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The Ford Focus is a small family car manufactured by Ford and marketed globally since its introduction in 1998 in Europe, 2000 in North America, and 2002 in Australia. First generation models continued in production in North America through 2007 (with an interim re-styling) and remain in production currently in South America (e.g., Brazil, Argentina). A second generation launched in Europe in January 2005, received styling and engineering updates in January 2008, and is marketed globally outside North and South America. In Europe, South America, North America and South Africa, the Focus replaced the Ford Escort in 2002. In Australia, New Zealand and Japan, it replaced the Ford Laser. Focus models rank as the 41st bestselling automotive nameplate worldwide, with over 5 million sold.
[edit] Ford Focus Mark 1 (1998–2004)
[edit] Design and engineeringCodenamed CW170 during its development, and briefly known to some Ford contractors as the Ford Fusion[citation needed] , the original Focus took its eventual name from a Ghia concept car which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991. Certain elements of the design had been seen even earlier in prototypes used by Ford to demonstrate forthcoming safety features, such as the eye-level rear lighting clusters. As a continuation of Ford's New Edge styling philosophy, first seen in the Ford Ka in 1996, and Ford Cougar in 1998, the Focus' styling had been often described as polarizing.[3][4][5][6] The styling had been overseen by Jack Telnack and executed by Claude Lobo and Australian designer, John Doughty.[2] The decision to name the new car the Ford Focus was made in early 1998, as Ford's overheads had been planning to keep the Escort nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publishers Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the German market cars since the name was already taken by the publisher's Focus magazine.[7] This eleventh hour dispute was overcome, however, and the car was launched without a different "German market" name. [edit] Rear suspensionEngineers for the Focus, including Richard Parry-Jones, developed a class-leading,[8] space-saving independent multi-link rear suspension, marketed as Control Blade suspension, combining the packaging of a trailing arm, with the geometry of a double wishbone suspension — at considerably lower cost. Where many competitors in the compact class, or small family car (European) class, used the less expensive half-independent torsion beam suspension, Control Blade offered enhanced elasto-kinematic performance, i.e., strong body control, sharp and accurate steering regardless of the car's attitude, and an absorbent and quiet ride over bumps. Unlike conventional multi-link suspension, Control Blade features a wide, simple, uniform thickness, pressed steel trailing arm with hub carrier — taking the place of two longitudinal locating rods, eliminating an expensive cast knuckle, and offering the same level of body control — with a lower center of gravity, reduced road noise, and at lower production cost. The long rear lateral arm controls toe, a pair of shorter front lateral arms, vertically above each other, control the camber, and the Control Blade reacts to brake and traction loads. In testing the suspension in 2000, Motor Trend writer Jack Keebler noted "The Focus' average speed of 62.6 mph through our slalom makes it faster around the cones than a $62,000 Jaguar XJ8L and a $300,000 Bentley Continental. The impression is of having plenty of wheel travel for gobbling the larger stuff and big-car, full-frame isolation when encountering expansion joints and smaller road imperfections."[9] Following the 1998 introduction of Control Blade suspension and popularization by the Focus, other manufacturers (e.g., Volkswagen with the Golf V) began offering multi-link design rear suspensions in the compact class, or small family car (European) class.[8][10] [edit] ManufacturingThe Mark 1 Focus remains in production (along with the Mark 2 Focus) in General Pacheco, Argentina where it's marketed as the Focus One. It continues to be marketed in Brazil as well. The Mark 1 was also previously produced in factories in Saarlouis, Germany; Valencia, Spain; Santa Rosa, Philippines; Chungli, Taiwan; Chongqing, China, and Vsevolozhsk, Russia. [edit] Critical opinionThe motoring press praised the handling and ride of the Ford Focus for its rare mix of passenger comfort and lively driver responsiveness. Reviews hailed the Focus' independent rear suspension, performance and accommodation. The interior design polarised opinion. The quality of the interior materials was criticised relative to the Opel Astra and even more so relative to the Mk 4 Volkswagen Golf, although the Mk4 Golf was considerably more expensive than the Focus from new.[citation needed] [edit] SafetyThe Mk 1 Ford Focus received 4 out of 5 stars for occupant safety, and 2 out of 4 stars for pedestrian safety in its EuroNCAP tests (69% frontal, 83% side, 28% pedestrian).[11] In Australia, the 2002–2005 Ford Focus was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[12]  [edit] 2001 facelift The 2001 Mk 1 Focus facelift included:
A new flexfuel engine was introduced, based on the European Zetec 1.6 L version. This could use both petrol and bioethanol, but only on the Swedish market. This version is still available in some countries despite the advent of an all-new Mk 2 Focus.[citation needed] [edit] Engines[edit] European introductionPetrol engines available were the well-proven 1.8 L and 2.0 L Zetec-E units from the Ford Mondeo and 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions of the Zetec-SE units found in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Puma. The ST170 and RS performance models used modified versions of the 2.0 L Zetec-E. Originally, the only diesel engine available was the Endura TDDI (a development of the old Deutz-designed motor which Ford had been using since the 1980s). This was replaced in 2002 by the Duratorq TDCI. [edit] International summary
[edit] Transmissions
[edit] Trim levelsTrim levels (European)
[edit] Body styles
[edit] Performance versions [edit] ST170The ST170, which was launched in 2002, is the International version of the American Focus SVT.[citation needed] The car was only available in some markets outside of America. Adapted from the Facelift Mk 1 Focus, the ST170 had the following cosmetic revisions: 17" Multi-Spoke Alloy Wheels; Alarm; Side Airbags; Optional Recaro leather seats; Optional 9006 Stereo system with Subwoofer; brushed aluminium door releases; honeycomb front grills, round projector style fog lights, colour coded bumper and side beadings & door handles; and Locally developed bodykit (Australia only). The engine was developed by Cosworth and tuning bumped the horsepower from 130 to 170. Upgrades included: High-flow aluminium cylinder head; Variable valve timing; Dual state intake manifold; Stainless steel exhaust system and exhaust manifold by Cosworth; Sports catalytic converter; Larger brake discs (300 mm front, 280 mm rear); Getrag 6 speed manual gearbox; Revised power steering pump and close ratio steering rack.  [edit] RSMain article: Ford Focus RS In 2002 the more bespoke engineered and performance orientated RS badge made a return to a Ford product following the demise of the Escort RS 2000 in 1996. Using a turbocharged version of the 2.0 litre Zetec-E, the Focus RS produced roughly 212 horsepower (158 kW). A total of 4501 were produced at Ford's Saarlouis plant. [edit] Mk 2 (2004-present)
The all-new Mk 2 Ford Focus was launched at the Paris Motor Show on September 23 2004 as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed, in 4-door saloon form, as the 'Focus Concept' developed by Ford Europe at the Beijing Motor Show in mid-2004. [edit] Design and engineeringThe Mk 2, codenamed C307, uses the Ford C1 platform which is shared with the Volvo S40, V50 and C70, Mazda3 and Focus C-MAX. Ford calls this platform sharing programme "Global Shared Technologies". The basic suspension design, which contributed much to the Mk 1's success, has been carried over largely unchanged from its predecessor which, along with a 10% stiffer bodyshell, offers even better handling and ride according to Ford. The same body styles as the Mk 1 Focus were offered, though the saloon did not appear until mid-2005. The Focus Mk 2 is much larger than its predecessor with a 25 mm (1 in) increase in wheelbase, 168 mm (6.6 in) longer, 8 mm (0.3 in) taller and 138 mm (5.4 in) wider. As a result the interior and boot space have increased. New technologies include a KeyFree system, a solar-reflect windshield, adaptive front lighting, Bluetooth hands-free phones and voice control for audio, telephone and climate control systems. It also features either a Durashift 6-speed manual, Durashift 4-speed automatic transmission, the all-new Durashift advanced manual transmission or just the standard manual. Stylistically, the Mk 2's styling features the same design language found in the Mondeo and Fiesta. Although still recognisable as a Focus the new car uses styling features from the abandoned B-Proposal for the original Focus which never reached production. The interior and dashboard follows on from the Mk 2 Mondeo and is constructed from higher quality plastics than before. [edit] AvailabilityThe Focus Mk 2 is also built in South Africa for export to Australia and New Zealand. However shortly after launch, Ford New Zealand surrendered its supply to satisfy Australia's high demand, and now receives vehicles from the German factory in Saarlouis. In 2006 the Mk 2 made its debut in the Americas with its launch on the Mexican market as the 4-door sedan or the sporty 3-door in ST trim. The Mk 2 Focus is now available alongside base versions of the Mk I model in some other markets worldwide such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile. In Argentina, the Mk 1 Focus is built alongside the Mk 2 in the Pacheco Factory. In the U.S. and Canada, the Mk 1 Focus is offered in a much revised North American version, currently only as a sedan or coupe, the hatchbacks and wagon having been dropped after the 2008 redesign. Sales of the coupe model have been only a small fraction of the previous 3-door hatchback, despite rising sales of the Focus sedan and compact cars in general. [edit] SafetyThe new car has gained the best ever EuroNCAP ratings for its class (5 stars for adult protection, 4 of 5 for child protection and 2 of 5 for pedestrian protection),[13] beating such contenders as the Renault Mégane and Volkswagen Golf, including full (16/16) marks for the front impact test. [edit] EnginesThe engine line up for the Mk 2 is a mixture of old and new. Revised versions of the 1.4 L and 1.6 L all aluminium Zetec-SE engines from the previous generation Focus were carried over, although the units were now renamed Duratec[citation needed], with the addition of 1.6 L Duratec Ti-VCT engine with variable valve timing. For the South African market, the 1.6L BZ inline-four engine was used in their Mk2. For the 2009 facelift it was replaced by the 1.8 Duratec.[citation needed] The 1.8 L and 2.0 L Zetec petrol engines of the original were replaced with the Duratec HE.[citation needed] The Duratorq Diesel engine in 'Tiger' Duratorq 1.6 L 90 hp (67 kW) and 110 hp (82 kW) editions, 'Lynx' Duratorq 1.8L 115 hp (86 kW) diesel carried over from the previous model and the diesel in 2.0 L form rounds off the range in standard Focus guise (this is a different unit to the 'Puma' diesel in the Mondeo).[citation needed] Petrol
Diesel
[edit] Trim levelsThe main trim levels of the pre-facelift Focus Mk 2 in the United Kingdom are listed below. For other countries, the range is either a cut down version of this list (e.g., for New Zealand) or it is almost completely different altogether (e.g., for South Africa, or Australia, which continues to use the old CL/LX/Zetec/Ghia trim levels)
From September 2006, Ford revised the standard trim specifications slightly, to allow for the introduction of further options called X-Packs.  [edit] 2008 facelift  Ford unveiled a facelifted Mk2 Ford Focus at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, to go on sale in early 2008 in the hatchback, estate and saloon bodystyles, with the Coupé-Cabriolet and ST to follow in Spring 2008. Went on sale in the UK on 2nd Feb 2008. Changes include:
Late 2008 saw the introduction of the 'Zetec S' trim, adding a body kit of front and rear spoilers, side skirts and the large roof spoiler from the ST. It includes aluminium pedals, a silver hand brake cover, and an optional WRC pack which adds flag decals and WRC scuff plates. Some controversy has arisen due to many vehicles being delivered without 'S' badging on the rear and sides of the cars. Prices are set to be similar (if not identical) to that of the pre-facelift Focus (Prices being at least £250 pounds more, the price of stability control as an option on the previous model, now included as standard), as its lead at the top of the British car sales charts has quickly been cut by the Vauxhall Astra in the last couple of years. Ford collaborated with dance floor superstar Alesha Dixon in January 2008 to create an exclusive special edition remix and video to celebrate the launch of the new Ford Focus.[14] In June 2009, the Focus Sedan/Saloon was removed from the model line up. [edit] Additional variants[edit] Focus ST In 2005 Ford unveiled a hot hatch version of the Mk 2 Focus. Called Focus ST, and available in either three or five door hatchback variant, the car uses the Ford Duratec ST, a turbocharged 2.5 L 5-cylinder engine producing 225 hp (168 kW; 228 PS). The Ford Focus Mk 2 ST is also known as the XR5 Turbo in the Australian and New Zealand market, but is sold as a five door hatchback only. In 2008 Ford, in conjunction with Mountune Racing, unveiled a power upgrade kit which raises the power output to 260 bhp (190 kW). the kit consists of: a K&N panel filter, larger intercooler and a re-map. [edit] Coupé-Cabriolet  The Focus Coupé-Cabriolet, a two-piece retractable hardtop, was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006 and went on sale in October 2006. Originally named the Vignale by designer Pininfarina, it was previewed at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. Pininfarina performs final assembly. Ford plans to sell about 20,000 annually in Europe. In February 2008, Ford revealed a new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet sporting the new 'Kinetic Design' front end of the generic Ford Focus. Notably however, unlike the generic Focus models, the side and rear body panels were not changed, and neither were the door mirrors upgraded to the new-style units, as on the rest of the new Focus models. Nor were bodyside mouldings removed, as with the rest of the Focus range. Some press outlets had expected such changes in line with the rest of the range. [edit] Focus ECOneticShown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007 as part of the facelifted range, the Focus ECOnetic is an emissions-friendly model, similar to Volkswagen's BlueMotion range, using a 109PS 1.6 Duratorq TDCi engine with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Aerodynamic features including low-resistance tyres contribute to 65mpg (4.3 L/100km or 54mpg US) fuel consumption figure with average CO2 emissions of 115g/km. [edit] Focus RS Mk 2Main article: Ford Focus RS  On December 17 2007 Ford of Europe confirmed that a Mk 2 Focus RS would be launched in 2009. The press release also notes that a concept version of the RS is due in mid-2008.[15] Contrary to numerous rumours and speculation[16] [17] [18] the RS was announced by Ford to have a conventional FWD layout with an upgraded Duratec ST engine with 305PS Duratec RS, gearbox, suspension, and LSD. As announced, the Focus RS MK2 hit the road on 5th of January 2009.[19][20] [edit] Figures[21]
Ford UK claim: "It’s as close as you’ll come to driving a full-spec rally car."[22] [edit] Mk IIIReports have repeatedly surfaced that the third generation will debut in 2010. The new global Ford Focus will benefit from global coordination (under Ford’s “One Ford” vision) as did the Ford Fiesta MK 6. This generation is intended to re-unite the International Ford Focus with the North American Ford Focus and Asian models.[23] The new Ford Focus global small car – which will be introduced in North America, Europe and Asia nearly simultaneously in 2010 – will be the first vehicle to benefit from global coordination. The new Focus' introduction will build on lessons learned from the current launch of the new Fiesta, the company's first global product under its One Ford vision.[24] As of 2009, three models of Mk III are expected to ship for the market: both hatchbacks (three-door and five-door) and a four-door sedan. The hatchback variants are presently thought to be based on the look and themes coming from the Iosis Max concept, previewed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[25] The booted variant is designed specifically for North-American market, supposedly coming to use between 2010 and 2012, and thus gradually replacing the current Focus generation.[26] In Europe, the Mk III Focus will be co-launched in 2010 with the new model C-Max, which it was designed alongside. Focus will be built at Ford’s plant in Saarlouis, Germany, while C-Max will be assembled at Valencia, Spain. [edit] Focus ECOnetic second generationNext generation Focus ECOnetic for 2010 will be available with new eco technologies including Ford Auto-Start-Stop also with Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive) targeting 99g/km average CO2 emissions and 74.2mpg.[27] Second generation Focus ECOnetic will have improved Ford's 109 PS (80 kW) 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF).[27] [edit] All-electric Focus RVA prototype all-electric (battery powered) Focus was demonstrated in August 2008. The variant, known as the Focus RV, is planned for commercial launch in 2011. Ford plans to have 10,000 of these cars on the road beginning in 2011 in partnership with Magna International. The Focus RV will be a global vehicle that will be sold in the three key markets of North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The car can travel about 160 km (99 mi) on a single charge.[28][29][30] A prototype of this car is featured on some episodes of The Jay Leno Show in the Green Car Challenge segment. The car is raced Top Gear style around a mini race track and the times are recorded again in a Top Gear fashion on a strip of magnet and displayed for all to see. http://jalopnik.com/5362125/jay-lenos-reasonably-priced-electric-car-a-euro+spec-ford-focus [edit] MotorsportMain article: Ford Focus WRC   The first Focus World Rally Car made its debut in rallying and the World Rally Championship on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing, for the first time in a generation, the venerable Escort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but a vehicle weight issue meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on the Safari Rally in February of the same year and took victory again in the following rally, the Rally Portugal. The MkI Focus WRC went on scoop further victories over the years for McRae, Carlos Sainz and Markko Märtin from then until it was phased out in favour of the MkII offering in late 2005.[31] This car, a winner in both Marcus Grönholm's and Mikko Hirvonen's hands in the two-car factory BP-Ford World Rally Team that contested the 2006 World Rally Championship season, duly racked up the manufacturers' title,[32] spelling the end of a formidable twenty-seven year wait for such an honour in this series for the Blue Oval. The team successfully defended the manufacturers' title in the 2007 season.[33] All the rally cars are built, prepared and run for Ford by M-Sport, the motorsport team based in Cockermouth, Cumbria in Northern England. The team is managed by Malcolm Wilson, a well known former British rally driver.[34] Besides rallies, the Focus has also been used in the SCCA Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series, the TC 2000, resulting champion in 2003 and 2005. The Ford Focus ST made its debut in the 2009 British Touring Car Championship, with Arena Motorsport. It's being prepared for its second BTCC season in 2010. [edit] Overall sales and historyIn Europe, the hatchback is the biggest selling body style. Ford attempted to market the saloon in Europe as a mini-executive car by only offering it in the Ghia trim level, something that it had tried before with the Orion of the 1980s. It has since given up on this strategy, and has started selling lower specified versions of the saloon. Despite its radical styling (the hatchback version in particular), and some controversial safety recalls in North America, the car has been a runaway success across the globe, even in the United States, where Ford has traditionally failed to successfully sell its European models. This was the best-selling car in the world in 1999 through 2004. It was elected Car of the Year in 1999. The Focus won the North American Car of the Year award for 2000. The Focus, unlike the Escort, was never offered in a panel van body style in the U.S.; however, a commercial Focus is available in Europe - most commonly in Ireland. Ford was therefore left without a light-duty commercial vehicle when the Escort finally went out of production in 2000. The purpose-designed Transit Connect, introduced in 2002, largely served as its replacement. A convertible version was another notable omission that was rectified with the Mk2 Coupe-Cabriolet. [edit] ReliabilityThe European Focus, in 2002, according to German reports and surveys, the Focus was claimed to be the most reliable car between one and three years old in the German car market.[35] This was a remarkable feat as the Focus was competing against German prestige manufacturers as well as Japanese manufacturers, all of which have strong reputations for quality and reliability. [edit] AwardsSince its launch in 1998 the Focus Mk I has won over 60 awards including 13 Car of the Year awards in both Europe and North America, and more recently, the best family car ever (Autocar UK 2003). In 2005, in a poll by the Men & Motors TV channel in the UK, it was placed 19th in the nation's favourite 100 cars of all time. Auto Express in 2005 hailed the European Focus Mk 2 "Supreme Champion" in its New Car of the Year awards. The Focus also won the subcategory of Best Compact Family Car in the same awards. What green car in 2008 named the "green" version of the Focus, The Ford Focus ECOnetic as its Green Car of the year 2008. It won for its class-leading low emissions and high fuel economy.[36] [edit] Focus in the UKThe first British buyers of the Focus took delivery of their cars during the autumn of 1998. Its predecessor, the Escort, continued in limited production alongside the Focus for two years, as the Focus was a distinctive design that Ford feared might take time for buyers to get used to.[citation needed] But the Focus quickly became popular thanks to its competitive asking price, sharp handling, generous equipment, spacious interior and comfortable seats. It has been Britain's best-selling new car every year since 1999, and the second generation model (on sale since the end of 2004) has just strengthened its position. The majority of motoring surveys have given the Focus a good rating for reliability, build quality, driver appeal and overall satisfaction, and helped it compete with reputable Japanese and German brands in terms of quality. In November 2007, the BBC reported Sheffield University survey data as showing that 40% of UK families owned two cars, and one was 'likely to be a Focus'.[37] The Focus was Britain's best selling car once again for 2007 - the ninth successive year that it has achieved this success. It is now just one year away from achieving the Ford Cortina's record of ten successive years as Britain's best selling car.[38] [edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: Ford vehicles | Euro NCAP small family cars | Flexible-fuel vehicles | Ford C1 platform | Front wheel drive vehicles | Hatchbacks | Hot Hatch | Sedans | Station wagons | Vehicles introduced in 1998 | 1990s automobiles | 2000s automobiles | Goods manufactured in Germany | Hydrogen cars | Electric cars | All-electric vehicles | Upcoming automobiles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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