Focus rises to Golf challenge
I don’t care that the Focus has been involved in a bare-knuckle fight for most if its existence with the VW Golf, what has been important for Ford is the fact the Focus got them into that scrap in the first place after a period of deep mediocrity from the Blue Oval in the vital ‘C’ segment.
Speaking at the launch of the latest face-lifted Focus in Spain this week, Jim Hughes, Chief Programme Engineer, highlighted that Focus has a bigger impact on people’s impression of Ford than any other car.
When re-vamping Focus the engineers highlighted three main challenges — maintaining the class-leading driving dynamics; improving interior and exterior design and, boosting quality and refinement.
On the evidence I saw in Spain, Hughes and his team have certainly fulfilled the aims of the facelift programme and have come up with a car which further underlines the DNA which has made Focus such a winner.
In terms of vehicle dynamics, Ford says it made a wide range of small but important changes to the car, mainly aimed at tidying up any perceived deficiencies in on-road performance.
Aside from further strengthening the chassis, they also worked hard to make steering feel and feedback better, improving ride comfort and NVH. Additions and improvements have also been made to the engine choice.
Ford tells us that when the car arrives here in November, priced from €20,295, the range will comprise of four models — the entry-level Focus, followed by the Focus Style, the Zetec and the top of the range Titanium. The range will be available in a three-model line-up including a 5-door hatchback, a 4-door saloon and a 5-door estate.
Ford promise across-the-board improvements in fuel efficiency — eight per cent for diesels and 5.5% for petrol units, but we will test these claims when we get to test the cars in Irish conditions.
There will be a total choice of 12 powertrains available with the new car although not all of these will go on sale in Ireland.
And, although Ford says it will have a minimal impact on the Irish buyer, it is worth noting that the new 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine is one which anyone looking for a viable alternative to diesel should be investigating closely.
I drove it in Spain and to say I was impressed was an understatement, even if Ford insists it will probably account for some three per cent of total Focus sales here when it goes on offer in the new year.
Despite that, powertrains immediately on offer in November will include Ford’s well-proven 1.6 litre (95 PS and 115 PS) and 2.0 litre diesels (150 PS). Ford’s acclaimed 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol (100 and 125 PS) will also be available.
According to Ciaran McMahon, Ford Ireland’s Sales Director, the new Focus is a real head-turner and has the same fun driving appeal that people associate with Focus.
“It has been Ireland’s favourite car since it first arrived here in 1999 and I am sure that this new model with its up-to-the-minute technology and highly efficient engines will again find favour with Ireland’s value-conscious motorists”.
Ford is hopeful the new range will underpin Focus as Ireland’s most popular car. “We are very excited by it and so are our dealers and with the new Mondeo coming along soon, I think this will put us in a good place going forward.”
Ford is predicting that the Irish market will top 95,000 units this year and might just expand to 105/110,000 units next year.
With the new Focus ready to roll, Ford will be well-placed to take advantage of any further growth in the market.
We will have more on the car closer to the Irish launch.
