Ford’s Aussie Focus lands

IT’S not officially on sale here until June, but Ford has already released first details of its second-generation Focus and GoAuto has snapped it in action on Australian roads for the first time.

Ford will give the redesigned Focus small car its official public debut at this week’s Melbourne motor show, but has confirmed the five-door spotted in Melbourne on the weekend was a final prototype that virtually mirrors the production vehicle.

While final specifications and pricing – which is expected to rise marginally from the current four/five-door model’s $20,660 starting point - won’t be divulged until closer to launch, Ford has confirmed there will be four variants across two body styles.

Again opening the new Focus range will be the CL variant which, like the mid-series LX, will be available as both a five-door hatch and four-door sedan.

While the sports-oriented Zetec grade will be a five-door proposition only, the more luxurious Ghia grade will be available in sedan guise only.

Ford says the three-door Focus, currently available only in Zetec and ST170 form, will go on sale later this year.

Replacing the current model’s 85kW 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines (and the current Zetec’s 96kW 2.0-litre) exclusively from launch will be a new Duratec 2.0-litre four-cylinder delivering a benchmark 107kW at 6000rpm and 185Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

Focus will again be available with either five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions – the latter this time offered with Sequential Sports Shift mode.

A direct replacement for the current 127kW ST170 three-door is yet to be announced, while the turbocharged 160kW Focus ST hatch revealed in Geneva this week may join the line-up here next year.

Rounding out the new Focus range will be a production version of the Pininfarina-designed Vignale coupe-cabriolet that debuted at last year’s Paris motor show, which may go on sale here in 2007.

For now, however, Ford Australia will make much of the European-designed, German-engineered four and five-door Focus that shares its underpinnings with Volvo’s S40 and the Mazda3.

"The new Focus represents a very exciting evolution for this outstanding car," said Ford Australia president Tom Gorman.

"The original Focus set the benchmark for driving dynamics in the small car segment and the new Focus raises that bar even further. Combined with the powerful new 2.0-litre engine and increased interior comforts, the new vehicle will redefine driving enjoyment in its class."While the new Focus loses the original’s distinctive rear-end, it continues styling elements like high-mounted rear lighting and ‘fast’ silhouette.

Ford says the new model offers a premium-quality interior and even better handling dynamics via 10 per cent better torsional rigidity and new electric-hydraulic power steering.

"Focus drivers will appreciate enhancements in comfort that have been achieved in the Focus, without sacrificing its signature agility, stability and precise reaction to steering inputs," said Mr Gorman.

"The new exterior and interior designs, plus a powerful 2.0-litre Duratec engine and new transmissions will strengthen the Focus brand in Australia."