2011 Ford Focus Revealed At Detroit Auto Show

FOLLOWING NEWS EARLIER today of its impending reveal, Ford has unveiled the 2011 Ford Focus hatch and sedan at this week's Detroit Motor Show.

The new Focus hatch and sedan are built on the newest iteration of Ford's global C-platform. Ford expects more than two million sales globally from C-platform cars by 2012.

Styling

Bearing the latest evolution of Ford's 'Kinetic' design language, Ford says the new Focus sedan and hatch models are "at the centre of convergence for automotive trends" (hmm... whatever that means).

"We've designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it's tailored for each individual region," J Mays, Ford Vice President of Design, said.

"Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size."

Ford says the Kinetic design language has contributed to the "growing popularity" of its newest small and medium car line-up.

At the front end, jelly bean-like headlights sit above a tall centre air dam flanked by sharply-angled side intakes, separate from the foglight housings.

A somewhat nondescript grille is joined by bonnet strakes that reach back to the windscreen glass, with a second line continuing up into the A-pillar.

Largely identical up to the rear passenger door, the profile of the Focus sedan and hatch features multiple character lines running together along the wheel arches, and through the top and bottom of the doors.

Prominent wheel arches create a connection between the outgoing Focus and this new generation.

At the rear is where the two Focus models diverge, the rear quarter window and taillights being the standout differences (apart from the obvious hatch/sedan factors).

The taillights of both models extend into the rear quarter quart panel, but in their own fashion. On the hatch, the fuel cap design is blended with the lines of the drivers side taillight, while on the sedan the traditional circle cap suffices.

Interior

Inside, the Kinetic styling continues, with design elements both unique to the new Focus and familiar to the new Fiesta.

Soft-touch materials, piano black and dark satin silver trim features throughout, joined by multi-function displays in the centre stack and the instrument cluster.

The new Focus offers a cockpit-style interior, with even the centre console angled slightly towards the driver.

Equipment and Features

Ford has yet to reveal full details on the Focus' feature set, but perhaps the most significant item is the new MyFord Touch control system.

In the US, the Focus was the first model to feature Ford's SYNC infotainment system, and the new Focus will be among the first to offer the MyFord Touch control system, including a new eight-inch display in the centre console.

A multi-function display rests between the rev meter and speedometer, providing information on average fuel consumption, distance to empty, trip computer and other details.

High-strength steels feature extensively throughout the Focus' shell, comprising 55 percent of the body's construction. More than 26 percent of the body's steel is made up of ultra-high-strength and Boron steels.

According to Ford, these advanced materials make the new Focus one of the safest cars in the world, while minimising overall weight.

Mechanical Package

The global powertrain line-up for the new Focus will include a range of EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo-charged direct injection engines, including a 1.6 litre petrol engine and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, improving fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent compared to current models.

Ford is set to show a brand new 2.0 litre petrol engine at Detroit this week, featuring direct injection and and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT).

Ford says its new 2.0 litre DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 percent more powerful than its current 2.0 litre Duratec inline-four, while contributing to a fuel economy improved by more than 10 percent.

The new 2.0 litre DI Ti-VCT engine will be paired with Ford's new dry-clutch six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, featuring an advanced dual-clutch design designed to help reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.

Unlike conventional automatics, the dry-clutch PowerShift transmission, based on more efficient manual gearbox technology, is not hampered by the extra weight and complexity of torque converters, planetary gears and oil pumps.

Ford's engineers have developed new optimised designs for the Focus' 'Control Blade' multilink rear suspension, along with the semi-isolated front and rear subframes.

A new Electric Power Assist Steering system features in the new Focus, which Ford says has been tuned to provide "pure and precise" responses at high speed, remaining light and manoeuvrable for parking.

Developed by Ford of Europe, a new Dynamic Cornering Control system transfers power between the drive wheels to reduce understeer, as well as improve traction and turn-in.

Pricing and Availability

Ford has yet to release pricing and launch dates for the new Focus. Production is set to begin in Europe and North America later this year, with sales in those regions to begin in early 2011. Asia, Africa, South America and Australia will follow, although no dates have been given.