My first car: Ford Focus

Ford Focus 2008

The Ford Focus is a compact car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since 1998. Ford began sales of the Focus to Europe in July 1998 and in North America during 1999 for the 2000 model year.

In Europe, South America, North America and South Africa, the Focus replaced the various Ford Escorts sold in those markets. In Asia and Australasia, it replaced the Ford Laser.

The second generation Focus for the North American market followed a separate development. Since debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled second generation was available as either a two-door coupe and 4-door sedan — the hatchbacks and wagon were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center atop of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled Sync audio/Bluetooth system. Also included in the redesign was a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.

In 2010 Ford decided to reunite both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 worldwide. The current North American version was thus discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010.

Ford Focus Interior

Ford unveiled the 2011 global Ford Focus at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. The car shown was a 5-door hatchback model, also debuting a new 2.0L direct injection I4 engine. A 5-door estate will also be available at launch. The new generation launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, with production having started in late 2010. Production in Asia, Africa, and South America will follow later. Ford debuted the all-electric Ford Focus EV at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2011 to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt. This new generation of Focus incorporates a redesigned cabin with improved materials, and new infotainment technologies that help to differentiate it from recently decontented competitors such as the Mk VI Volkswagen Jetta.

Ford Focus Black

 

The first Focus World Rally Car made its debut in rallying and the World Rally Championship on the 1999 Monte Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph at the wheels of the two cars, replacing, for the first time in a generation, the venerable Escort. It was immediately on the pace, setting many fastest stage times, but a vehicle weight issue meant that the two cars were excluded from that event. McRae went on to give the Focus WRC its maiden victory on the Safari Rally in February of the same year and took victory again in the following rally, the Rally Portugal.

Ford Focus



Its trim level is the most basic of the 4 models as far as luxury & gadgets, however it still boasts central locking, front electric windows, drivers seat manual height adjustment, adjustable steering column, interior power tailgate release, front twin airbags & an engine immobiliser (PATS). The LX is the next step up from the CL and is available in a wider range of engines and body style combinations:

• 1.4i 16V 3 door hatch
• 1.6i 16V saloon, 5 door hatch or estate (all available with automatic transmission)
• 1.8i 16V saloon, 5 door hatch or estate
• 1.8 TDdi saloon, estate or 5 door hatch
• 1.8 TDCi estate or 5 door hatch (both available as 100 PS or 115 PS versions)

Ford Focus 2

The Ghia is considered the ‘luxury’ model as it comes fitted with the most gadgets, it also features a higher range of engines. Like the LX, it too has a range of available engines & body styles:

• 1.6i 16V saloon, 5 door hatch & estate (saloon and hatchavailable with automatic transmission, estate is auto only)
• 1.8i 16V saloon, 5 door hatch & estate
• 2.0i 16V saloon, 5 door hatch and estate (all available with automatic transmission)
• 1.8 TDdi saloon, 5 door hatch and estate
• 1.8 TDCi saloon, 5 door hatch and estate (available as 100 PS or 115 PS versions)

Ford Focus Concept

The Zetec is the ’sporty’ edition of the Focus with its sports suspension and sports-style front seats, like the ghia it features the higher end engines:

• 1.6i 16V 3 & 5 door hatch and estate (all available as automatic transmission)
• 1.8i 16V 3 & 5 door hatch and estate
• 2.0i 16V 3 & 5 door hatch and estate
• 1.8 TDdi 3 & 5 door hatch and estate
• 1.8 TDCi 3 & 5 door hatch and estate (available as 100 PS or 115 PS versions)

Ford Focus Zetec

Ford Focus RS