Fresh Focus and 'DSG' for Ford

Any resemblance is purely intentional. Restyled to sit alongside the new Mondeo, the next generation Fiesta (unveiled in the form of the Verve concept, pictured and (more here) and the all-new compact SUV Kuga (more here too), the new Focus is an altogether sharper looking car.

Save for the windscreen and roof, there's barely a carried-over external component on the 2008 Ford Focus. And the changes, unveiled at Frankfurt, haven't stopped there.

Ford of Europe design team under Martin Smith delivered the Focus's 'kinetic design' makeover to keep the range current and also worked over the interior. In engineering terms there have been substantial changes too.

The big news is the arrival at Ford of a DSG-style twin-clutch transmission. Dubbed Powershift, the automated six-speed manual will be available from the beginning of 2008 in Europe. It will be initially offered combined with a 100kW 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine.

The transmission was developed by GETRAG FORD Transmissions (a 50:50 Ford/GETRAG joint venture) and will also be used in an upcoming variant of the Volvo C30.

In simple terms, the transmission comprises two three-speed gearboxes -- each with its own motorcycle-style wet clutch -- that work in parallel. One carries the 'uneven' gears (1,3,5), the other second, fourth and top. Like VW's DSG gearbox, the unit essentially preselects the next gear and drive is transferred almost instantly with negligible loss of drive.

No torque converter is used and therefore the gearbox is more efficient and can cope with the high torque requirements of a modern turbodiesel, Ford says.

Ford also debuted low-emission variants of its diesels for the European market at Frankfurt (just 120g/km for the new 1.6-litre) and alt-fuel spark ignition versions, though what applications these will have Down Under is not known.

When the upgraded Focus does arrive in Australia (it goes on sale in right-hand drive form in the UK in December) it will benefit from the new model's substantially enhanced interior. This gets a new instrument panel, centre stack and dual zone air. There's even an optional inverter-style computer-friendly 230V volt socket on Euro models.

Other changes include a capless refuelling system, Ford Power button (keyless start), tyre pressure warning system and LED rear lights.

"The Ford Focus is very special to Ford in Europe. When it was revealed in 1998 it represented a huge step forward for us... That's why we felt it was vital to apply our new Ford design language, 'kinetic design', to the Focus as soon as we could," explained John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe.

"At the same time, we have taken the opportunity to make Focus even more practical and contemporary and added further quality improvements. Our design and development teams have done a really great job," he said.

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