Starting a Revolution

MANILA, Philippines - When you’re promising to “start more than a car” you know you’re in for a treat. After seeing it as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit three years ago, the all-new Ford Focus has finally broken ground for the ASEAN market as a full-fledged production model ready to take to the streets later this year. In the all-new Focus, Ford has once again strived to leapfrog the competition in every conceivable aspect from quality to fuel-efficiency to safety and smart technology. And clearly, they have succeeded.

Developed as part of the company’s One Ford strategy, the all-new Focus has taken advantage of shared resources and economies of scale to deliver a compact car that’s brimming with technology most of which hasn’t been seen in the competition let alone the Philippine automotive market. Technologies such as Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Blind Spot Information System and Smart Keyless Entry will be available equipment for the Focus.

Taking Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language to the next level, the Focus is striking with its sleek profile, dramatic rising belt line and athletic stance. The dynamic shape also contributes to a low co-efficient of drag (0.295), and together with Active Grille Shutters that automatically control airflow through the grille, helps improve the Focus’s fuel efficiency while reducing wind noise.

Underpinned by the all-new global C-car platform, the Focus promises to deliver a more comfortable, more refined driving experience without sacrificing the sharp handling and driver-centric experience that the Focus is known for. Ford engineers have taken great care to achieve a much more rigid body structure by employing high-strength steel in 55 percent of its body. As a result, the all-new Focus is 30 percent more rigid than the outgoing model giving it class-leading noise, harshness and vibration insulation. The electric power steering has also been retuned to deliver a more precise, more linear response in any given driving situation.

In conjunction with the revised steering and rigid body is the introduction of a new Torque Vectoring Control system which essentially acts a limited slip differential balancing the distribution of torque between the driven front wheels. This results in reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in. This technology has, up to now, typically only been available on premium sports cars but is standard equipment on the all-new Focus.

At launch, the Focus will be available with two engines, both of which promise excellent fuel economy without sacrificing driving fun and seat-of-the-pants excitement. First up is an all-new 2.0-liter Duratec petrol engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing and direct injection. Delivering 170 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque, this engine boasts almost 20 percent more power than the previous 2.0-liter unit while delivering significant improvement in fuel economy. The second engine is a 1.6-liter Duratec also equipped with twin variable camshaft timing. It serves up 125 horsepower and 159 Nm of torque while giving back outstanding fuel economy.

The 2.0-liter engine is mated to Ford’s latest six-speed PowerShift dual clutch automatic transmission with SelectShift which allows drivers to control gear selection manually. Meanwhile, the 1.6-liter engine is available with either the six-speed PowerShift automatic or a conventional 5-speed manual.

As fast and furious as the Focus is, it also boasts of being one smart car. Leading the way is Ford SYNC which provides hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity. Once reserved for the likes of the Explorer and Expedition models, this award-winning technology allows the Focus to connect to almost any mobile phone or digital media player via Bluetooth or USB. This allows the driver to make calls, play his or her favorite music via 150 different voice commands and steering wheel-mounted controls all the time with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The Ford SYNC system is also upgradable allowing the Focus to take on future mobile phone models and portable media devices when the need arises.

Aside from Ford SYNC, the Focus also offers an array of never before seen technology. With Active Park Assist, the Focus can parallel park totally hands-free using sensors around the car to identify a suitable parking spot then steer the car into place. Thanks to Active City Stop, the Focus can also monitor the road ahead for stationary traffic and then apply the brakes automatically if the sensors detect if the car in front has stopped unexpectedly. With Blind Spot Information System or BLIS, the Focus can detect when a vehicle enters the car’s blind spot and issue a corresponding warning be it when changing lanes or parking with limited visibility. The Smart Keyless Entry with Ford Power Start allows the driver to lock or unlock the doors and start the Focus without taking the key out of a bag or pocket. It can lock or unlock the doors by the mere presence of the key fob.

Other smart technology features available on the all-new Focus include dual-zone climate control, a 9-speaker Sony entertainment system, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a powered sunroof and an auto-dimming rear view mirror among a host of others.

Built at Ford’s new USD 450-million plant in Rayong, Thailand, the all-new Focus also promises to set a new standard in build quality and craftsmanship. For instance, the body alone undergoes a new painting process that gives the Focus deeper, fuller colors. Inside, the Focus is filled with soft-touch materials and superior trim materials including brushed aluminum and leather that covers the sculpted cockpit.

Ford has continuously raised the bar with its Fiesta, Explorer and Ranger. With the all-new Focus, it looks like they are going to continue to do just that. Indeed, the all-new Focus is set to deliver class-leading looks, performance and smart technology to the masses. This will start a revolution and all it takes is just a push of that start button.