XR5 introduces new look for Focus

The first variant of the new LV Focus range is arriving in Ford showrooms this month, with revised specification and a cosmetic upgrade to align the small car line-up with the styling of the larger Mondeo.

That variant is the Focus XR5 Turbo. Visual changes to the Blue Oval's own hot hatch pertain to the bumpers, lower engine-cooling intake, grille and headlights. Body-colour finish is applied to door handles, mirror shells, side skirts and spoiler.  Revised side sills, deleted side mouldings, more prominent sculpture lines, LED tail lights, larger rear spoiler and newly-designed 18-inch alloy wheels also distinguish the new generation of Focus from the superseded LT model.

Inside and around the car, Ford designers have rejigged the centre console to achieve more of a flowing style from the centre fascia to the rear seat, added Bluetooth functionality with voice recognition command interface and specified a 'capless' refuelling system with inhibitor and a 'Start' button to turn over the engine.

The premium centre console features a movable armrest with 80 mm of travel, a four-litre capacity storage compartment, two open cup holders with rubber mat, a coin holder and a card holder. Ford has positioned the Start button in this console.

Interior fixtures like the instrument panel, centre console and switch bezels are finished in a 'carbon-effect' material. Other new or revised features for the facelifted Focus include a leather-bound steering wheel in a three-spoke design and scuff plates for the door sills. The instrument panel and storage receptacles are trimmed in a soft-touch material.

Front-seat occupants are accommodated in Recaro seats, which feature lumbar support and cushion-tilt in addition to the conventional seat adjustments. Leather trim for the seats is an option.

Mechanically, the LV Focus XR5 shares its specification with the LT model it replaces. There's the same turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, developing 166kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

Standard safety features comprise six airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and active front headrests. On the active safety front, the Focus XR5 Turbo is equipped with ABS, traction control, stability control and Emergency Brake Assist.

Priced at $36,990, the Focus XR5 Turbo can be ordered in the colours: Electric Orange, Frozen White, Panther Black, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey, Colorado Red and Performance Blue.

Prestige paint ($310), 'Electric Orange colour selection ($1800), overhead stripes ($350), power tilt/slide sunroof ($1,900), Recaro Sports Leather seats ($2,000) are all optional. The price of the Recaro leather trim option includes seat heating and 10-way adjustment for driver and front passenger.

"Ford set a real benchmark in hot-hatch motoring when the original Focus XR5 Turbo was launched a little over two years ago," said Ford Australia Vice President Marketing and Sales, Mark Winslow.

"We believe we can cement this position with the introduction of a fresh new, feature laden, sports-performance Focus XR5 Turbo which offers unparalleled levels of functionality and versatility."

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