The hatchback market is set for another colossal battle as Ford prepares to unveil the all-new Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month. Both sedan and hatch models will be on show.
According to spokesmen of the Blue Oval, the new Focus is of a much higher quality than the outgoing one, with special focus on things like gaps, interior materials and general trim feel.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. “The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations.”
Engines will be vast as always, including a new 2.0-litre petrol motor that’s more powerful than its predecessor. I expect turbos to come into play to match rivals from Fiat and Volkswagen. The new 6-speed double-clutch is to be offered in some markets, but there’s no surety on its SA availability yet. Also, although not mentioned in the press release, an ST is a certainty, although we can only speculate at how much power it will have. A figure of about 190kW seems quite reasonable and attainable to me.
Interior features will include things like Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touch screen on some models, satellite navigation (on some models) and a rear parking camera (again, on certain versions). Ford South Africa currently has no factory satellite solution in their cars but that could very well change with the new Focus, or even before that.
“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. “The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”
South Africa will be one of the last countries to receive the car following initial debuts in the US and Europe.
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