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Basic Specs
| Base Price | $16,500 |
| Drivetrain | Front Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 2907 |
| City (MPG) | 26 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 36 |
| Horsepower | 160@6500 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 146@4450 |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 |
| Length (in.) | 178.5 |
| Width (in.) | 71.8 |
| Height (in.) | 57.7 |
Ford has fully redesigned the Focus for the latest generation, doing away with the coupe model and ushering in a brand new sedan, five-door hatchback and even an all-electric model. Looking at this new sedan from the outside - and especially from the inside - should make it clear that this was a total remake intended to bring Ford's C-segment car upmarket.
To achieve that, Ford gave the sedan a more sophisticated, upscale and sporty look than the budget-minded model it replaced. The automaker also packed the sedan with available smart features and technologies such as active park assist, Sync, MyFord Touch, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, torque vectoring control, a rear-view camera and keyless intelligent access with push-button start. Ford hopes that technologies such as these will help buyers move from either larger and typically more equipped vehicles, or even luxury vehicles into the more economical and compact Focus sedan.
Inside the Focus, Ford has updated the materials and design language to provide a much more upscale feel and layout. Materials, although not all soft-touch, are certainly more finger-friendly than the outgoing model. Design language also appears to follow the trend of upcoming Ford products for the North American market – especially true in the dash with the future fleet-wide integration of MyFord.
Only Focuses equipped with the Super Fuel Economy (SFE) package and a six-speed automatic transmission will be rated at 40 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city. Models equipped with the smooth-shifting manual transmission, although nearly a second quicker in the zero-to-60 mph sprint than those with the automatic, return lesser mileage: 26 mpg in the city and 36 on the open freeway. With the normal automatic, the Focus is rated at 28/38 mpg, while adding the SelecShift function (which allows the driver to manually switch gears) reduces those figures to 27/37 mpg.
Trim Level Breakdown
Ford offers four trim levels (S, SE, SEL, Titanium) on the sedan and a slightly different four trim levels on the hatchback (SE, SEL, Titanium, ST).
The S Sedan is intended to offer buyers the ability to go a size larger than the Fiesta by minimalizing features and cost. As a result, the S Sedan has only one option: an automatic transmission.
The SE gains 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, body-colored mirrors and door handles, fog lamps, automatic headlamps, MyKey, floor mats, steering wheel audio controls and power rear windows (power front windows only are standard on S sedans) over the base S model.
SEs also offer a handful of options: SE Convenience Package which adds cruise control, map lights and an alarm, Sync/MyFord and a six-speaker stereo, or Sync, Sirius Satellite Radio and the SE Convenience Package can all be grouped together. An automatic transmission, power moonroof, heated cloth seats and a few styling packages are also optional.
SEL models add an automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels, door mirrors with integrated turn signals, six speakers, Sync, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, split-folding rear seats, one-touch windows, Homelink and an alarm.
Options include a Sony audio system and a Premium Package (leather seats, power driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch wheels, reverse sensing, auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear armrest). A moonroof, heated seats, navigation and some appearance packages are also available.
The range-topping Focus Titanium adds to the SEL 17-inch wheels, a styling kit, a sport suspension, push-button start and keyless access, a center touch screen, Sony audio and sports seats. Options include a Premium package identical to that on the SEL (minus the alloy wheels), a moonroof, heated seats, navigation, a performance-oriented handling package and some appearance packages.
A manual transmission is not available on the SEL model, but Ford made the stick available on the top-end Titanium trim level for the latest model year due to popular demand.
Driving characteristics
Ford has updated the multi-link control blade rear suspension and isolated the front and rear subframes in an effort to improve handling and ride quality. Ford says its European driving dynamics specialists paid special attention to enhancing the vehicle’s stability and agility with the introduction of an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system – designed to use torque vectoring techniques to distribute power in a way that can reduce understeer, improve traction and provide better turn-in.
Ford has also added the Electric Power Assist Steering system,. The EPAS system helps to reduce the effort required during low-speed maneuvers such as parking, but tightens up to provide a more precise and natural feel at higher speeds.
Updated powertrains
Ford stuck with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the all-new Focus, but the latest engine is vastly improved and features a combination of Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection. Ford says these changes increase power over the previous 2.0-liter Duratec by more than 20 horsepower while providing more than a 10 percent gain in fuel economy.
Total horsepower is now rated at 160 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. This technology-packed powerplant comes mated either to a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed PowerShift automatic.
The PowerShift dry dual-clutch six-speed automatic marks the second application for Ford's newest transmission, following its introduction in the smaller Fiesta. This transmission can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 9 percent when compared to the outgoing four-speed automatic transmission.
Safety measures up
Like its Fiesta stablemate, the new Focus makes extensive use of high-strength, ultra high-strength and Boron steel for added rigidity and crash performance. Ford says that the torsional rigidity is increased by 25 percent compared to the outgoing model thanks to the stronger steel.
Ford also says that 55 percent of the body shell, and over 26 percent of the Focus’ structure is formed with ultra-high strength and Boron steel, helping to reduce weight and provide more safety over traditional steel.
Key Competitors
The compact segment is more crowded and competitive than ever before, with capable rivals to the Focus sedan including the value-laden Hyundai Elantra and the Chevrolet Cruze, which offers a surprisingly refined interior. The perennially strong-selling Honda Civic sedan is also a viable option.
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- General
- Body Style: Sedan
- Size: Compact
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 2907 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 178.5 in.
- Width: 71.8 in.
- Height: 57.7 in.
- Wheelbase: 104.3 in.
- Ground Clearance: TBD
- Front Track: 61.2 in.
- Rear Track: 60.4 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 5
- Passenger Volume: 90.7 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume: 13.2 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 41.9 in.
- Head Room: 38.3 in.
- Shoulder Room: 55.6 in.
- Hip Room: 53.9 in.
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- Interior - Second Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 33.2 in.
- Head Room: 38.0 in.
- Shoulder Room: 53.7 in.
- Hip Room: 52.7 in.
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 2.0L I4
- Power: 160 hp @ 6500 rpm
- Torque: 146 lb-ft @ 4450 rpm
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 36 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 26 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: Yes
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- Chassis
- Layout: Front Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Strut-Type
- Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
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- Wheels
- Front: 15" Steel
- Front Tires: 195/65R15 BSW
- Rear: 15" Steel
- Rear Tires: 195/65R15 BSW
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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