Ford of Europe has issued the following press release:

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, the Focus success story enters another chapter.

Following its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford has announced that a new version of its family favourite will begin rolling off production lines from the end of 2007. 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 critically acclaimed new Mondeo. The result is a classier and more distinctive appearance from a vehicle that’s now as exciting to look at as it is to drive.

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, the upmarket aura continues. New soft-touch plastics now cover the instrument panel as well as the upper front door trim and this is complemented by plush new seat fabrics plus a variety of attractive fascia finishing's. The instrumentation has been re-designed too and, along with all other interior controls, is illuminated in red. Controls for the upgraded audio equipment and two-zone air conditioning have also been ergonomically improved.

Furthermore, the Titanium now includes a newly designed centre console (optional with Zetec and part of the Sport Pack), which adopts the flowing 'kinetic design' look. In addition to a movable armrest and a four-litre-capacity storage compartment, there are storage areas for back-seat passengers or the facility to add optional items such as a 230 volt socket or the USB audio connection box. Another feature available as an option from the beginning of 2008 is the Ford Power Button, which will be positioned near the gear shifter.

The aesthetic appeal of Ford's latest Focus is matched by a range of mechanical introductions, including an all-new automated gearbox. The Ford PowerShift transmission will be available from early 2008 in the new Ford Focus as well as the Ford C-MAX, in combination with the 136PS and new 110PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine.

Jointly developed by Ford and transmission specialists GETRAG, the gearbox consists of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own wet clutch unit. Thanks to the layout of the intermediate shafts – one carrying the 'uneven' gears 1, 3 and 5, while the other one 'even' gears 2, 4 and 6 – the next gear change can be prepared by pre-selection whilst in motion and at full power.

As a result, in this configuration, the average fuel consumption improves by around 10 per cent, and CO2 emissions will be lower, compared to a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Final homologated fuel economy and CO2 emissions data, as well as performance data for the Ford Focus with this new transmission technology, will be published closer to the car's market launch.

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. This corresponds to an average CO2 emission of only 115g/km, which is a class leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment.

As a direct result of the Ford ECOnetic initiative, all Focus 1.6-litre TDCi variants will achieve 119g/km CO2 and this is regardless of power rating, body style or wheel dimensions. Flexifuel version 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.

Eazy-O je napisal/-a:EDIT: Hm, zadnje luči še vedno praktično iste... Škoda.

Eazy-O je napisal/-a:A še koga tole spominja na napovedan Volvov dizajn? Govorim o osnovnih potezah. Pa vzemite malo z rezervo, seveda je Fokus malo bolj zadržan ker je samo facelift. Imajo mogoče poleg skupne mehanike tudi dizajn center?

Lignage je napisal/-a:Zelo dober facelift. Tudi Fordu gre počasi na bolje. So stvari začeli delati nekoliko bolj z občutkom.

Eazy-O je napisal/-a:EDIT: Hm, zadnje luči še vedno praktično iste... Škoda.

Glede zadnjih luči se povsem strinjam. Ne bi smele biti na stebričkih, ampak bi morale biti nižje in drugače oblikovane. Tako bi zadnji del izgledal še manj pusto, kot doslej.

lp, mm

Škoda, ker tud fosucu niso dal takih luči kot C-maxu

martin_krpan je napisal/-a:Ford Focus ST

martin_krpan je napisal/-a:Lignagu je očitno žal, da Ford ne pripelje maeriškega Focusa tudi k nam. Stavim, da bi bil prvi (in verjetno edini) kupec

tha_man je napisal/-a:Čeprav dejansko obstaja določena podobnost hehe. Če je ST tud tako oster kot tale žaga, ni to pravzaprav nič slabega

Ford Release Teaser Photo of New Focus RS

Ford have finally confirmed the rally car-inspired Focus RS superhatch for production, releasing this first official teaser photo ahead of its 2008 expected premiere, the model following proudly in the footsteps of its original RS and RS Cosworth Escort predecessors. Caught earlier this year doing the development rounds on the Nurburgring, the RS hot hatch is set to re-draw the line between performance and value.

Power will come from a modified version of Volvo's turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine with power produced expected at 280 hp and torque of 400 lb.-ft, propelling the RS somewhat beyond that of the 225 hp ST model. The RS will face tough competition from that of the new Mitsubishi Evo X and Subaru Impreza STi.

Expected performance upgrades include the stiffening and lowering of suspension as well as upgraded brakes, while exterior design features will get a significant upgrade from 'kinetic' to 'racy'. Styling enhancements will include blistered wheel arches, bonnet air vents, new wings and spoilers - the interior boasting a sportier, more coseted environment. All the enhancements will bid to give the RS as much ethos aesthetically as it will deliver dynamically.

The production model Focus RS is set debut in 2008 with a late that year or early 2009 introduction - stay tuned for further details.

Cologne, December 17, 2007 – Ford of Europe is confirming its plan to deliver an exciting all-new, high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. A design image released by the company today hints at the exciting direction the new model is taking.

The new Focus RS will be based on the dynamic new Focus ST. It will be developed by Ford Team RS, a specialist team led by Jost Capito who, as previously announced, is being appointed to the new role as Vehicle Line Director for Ford of Europe Performance Vehicles from January 1, 2008.

"With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe's President and CEO. "With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost's experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe's positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers."

The basic concept for a new Focus RS has been under development within Ford Team RS under Capito's leadership for some months already. Now that the programme has been given the 'green light', Capito and his team will be concentrating fully on this programme.

"We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I'm very excited by the results," said Jost Capito, "Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production."

Stay Tuned
Ford of Europe will not reveal any of the technical details of the new Focus RS until closer to launch in 2009. The company plans to show a concept version of the car publicly for the first time in mid-2008.

"We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus ST as the base for a no-compromise RS model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus," Capito added. "Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car's performance, design, handling and braking."

"We're not ready to confirm any of the technical details of the new Focus RS yet - Jost and his team have a lot to do to finalise the exact specification and styling," said Fleming. "But make no mistake, I can assure you that ultimately, the car we plan to launch will be worthy of wearing the coveted Ford RS badge."