The Ford Focus first appeared in 1998 and quickly gained recognition both in Europe and overseas. In the first six years, about four million people chose this model. However, at the Paris Motor Show, the public was presented not just with an updated version, as many expected, but with a completely new generation of the car.
The success of the first Focus was due not only to its flashy design, but also to its spacious interior and excellent handling. The attractive price also played an important role. The New Edge styling direction, which became the model's calling card, was first tried out on the Ka city car. Then the Focus took over the baton, managing to surprise not only ordinary drivers but also seasoned experts.
However, there was not much time left to enjoy the popular car. Already at the beginning of the year, production of the second-generation Focus will start at plants in Germany, Spain, and the USA, and in May the Russian plant will join in. Thus, fans of the "edges" have only a few months left to buy the aging model. But doing so will not be easy: the plant near St. Petersburg produces only 3,300 cars a month, while the number of orders has exceeded 11,000. An obvious shortage.
Captive to style
The flamboyant appearance first attracts attention, but over time you get used to it, and it can start to irritate. There are many such examples in the history of the global auto industry. It is funny that people are simultaneously drawn to everything new and unusual, but deep down they remain conservatives and prefer time-tested solutions.
My acquaintance Pyotr, after watching advertisements and reading specialized magazines, decided to buy a Focus. However, after visiting the dealership, his opinion changed dramatically. After sitting in the cabin and studying the buttons and levers, he realized that the car was too unconventional for him. He did not stop liking it, but the feeling of unfamiliarity caused discomfort. As a result, that same day Pyotr left the showroom in a calmer and more solid Mondeo.
It seems that Ford marketers carefully studied such customer sentiments and, to prevent a drop in demand, decided to make the new model's appearance more traditional. The new Focus, devoid of extravagance, will likely outlive its predecessor. As chief designer Claudio Messale noted, the main changes affected the body silhouette, which became more streamlined and dynamic.
Interior
It is noteworthy that, as six years ago, only three- and five-door hatchbacks were provided for the test. The sedan and wagon are expected later. But if you look at the new model more closely, it becomes clear: beneath the calm exterior hides the same familiar Focus. In essence, it is the previous car in new clothing.
The driver's seat is still spacious, especially overhead. The steering wheel and controls have been raised by five centimeters, which has positively affected comfort. Getting in and out of the car has become noticeably more comfortable. For an extra charge, an adjustable pedal assembly is available, which will be especially appreciated by shorter drivers who previously had difficulty reaching the pedals. By the way, with the start of production in Russia, the list of options will expand from 22 to 40 items.
Passengers also have nothing to complain about. There is even more free space between the rows, because the car has grown: it has become 25 mm longer and 40 mm wider.
The previous front panel was guilty of an abundance of details that unnecessarily attracted attention—especially the plastic buttons styled to look like metal. The new instrument panel, on the contrary, stands out in nothing special, which should completely reassure conservatives. The only reminders of the old New Edge styling are the massive steering wheel spokes. This is where the resemblance to its predecessor ends.
Heir to the "eight"
At one time, owners of "eights," which were once called "little Porsches," imagined themselves as race car pilots. Now even the updated Lada-2113 does not evoke the former delight, although the demand for nimble three-door hatchbacks has certainly remained. That is why the American concern decided to add a three-door version to the Vsevolozhsk plant's lineup. It is noteworthy that from the very beginning of the Russian project, Ford has been increasingly luring customers away from domestic automakers: already 52% of Focus buyers previously owned cars of Russian brands.
In my opinion, it is the hatchback that looks the most cohesive and harmonious. It is especially good with the two-liter Duratec engine producing 145 horsepower. The base will be a 1.4-liter unit with 80 horsepower. Also worthy of attention is the completely new Duratec Ti-VCT engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters (115 hp), equipped with a dual independent variable valve timing system.
Another pleasant piece of news: not only gasoline versions will debut on the Russian market, but also the Duratorq 1.8 diesel with 115 horsepower, working with a common rail system.
On a mountain serpentine
Unlike the previous presentation, the test of the new Focus took place not in France, but in the mountains of northern Italy. The route was laid along winding serpentines, which allowed a full assessment of the driving qualities and acceleration dynamics.
We get into a three-door hatchback with a two-liter engine. The sporty mood is emphasized by front seats with developed lateral support and a gear lever with a short throw. From the first meters, you understand that compliance with Euro-4 standards affects acceleration dynamics. In first gear, the car starts reluctantly. But then the car's character changes dramatically: the Focus turns into a nimble and fast predator.
It seems that the new model has become more confident on the road. Later, the engineers confirmed this. The rear multi-link suspension was modernized, and the front will feature reinforced subframe and silent blocks. The increase in dimensions also benefited handling and ride smoothness. An additional bonus was the use of an electro-hydraulic power steering, which made steering even easier.
Russian prospects
The developers claim that the cars will be adapted to Russian operating conditions. The list of improvements will include engine protection, tires with reinforced sidewalls, 15-inch wheel rims, and an enlarged washer fluid reservoir. The manufacturer guarantees reliable engine starting at temperatures down to minus 35 degrees. In addition, the Russian version will be able to ford water crossings up to 450 millimeters deep.
At the plant in Vsevolozhsk, equipment modernization is now in full swing. Already in January, we will find out how much the price of the Focus will increase. There is no doubt that it will rise. And in May, the first production cars will roll off the assembly line and reach dealers in June.
President of Ford Motor Company ZAO Henrik Nenzen
The new Ford Focus will begin production almost simultaneously in the USA, Europe, and Russia. This shows that Russian customers are as important to us as clients in other key markets. Some suggested continuing production of the old model, but we rejected that option. The plant in Vsevolozhsk will start assembling the Focus II three months after the European launch. Ford specialists regularly compare product quality at various plants, and we have something to be proud of. We work at the level of our German colleagues, and sometimes even surpass them. This destroys the myth about the inevitable decline in quality during localization. Currently, 14 Russian suppliers provide 30 parts that fully meet our standards. With the launch of the new Focus, we are expanding the range of body styles: the sedan, five-door hatchback, and wagon will be joined by a three-door hatchback aimed primarily at young people.
There is another, less noticeable new feature—a 1.8-liter diesel engine with 115 horsepower. We believe that, given rising gasoline prices, diesel modifications will become especially in demand in Russia.
Technical specifications of the Ford Focus II
- Body—3-door hatchback
- Number of seats—5
- Curb weight—1229 kg
- Gross weight—1690 kg
- Dimensions (length/width/height)—4342/1840/1447 mm
- Wheelbase—2640 mm
- Trunk volume—385/1245 L
- Maximum speed—206 km/h
- Acceleration to 100 km/h—9.2 s
- Fuel consumption: urban—9.8 L / highway—5.4 L / combined—7.1 L per 100 km
- Fuel tank volume—55 L
- Engine—Duratec 2.0, 1999 cm³, 145 hp, 185 Nm at 4500 rpm
- Drive—front
- Tire sizes—195/65R15, 205/55R16, 205/50R17
- Front suspension—independent, McPherson
- Rear suspension—independent
- Front brakes—disc, ventilated
The car's equipment includes drum or disc rear brakes. The steering column is adjustable, and the steering is supplemented with power assistance.
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