The Ford Focus celebrates its tenth anniversary with a dynamic new model. A fresh, new 'kinetic design' exterior, upgraded interior, new features and technologies, combine with outstanding environmental credentials and acclaimed driving dynamics to keep Focus at the front of the medium car market.
Since the original Focus was launched in 1998, around five million vehicles have been produced in Europe. Its influence on the automotive world has been significant: it was the first and - to date - the only car in the world to be named 'Car of the Year' both in Europe and in North America, and has won over 80 awards in Europe alone. Focus has even become a well-known Ford model in Asia, where it is now produced in several markets, including China.
The new Ford Focus, which was officially launched in Malta last Tuesday, is available in three- and five-door hatchback, four-door saloon and wagon body styles. The Focus portfolio will be extended further later this year when the Focus coupé-cabriolet and the sporty flagship model Focus ST will be added to the line-up.
Inside the new Focus, the emphasis was on improving the quality of materials and enhancing comfort levels.
The evidence is clear to see and feel, thanks to a soft feel top to the doors, new instrument binnacle, revised centre stack and redesigned window and mirror switches. New, high quality leather is also available on key models, while the range-topping Titanium X model comes equipped with blue-tinted glass. A new woven headliner is fitted as standard equipment on Ghia and Titanium three- and five-door models (without sunroof).
A new 'Premium' centre console has been designed with an emphasis on improved design and functionality. This comes as standard equipment for Ghia, Titanium and ST series models, or as an option on Trend models and part of the available Sport pack.
The Premium console features a movable armrest with 80 mm of travel, a four-litre capacity storage compartment, plus two open cup holders with rubber mat, a coin holder and a card holder.
The rear face of the console provides additional storage area for rear-seat passengers or customers can specify an optional 230-volt socket, which provides direct power for laptops, printers, vacuum cleaners and other day-to-day appliances (rated at less than 150 W.)
The console will also house the available Ford Power button, which has been positioned near the gear shifter, while a new Connectivity Module can also be specified, which includes a USB port, auxiliary jack and 'iPod' connections.
The new Focus is available in four model series with the entry level Trend series, and at the top of the range, the classic luxury of Ghia and the "techno feel" of Titanium variants sit alongside the ST performance derivative. Customers can further enhance and personalise their vehicles with optional 'X' packs on the Ghia and Titanium models, and a variety of themed option packs targeted to specific customer needs: Sport, Comfort, Style and Business.
To enhance the overall Focus safety package, the new model now comes with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control and maintains the strong list of standard active and passive safety features that has earned it a five-star EuroNCAP rating, including standard ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, and its rigid, reinforced passenger cell.
Meanwhile, detailed changes have been made to make the Focus quieter, particularly the diesel models, and manual transmissions benefit from reduced friction by using a new low viscosity transmission oil, which does not only contribute to a better fuel economy, but also helps to reduce the forces required for a gear change by up to 14 per cent.
Prices start at €18,600 (Lm7,985). Ford is represented in Malta by Gasan Enterprises Ltd of Mrieħel.
Since the original Focus was launched in 1998, around five million vehicles have been produced in Europe. Its influence on the automotive world has been significant: it was the first and - to date - the only car in the world to be named 'Car of the Year' both in Europe and in North America, and has won over 80 awards in Europe alone. Focus has even become a well-known Ford model in Asia, where it is now produced in several markets, including China.
The new Ford Focus, which was officially launched in Malta last Tuesday, is available in three- and five-door hatchback, four-door saloon and wagon body styles. The Focus portfolio will be extended further later this year when the Focus coupé-cabriolet and the sporty flagship model Focus ST will be added to the line-up.
Inside the new Focus, the emphasis was on improving the quality of materials and enhancing comfort levels.
The evidence is clear to see and feel, thanks to a soft feel top to the doors, new instrument binnacle, revised centre stack and redesigned window and mirror switches. New, high quality leather is also available on key models, while the range-topping Titanium X model comes equipped with blue-tinted glass. A new woven headliner is fitted as standard equipment on Ghia and Titanium three- and five-door models (without sunroof).
A new 'Premium' centre console has been designed with an emphasis on improved design and functionality. This comes as standard equipment for Ghia, Titanium and ST series models, or as an option on Trend models and part of the available Sport pack.
The Premium console features a movable armrest with 80 mm of travel, a four-litre capacity storage compartment, plus two open cup holders with rubber mat, a coin holder and a card holder.
The rear face of the console provides additional storage area for rear-seat passengers or customers can specify an optional 230-volt socket, which provides direct power for laptops, printers, vacuum cleaners and other day-to-day appliances (rated at less than 150 W.)
The console will also house the available Ford Power button, which has been positioned near the gear shifter, while a new Connectivity Module can also be specified, which includes a USB port, auxiliary jack and 'iPod' connections.
The new Focus is available in four model series with the entry level Trend series, and at the top of the range, the classic luxury of Ghia and the "techno feel" of Titanium variants sit alongside the ST performance derivative. Customers can further enhance and personalise their vehicles with optional 'X' packs on the Ghia and Titanium models, and a variety of themed option packs targeted to specific customer needs: Sport, Comfort, Style and Business.
To enhance the overall Focus safety package, the new model now comes with standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control and maintains the strong list of standard active and passive safety features that has earned it a five-star EuroNCAP rating, including standard ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, and its rigid, reinforced passenger cell.
Meanwhile, detailed changes have been made to make the Focus quieter, particularly the diesel models, and manual transmissions benefit from reduced friction by using a new low viscosity transmission oil, which does not only contribute to a better fuel economy, but also helps to reduce the forces required for a gear change by up to 14 per cent.
Prices start at €18,600 (Lm7,985). Ford is represented in Malta by Gasan Enterprises Ltd of Mrieħel.