2009 Shanghai Auto Show - Ford Focus

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Ford Focus has quickly become one of China's best-selling cars, and for model-year 2009, Ford introduces a Focus with dramatic exterior styling, refined interior design and impressive safety technology.

Safety and comfort features for new Focus (model-year 2009)

• Driver and front passenger airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags now standard occupant safety features across the new Focus model range
• Emergency Hazard Warning Light Activation System
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) available on Focus Sport
• Enhanced interior with high-quality materials and new instruments
• New customer-focused, premium quality features include a 'Premium' centre console with additional storage space
• Compelling new technologies allow higher level of In-Car Entertainment (ICE) connectivity with conventional 3.5mm jack and USB port

The Ford Focus is one of the world's most awarded cars, winning both the European Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year. In China, the Ford Focus has received more than 90 awards from national motoring media in recognition of its class-leading driving dynamics, precise steering and braking control, distinct design and build quality as well as achieving a C-NCAP five-star score for occupant crash protection. (Ford Focus Limited is the first medium-size car in China to receive a five-star rating by C-NCAP.)

For model-year 2009, Ford has improved the Focus in many areas. New Focus presents a fresh exterior design with dramatic headlamps and large lower front grille obviously inspired by Ford of Europe's 'kinetic design' language. Along with the Focus's more dramatic and identifiable exterior features, the interior also reveals design improvements that are immediately noticeable and more refined.

These improvements and upgraded features reflect the attitude of the Focus buyer in China, who insists on premium quality features, a high degree of driving enjoyment and advanced safety technology.

From the driver's view, new instruments – with individual binnacles surrounding tachometer and speedometer – are more legible day and night. All gauges are illuminated in red for improved comfort and visibility at night.

However, not all improvements are visible, as is the case of Ford providing dual front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags on all Focus models to improve occupant protection and reassuring peace of mind. ESP (electronic stability program) with Traction Control in addition to the system's ABS control has been added to the Focus Sport in keeping with the car's dynamic agility and driving performance. ESP assists the driver in extreme situations by detecting the initial onset of possible loss of vehicle stability. ESP rapidly and accurately manipulates the braking system to allow the driver to retain vehicle stability.

With the four brand pillars of kinetic design, leading engineering, enhanced safety and driving dynamics, the new Ford Focus is available in a series of four models series and two body styles.

Ford Focus Model Range:

• Focus Comfort – 5dr hatch 1.8-litre manual
• Focus Comfort – 4dr sedan 1.8-litre manual
• Focus Fashion – 5dr hatch 1.8-litre automatic
• Focus Fashion – 4dr sedan 1.8-litre automatic
• Focus Luxury – 4dr sedan 1.8-litre automatic
• Focus Luxury – 4dr sedan 2.0-litre automatic
• Focus Sport – 5dr hatch 2.0-litre manual
• Focus Sport – 5dr hatch 2.0-litre automatic

Expressive exterior and ergonomic interior design enhances the new Ford Focus's sporty character.

Ford of Europe's design team took a whole vehicle approach in applying 'kinetic design' form language to the new Focus. Immediately obvious is the Focus's new front design, in particular the dynamic new form of the bonnet and the enlarged, trapezoidal opening of the lower grille that works so effectively with those bold, dramatic headlamps.

In the top-of-the-range Luxury model, the lower trapezoid grille is framed by an elegant chrome surround, while new-look fog lamps and bezels complete the frontal transformation.

A strong shoulder line links the front to the rear – framed by Ford's characteristic bold wheel lips – which gives the Focus its new sleek profile. The bodyside is clean and uncluttered.

From the rear, Focus hatch has a newly sculpted tailgate and glass area and highly visible new tail lamps with clear lenses.

Leading Engineering
The dynamic new look of the Focus exterior is complemented by a new interior ambience which features significant detail changes and added features. Inside, the new Ford Focus interior is emphasised by improved craftsmanship, quality materials and enhancing comfort levels.

Comprehensive improvements were made to create a user-friendly space. A new “Premium” centre console has been designed with an emphasis on improved design and function. The centre console creates a “flow through” effect from the centre stack of the instrument panel and helps to create a “cockpit feel” for the driver and front passenger. It features a movable armrest, an integrated drinks holder, a card holder and a multi-purpose storage space.

The new Ford Focus delivers new higher levels of connectivity and in-car systems. It is particularly significant for users of new generation iPod players, as this connection allows full control of the unit's functions through the main audio system and recharge for iPod. Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) has been added as a standard feature on Focus Luxury, allowing the driver and front passenger to set individual temperatures.

The new Focus 1.8 Luxury sedan (available with automatic only) also receives additional high-end comfort features including: power-adjust driver's seat with lumbar support, dual-zone EATC, six-stack in-dash CD with steering wheel controls, leather upholstery with leather door trim, rear seat centre console with storage and drinks holder, dimmer control for interior lighting, front map light, perimeter alarm system, additional interior and exterior chrome highlights, and Ghia badge.

Enhanced Safety
The new Ford Focus delivers class-leading safety and occupant protection with increased occupant safety features and side impact protection.

The comprehensive occupant safety package for new Focus includes dual front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags (on all models), standard Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution and Electronic Brake Assist.

Driving Dynamics
Focus achieves class-leading driving dynamics through use of an advanced 'Control Blade' multilink rear suspension and front MacPherson struts and the semi-isolated front subframe to achieve the optimum balance of ride, handling, steering precision and comfort.

The Focus engine range is proven and offers customers the advantages of power and fuel efficiency from a 1.8-litre and a 2.0-litre version of Ford's Duratec petrol engine – the 1.8-litre engine producing 91kW is available in Comfort and Fashion; and the 2.0-litre engine producing 104kW is offered in Sport and Luxury.

The new Ford Focus range offers two transmission choices: the relaxed comfort of an automatic (with a driver-select Sequential Sport Shift) or a more performance-minded five-speed manual gearbox.

The Focus body structure also plays a major role in the car’s driving quality and occupant safety. New Ford Focus has been engineered to the same high torsional stiffness as its predecessor ensuring excellent dynamic response.

Ford Focus has always been acclaimed for its excellent on-road driving behaviour. And new Focus is engineered to flatter the novice driver and reward the expert with assured and predictable controllability, precise steering and confident, benchmark handling.