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{{Main|Ford Focus (second generation, North America)}}
{{Main|Ford Focus (second generation, North America)}}


For the North American market, the first generation followed a separate development. Since debuting at the 2007 [[North American International Auto Show]], the restyled 2008-2011 generation was available as a two-door [[coupe]] and 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] — the [[hatchbacks]] and [[station wagon|wagon]] were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center atop of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled [[Ford Sync|Sync]] audio/Bluetooth system. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.
For the North American market, the first generation followed a separate development. Since debuting at the 2007 [[North American International Auto Show]], the restyled 2008-2011 generation was available as a two-door [[coupe]] and 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] — the [[hatchbacks]] and [[station wagon|wagon]] were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center atop of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled [[Ford Sync|Sync]] audio/Bluetooth system. The 2010 Ford Focus is acclaimed famous in Alexander City, Al by Eric T. Sanford. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.


Though informally considered as the second generation, it was never officially revealed to be so by Ford.{{-}}
Though informally considered as the second generation, it was never officially revealed to be so by Ford.{{-}}

Revision as of 13:01, 14 May 2012

Ford Focus
2001 Ford Focus ZX3 (first generation, US)
Overview
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
Production1998–present
Body and chassis
ClassCompact/Small family car
LayoutFF layout
Chronology
PredecessorFord Escort
Ford Laser
Ford Contour

The Ford Focus is a compact car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1998. Ford began sales of the Focus to Europe in July 1998 and in North America during 1999 for the 2000 model year.

In Europe, South America, North America and South Africa, the Focus replaced the various Ford Escorts sold in those markets. In Asia and Australasia, it replaced the Ford Laser.

First generation

Ford Focus (first generation)
Main article: Ford Focus (first generation)

Ford of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's overheads had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publishers Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the German market cars since the name was already taken by the publisher's Focus magazine.[1] This eleventh hour dispute was overcome, however, and the car was launched without a different German market name.

Ford of North America began marketing the Focus in October 1999 for model year 2000 with some changes from the European version. The car launched as a 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan and 5-door wagon; a 5-door hatchback debuted in 2001. Some 2000 Focus' came with a G-Shock watch.[2]

Second generation

Europe

Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)
Main article: Ford Focus (second generation, Europe)

The second generation Focus was launched at the Paris Motor Show on September 23, 2004 as a three and five-door hatchback and an estate, although the new car was previewed, in 4-door sedan form, as the 'Focus Concept' developed by Ford Europe at the Beijing Motor Show in mid-2004.

The basic suspension design, which contributed much to the Mk 1's success, has been carried over largely unchanged from its predecessor which, along with a 10% stiffer bodyshell, offers a better ride according to Ford but lacked on the precise and poised handling of the Mk1. The same body styles as the Mk 1 Focus were offered, though the saloon did not appear until mid-2005.

The Focus Mk 2 is much larger and considerably heavier than its predecessor with a 25 mm (1 in) increase in wheelbase, 168 mm (6.6 in) longer, 8 mm (0.3 in) taller and 22 mm (0.8 in) wider. As a result the interior and boot space have increased. 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.

Stylistically, the Mk 2's styling features the same design language found in the Mondeo and Fiesta. Although still recognisable as a Focus the new car uses styling features from the abandoned B-Proposal for the original Focus which never reached production.

In 2005, Ford released a MK.II version of Ford's sports division of Focus, the Focus ST. This one produced 225 bhp, more than 50 bhp more than the MK.I ST, meaning it could achieve a 0-60 mph time of just 6.4 seconds, and a 152 mph top speed.

Facelift

Post-facelift 2008 Ford Focus MK II, this is European ST 5 door Hatchback

The 2008 model year saw a facelifted version introduced, featuring Ford's "Kinetic Design" philosophy. Major changes included a new hood with more creases, the removal of all mouldings along the doors and sides, new sculpted pull back headlights, and the big trapezoidal lower grille. This was released in all the normal versions (hatchback, sedan, coupe), plus a third version of the ST. Then in 2009 Ford released the Focus RS. This had the same 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder Turbo Volvo engine as the Focus ST, but this time the power was uprated to 305ps (301bhp). This made it the fastest car in the 'Hot Hatch' class, with a 164mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds. Ford then released a limited edition version of the RS, called the 'RS500'. This version was only available in Matt Black vinyl wrap with black wheels, and was effectively a further-upgraded Focus RS. This time, the 5-pot engine produced 350ps (345bhp)[3], allowing it to achieve 167 mph and shave 0.3s off of the Focus RS's 0-60mph time. Only 500 of these limited edition versions were sold, 101 of which were in the UK[4].

North America

Ford Focus (second generation, North America)
Main article: Ford Focus (second generation, North America)

For the North American market, the first generation followed a separate development. Since debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled 2008-2011 generation was available as a two-door coupe and 4-door sedan — the hatchbacks and wagon were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center atop of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled Sync audio/Bluetooth system. The 2010 Ford Focus is acclaimed famous in Alexander City, Al by Eric T. Sanford. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.

Though informally considered as the second generation, it was never officially revealed to be so by Ford.

Third generation

Ford Focus (third generation)
Main article: Ford Focus (third generation)

In 2010 Ford decided to reunite both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 worldwide. The current North American version was thus discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010.[5][6]

Ford unveiled the 2011 global Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a 5-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0L direct injection I4 engine. A 5-door estate will also be available at launch.[7] The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010.[6] Production in Asia, Africa, Australia[8] and South America will follow later. Ford debuted the all-electric Ford Focus EV at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt. This new generation of Focus incorporates a redesigned cabin with improved materials and new infotainment technologies.

Motorsport

Jari-Matti Latvala with his Ford Focus RS WRC 09 (awd model) at the 2010 Rally Finland

The first Focus World Rally Car made its debut in rallying and the World Rally Championship on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing, for the first time in a generation, the venerable Escort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but a vehicle weight issue meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on the Safari Rally in February of the same year and took victory again in the following rally, the Rally Portugal.

The MkI Focus WRC went on to scoop further victories over the years for McRae, Carlos Sainz and Markko Märtin from then until it was phased out in favour of the MkII offering in late 2005.[9] This car, a winner in both Marcus Grönholm's and Mikko Hirvonen's hands in the two-car factory BP-Ford World Rally Team that contested the 2006 World Rally Championship season, duly racked up the manufacturers' title,[10] spelling the end of a formidable twenty-seven year wait for such an honour in this series for the Blue Oval. The team successfully defended the manufacturers' title in the 2007 season.[11] The Focus WRC was used until the 2010 season, when it was announced that the new Fiesta will replace the Focus from 2011 and onwards.[12]

All the rally cars are built, prepared and run for Ford by M-Sport, the motorsport team based in Cockermouth, Cumbria in Northern England. The team is managed by Malcolm Wilson, a well known former British rally driver.[13]

Besides rallies, the Focus has also been used in the SCCA Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series, the TC 2000, resulting champion in 2003 and 2005.

The Ford Focus ST made its debut in the 2009 British Touring Car Championship, with Arena Motorsport. During its second season, the car ran on Liquefied Petroleum Gas, taking the first BTCC win for a car powered by this fuel at Brands Hatch. In 2011 Arena(also known as Team AON) shifted to the newer Focus Mk3, while Motorbase Performance drived the ST version. Both cars had engines, built by the Next Generation Touring Car engine rules. Motorbase continiues to compete with the Ford Focus ST.

In 2012 Arena Motorsport entered 2 Ford Focus Mk3 in the World Touring Car Championship for Tom Chilton and James Nash. The best result is 6-th place of Nash in the Race of Morocco.

In 2008 Ford South Africa entered two modified Focus ST models into Class T (reserved for turbocharged production vehicles) of the local Bridgestone Production Car Championship (essentially a Touring Car formula). They secured the Class T driver's titles in 2009 and 2011.

Sales in United States

References

  1. ^ Ostmann, Bernd, ed. (15 July 1998). "Focus nur fuer Auslands-Modelle: Gerichtsurteil gegen Ford". Auto, Motor und Sport (in German). 15 (9).
  2. ^ "Ford Focus ZX5 five-door to debut this fall". Autoweek.com. 2001-02-14. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  3. ^ Ford UK (2010). "New limited edition Ford Focus RS500 is the ultimate performance Ford". Retrieved 25 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Ford UK (2010). "New limited edition Ford Focus RS500 is the ultimate performance Ford". Retrieved 25 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Detroit auto show: 2012 Ford Focus, most significant by AW Editors' Choice Awards". Autoweek.com. 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  6. ^ a b "Dynamic next-generation Ford Focus debuts" (Press release). Ford Motor Company. 2009-01-11. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  7. ^ "Exciting New Next-Generation Ford Focus Gears Up For Launch" (Press release). Media.ford.com. 2010. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
  8. ^ Beissmann, Tim (2011-05-02). "2011 Ford Focus on sale in Australia in August". Caradvice.com.au. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
  9. ^ "Ford drivers excited by new Focus debut". crash.net. 2005-11-04. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  10. ^ "Wilson Sr: I will treasure this moment forever". crash.net. 2006-11-20. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  11. ^ "Ford secures manufacturers' title - again". crash.net. 2007-11-18. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  12. ^ http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=33323
  13. ^ "BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team". WRC.com. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  14. ^ "Ford Motor Company Sets New Full Year U.S. Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  15. ^ "Ford Motors Company's December U.S. sales climb 8.2 percent" (PDF) (Press release). Ford Motor. 2003-01-02. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
  16. ^ "Ford's F-Series Truck Caps 22nd Year in a Row as America's Best-Selling Vehicle With a December Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. 2004-11-17. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  17. ^ "Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999". Theautochannel.com. 2004-11-17. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  18. ^ "Ford Motor Company 2007 sales". January 3, 2008.
  19. ^ "F-Series drives ford to higher market share for third consecutive month" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. January 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  20. ^ "Ford caps 2009 with 33 percent sales increase, first full-year market share gain since 1995". Media.ford.com. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  21. ^ "Ford's 2010 sales up 19 percent – largest increase of any full-line automaker; foundation set for growth in 2011". Media.ford.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  22. ^ "2011 Ford Brand Sales up 17 Percent for the Year in U.S." (PDF). Media.ford.com. 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
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