Ford unveils all-new Focus

12/01/10

See first pics and full details of this top-selling small hatchback, which'll pitch up at your local showroom early next year This is the all-new Focus, the first of a new generation of Ford cars that will sell around the world. Where the company once made highly different versions of a given model for sale on different continents, the newcomer will be a true global car.

While what you see here is unveiled for the current North American International Auto Show, the cars that’ll reach UK showrooms in a year’s time will be similar, sharing at least 80% of parts.

The new look is clearly a development of the current car’s, employing Ford’s ‘Kinetic design’ motifs, which are intended to give a sense of movement even when the Focus is parked. The nose is slimmer than before, while front and rear screens look to be more raked, giving it a sleeker profile.

The cabin, says Ford, will be modern and cockpit-like, including a centre console that ‘wraps’ around the driver. The company also promises new standards of fit and finish, including a soft-touch instrument console and dash, and carefully matched fabrics plus slim and even panel gaps.

The new car will retain and develop the Focus’s control blade rear suspension, which has done so much to imbue the car with such sharp steering and agile handling. Even though it is now older than its key rivals, the current Focus is reckoned to remain the best-handling car of its type.

Engines will include Ford’s new Eco Boost 1.6 direction-injection 1.6-litre petrol turbo and developments of its existing family of TDCi common-rail diesels. The company says that all will travel 10%-20% further on a gallon.

The new car will be built in Michigan in the US, Chongqing, China and Saarlouis, Germany and production will begin at all three plants towards the end of this year. But before that, we will see the launch of two cars that use the same platform (chassis and running gear) as the Focus: the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX. These go on UK sale later this year.

To read what motors.co.uk thinks of the current Ford Focus in our full review - and watch our exclusive video road test, click here