Ford Focus is brand new, but still a real Focus
Of course, it's a big problem if a designer can start from scratch, but the story doesn't always end well. In the history of the automotive industry, there are many cases when a successful model with a brand new car was simply destroyed. Well, in the case of the Focus, there is no need to worry, the car is more than just a new Focus.
Chosen by seven and 20 million customers worldwide over the past 16 years, the new successor stands out on all levels. In addition to the attractive design, which is of course relative, the superiority is confirmed by the numbers. The new Ford Focus is one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in its class, with a drag coefficient of just 0,273. To achieve these figures, for example, the front grille, whose active bars close when the engine cooler does not need air cooling, special panels on the bottom of the car and, of course, design excellence, including air vents in the front bumper and fenders. An important factor in a new building is also the weight of the vehicle; the body was 33 kilograms lighter, various exterior parts 25 kilograms, new seats and lighter materials reduced an additional 17 kilograms, electrical materials and assemblies seven, and overhauled engines six more. Below the line, this translates into savings of up to 88 kg, and together with improved vehicle aerodynamics, XNUMX% fuel savings across the entire engine range.
The same goes for the interior. New materials are used, and new design solutions are combined with many technologies. At the same time, it is known that the new Focus will be the first Ford car built on the all-new Ford C2 platform. This comes at the cost of more interior space, but not at the expense of a larger exterior. Only the wheelbase is longer. So the design of the Focus remains just as big, nimble and comfortable, except it's more spacious; also due to the already mentioned front seats, which are thinner (but still sit well on them), as well as the overall layout of the dashboard is different. You can praise the selected materials, especially the steering wheel. The new owner will need some getting used to the many buttons on it, but they are sensibly placed and, above all, they are large enough, and the most important thing for driving is that the steering wheel is just the right size and thickness. Already the same as in the basic versions, but in the ST Line version it is even sportier and more pleasant to the touch.
But a good car no longer consists of simple visual elements. Technologies that the new Focus doesn't skimp on are also becoming increasingly important. How could they when Ford says it's the most complicated car they've ever made. And as our lives become more and more dependent on the World Wide Web, many people will be delighted with the possibility of a wireless hotspot through which you can connect to the Internet even outside the car, at a distance of up to 15 meters. And yes, you can also invite up to ten friends. The new Focus is the first Ford in Europe to use technology integrated into the FordPass Connect system, which, in addition to being able to connect to the World Wide Web, provides access to a wide range of services, weather data, road conditions and, of course, vehicle condition data (fuel, lock, vehicle location).
And if the latter does not matter to many, security systems are sure to attract attention. The Focus has as many of them as the Ford. It's hard to list them all, but we can certainly highlight the range of systems integrated into the Ford Co-Pilot 360 that will keep you awake and make driving the new Focus more comfortable, less stressful and, above all, safer. This will be facilitated by the new adaptive cruise control, which works with the Lane-Centering system, which ensures that the car is moving in the middle of the lane, and last but not least, the camera, which can also read traffic signs, and then the system automatically adjusts movement speed. We also take care of those drivers who have problems with parking - Active Park Assist 2 parked almost alone. With well-known systems such as Blind Spot Warning, Reversing Camera and Reverse Traffic Alert, and of course emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, the Focus is the first European Ford to boast a projection system. It's not like the data is projected onto the windshield, but on the other hand, the small screen that rises above the dashboard is at least well stocked with information.
Of course, the heart of every car is the engine. Of course, Ford's award-winning three-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine plays a central role, accompanied by the same engine, but only half a liter more. For the first time, both have the ability to shut off one cylinder, which is, of course, a global innovation in the automotive industry. As for diesel fuel, it will be possible to choose between two 1,5-liter and 2-liter engines, which, due to improved sound insulation inside the cabin, have significantly less sound than before. On the first test drives, we tested a more powerful 1,5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 182 horsepower. Only a six-speed manual transmission works with this engine, but there is still more than enough power and the transmission is precise enough to drive above average in all directions, even if the driver wants a sporty ride. The completely new chassis plays an important role. In more powerful versions, the suspension is individual, and at the rear there is a multi-link axle. The weaker versions have a semi-rigid axle at the rear, but after testing, it can be said without a doubt that any chassis is better than the previous one. At the same time, for the first time in the Focus, the Continuously Controlled Damping (CDD) function is available, which, together with the selected driving mode (Eco, Normal, Sport), adjusts the responsiveness of the suspension, steering wheel, transmission (if automatic), accelerator pedal and some other auxiliary systems . And since the Focus, like the smaller Fiesta, will be available alongside the sporty St Line, the prestigious Vignale will also be available in the rugged Active version (both five-door and station wagon versions), it should also be noted that the Active version will offer two more driving programs . Slippery Mode for driving on slippery surfaces (snow, mud) and Trail Mode for driving on unpaved surfaces. However, the other engine we tested was a more powerful 1-5 liter diesel. It is also available in combination with an automatic transmission. The all-new eight-speed transmission works well and is commendably controlled via the steering wheel-mounted gear levers. And if that doesn't make any sense to anyone, let me convince them of one simple fact: The Focus offers such a great chassis and consequent road position that driving dynamics can be above average, regardless of the engine chosen. And with the latter, manual gear shifting definitely helps.
The Ford Focus is expected to deliver us by the end of the year. Then, of course, the price will also be known. This, of course, will be a little higher, but according to the first impression, the novelty is not just a replacement for the previous Focus, but brings the middle class car to a new, higher level. And since new and modern technologies are involved here, which, of course, cost money, it is clear that the price cannot be the same. But even if the buyer has to give more money, at least it will be clear what he will give it for.
