What is it?
2012 Ford Focus
What's special about it?
The 2012 Ford Focus, which Ford is unveiling in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, isn't the first time that the company has tried to design one "world car" for all its major markets.
The "world car" has been to international automakers what low-fat donuts are to lovers of regular donuts — the impossible dream. So we've been down this road with Ford before with cars like the Contour and the old Fiesta. Hell, even the Model T was something of a world car.
But as Ford Motor Company tries to reconcile its bread-and-butter offerings under the One Ford banner, the Focus represents the purest example of the world car ethos yet. It will be the first offering to be designed from the outset with all markets in mind. (The North American Fiesta has had to be reworked from its Euro origins to work here and the Transit Connect van is just an imported oddity).
You might have noticed by now that the Focus is listed as a 2012 model. The thing goes into production at the end of 2010 and goes on sale in early 2011. This would explain Ford's reluctance to reveal all the details (such as dimensions, complete powertrain information and standard versus available features) on this new compact car. Here is what we know so far.
The new Focus will be slightly larger than the vehicle it replaces and will be much more upscale than the budget-minded Focus currently sold in the U.S. With the Fiesta taking up some of the lower end of the market, Ford sees the Focus graduating to greater levels of sophistication and comfort. "Downsizing size but not downsizing expectations," is the catch phrase Ford VP for Global Product Development Derrick Kuzak uses. The company is playing up the craftsmanship of the interior and the sophistication of the Focus' look — despite its relatively small size (shorter of wheelbase by a few inches than Chevy's upcoming Cruze sedan).
And the look of the new car is pretty compelling. Predictably the five-door variant is the sassier, sportier of the two models, with a rear that calls to mind a smaller Toyota Venza (that's a compliment). More surprising is the sedan, which is expected to be the sales leader here. Unlike the sedan versions of most small cars, the 2012 Focus actually looks like something you might want to drive. The rear end, where small sedans almost invariably fail, looks like a cross between an Audi A4 and a Euro Ford Mondeo. It's nice, and worlds better-looking than the current Focus sedan. Like the Fiesta, the Focus is a product of Ford of Europe's "kinetic design language," and is better for it. The only really curious element is the so-called Zorro flip — the vaguely Z-shaped intersection of two body creases near the front of the front doors.
The U.S.-market cars, at least initially, will be powered solely by a new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine using variable valve timing on intake and exhaust. It should make about 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. That's a useful bump in both measures from the current 2.0-liter. European markets will get a diesel option and at least one turbocharged gas engine, a 1.6-liter unit.
The only transmission Ford is talking about is its dual-clutch six-speed unit, which it calls PowerShift. Essentially, it is the same unit as the one fitted to the Fiesta and takes the place of a conventional automatic. As far as Ford was willing to say, you will not be able to manually shift the dual-clutch, at least not with steering-wheel paddles. For the do-it-yourselfers, Ford is expected to offer a six-speed conventional manual transmission as well.
The company is loading the Focus with all manner of optional niceties such as keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, a semi-automatic parallel parking system and the new MyFord "driver connect" technology which reconfigures information and entertainment operation with five-way touchpads on the steering-wheel spokes and, with high-end versions, adds an 8-inch touchscreen display.
While the company is emphasizing the new car's reduced NVH, it claims the driving dynamics that have become something of a Focus trademark (at least early in the model's history) have been improved. Ford points to a modified control-blade rear suspension, electric-assist steering and a "torque-vectoring" front differential system known as Dynamic Cornering Control as evidence of this.
There's much to come for the so-called C-platform Ford vehicles, including a battery-electric version for the 2012 model, the Grand C-Max mini-minivan, possibly a Mercury version that could, but shouldn't, go by the name Tracer and, of course, an SVT version with a turbo motor.
Inside Line says: Will Americans accept a small car from Ford that isn't priced for the bargain basement? — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
Add A Comment »
ev56 says:
07:27 AM, 08/06/2010
Many consumers who claim to be knowledgable about cars missed the point that the revised Euro-Focus that debuted in 2005 was continuously offered in the U.S. as the Mazda3 and the Volvo S40, and although the market for such sized cars in Europe has them sold as mid-size, up-market models, the Focus in this country was sold as an economy car.
erup4 says:
07:29 AM, 06/18/2010
A couple of things: I just watched a video on tis site from the Detroit Auto sho, in wich the lady commentator said something to the effect that te 2012 Focus is te first one worth driving, whatever that means, discounting the 2000 tru 2005 Focus and SVT Focus sold here at that time, not to mention the current Focus, which other than appearance, is a carbon copy of the earlier ones.
Second, people have written about wanting an Eco-Boost model with upwards of 300 hp and AWD for $25,000: dream on. check out the prices for Euro models with that output and consider the marketing problems Ford would have with such a car(Mustang v-6s start in that range)and Mustang GTs (412hp) start at $30,000, so, except for a few gearheads(the ones at the auto magazines who have been clammoring for it?), the cars might wither on the vine at those prices.
geodude117 says:
04:00 PM, 04/14/2010
From what I've heard from Top Gear it has great performance. And I think it does look better than the Cruise but not the Volt. To me the Volt is perfect in every way. But to be far, the Volt is more like Fusion competition.
snake69 says:
05:16 PM, 03/24/2010
Alright Ford don't mess this up. A yr later give us a RS edition. Do it right the first time
*5 door
*2L EcoBoost inline 4 around (280bhp, and 300 lbs of tourque).
*Or better yet 2.5L inline 5 (300 bhp, 325 ft/lbs) that you already have in the eruo RS.
*6spd manual or a real 6spd duel clutch automated-manual.
Use the one for the SHO but with a manual shift setting.
*4 piston front calipers and 2 piston rears by someone good, AP Racing or better (Brembo first choice). No Sliding calipers, this is not the 1980s.
*Rear bias AWD system (35 front- 65 rear).
For the love of god a three spoke steering wheel. Make it in limited run and I bet you sell them all in the first 2 months. Make it cheaper but not cheap. Become the rawer WRC car the WRX and EVO used to be. There, just got you to compete with two of the more successful car companies in the US.
Don't change anything from the euro design it looks great. I am tired of Ford changing great designs because they don't think the US will buy. Then when the cars come out and don't sell well Ford is suprised. I would spend 30,000 or so for this car easy
jgeneraljim says:
04:34 AM, 02/19/2010
I have been down and driven one of the 4 door SE and let me tell you it was very suprising to say the least. Were looking to buy our daughter a car for graduation and I think we have found it. Now just to find Black on Black. I have to agree with one of the other guys on here though I'll take mine in Blue plz. The features on this car are awesome and with the discounts that some dealers are throwing in it cant be beat. The gas mileage is pretty good to at 22 MPG in the city and 33 on the HWY. To bad I can't afford two or three. I'd have one for my other daughter thats going to college and my wife too! GREAT JOB FORD! And buy the way I've been a Chevy Person all my 51 yrs. Hello
calspecial68 says:
06:29 PM, 01/20/2010
Finally! The Focus moves upmarket! Its about time!
offroadboy says:
10:44 PM, 01/15/2010
So no more 2 door Coupe =,[
angry_mushroom says:
10:48 PM, 01/14/2010
@ro80
What was wrong with the Contour?
Hopefully the new Focus will have an SVT/RS variant in the USDM. I'd hate to see such a good platform go to waste. Maybe a turbo 2.5?
ro80 says:
02:02 PM, 01/14/2010
It will be interesting to see if the component suppliers for the North American version of the car supply parts that match the quality of the European version. Historically, Ford seems to cheap out on the American versions of its 'world cars,' specifically when it comes to lighting systems, interior appointments, and parts that must be 'Federalized' like bumper system designs, etc. The original Focus in Europe had more resolved detailing than the cheaper US version. Don't get me started on the Mondeo/Contour.
I think that if fuel prices in the US remain high, we will continue to see far higher quality small vehicles sold by the 'domestic' brands, (even though they may be primarily developed overseas) because the people will demand it. If fuel prices go high enough, perhaps Ford will consider some of the excellent turbodiesel powertrains for the American market, too.
If Ford can come close to matching the VW Group's fit, finish and materials quality, and if they can do it profitably, I think the Focus will really be a winner for consumers AND the company.
If Ford's product line really is going more upmarket, it also begs the question; why bother with Mercury?
Also, in terms of the styling of the Focus (and the Cruze)... my least favorite aspect of some modern cars is the disingenuous conceit to styling found in the side window graphics: the ugly opaque plastic panels that visually extend the side window line. This is particularly poorly resolved on the C-pillar of the Cruze. You will likely never see Audi, BMW or any of the other premium European manufacturers do this. Even the Fiesta's glass A-pillar panel looks better than it does on the Focus... but, then, style and taste are subjective, and overall I think the Focus is a great-looking car.
jstandefer says:
04:18 PM, 01/13/2010
mel402... Open mouth, insert foot? This new Focus is built on the Ford C1 platform. No, it's not a brand new platform, but it is tried and true, and has produced a plethora of excellent vehicles. It was co-engineered by Ford, Mazda, and Volvo engineers in Cologne, Germany, and thus has been the basis for many Ford (Euro Focus, C-Max, Kuga, new global Focus), Mazda (Mazda3, Mazda5), and Volvo (C30, S40, V50, C70) vehicles, many of which are highly acclaimed. The new Focus is hardly a "Swede" any more than a Mazda3 is a "Swede."
I did see the Cruze recently at the San Diego Auto Show. Most people didn't even give it a second glance. It looked nice enough, although if it wasn't on a roped-off platform, I think it would have gotten even less attention. It will probably be a decent, solid, competent small car, just like the Cobalt. But competent isn't what GM needs right now. GM needs spectacular. GM needs the kind of technology, styling, and excitement-generation of this new Focus. Between the new Fiesta and new Focus, I think the Cruze will be rightfully overshadowed in the market.