New Ford Focus

11:31am Friday 21st September 2007

WINNER of more than 80 awards and the only vehicle in the world to be named Car Of The Year both in Europe and North America, Ford's Focus has been something of a phenomenon since the launch of the original back in 1998.

Now in its second generation, with more than 1.1 million examples sold in the UK and a range which includes hatchback, saloon, estate and coupé-cabriolet derivatives, Ford has announced that a new version of its family favourite will begin rolling off production lines from the end of the year.

Three-door, four-door, five-door and estate body styles will be first in UK showrooms, coupé-cabriolet and ST sporting flagship variants arriving in spring 2008.

Benefiting from Ford's "kinetic design" approach to styling, the 2008 Focus takes its inspiration from the new Mondeo.

Working from the front towards the rear, trapezoidal grilles, swept back headlamps, bold wheel arches, newly shaped rear glass, a contoured tailgate and new tail lamps are the key changes. Higher trim grades benefit from chrome detailing and a stylish, body-coloured upper rear spoiler.

Inside, new soft-touch plastics now cover the instrument panel as well as the upper front door trim, complemented by plush new seat fabrics plus a variety of attractive fascia finishings. The Titanium now includes a newly designed centre console (optional with Zetec), positioned near the gear shifter and available as an option from the beginning of 2008.

The aesthetic appeal of Ford's latest Focus is matched by a range of mechanical introductions, including an all-new automated gearbox improving average fuel consumption by around ten per cent and lowering CO2 emissions, compared with a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Another new development is the Focus ECOnetic, which features an array of aerodynamic efficiencies and is powered by a 109 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Average consumption for the Focus ECOnetic is a frugal 65mpg and as a direct result of the Ford ECOnetic initiative, all Focus 1.6-litre TDCi variants will achieve 119g/km CO2 regardless of power rating or body style.

Flexifuel versions of the 1.8-litre Duratec petrol four-cylinder engine can be fuelled with bio-ethanol E85-fuel as an alternative to conventional unleaded petrol - or in any mix of both. The Ford Focus range also includes CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) derivatives, both based on the 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine.

The 2008 Ford Focus range will initially be offered across Studio, Style, Zetec and Titanium trim grades. Prices will be release close to the car's on-sale date.