Finally! Next-Gen Ford Focus Debuts

What started as a pretty decent little car in the 1990s, began to undergo sales declines due to neglect from its maker, and culminated in the knife in the heart disappointment that was the most recent Focus, Ford is making everything right again with next generation model of its Civic\Cruze\Corolla killer. Before the whole recession that forever changed the automotive landscape, Ford was having some trouble of its own and made the call to throw together one more refresh for its ancient US version Focus instead of ramping up production of an all new Focus in Europe that was getting rave reviews. As promised, Ford is now showing a new Focus that is both easy on the eyes, and on its bottom line.

This new Focus is Ford’s latest attempt at building a world car, a single model that can be sold in any market in the world with only the most minimal of changes. Ford’s CEO calls it One Ford. We like to call the new Focus One Nice Ford. The modern, crisp look is the latest  example of Ford’s Kinetic design language and combined with a premium interior, no surprises in the build process due to a European roll out a couple years ago, and high (as yet unannounced) mileage ratings, you have what is sure to be a thorn in competing auto makers sales projections.

 

The sedan version is a given, but the 5-door hatch shows that Ford is willing to take a chance that the US market is evolving and will truly accept a hatchback. Both versions look great, but the hatch should have an extra measure of practicality…thats why we love our SUVs right? Along with the new design comes a new engine, a 2-liter direct injected 4 cylinder with variable cam phasing tech that pumps out 155hp and 145 lb-ft. Expect EcoBoost versions to follow real soon. Transmissions include a manual option and an all new PowerShift dual-clutch unit that will completely replace a torque converter based automatic.

Besides the very up to date powertrains is an available technology called Dynamic Cornering Control that should give the FWD chassis more serious handling balance and limit understeer.  Its similar to the torque vectoring solutions that Acura and Audi use in their quest to make FWD seem less like… FWD.  Kudos to Ford for making it available on the Focus.  Another high-tech solution Ford employs is electric power assist which they say improves steering feel.

 

Its been a long time coming but Ford finally has a small car it can be proud of.  Production begins later this year and deliveries should begin in early 2011.  Look for a whole family based on the new Focus that includes coupes, wagons, a fully electric version, and hopefully something tuned to be an SVT or RS variant.