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Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is a compact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by the Ford Motor Company and created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe's German and British teams.

The Focus was released in July 1998 in Europe, succeeding the Ford Escort, and replaced the Mazda Familia-derived Ford Laser in Asia and Oceania along with the Laser-based North American Escort. Wayne Stamping & Assembly started producing the Focus for North America with sales beginning in 1999. The last North American-produced Focus rolled off the line at the Michigan Assembly Plant on May 4, 2018. Production of a fourth generation Focus began elsewhere in 2018.

Ford FocusFirst generation (1998–2007)

Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's senior management 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 publisher Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of its magazines (Focus). This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the name Focus. The Focus MK1 was awarded the 1999 European Car of the Year award. The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton was Rose Mary Farenden.

Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year, with some changes from the European version. The car was launched as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon; a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001.

In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Duratec RS engine, a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in Ford's Imperial blue. 70% of the components found on the Focus RS were unique, revised or uprated. This original Focus RS was only available in Europe with a limited run of 4501 cars being built; just under half (2147) of these were sold in the UK.

For decades, in the U.S., small cars like the Focus were seen as a tool to draw in younger buyers looking for a cheap basic transportation and to increase auto makers' fleet average fuel economies to meet U.S. federal standards. Ford was said not to concern about losing money on the Focus so the company could sell gas guzzlers for big profits. However, recent sales of new Focus's have been able to maintain lower or overall discounting incentive rates than many competing vehicles in its class. Many industry insiders view cars like the Focus as 'compliance cars' because of their role in helping to bring up the corporate fleet average fuel economy to meet current fuel-economy standards.

Ford FocusSecond generation (2004–2011)

The second generation Focus was launched at the Paris Motor Show on September 25, 2004 as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed, in 4-door sedan form, as the "Focus Concept" developed by Ford Europe at the Beijing Motor Show in mid-2004.

The basic suspension design, which contributed much to the Mk 1's success, was carried over largely unchanged from its predecessor. Along with a 10 percent stiffer bodyshell, according to Ford this offers a better ride, but critics claimed the car lacked the precise and poised handling of the Mk 1. The same body styles as the Mk 1 Focus were offered, though the sedan did not appear until mid-2005. A two-door coupé-cabriolet with a retractable hardtop was added to the line-up in 2007.

The Focus Mk 2 is larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor: it has a 25mm (0.98in) increase in wheelbase, and is 168mm (6.6in) longer, 8mm (0.31in) taller, and 138mm (5.4in) 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.

Stylistically, the Mk 2 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.

In 2005, Ford released a MK.II version of Ford's sports division of Focus, the Focus ST. This one produced 225bhp (168kW) and could achieve a 0–60mph (0–97km/h) time of just 6.4 seconds, and a 152mph (245km/h) top speed, using a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged engine originating from Volvo.

2007–2008 saw a minor facelifted version introduced, featuring Ford's Kinetic Design philosophy. Major changes included a new bonnet with more creases, the removal of all mouldings along the doors and sides, new sculpted pull back headlights, and the big trapezoidal lower grille.

In 2009, the new Focus RS was launched, with a modified version of the 2.5-litre engine found in the ST.

Ford Focus (second generation, North America)

For the North American market, development followed a separate path. Since debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled 2008–2011 generation was available as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan; the hatchbacks and wagon were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center on top of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled Sync audio/Bluetooth system. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.

Though informally considered as the second generation, it was never officially referred to as such by Ford since its platform was the same as the first generation.

Ford Focus Third generation (2011–2018)

For the third generation, Ford reunited both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 worldwide. The previous North American version was discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010.

In designing the Ford Focus, a group of young designers used what's called the Third Age Suit in order to simulate the physical limitations of an elderly person. The suit, which restricts the wearer's movements, allowed for insights that were implemented into the car's design.

Ford unveiled the Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a five-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0-litre direct injection inline-four engine. A five-door station wagon was also made available at launch. The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010. Production in Asia, Africa, Australia and South America was scheduled to follow later but the plan for Australian production was later dropped and that market and New Zealand were supplied, along with Asia, from a new factory in Thailand where output began in June 2012. This new generation of Focus incorporates a redesigned cabin with new materials and new entertainment technologies.[clarification needed] Sharing the same chassis as the LW MKI Focus, the exterior of the Focus has been updated to reflect a more modern style.

A significant amount of the new models of the first year experiences problems with rust underneath the front bonnet, partly due to issues with the seam sealer used between the structural part of the bonnet and the skin, which allowed water to seep in and create corrosion (similarly to other ford models of the period). Other issues included rust developing on the trunk lid of the hatchback model due to vibrations of a plastic insert creating friction and wearing out the paint on the metal skin of the lid. Later models included a relocated park brake lever, redesigned adjustable front head rest and a redesigned accessory 12v plug that is more ergonomic.

Ford previewed the third generation facelifted model at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The updated version features a new redesigned front end design, incorporating Ford's new family grille and slimline headlights. The ST and RS models, the latter of which features an upgraded version of the 2.3-litre engine from the Ford Mustang, will continue Ford's performance range. The RS now has all-wheel drive. The new 2015 model year update Focus range will be offered with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder "EcoBoost" powerplant available in 110 and 132kW (148 and 177hp) outputs in place of the current older 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre offerings. A revised 2.0-litre turbo-diesel TDCi engine, with an output of 110kW (148hp), will also be offered.[citation needed] Another new feature is the 2016 Ford Focus RS's "Drift Mode", which allows the driver to more easily and safely drift the car.

Ford FocusFourth generation (2018–present)

On April 10, 2018, Ford unveiled the European and Asian-market versions of the fourth-generation Focus, to mark the brand's 20th anniversary. As in the previous generation, the model is available with sedan, hatchback and estate bodystyles.

The exterior features a sportier design, while Ford described its interior as being simpler. The company also emphasized technology featured in the new model, including the Sync 3 infotainment system, FordPass Connect, and the CoPilot360 driver assistance suite.

A crossover SUV trim level known as the Active is available with the hatchback and estate bodystyles. The car also has a Vignale luxury trim level.

In April 2018, Ford announced that all passenger vehicles but the Mustang would be discontinued in the North American market, in order to focus on trucks and SUVs. The Focus Active was intended to be the only version of the model available in the market, but Ford cancelled these plans in August 2018 over tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on exports from China, as the model is manufactured in the country.

Ford limited sales of fourth generation Focus in its 4-door saloon form in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Turkey, Cyprus as well as many Asian and African countries. Ford no longer sells the Focus in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Israel due to a broader reorganization of their European branch.

There are no plans yet for a fourth generation Focus RS model.

Ford FocusSafety

Safety and driver assistance features equipped on the 2019 Ford Focus which some are also part of the Co-Pilot Driver 360 include:

Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Auto Speed Control (uses road sign recognition and map data)

• Lane Centering Technology
• Pothole Detection
• Wrong Way Alert
• Adaptive Front Lighting with Ford Dynamic LED
• Wider 180° rear view camera
• Active Parking Assist 2 (controls not just steering, but also acceleration, gear shifting and braking by just holding the switch)
• Head Up Display
• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection
• Active Braking system with Active City Stop
• Door Edge Protection

Ford FocusPowertrain

Petrol Engines

1.0 L EcoBoost 85 PS From 2018 998cc Turbocharged I3 85 PS (63 kW; 84 bhp) 170 N⋅m (125 lbf⋅ft)

1.0 L EcoBoost 100 PS From 2018 998cc Turbocharged I3 100 PS (74 kW; 99 bhp) 170 N⋅m (125 lbf⋅ft)

1.0 L EcoBoost 125 PS From 2018 998cc Turbocharged I3 125 PS (92 kW; 123 bhp) 170 N⋅m (125 lbf⋅ft)

1.5 L EcoBoost 150 PS From 2018 1497cc Turbocharged I3 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft)

1.5 L EcoBoost 182 PS From 2018 1497cc Turbocharged I3 182 PS (134 kW; 180 bhp) 240 N⋅m (177 lbf⋅ft)

2.3 L EcoBoost 280 PS From 2019 2261cc Turbocharged I4 280 PS (206 kW; 276 bhp) 420 N⋅m (310 lbf⋅ft)

Diesel Engines

1.5 L EcoBlue 95 PS From 2018 1498cc Turbocharged I4 95 PS (70 kW; 94 bhp) 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft)

1.5 L EcoBlue 120 PS From 2018 1498cc Turbocharged I4 120 PS (88 kW; 118 bhp) 300 N⋅m (221 lbf⋅ft)

2.0 L EcoBlue 150 PS From 2018 1995cc Turbocharged I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 370 N⋅m (273 lbf⋅ft)

2.0 L EcoBlue 190 PS From 2019 1995cc Turbocharged I4 190 PS (140 kW; 187 bhp) 400 N⋅m (295 lbf⋅ft)

FordFocus ST (2019–present)

In February 2019, Ford announced the fourth-generation Focus ST for the European market. It was launched in Summer 2019.

The Focus ST is offered with a choice of either a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine with a 280 PS power output or a 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel engine with a 190 PS power output. As standard, all models come with a six-speed manual transmission however a new performance-optimized seven-speed automatic transmission (which includes wheel-mounted paddle-shifters) is also available as an option in the near future.

On the exterior, the Focus ST features a revised grille, unique 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels, larger rear spoiler and twin-exit tailpipes. Interior changes include Recaro front seats, aluminium gear knob, pedals and scuff plates, and decorative elements with grey stitching.

The EcoBoost variant of the new Focus ST is the first front-wheel-drive Ford model to feature an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD). An anti-lag system is also implemented to aid with power delivery.

• Like the Fiesta ST, an optional "Performance Pack" is available. The package includes; Launch Control(Manual EcoBoost model only)
• "Track" Driving mode
• Rev-matching (Manual EcoBoost model only)
• Red-painted brake callipers

Ford FocusSales

Calendar Year USA

1999 55,896

2000 286,166

2001 264,414

2002 243,199

2003 229,353

2004 208,339

2005 184,825

2006 177,006

2007 173,213

2008 195,823

2009 160,433

2010 172,421

2011 175,717

2012 245,922

2013 234,570

2014 219,634

2015 202,478

2016 168,789

2017 158,385

2018 113,345

2019 12,480

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