New Ford Focus starts at £17,930 10 | 04 | 2018

    FORD’S FOURTH-GENERATION Focus range comprises two body styles and four distinct trim variations. The all-new lighter, roomier and tech-laden Focus goes -on-sale at Scottish dealerships in the July, with prices starting at £17,930. (Related: Ford reveals fourth-generation Focus)

    Unveiled in London, Ford has been quick to stress the newcomer — built on a new C2 platform, which adds 53mm to the wheelbase, boosting cabin space, but has shed up to 88kg from its predecessor — will retains the car’s agility and ‘fun-to-drive’ feeling.

    Ford has also said the new tech fitted to the 2018 Focus will ensure the car is the company’s most advanced car in Europe.

    While the UK will get the five-door hatchback and estate, a saloon will remain on sale on mainland Europe.

    The hatchback will be available with an ST-Line trim level, which has suspension set 10mm lower than the standard car’s. There will also be an Active-badged near-crossover variant. This, in contrast, will sit 30mm higher than standard. And in addition to the regular Titanium trim, the range-topping Vignale spec will complete the line-up.

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    Ford has yet to confirm whether it will build an RS version of the fourth-generation Focus to join the hot ST version, but the likelihood is it will; especially given the success of the current generation RS.

    If the company does give the new RS the green light, expect it to be fitted with a mild-hybrid powertrain capable of delivering around 400bhp.

    Ford expects the 1.0-litre petrol to be the biggest-selling variant, taking over from the 1.5-litre diesel.

    From launch the range will comprise of pure diesel and petrol engines. A mild hybrid will follow next year. Petrol engines will comprise of Ford’s familiar three-cylinder Ecoboost units, further improved for more efficient economy. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre will be available with a choice of three outfits:  84bhp, 99bhp and 124bhp, each with estimated CO2 emissions of 108g/km.

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    The three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol from the current Fiesta ST will also make an appearance in the new Focus. Fitted with cylinder deactivation, it will be available in 148bhp and 179bhp forms, with CO2 outputs of around 120g/km.

    For diesel-lovers, there will be the choice of two Ecoblue- badged four-cylinder engines. While the  2.0-litre will churn out 148bhp and emit about 110g/km, the 1.5 will be available in 94bhp and 118bhp forms, emitting 94g/km CO2

    All powerplants will be mated to a six- speed manual transmission. The range will also include an optional, conventional torque-converter,  eight-speed automatic. However it will only be available on highest-powered petrol of each size, the top-spec 1.5-litre diesel and the 2.0-litre diesel.

    Three driving modes — affecting the steering weight, automatic gearbox operation (if fitted) and throttle map —  will be available on all Focus models.

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    Despite the wheelbase being 53mm longer,at 2701mm, and overall length increasing by only 18mm longer — taking the new Focus to  4378mm — the new Ford is said to have significantly greater interior space. And that’s despite it being 15mm lower than its predecessor.

    Interior space has been noticeably improved. There’s 56mm more rear knee room, while Ford says shoulder room is “class-leading” for upfront occupants. And with a reprofiling of the rear doors, rear passengers get more glass than metal.

    In the front, the windscreen is more upright, which in turn has also led to more interior space. Noticeably, the new positioning of the windscreen has resulted in the depth of the instrument panel being reduced. Thankfully, the panel now houses 50% fewer buttons owing to a complete redesign of the multimedia systems.

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    As with most new car, it’s also lighter than the model it replaces. Though Ford has yet to confirm weights, it does say the new Focus is up to 88kg lighter than its predecessor. Around 33kg of that comes from the chassis, which uses a greater proportion of high-strength steel. There are also a few aluminium elements in the front crash structure.

    The weight loss can be identified in other areas of the car, with a 25kg drop in the weight of the body panels are 25kg, while the interior loses 17kg. There’s also a loss of up to 6kg and 7kg on the powertrain and electrical systems respectively.

    In terms of new tech, the 2018 Focus will be fitted with radar-operated cruise control and lane-keep assist to level two autonomous standards. There will also be rear cross-traffic alert, emergency auto braking and park assist. For passengers, significantly there will be a wi-fi network that will connect to up to 10 devices and work up to 15m away from the car.

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    The new Ford Focus range will be further supplemented next year with the introduction of a mild-hybrid. A  .0-litre Ecoboost engine will be mated to an electric motor, via a 48V electrical system.

    It’s worth pointing out that while this is becoming the norm for adding boost and reducing emissions, the combination doesn’t offer prolonged fuel-free running or plug-in charging. However, the system does contain a lower-capacity battery than that of a true hybrid, which in turn stores energy generated under deceleration via a starter/generator. This then helps power the car in town, or fills a low-end torque gap.

    Related: Roadtest — Ford Focus RS

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    Jim McGill

     

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