New Ford Focus Unveiled, New Unique Features
Bolder, more sophisticated, more dynamic and packed with advanced technologies, the new Ford Focus marks an evolution of the Focus nameplate, and introduces a new level of refinement and driving enjoyment to customers across Asia Pacific.
The Focus is more economical than ever – all while maintaining the fun-to-drive Ford DNA that has helped to make it so popular around the world. For added confidence, the new Focus also features Enhanced Transitional Stability, an industry-first technology that can predict when a car might skid, and steps in early to potentially prevent a loss of control.
The stylish new exterior design of the Focus displays a bold face of Ford with a new level of sophistication. A lower, wider stance that emphasises width, and a new hood that sweeps elegantly toward the signature trapezoidal grille give the car a bolder, more muscular presence on the road.
Slim, chiselled front headlamps link the aggressive front end to the clean, flowing lines of its sides, which kick up at the rear window. More rectangular, elongated fog-lamps add to the bolder front end. The rear of the car has a sleek new fascia and tailgate arrangement, as well as thinner tail lamps, and a sculpted rear spoiler to enhance aerodynamics.
The refined and athletic exterior is complemented by a modern new interior. Ford designers paid particular attention to customer feedback on the current generation Focus, which called for a simpler, more intuitive interior with fewer controls and switches.
The Focus features a host of cutting-edge technology to help drivers stay connected and in control.
Reflecting the need for modern drivers to stay connected at all times, the new Focus is equipped with Ford’s advanced connectivity system, SYNC 2, which offers a smarter and safer way to stay connected. Drivers can operate the car’s climate controls, entertainment system, and a linked smartphone with natural voice commands. A centrally placed, high resolution, 8-inch touchscreen puts even more control at the driver’s fingertips, with colour-coded corners making it easy to navigate around the menu.
The new Focus is available with Enhanced Active Park Assist, which builds upon Ford’s popular Parallel Park Assist with the addition of Perpendicular Park Assist. Once activated, the system scans for available parking spaces alongside other cars. When it finds one, the system takes control of the car’s steering to guide the vehicle into the space while the driver controls the shifting, braking and acceleration.
Perpendicular Park Assist uses two new ultrasonic sensors on the rear of the car, which also enables Park-Out Assist. Park-Out Assist takes the stress out of exiting a parallel parking space by taking control of the steering while the driver operates the brake and accelerator. When reversing from a perpendicular parking space, Cross Traffic Alert uses three distinct warnings to alert drivers if the system detects a vehicle approaching either from the left or the right side, up to a range of 40 meters.
The Focus helps drivers to maintain awareness of their surroundings with Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). Using radar technology, BLIS alerts the driver when another motorist is in the driver’s blind spot by illuminating warning LEDs in the external mirrors.
In urban driving up to 50 km/h, an improved Active City Stop system can help to mitigate low-speed collisions. Using a windshield-mounted sensor to detect braking, slower-moving or stationary vehicles in front, the system pre-charges the brakes if the car is approaching a vehicle in front too quickly. If the driver fails to take action, the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of a collision.
The new Focus even allows owners to encourage safe driving when they are not behind the wheel with Ford MyKey. Owners can programme a spare key to reduce the maximum speed of the vehicle, give an earlier low-fuel warning, limit the volume of the in-car entertainment or even disable it completely if the seatbelt is not fastened. The technology can provide reassurance to owners when lending their car to less experienced drivers.
Across Asia Pacific, the new Focus is powered by a powerful and efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. The new 1.5-litre engine offers 132 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque – more than a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine – while also delivering six percent better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions.
The engine uses the core EcoBoost technologies of turbocharging, high-pressure direct fuel-injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing to ensure optimum performance. A new aluminium engine block helps to reduce weight, which improves performance and efficiency.
It also features technologies introduced in Ford’s multiple-award-winning 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. A new cylinder head design with improved cooling and an integrated exhaust manifold improves efficiency by delivering a more efficient feed of air into the engine and helping it to operate at optimal temperatures. By minimising the distance exhaust gases travel from the cylinders to the turbocharger, the integrated manifold also reduces turbo lag for rapid torque delivery. A reprogrammed engine control system helps to ensure high levels of engine refinement, quietness and performance.
The 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine is paired to a new modern, lightweight and efficient six-speed automatic transmission, delivering refinement together with excellent performance and fuel economy. Paddle shift controls enable drivers to change gears without taking their hands from the steering wheel for an enhanced feeling of performance.
For greater driver confidence, Ford’s industry-first Enhanced Transitional Stability system monitors vehicle speed and the driver’s steering input in order to predict a loss of grip before it actually happens. If a potential loss of grip is detected, the system activates the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control to reduce engine torque and apply individual-wheel braking to help keep the vehicle on track.
A more refined Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system further improves the driving experience with more precise steering and lower effort, while reducing unwanted damping and providing excellent feedback to the driver.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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