-inch screen. To keep the driver informed of vehicles in a blind spot, Focus will be equipped with two multi-beam radar modules in the rear quarter panels. If a vehicle is detected in the blind spot danger zone, the system triggers a warning light in the external mirror on the same side. In addition to warning the driver the car is leaving its lane, the Focus can actively steer back into the correct lane.
The revised Focus is a significant facelift of the current car, with changes to bonnet, grille, headlights, tail lights and rear hatch/boot. Interior colours and materials have also been revised, with the layout featuring a new centre console (with adjustable cupholders) and a more convenient glove box.
Up to 60 AppLink apps, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Android Market, can be selected through the SYNC AppLink system for the new Focus.
While Ford globally is saying the Focus will go on sale before the end of the year, the updated Focus, which is built in Thailand for Australia, won't reach the local market before 2015. As to whether it launches with the EcoBoost Triple in this country – or whether indeed the fuel-saving three-cylinder makes it into the local range at any point down the track – remains a matter for speculation.
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Written byKen Gratton
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