Ford Focus: Feel The PowerShift

By Jay Williams - 29/April/2009

Melbourne, Australia – Celebrating the Focus's tenth birthday, Ford has begun the revelry with a dynamic new model incorporating a new exterior and interior that were first seen in Australia with the updated Focus XR5 Turbo. 

We road tested a blazing orange version of the bad-boy Focus Turbo in November and it was rock solid on the road, an awesome little car. And the new design gives it more presence as well.

But now the whole range, which is priced $21,990, has been upgraded with the flashy new 'kinetic' exterior styling and the interiors are new too. Yep, it's a new car.

Price

Launched at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show, the new Ford Focus is not yet ready for sale, though it's not far off. It's been given an 'early second quarter' release date, so we could be looking at some sales as early as April 2009.

The price of the new models has increased slightly in some cases, and will rival vehicles such as the Holden Astra, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3:

Focus CL, 5-door hatch $21,990
Focus CL ,4-door sedan $21,990
Focus LX, 5-door hatch $24,290
Focus LX, 4-door sedan $24,290
Focus Zetec, 5-door hatch $27,290
Focus TDCi, 5-door hatch $28,290
Focus XR5, 5-door hatch $36,490

Options:
Automatic transmission: $2,000 (including PowerShift automatic)
Prestige paint: $320
Leather trim: $1,600 (Zetec only)

The new Focus also makes the Ford range look better, using the same 'kinetic' template seen on the Mondeo and Fiesta models.

There's also some cool new features and technologies that have been incorporated across the new Focus range which will put its rivals at a disadvantage.

A new Volkswagen DSG-rivalling double-clutch automatic gearbox, which speeds up shifts while reducing fuel consumption, has been added to the list. We like that.

With a long list of awards from right across the globe to back up its good looks, the new Ford Focus will be available in a 5-door hatchback and a 4-door sedan that looks a bit like the Toyota Corolla.

Gunnar Herrmann, the guy in charge of small cars at Ford of Europe, had this to say: "The Focus developed for Australia shares the same body structure technology and drivetrain refinement with the Focus in Europe. The focal point for our development of the new Focus in Europe and in Australia was crystal clear: to make it look as good as it drives. 

"In addition, we introduced new technologies from our larger cars to make its driving quality even better and to keep the new Focus at the top of its segment," said Herrmann.

One of these technologies is a spiffy new double-clutch automatic gearbox that all car makers are racing to deliver. Volkswagen was first off the mark with its DSG (direct shift gearbox), and Mitsubishi and Nissan have started using similar twin clutch gearboxes in their performance models and now Ford will deploy the PowerShift transmission.

Engines

Ford's twin-clutch PowerShift gearbox will be a talking point of the new model, but it will only be available with the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine to start with. Not that that's a bad thing, because thediesel-powered TDCi Focus is a great little unit. However, other models are expected to be offered with the PowerShift transmission later in the car's lifecycle.

Moving right along, the Focus will still be using the tried-and-trusted 107kW 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine, and this will be used in the CL, LX and Zetec models and comes standard with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. 

The 6-speed PowerShift automatic will be offered with the Focus TDCi in combination with the gutsy 100kW, 320Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq turbo diesel engine. Whether this is to shore up sales of the diesel models, or whether the PowerShift gearbox is in short supply because of high demand in Europe is not known.

With the new twin-clutch PowerShift transmission, the Focus TDCi uses 5.9L/100km which is very good fuel economy.

As usual anti-lock braking (ABS) is standard across the Focus range, while the LX, TDCi and Zetec models get dynamic stability control (DSC), traction control and emergency brake assist (EBA)as standard to help the driver to maintain vehicle stability during all driving situations.

Ford Focus has always been known for it's driveability, precise steering control and chassis balance, the new generation is no different, staying true to it's heritage.

An interesting feature for the new-generation Focus is the innovative PowerShift transmission, this six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission is extremely refined, shifting smoothly through its six-speed gearing more efficiently than a conventional automatic transmission, through the use of the double-clutch that already engagesthe gear you need either up gear or down.

The Ford Focus made it's debut in Europe 1998, and since then gone on to shine for Ford, becoming the United Kingdom's best selling car and even the world's.

Design

The latest "LV-series" as it's known by Ford insiders will be available in four models across Australia, with the Focus CL the base-model. Then there's the middle of the range LX and TDCi models and to round out the Focus range is the sports-luxury Zetec derivative.

Ford reckons the new Focus 'brings with it a dynamic new look identified by distinctive headlamps and a confident posture' which are 'aimed at keeping Focus at the top of its segment and reflect the character of a car that provides customers ... many class-leading qualities and exceptional fuel efficiency.'

Me, I like the new look. The headlights go a long way to making the car a better rival for other modern designs, like the upcoming Mazda3 which was also on show at the Melbourne event.

Instead of giving the Ford Focus a mere face lift the Ford design team have taken the whole vehicle and applied it's kinetic design form language to the exterior.

"Kineticised" design elements such as a new bonnet with defined contours and the large trapezoidal opening below the bumper-line and a new upper grille deliver a fresh new look for the Focus.

"We wanted to ensure that the new model was still recognisably a Focus, but was also identifiable as a new-generation Ford," says Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's design kingpin.

Stepping inside the new-generation Ford, it is more than evident that they have upped their game yet another step, choosing to use improved quality materials to deliver a better feel and comfort levels.

The black soft-touch dash pad along with the soft-touch upper door trims create a great contrast between the tan coloured inner roof lining which is supposed to soften the overall interior feel.

For most Australian's and other sunny countries the problem with dash glare can get quite irritating so the dark dash greatly reduces windscreen reflection in bright sun conditions, which is a major plus.

A new-look centre stack and redesigned window and mirror switches accompany new intuitive controls for air conditioning, heater and ventilation system. 

At night, the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light which is more relaxing than the stark white of the previous generation Focus and the new center console features two cup holders, a coin holder, a card holder and a moveable soft armrest with butterfly lids.

Related Links:
- Ford Territory MkII (2009)
- Ford Focus Diesel (Road Test)
- Ford Focus RS (2009)
- Ford Fiesta XR4 (Road Test)
- Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (Road Test)
- Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (Road Test)
- Ford Fiesta (Road Test)
- Ford Ka (2009)
- Ford Falcon G6 (Road Test)
- Ford Mondeo (Road Test)
- Ford Ranger (2009)