Ford has lightly restyled its European C-segment Focus line and added the option of a Getrag six-speed, twin clutch, automated manual gearbox.
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Other standard or optional new features include Easy Fuel capless refuelling (intended to prevent putting petrol in a diesel car), ‘Ford Power’ button, tyre pressure warning system, 230-volt AC socket and LED rear lights.
The updated line is on sale from February 2008.
Borrowing styling cues from the new D-segment Mondeo, the 2008 Focus has trapezoidal grilles, swept back headlamps, bold wheel arches, newly shaped rear glass, a contoured tailgate and new tail lamps as key changes. Higher trim grades benefit from chrome detailing and a body-coloured upper rear spoiler.
Inside, new soft-touch plastics now cover the instrument panel and upper front door trim and instruments have been re-designed along Mondeo lines and are now illuminated in red.
Controls for the upgraded audio equipment and two-zone air conditioning have also been ergonomically improved.
The top Titanium model now includes a newly designed centre console with movable armrest and a four-litre-capacity storage compartment, storage areas for back-seat passengers and the facility to add optional items such as a 230 volt socket or the USB audio connection box. Another feature available as an option from the beginning of 2008 is the ‘Ford Power’ button, positioned near the gear shifter.
The PowerShift transmission will be available from early 2008 in combination with the 136PS and new 110PS versions of the two-litre Duratorq TDCi engine.
Jointly developed by Ford and Getrag, the gearbox consists of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own wet clutch unit. Thanks to the layout of the intermediate shafts – one carrying the ‘uneven’ gears 1, 3 and 5, while the other one ‘even’ gears 2, 4 and 6 – the next gear change can be prepared by pre-selection whilst in motion and at full power.
Ford said average fuel consumption improves by around 10%, and CO2 emissions will be “lower”, compared to a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Another new development is the Focus ‘ECOnetic’ model which features an array of aerodynamic efficiencies and is powered by a 109 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard diesel particulate filter (DPF). This has average CO2 emissions of only 115g/km, which is a class leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment.
All Focus 1.6-litre TDCi variants will achieve 119g/km CO2 regardless of power rating, body style or wheel dimensions.
A flexifuel version of the 1.8-litre Duratec petrol four-cylinder engine can be fuelled with bio-ethanol E85-fuel and the range also includes two-litre Duratec petrol engine-based CNG and LPG derivatives.
