The New European Ford Focus
 

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New Models: 2005 Ford Focus
27 Aug 04 15:44

Read it here first - these independently sourced pictures and details reveal the new Ford Focus in all its glory. Set for a public debut at the Paris Motor Show next month, the new Focus is more exciting inside than out. Softer and a little less controversially styled than the car which debuted in 1996, the new second-generation Focus shares its platform with the already-launched Focus C-Max, as well as Volvo's S40 and V50 and the Mazda 3.

The new Focus will first arrive in three- and five-door hatchback form, with an estate becoming available early in 2005. All cars are longer overall than the current model, with a longer-wheelbase of 2640mm, up 25mm on the current car. That'll help rear legroom, while the extra length (the hatchbacks are 4340mm long, up 170mm) will also go into crumple-zones to improve passive safety. The Focus is chasing the benchmark five-star safety rating in EuroNCAP's crash tests, with the current model on four stars. Luggage space is also improved. Hatchbacks have 385-litres, rising to 1245-litres with seats folded, 35 more than the current car. The estate has a 475-litre capacity, which rises to 1,525 with the seats folded.

According to Autoweek Netherlands, at launch, three petrol engines and two diesels will be available on Continental Europe, and we'd expect the same to be true for the UK. The base model is a 1.4-litre Duratec unit with 79bhp and 93lb.ft of torque, and there are 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Duratecs too. The 1.6 has 99bhp and 111lb.ft in manual form, but will also be available with a CVT continuously variable automatic transmission. In this form, it has 113bhp and 115lb.ft. The 2.0-litre petrol unit has 143bhp and 136lb.ft. A faster, ST version is likely to follow next year, while a 118bhp 1.8-litre car should also feature.

The diesel units are latest-generation common-rail units with particulate filters, which will meet Euro IV emissions regulations and therefore avoid the extra three-percent tax penalty levied on diesel cars which don't meet the new regulations. The engines are a 1.6-litre unit with 107bhp and 177lb.ft, and a 2.0-litre unit with 134bhp and a healthy 236lb.ft. The petrol engines and 1.6-litre diesel come with a five-speed manual transmission, that CVT is also available on the 1.6-diesel, while the 2.0-litre diesel has a six-speed manual gearbox.

Our UK-first pictures show that interior quality has taken a marked upward step over the existing car, as it tries to match the enhanced quality of the latest Golf and Vauxhall's higher quality new Astra. The dials and controls are again large and simple, and sound ergonomics - one feature of the current Focus - appear to remain. The steering wheel will again adjust for reach and rake, while as an option, adjustable pedals can be specified, too.

Although UK prices and options are a long way from being set, standard equipment is likely to include electric front windows, CD player, quite possibly air-conditioning, and six-airbags. Options will include keyless entry, AFS adaptive front-lights, Bluetooth telephone connection, and speech-control for the telephone, climate control and satellite-navigation systems. A DVD-supported games console for rear-seat passengers will also be available. There is no firm date for sales to start here, but it will be available from mid-November in major left-hand-drive markets such as Germany, and the UK shouldn't be too far behind.

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/ne...?news_id=11009

It looks softer, less agressive, more boring than the old Focus. I liked the styling on the old Focus... It looks like a Toyota Corolla now. Nice looking cars seem to go in phases... Like the new VW Golf is fugly compared to the previous version (imho).

I like it. I would call it an improvement.

I like the front end. Not sure what I think about the rear though. I don't like how the trunk 'slope' extends so far foward. Maybe if it wasn't quite so prolonged it would be cool.

looks very reminiscent of the '85 Toyota Corolla Wagon

The interior blows away American economy interiors.

I was bored, so I did some photoshopping

http://www.toddfx.com/pics/focusnew.jpg
http://www.toddfx.com/pics/focusnew2.jpg
http://www.toddfx.com/pics/focusnew3.jpg

a Coupe/Wagon, todd?

maybe you need to get that C pillar too :) that would look a bit better.

heh, a lot of 'playroom' in the back of todd's car. Just a few drapes on the windows and you're set.

That is the coolest steering wheel I've seen in a car since I got my '03 Accord. Overall the interior is pretty damn nice. I liked the old Focus' more edgy, leaner look. Too bad about the weak engines.

I wish that they would make the focus over here in a diesel, Then I would highly consider buying one, actually buy one in a hearbeat if the price was right...

I want one.

Yay, another hatchback that looks just like every other fucking hatchback on the road. This one has a Ford logo. At least they tried to make a change from the norm with that abomination of a back window. This is what happens when a CRX and a C230 Sport Coupe forget to use protection while drunk. At least the Charcoal grey interior is tolerable, although bland

its a focus.... why all the attention? maybe its cause i work at ford and see them all the time.. wait.. no. its not.. its a focus.

One of Todd's creations?

The interior is a vast improvement over the current America models.

Overall I like it!

The best way that I can describe it: it looks more european (which makes sense). Especially the hood accents behind the headlights.
The interior is a vast improvement, and thats where the majority of Ford's lag behind.

Either of the Euro Foci (the real one or Todd's) would do. My Focus was the best, most economical, most fun car I've ever driven (and I've had a lot). Such a shame a GMC Envoy wanted to see it up close...

They need to bring the European Foci here, now.