2012 Ford Focus at 2010 Detroit Auto Show
- Competes with: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Mazda3
- Looks like: Ford has built a small car that will have competitors scurrying back to the drawing board
- Drivetrain: 155-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Early 2011
The all-new Focus represents the first fruits of the automaker's "One Ford" strategy of building vehicles that can be shared around the world. That's not how things worked previously at Ford, as evidenced by the three unique versions of the Focus before this model sold in different parts of the world. The strategy seems to be paying off, as the new Focus sedan and hatchback offer a level of style and substance that should appeal to small-car buyers the world over.
After seeing the new Focus at an event before the Detroit auto show, I would say it has a much more premium appearance than its predecessor, and it's one that should resonate with small-car shoppers. Both the sedan and hatchback have a nice stance, and the car has lots of interesting body-panel creases. A trio of large front vents and a raked windshield give the Focus a sporty look.
The Focus is powered by a new 155-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that features variable valve timing and direct injection. The engine teams with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Although gas mileage figures haven't been released, Ford says the Focus will offer unsurpassed fuel economy in its class. Whether it's this engine or another one — a turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine will be offered later in the Focus — the car will need to get around 40 mpg on the highway to live up to that claim.
To achieve that kind of mileage requires careful aerodynamic tuning, and that tuning has influenced the sedan's styling. Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe, points to the trunklid's stepped, lipped styling that's intended to help the car slip through the air.
There are similarities between the upcoming Fiesta subcompact and the new Focus on the inside, but what sets the Focus apart from its competitors is the number of high-end features it offers. Rain-sensing wipers, a backup camera, a self-parking system and the new MyFord entertainment and communication interface are available.
The Focus was a breakthrough car for Ford when it debuted in the U.S. about a decade ago. It's received numerous refinements over the years and has managed to keep pace with the segment, but it's been long overdue for an overhaul. That overhaul is finally here — although it won't go on sale until 2011 — and the results are impressive, resulting in a compact car that's among the most upscale and stylish in its segment.
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I think this looks a bit better than the current one sold in Australia.
I am not a big Ford guy but wow that is a nice looking car. Does not look very small anymore but I guess that is the trend with most car companies. I hope they can deliver on the fuel economy claim.
nice looking car.
the wagon looks like the Elantra Touring model.
This car has shape that resembles Mazda3. I remember Ford saying that they will continue to cooperate with Mazda.
Just wondering if this is same platform that Mazda3 has?
Im sure the current Mazda 3 is on the current Euro-focus Platform, not this one.
Broq
I have a Focus wagon, and I'd like to see them re-introduce that, or move forward the C-MAX introduction to the US market.
Don't see why they want to force us to buy Mazdas or Subarus when they've been building award-winning C-MAX's for years now.
ford is making me want to buy american again,good designed car in it's economy brands and lincoln luxury. BUY AMERICAN SOUNDS GOOD AGAIN!!!!!!
If the price is right, this may be my next car!
Nice...but is Ford planning...or has already decided to...move the Focus upscale (like how Nissan moved the Sentra, Honda moved the Civic and Toyota moved the Corolla, with Versa, Fit and Yaris, respectively)?
This CAN'T be a sub $18K vehicle with what's in there. I think that it's even be more costly then the Civic/Corolla ones on what's being given in the Focus (Civic and Corolla don't have those technologies/features. If Ford's selling it at, say, $22K or so, then I would predict a sales failure because it's going to go into the Camry/Accord/Altima territories (which starts around $20K, so the mentality is that, if I pay $2000 - that's before any "rebate," I'll move "up" again). If it's going to sell at the current Focus price, then it WILL sell, but Ford's going to lose a lot of money on this (with its Union contracts).
For those of u who think that this will be a good Mazda3 competitor...then this vehicle will surely be doomed :( How many Mazda3 has Mazda sold per year?
I'm glad you know more about Ford Motor Company than Ford Motor Company knows about itself.
A. Ray,
Mazda3 is not selling like Civic or Corolla but it is great success for Mazda.
Let me give you answer on the price. See, ford has Fusion, which starts @ $18+K.
They will soon have Fiesta, which will start @ 13+K.
So, the Focus will be somewhere in between, like 15-16K.
What failure? Look at the generation we have here, who is going to buy this. These people don't know what is the difference between carburetor and fuel injector. They only see an attractive and functional car. And they don't remember those days when FORD was abbreviation for "fix or repair daily".
Not sure. Looks like Ford is working alphabet or something?
Before they had Escort, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion, Edge...
Now it is Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Flex.
Dear Ford,
Your vehicles are becoming much more appealing. Please introduce an AWD model to compete with the Suby, and I'll be a happy customer. :)
Wow it's amazing how Ford is kicking GM's ass. Everyone thought it would be Toyota who killed GM but in reality Ford is more than doing their part. Kudos to Ford!
Little too late, ain't it? A whole whopping 11 years had passed since the first gen Focus debuted.
How much damage is done to the brand?
Sherman Cahal,
you need to wake up a little.
In your hibernation you missed Fusion and Taurus AWD models. That's cars. And then, plenty of SUVs
there is only one thing that bothers me with this vehicle, but its a minor thing.
the wheels are WAY TOO BIG. they look like aftermarket 19's and are just too large for a compact car. plus, with those super low profile tires, they'll be obnoxiously expensive to replace and the ride will likely be terrible.
@ H
Thx 4 the compliment. Of 'coz Ford knows thyself better than I do...which is why Ford is where it is at today, compare to, say, what 10-15 years ago?
Just 'coz it's doing better compare to GM/Chrysler doesn't mean it's actually financial healthy, u know...
@ Tony
Don't know if u actually didn't understand my post, or it's not too clear to you.
If the sales figures of the "new" Focus beats nothg but the Mazda3, then it's doomed. Ford is WAY larger than Mazda, so it can't sustain a Mazda sales #. Got that?
Now if Ford sells this @ $15K-16K, that will be GREAT - but for consumers only. Each Focus sold will most likely be a loss in terms of cost. Seriously, do a reality check on cars that sell @ $15K-16K, and there is NONE that comes with these sort of techno gadget. Now this doesn't mean that others like Nissan, Honda, Toyota can't do it (check out their websites in Japan or Europe - they do offer such techno stuff); they just can't do it here in the US at this price! In a segment that's already full, don't u think that any advantage will most likely translate to more sales?
If, and big if, that Focus will sell @ $15K-16K barebones, then boy, tough sell. 'Coz a fully loaded like the one in picture would have stumbled onto Fusion territory, and the Fusion is a pretty decent car too. Notice that I haven't even talked 'bou the imports yet...
That's the dilemma of the Focus in the picture...
A. Ray,
Have you checked prices lately. Do you know where Civic EX starts. Right. In the Fusion territory. But let me tell you. Ford will produce Focus in Mexico and cut plenty of cost (labor). They will come with $15-16K base and then you pick, Civic for $18+k with sunroof or Focus for same price ithout sunroof but with tech stuff.
There will be no problems for Ford or other companies sell cars like this in the near future. People will be downsizing their car apetites for two main reason: money making will be harder and fuel prices will be higher. And who knows where do we go with the new healthcare plan, pay per mile, etc. This is American revolution and Focus, Civic, Corolla, etc. fit well into this bakground.
@ Tony,
@ 1st I thought that my post wasn't clear, now I can see that it's you who don't understand my point...
I drive small car. I support small car. I support small car 'coz of the green factor. I also want small cars to succeed.
But I'll not go as far as you as to American revolution here. U c, California is just 1 of the 50 states. You still have to convince the mid-west States...
I want the Focus to succeed in terms of sales, but my point is, sure, the show car here is nice and flashy, but what 'bou price? A $15K starting price will NOT get this car anywhere. Look at the Versa, Yaris and Fit. They are as big as, if not bigger (Versa for example) than the Focus. They start @ < $10K, and fully loaded with sunroof @ $18K.
Now if you still don't believe me, take the lesson of Saturn Astra. Great little car. Wrong price. Utter sales failure. Check out kicking tires, and u will see that the Astra is positioned exactly the same as the Focus here - the Mazda3/Civic/Corolla/etc. bunch, starting price at $15K, and pretty much Euro-spec.
I pray for the day when Americans begin to realize that good thgs come in small packages, and that they are willing to pay for the premium pkges of these small cars (so that we can get more and better equipped models), but most like not in the next 50 years, if we continue to sell SUVs/CUVs at around $22K starting price, and no gov't tax on engines that are larger than 2000 cc (2 Liters) for polluting the env...
A.Ray, the Focus doesn't compete with the Yaris, Fit, Versa, etc ! It competes with the Civic, Corolla, Mazda3, etc! The Fiesta competes with the Yaris, Fit, Versa, etc. Check your facts before you post!
Also, the Yaris, Fit, Versa are not bigger than the Focus. The Yaris, Fit, Versa, Fiesta are in the sub-compact vehicles. The Focus, Corolla, Civic, Mazda3 are compacts! Compacts are larger than sub-compacts!
A. Ray,
Smiley got the point here.
Now, if you don't believe that America is turning into Germany now...
Ok. Saturn Astra was great? May be it was a good handling car with plenty of gray Opel plastic. Great Opel - yea, right.
But here what ruined it:
- Belgium-maid. With weak dollar it was destined to cost more in the US. Too expensive.
- Gas mileage was less then impressive. Even Mazda3 was better at the time. Forget it! Big Sonata was better, and cost about same too!
- They didn't have sedan version. Seem as only Subaru can sell more wagons then sedans in the US.
i'm not fan of ford either, but cant deny this is good looking car. corolla and civic better look out!!!
To Mr. Smiley-face: a space-efficient subcompact like the Versa or Fit might very well be as big as or bigger than the Focus where it matters -- on the inside. Both those cars are roomier than the current Focus and most other compact competitors.
I'll be in the market around 2012 or 2013 and this car would be given a consideration if they'll launch something similar to the MazdaSpeed3. If not, then I'll just have another MazdaSpeed3.
Of the comments I have read here, generally I'm seeing a lack of understanding when it comes to business. You DO NOT get anything for free in business. If you want a "bare-bones" model that has only the basic features then it will be priced at around the 16-18 mark. If you want the fully loaded model with big wheels and the turbo motor you'll be paying at least another 3-5k on top. But that turbo motor should be able to suprise most cars on the road today with a simple tune. GREAT CAR! I still have my 02 hatchback and love it. No plans to ever sell it.
The Focus is not just a family car per-se. It is a sporty family small sedan or hatchback ment to be modified. Ford said the 3rd Gen is using the most high strenth steel out of any car in its line up. They have increased the unibody rigidity by about 23% if I remember correctly. Of all the diffent cars I've worked on, the Focus seems to have one of the strongest Unibody stuctures. The Subframes and the suspension are setup to offer great handling. My 02 still has amazing on point feel and reponse when pushed in a corner, and I mean - really pushed - You can feel these cars. In my opinion, the Focus is ment for a driver not just a family.
The C platform offerings from Ford will be busy by 2012 - Focus (3 models), C Max and Kuga/Escape. Ford should have a model and a price for everyone in this segment. My 2010 Escape 2.5L is good, even with an auto, but which model to replace my 2004 Mazda 3 Hatch? Probably drool over a Focus hatch with Eco Boost engine and MT6. Lots of potential there.
it not just remake of his old model but its a remake of dream of every ford car lover. its really passionate feeling while your drive this car. which coming with some different interior in side of this car