Monday 24th February 2014

Revised Ford Focus launched

Ford's ubiquitous hatch gets a mid-life refresh with new engines, tech and styling

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Our recent attention on Ford may have been dominated by the UK Mustang and the brilliant little Fiesta ST, but today the focus is on something a little more sedate, if you'll excuse the terrible pun.

There's a new fascia here, apparently

Ford has overhauled the third-generation Focus for Geneva with new engines, suspension, styling and technology. The facelift promises 'more emotional' design, greater efficiency, better user-friendliness and further improved dynamics.

Starting on that latter point, the Focus now features increased structural stiffness at the front through different suspension geometry, boosting the lateral stiffness of 'steering-relevant' suspension bushes and retuning the dampers. The electric steering has also been tweaked to deliver better response. It's quite an extensive list of changes for a mid-life facelift, hopefully addressing the criticism many had of the standard Mk3 Focus in that it wasn't as inspirational to drive as the earlier models.

There are additional Ecoboost engines in the Focus now as well. The amazing 1.0-litre three-cylinder versions continue unchanged, supplemented by a 1.5 four-cylinder in 150hp and 180hp guises. A new 1.5-litre TDCI diesel also features with either 95hp or 120hp. The range-topping diesel is a 150hp 2.0-litre and all engines offer better economy than previously. There is no news yet on any tweaks to the ST but expect that to incorporate the cosmetic changes, if not any mechanical ones, at some point soon.

Estate gets a nip 'n' tuck too

Those styling alterations are intended to create a 'more sophisticated and advanced' Focus, taking in cues recently seen with the Fiesta facelift and upcoming new Mondeo when that finally arrives. Fortunately the new grille isn't quite as, err, prominent as on the Fiesta, and works quite well in conjunction with slimmer headlights and sculpted bonnet. The rear also features slimmer lights plus a 'new fascia' but it's a fairly minor change.

Now if there was one universal complaint about living with a Focus ST it was the cabin's myriad of confusing buttons. Simple tasks became overly challenging and the dash looked cluttered. Ford's solution is to introduce Sync 2, an updated infotainment system with, thank goodness, an eight-inch touchscreen. There are fewer buttons on the wheel as well and the nav has been updated, another weak spot before.

And the buttons are (mostly) gone!

As if to demonstrate just how far assist technology has come since the Focus was introduced in 1998, this latest offers 'Perpendicular Parking', building on the current model's Active Park Assist to facilitate hands-free parallel parking alongside other cars. In a Focus. The Active City Stop now works at up to 50km/h (31mph) from 30km/h (19mph), Pre-Collision Assist is there at higher speeds and the ESC has been recalibrated if you still manage to get it wrong. Oh, and the MyKey programmable key is there for sensible settings if you dare let offspring near the car.

So it's a fairly comprehensive revision for Ford's biggest seller then, and will no doubt keep it at the top of the sales charts. It debuts at the Mobile World Congress today prior to Geneva and British sales will start later in 2014.

 

 

 

[dukebox9reg]

Finally a semi decent looking interior in a modern Ford. Might have a look at one of these now.

[B10]

Ah the Aston Martin Focus.

[GroundEffect]

My baby

[dukebox9reg]

[redacted]

[PaulD86]

To my eye it doesn't look like much of a change, but at the same time looks much better. Interior revision is much better than the current one. I like that.

[flatso]

Looking good! The interior upgrade is especially welcome. Is it just me or do Ford products look more attractive than most of the budget brands?
I mean the chasis are almost always very well sorted, the new eco-boost engines are surprisingly good, and the designs are looking more coherent.
Can't wait for the new S-Max and Mustang.

[garypotter]

being a ford man i am not sure that Ford going down the Audi/porsche 1 design fits all models is the way forward.

Prefer the fiesta grill purely as it looks a ripped of version of the aston

[FestivAli]

This is a big visual improvement in my opinion. My older brother has the superseded model and whilst it is okay to drive, I could never like it because it is so damn ugly, even in black and in Sport trim. Now they just need to lose about 200kgs across the range (2.5 petrol man with about 170bhp feels so gutless until you hit about 4000rpm)and put little flags at the extremities so you can park it without having to use the auto park thing

[Tuvra]

OK, now roll out the RS model......

[Porkis]

That really just looks like a Volvo V40 to me ..

All modern cars are dull, and just look the same, or am I just getting old?

[Bradgate]

Will it still have drum brakes at the back, like a 1970s car?

[FestivAli]

garypotter said:

being a ford man i am not sure that Ford going down the Audi/porsche 1 design fits all models is the way forward.

I agree with you here (though I think this looks good) but would add I dislike the strategy for all car companies. It limits the design possibilities for new models and means (using Audi as an example here) that to differentiate each generation you have to add lots of little contrived creases and lines and details. To my eyes all Audis have an inherent fussiness about them that they didn't have 10 years ago and I see the same thing happening with Ford. And Lexus. And M-B (fat face that works for me on the S-class doesn't work on the C). Just my opinion but you reminded me of something I've been thinking about for some years.

[lee_erm]

If only vw's engines were anywhere near as good as the fords eco boost units.

The 1.0 ecoboost is absolutely outstanding

[DoctorX]

Wish they'd have changed the rear lights on the hatch - they are one of the worst styling features on any new car IMO. The estate, however, is not bad looking.

[leon9191]

The estate is a handsome beast, I like that light Blue colour in the pictures I think it suits the car.

I ran a Mk1 Focus estate as a daily driver for a few years and it was hand on heart one of the best cars I've ever had, If I find a low mile diesel I would be tempted back into another one, but having driven a friends Mk2 version recently it was not a patch on the Mk1. Driving position and steering that had been so right in the Mk1 felt awkward and lacked feel.

I would be interested in one of these though if it addresses some of issues.

[Axionknight]

The estate looks just like a V40 in non R-Design trim, no bad thing, I like it!

[ManOpener]

And people complain about VW Golfs all looking the same...

[Madkat]

Yet more drive to make something more efficient and better at being an everyday hack just makes everyday driving even more boring. Cars are turning into washing machines that chase every last ounce of energy saving all wrapped up in a non nondescript CAD surfaced swoopy body with 'feature' crease lines. If you showed my that in white or i could of said it was designed by hotpoint. It just sends me to sleep.

....Now for my afternoon nap.

[ajprice]

Looks loads better than the current model, especially the estate.

Just for comparison, the US model electric Focus has had the 'Aston Martin' grille since launch. Why the hell didn't they give all the cars this grille in the first place?!?

[SSBB]

Bradgate said:

Will it still have drum brakes at the back, like a 1970s car?

Hopefully.