Ford: This is the new Focus
Ford presents its fifth Focus generation and finally wants to step out of the shadow of the VW Golf. The Cologne-based company has put a lot of effort into this. The market launch for the next generation is not until summer in Switzerland, but Ford is already taking the wraps off its new compact class star. In the course of [...]
Although the next generation will not be launched in Switzerland until the summer, Ford is already taking the wraps off its new compact class star. Over the past two decades, 16 million vehicles have been sold of the Escort successor; seven million of them in Europe alone. In Switzerland, too, the model is the brand's number one sales driver.
Improvements in body stiffness
The new Focus offers pleasing proportions, is visually wider on the road and, despite significant improvements in body rigidity and crash behavior, is 40 to 88 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, depending on the model. Together with the improvement in the cW value to 0.25 or 0.27, this should have a noticeable effect on reducing consumption.
More legroom and larger cargo space
Compared with the predecessor, the wheelbase of the sedan grew by 5.3 centimeters, while the overall length increased by only 1.8 centimeters. This is noticeable in a first seat test in the rear, where there is up to five centimeters more legroom, while the load space has increased to 341 liters. In row two, the significantly flatter center tunnel and the larger window area are pleasantly noticeable.
Torsion axis also for entry-level models
In contrast to the current Focus generation, the weaker versions with 1.0 and 1.5 liter displacement will only have a torsion axle. The multi-link axle, which is better in terms of driving dynamics, is only available for the more powerful models and the Station Wagon, which has grown by almost eleven centimeters. The current range in Switzerland also includes the ST-Line, the Vignale luxury version and the Active, for which Ford is also considering an all-wheel drive version. Price and equipment for Switzerland are not yet fixed.
