Ford took the stage at an unusual location – the AutoRAI show in Amsterdam – to unveil a new, limited-edition, ruggedized variant of its Global Ford Focus, the X Road. Though not for North American consumption, the E85-capable X Road could preview a future Focus-based “soft roader” for Ford’s European operations.
Looking a bit like a Volvo V70 XC, the X Road gains matte-finish cladding and fender flares, a faux front skid plate and the appearance of a raised ride height, even though the suspension is unchanged.
It’s powered by Ford ’s 124-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder that is capable of running on either unleaded or E85 ethanol. The Focus X Road isn’t all wheel drive, though; it retains the standard Focus’ front-wheel-drive system, so it’s more about style than substance.
Ford says the Focus X Road starts at €25,175 in Europe and will go on sale first in the Netherlands in July. Though it’s limited to just 300 models, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the basic design show up elsewhere – just probably not North America.
