The Ford Focus is an automobile made by the Ford Motor Company and sold in most Ford markets worldwide. It was launched in 1998 in Europe, and in 2000 in North America. Since then it has become the most popular car in the United Kingdom, following in the success of the Escort, its predecessor.

Unlike previous Fords in the North American market, the Pinto and Escort, no luxury Mercury version is available.

In Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries in the region, it replaced the Laser, based on the Mazda 323 (called the Mazda Protege in some markets).

Contents

1 Focus Mk I 1.1 Engines 1.2 Bodies (offerings vary by market) 1.3 Transmissions 1.4 Competition 1.5 Sales and History 2 USA Focus Mk II 3 European Focus Mk II 3.1 Changes 4 Awards 5 External links

Focus Mk I

Mechanically the original Focus draws heavily from other European Ford models, using a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension derived from that used in the Ford Mondeo, giving the Focus class leading handling and ride. The engines used are the well-proven Zetec-SE and Zetec units.

It is produced by factories in Saarlouis, Germany; Valencia, Spain; Vsevolzhsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia; Hermosillo, Mexico; Pacheco, Argentina; and Wayne, Michigan in the U.S.

In 1999 Ford revealed its first version for the World Rally Championship: the Focus WRC. A new version of the Focus WRC will be released in 2006.

Engines

• 1.4 Zetec-SE (Europe only)
• 1.6 Zetec-SE (Europe only)
• 1.6 Zetec (other markets)
• 1.8 Zetec
• 2.0 CVH (America, sedans only)
• 2.0 Zetec (all markets)
• 2.0 Duratec ST (US SVT, Euro ST)
• 2.0 Duratec turbo (Euro RS)
• 2.3 Duratec (America, new option for 2004)
• 1.8 Endura-D diesel: 75PS and 90PS non-common-rail (Europe) (TDi/TDdi)
• 1.8 Duratorq diesel: 100PS and 115PS common rail (Europe) (TDci)

Bodies (offerings vary by market)

• 3-door hatch
• 5-door hatch (part of the original line in Europe, added in North America starting in 2002)
• 4-door sedan/saloon (not available in Japan or New Zealand)
• 5-door wagon (only available in Europe, Japan and North America) - 27 mpg City, 35 mpg Highway (manual)

Transmissions

• 5-speed manual
• 6-speed manual (Euro ST, US SVT)
• 4-speed automatic

Competition

Europe

• Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra
• VW Golf and VW Bora
• Peugeot 307
• Renault Megane
• Fiat Stilo
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Almera
• Honda Civic

North America

• Chevrolet Cavalier
• Dodge Neon
• Honda Civic
• Mazda Protege
• Pontiac Vibe
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Matrix
• VW Golf

Sales and History

In Europe, the hatchback is the biggest selling bodystyle. Ford attempted to market the sedan version in Europe as a mini-executive car by only offering it in the Ghia trim level, something that it had tried before with the Orion of the 1980s. It has since given up on this strategy, and has started selling lower specified versions of the sedan.

Despite its radical styling (the hatchback version in particular), and some controversial safety recalls in North America, the car has been a runaway success throughout the globe, even in the United States, where Ford has traditonally failed to successfully sell its European models.

This was the best-selling car in the world in 2000 and 2001. It was elected Car of the Year in 1999. The Focus won the North American Car of the Year award for 2000. In Europe, the original had a very subtle facelift in 2001.

USA Focus Mk II

In North America, a major facelift is due in the 2005 model year, but on the old C170 platform. Ford has apparently decided that a completely new car would not be profitable in this heavily price- and incentive-driven market.

The new Focus drops the Zetec family of engines entirely in favor of the new Mazda-derived Duratec 20 and 23.

European Focus Mk II

The Focus Mk II, codenamed C307, uses a new platform called C1 shared with the Volvo S40, Mazda 3 and Focus C-Max. It was launched at the Paris Motor Show on September 23, 2004 as a three- and five-door hatchback and a station wagon. The four-door sedan version was previewed as a concept developed by Ford Australia at the Beijing Motor Show in mid-2004 and joined the range after the hatchbacks.

Available powertrains include petrol 1.6, 1.6VVT and 2.0 engines and 1.6 and 2.0 Diesel engines.

Changes

The Focus Mk II is larger than its Mk I predecessor with a 25 mm (1 in) increase in wheelbase, 168 mm (6.6 in) longer, 8 mm (0.3 in) taller and 138 mm (5.4 in) wider. As a result the interior and boot space has increased. The car has a more Italianate feel in its exterior styling. New technologies include a KeyFree system, a solar-reflect windshield, adaptive front lighting, Bluetooth hands-free phones and voice control for audio, telephone and climate control systems.

There is much talk about a cabiolet version, designed with Pinnafrina. The vehicle will have a metal folding roof. Another model to watch out for in 2006 will be the Focus ST. It is rumoured to have 220bhp.

Awards

Since its launch in 1998 the Ford Focus has won over 60 awards including 13 Car of the Year awards in both Europe and North America, and more recently the best family car ever (Autocar UK 2003). The Focus was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for five consecutive years (2000 through 2004).

In 2001 and 2002, Focus was the world’s best selling car.

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External links

• Online resource for Ford Focus owners and tuners. (http://www.focaljet.com)

• Owner's idiosyncratic review of 2005 Focus ZX4 SES (http://radio.weblogs.com/0118865/stories/2004/09/18/2005FordFocusIdiosyncraticReview.html)

The New Ford Focus (http://www.allnewfocus.co.uk/flash.htm?dal=prizedraw&campaignid=c307competition&advertiserid=Firefly&bannerid=HPpromo&crop=large)