Post by TonyV on Jan 12, 2010 11:44:29 GMT -5
Posted: Jan. 11, 2010
New versions of Ford Focus in sight
Sedan, hatchback are sportier than previous models
BY BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Ford plans to unveil two all-new versions of the Ford Focus compact car for North America today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
While Ford has sold the Focus in North America since 2000, the new Focus sedan and hatchback, designed near Cologne, Germany, are sportier than the Focus car that American consumers are familiar with, said Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe.
"These two cars are both sleek, stylish and sporty, but they do have their own distinct personalties," Smith said.
Ford declined to disclose the price of the new Focus, but it is expected to be slightly more than the current model, which starts at $15,995.
Ford plans to equip the Focus with a new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an estimated 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Ford also plans to offer a 4-cylinder version of its turbocharged EcoBoost engine with the Focus.
The new engine will produce up to 20 horsepower more than the engine in the current Focus and a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. However, Ford declined to project the exact expected fuel efficiency rating, saying the company is too far away from the official launch to know.
The new Focus is one of several cars designed in Europe that Ford is bringing to North America as it continues to reshape its image from a respected truck and SUV producer to a passenger car producer.
The new Focus is one of 10 vehicles Ford plans to build around the world off the new Focus platform by 2012.
"Our objective was to make the Focus the complete driver's package -- great to look at, great to drive and great to sit in," said Jim Hughes, chief nameplate engineer for the next-generation Ford Focus.
Several years after introducing the Focus in Europe and the U.S., Ford redesigned the Focus for Europe but continued to sell a refreshed version of the first-generation Ford Focus in the United States.
Michael Robinet, vice president of global vehicle forecasts for CSM Worldwide, said Europe's second-generation Focus already is much better than the version sold in America and expects the third-generation Focus will be even better.
"Bringing that car over here has long been something that many at Ford and in the analyst community have advocated," Robinet said. "Ford is very capable of building one of the best small cars in the market."
Contact BRENT SNAVELY: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com
New versions of Ford Focus in sight
Sedan, hatchback are sportier than previous models
BY BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Ford plans to unveil two all-new versions of the Ford Focus compact car for North America today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
While Ford has sold the Focus in North America since 2000, the new Focus sedan and hatchback, designed near Cologne, Germany, are sportier than the Focus car that American consumers are familiar with, said Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe.
"These two cars are both sleek, stylish and sporty, but they do have their own distinct personalties," Smith said.
Ford declined to disclose the price of the new Focus, but it is expected to be slightly more than the current model, which starts at $15,995.
Ford plans to equip the Focus with a new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an estimated 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Ford also plans to offer a 4-cylinder version of its turbocharged EcoBoost engine with the Focus.
The new engine will produce up to 20 horsepower more than the engine in the current Focus and a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. However, Ford declined to project the exact expected fuel efficiency rating, saying the company is too far away from the official launch to know.
The new Focus is one of several cars designed in Europe that Ford is bringing to North America as it continues to reshape its image from a respected truck and SUV producer to a passenger car producer.
The new Focus is one of 10 vehicles Ford plans to build around the world off the new Focus platform by 2012.
"Our objective was to make the Focus the complete driver's package -- great to look at, great to drive and great to sit in," said Jim Hughes, chief nameplate engineer for the next-generation Ford Focus.
Several years after introducing the Focus in Europe and the U.S., Ford redesigned the Focus for Europe but continued to sell a refreshed version of the first-generation Ford Focus in the United States.
Michael Robinet, vice president of global vehicle forecasts for CSM Worldwide, said Europe's second-generation Focus already is much better than the version sold in America and expects the third-generation Focus will be even better.
"Bringing that car over here has long been something that many at Ford and in the analyst community have advocated," Robinet said. "Ford is very capable of building one of the best small cars in the market."
Contact BRENT SNAVELY: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com