2011 Focus out in August.

[Martyvan]

Im going to swing by my dealer on the way to work, and see whats going on......

[Polyal]

Yeap went past one today, had the DRL's in the headlight. Im still not convinced on the styling, they look better on the computer IMO.

[Turbodiesel]

This country is becoming more like America with all the automatics.

What a shame.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

This country is becoming more like America with all the automatics.

What a shame.

Been happening for a long time.

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

That's scary if you believe that.

[Martyvan]

didnt get a chance to have a look today, but, did see tonight on the way home that they had 2 in the driveway, so will be call in tomorrow

[kiwijohn42]

Had a look at the Ambiente & Trend hatch yesterday. Very nice, but the Ambiente does look a bit plain inside. Lots of black plastic. The Trend is a bit nicer, but the Sport hatch would be the pick.
I'd rule out the sedans & Titanium because of no manual version.

[csv8]

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

[ptwhite2003]

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

I don't really agree with that. A competent manual driver knows what gear he/she is in pretty much all of the time.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

Surely not serious?

[Neale]

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

You can also:- do your make up, have breakfast, play with your GPS or phone & any other activity apart from driving because the car does it by itself.

To make the roads safer they should eliminate things like autos, cruise, self park & all those sort of things that lead to complacency.

People are becoming more steering wheel attendants than drivers.

I think when you drive an older car you have to be more aware of your surroundings, because you cant just stop on a dime. You have to watch the guages incase somethings wrong, change gears, etc. Theres no time for anything else.

[Velociraptor82]

Originally Posted by Neale

You can also:- do your make up, have breakfast, play with your GPS or phone & any other activity apart from driving because the car does it by itself.

To make the roads safer they should eliminate things like autos, cruise, self park & all those sort of things that lead to complacency.

People are becoming more steering wheel attendants than drivers.

I think when you drive an older car you have to be more aware of your surroundings, because you cant just stop on a dime. You have to watch the guages incase somethings wrong, change gears, etc. Theres no time for anything else.

In most cases I agree with you. ABS, Trac & ESC should be on all cars for safety reasons however they should all have the ability to turn on and off easily.

For long distance drives in the country, cruise control is a must but in suburbia it is suicide. Without it on long distance drives, i think it drains your concentration faster and as such you get fatigued quicker.

Autos: For the most part I drive mine in sports mode, however the ability to switch back to full auto in bumper to bumper traffic i think is an advantage over manuals.

As for reverse parking assist, variable crusie control, auto parking.... etc... we may as well replace the steering wheel and pedals with a playstation controller, or just give total control over to the computer. For those fools who can't park a car on their own.... How the hell did they get a licence??

[In Focus]

Saw a couple today. Not too bad, though I did walk past them at first in the car yard, because the headlights are shaped enough like the rest of the family.

I think they've neutered the styling a little bit to appeal to everyone. In other words, it's a safe option to offend nobody. The latest Fiesta is a funky styled vehicle clearly designed to appeal to a younger driver, whereas the new Focus is meant to offend no-one. Of course, this means most people will like the styling a bit, with nobody absolutely loving (or hating) it.

This is probably a sensible move, however, since bland/safe styling doesn't seem to stop the masses who buy Toyota Corollas, Hyundai i30s and VW Golfs.

[Benjamin Smith]

Seen one at Ford Toowoomba, just the base modal, my mum is looking into getting a titanium asap

[kiwijohn42]

I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by kiwijohn42

I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.

Yeah, I've lost count the number of times I've seen idiots driving manuals stall their car at the lights. Totally incompetant. No idea how to drive. To involved with their ability to push a pedal and move a stick.

[Turbodiesel]

I had a look at a 'Sport' yesterday, they're not bad looking besides the lines on the rear passenger doors. Nice interior as well.

Finally the Focus has a chrome exhaust tip as standard!

The 215/50 R17s look at tad like offroad tyres though, still rides pretty high but we're used to that.

[In Focus]

<<I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.>>

I must be an idiot.

Then again, if I was I wouldn't know it.

[Russ]

Auto's are probably the most sensible option for day to day bumper to bumper driving but I still think manufacturers are going backwards not offering the option of a manual transmission. Manual cars generally get better mpg figures than auto's as well, so it would make more sense to offer both.

[In Focus]

True enough, but I think it's a dying art, to be honest. The latest Focus auto is already rated at least equal to its manual brother in fuel economy terms. In some cars, the auto is the more economical.

Obviously, most manual enthusiasts will take that option for the "sporty" character, but Lamborghini has already decided that human involvement detracts from its transmission, and I'd imagine other marques will follow. Ultimately, it will filter down to the "lesser" brands.

Then again, by then cars will drive themselves, and legislation will prevent humans changing the car or even turning the wheel. A lot of cars already park themselves.

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by In Focus

The latest Focus auto is already rated at least equal to its manual brother in fuel economy terms. In some cars, the auto is the more economical.

Powershifts are in most circumstances......

[Russ]

Originally Posted by In Focus

Then again, by then cars will drive themselves, and legislation will prevent humans changing the car or even turning the wheel. A lot of cars already park themselves.

The way the worlds going humans won't even exist in the future and machines will take over the planet.

[RXII]

My lease runs out in Sept for my current LV TDCi so I went down to my local dealer in Geelong and put a deposit down on the Sport Hatch TDCi on the showroom floor! The salesman said he couldn't guarantee what was arriving in the next delivery. Can't wait to pick it on the 24th August!

Cheers,
RXII

[Martyvan]

congrats RXII... this may well be the first delivered on the forums!

[RXII]

Yeah maybe, released on the 11th and they already have a bit of stock it seems. If I had the cash ready they probably would of let me take it away now!!

[Benjamin Smith]

My mum just put in her order for a petrol Sport Hatch will be here in 3-4 weeks

[DJM83]

Had a look at one today, whilst the interior is very nice (After smashing my knee on the A/C vent) i dont really like the exterior. Prefer my older LV at this stage (Not that ill buy a newer Focus anyway) for many reason's.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Had a look at one today, whilst the interior is very nice (After smashing my knee on the A/C vent) i dont really like the exterior. Prefer my older LV at this stage (Not that ill buy a newer Focus anyway) for many reason's.

You'd be crazy to offload the XR5 anyway, they will be well sought after down the track.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

You'd be crazy to offload the XR5 anyway, they will be well sought after down the track.

Yeah no chance of the 5 going anywhere, not even for a new ST

[vztrt]

New Ford Focus in short supply

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2578DF001901AC

Vital new Ford small car trickles in from Germany until Thailand ramps up in 2012

2 August 2011

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

FORD’S third-generation Focus has arrived in local showrooms six months after it went on sale in Europe and the US, but Australians could have been forced to wait another year for the Blue Oval’s vital new small car.

Ford has admitted that supplies of its all-new Focus hatch and sedan range from Germany will remain tight until production for Australia switches to Thailand later next year, but says it chose to launch the European-built Focus this week rather than wait until the third quarter of 2012 for Thai-made models.

As a result, monthly sales of the MkIII Focus will be limited to hundreds rather than the thousands Ford needs to satisfy demand and challenge the top-selling Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Holden’s Adelaide-built Cruze in Australia’s dominant small car market.

Ironically, Ford Australia would have had limitless supplies of the new Focus had the Ford Motor Company not backflipped on its 2007 decision to build 40,000 examples of the new model annually in Broadmeadows for Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and “significant additional export markets” from this year.

Instead, among the casualties will be a delay of the potentially hot-selling Ambiente Powershift dual-clutch automatic until at least November, while buyers of pricier versions that could account for more than half of all local Focus sales will also have to be patient.

Nevertheless, although Ford will not divulge its sales targets, it expects the newcomer to generate “double-digit” sales growth over the outgoing Focus once it receives freer supplies of all four models – $21,990 Ambiente, $24,490 Trend, $27,390 Sport and the flagship $32,590 Titanium – before Thai sourcing eliminates supply issues from Europe in the second half of next year.

Fanning Ford’s hopes for the all-new LW-series Focus is contemporary design inside and out, significant increases in technology, quality, and refinement, greater drivetrain efficiencies (partly due to the availability of Powershift), improved driveability, better safety, more comfort, and the choice of diesel and petrol models.

Speaking to GoAuto at the national launch of the German Focus in Melbourne this week, marketing manager David Katic admitted that – despite supply constraints - Ford Australia was desperate to replace its ageing LV Focus with the company’s redesigned small car in a cut-throat class that currently accounts for almost a quarter of all new-vehicle transactions.

“Our choice was wait another year for Thailand or go with Germany right now and live with the frustrations of not being able to meet demand. But at least that’s better than not launching with this car,” he said.

Mirroring the experience Ford had from January 2009 with the German-made WS Fiesta, which was replaced here by Thai-built WT cars from late 2010, initial LW Focus orders are already heavily swayed towards Sport and Titanium variants.

Spurring interest from early-adopters, the latter in particular brings rare or new-to-segment features like Active Park Assist, Torque Vectoring Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Voice Control, bi-Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, and rain-sensing wipers.

“Absolutely, global demand will constrain supply for the new Focus,” Mr Katic said. “But with what we experienced with Fiesta, buyers want style and technology, and that’s what the new Focus has.

“It’s going to replicate what happened with the Fiesta. With the old (2004-2008 WP/WQ Fiesta) we were doing 350-400 per month, and we were able to get around 800 per month out of Europe (with the WS)… but we knew there was a whole lot more volume in it.”

Earlier this year the WT Fiesta broke Australian sales records by exceeded 1400 per month, before the Japanese earthquake and tsunami curtailed production capacity.

“Like Fiesta, with Focus we have to wait until we source from Thailand before we can go the next (volume) step,” Mr Katic added. “And the high series will account for about half of all sales – initially at least anyway.

“With the previous-generation (WP/WQ) Fiesta the up-spec Zetec did only about three per cent of sales, and we thought we were being bold forecasting 20 per cent for the WS, but that’s come in at 50 per cent.

“So what we learned is that if you have an appealingly styled vehicle with high technology for the segment, people will buy them… so we’re very convinced and certainly early sales suggest there is a very strong market for that high series small car segment.

“There’s no archetypal small car buyers these days… buyers might be downsizing but many customers still want the works. While the Mazda3 is our main target, we’re also looking at volume vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf, especially as the new Focus’ package is very similar... so that’s another market that we can tap into.”

Nevertheless, Ford does not believe the entry-level Ambiente will suffer in the marketplace because of its relatively small naturally aspirated petrol engine offering.

“We think the other 50 per cent of Focus sales will be split evenly between Ambiente and Trend,” said Mr Katic.

“And the base car will benefit from being a 1.6-litre. We deliberately specified it with that engine because when you look at the diversity of the small car segment, there are customers with outstanding fuel economy as their priority… and outstanding fuel economy is what our Ambiente offers.

“We targeted these buyers because it is a significant part of the small car market. If you look at competitors like the Hyundai i30 SX 1.6 and Holden Cruze 1.8 they have lower-displacement engines in their C-segment cars, and if you stack up our car’s performance you will find ours is more than competitive.

“The small car segment is truly diverse so that’s what we have tried to manufacture into our Focus range. And if you want even better fuel economy then we can deliver that too with the diesel.”

While Ford’s prediction of the diesel accounting for 30 per cent of all LW Focus sales is not surprising, its high hopes for the new sedan is.

“At the moment we do poorly with the LV Focus sedan, and we think we are going to start off roughly at a 30/70 per cent sedan/hatch sales split with the new model.

“But we are very confident that, as we move forward, the sedan/hatch mix will get to 50/50 because all of the customer feedback suggests the sedan’s styling and dimensions are a big surprise, with many hatch buyers taking interest.”

Right now the Focus wagon and turbocharged 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine remain “under study” for Australia and, although it is unlikely either derivative will be imported before the middle of 2012, expect the 2.0-litre EcoBoosted Focus XR5 replacement to eventually top the fresh Focus range here.

Also on hold for now are new high-tech driver assistance features available on the range-topping Titanium X in some markets - such as lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, blind spot warning and satellite-navigation – partly due to the resources that regional implementation of most of these devices require.

“You can’t do everything at once,” said Mr Katic. “This year we’ve already launched the Territory facelift and diesel, Mondeo EcoBoost, Falcon EcoLPi and now the new Focus, while the T6 Ranger and Falcon EcoBoost have yet to arrive, so we are extremely busy.

“And we need to establish what we have with the new Focus first before we think about what’s next.”

As we’ve reported, for the time being Australia’s LW Focus range will comprise four distinct models across two body styles with choice of three engines.

A 1596cc 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve Ti-VCT petrol engine powers the CL-replacing Ambiente, producing 92kW of power at 6300rpm and 159Nm of torque at 4000rpm and connected to a five-speed manual transmission (hatch only) or – from November - a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift automatic transmission.

The manual returns fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres and emits 144 grams of CO2 per kilometre when running on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, as opposed to 6.6L/100km and 154g/km respectively for the 1.6 Powershift.

Trend replaces LX and brings with it an all-new 1999cc 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve GDi direct-injection petrol engine that produces 125kW at 6600rpm and 202Nm at 4450rpm, and which Ford claims is “the most powerful and fuel-efficient normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine in the small car class”.

Interestingly, the 2.0-litre petrol engine – which is also standard in the Sport and Titanium – matches the 1.6 Powershift’s 6.6L/100km and 154g/km ratings in five-speed manual form, and ups the ante by just 0.1L/100km and 2g/km when paired to the dual-clutch gearbox.

More torque and economy are for the taking in the 1997cc 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve turbo-diesel, dubbed TDCi and delivering 120kW at 3750rpm and 350Nm at 2000-3250rpm.

Available as an automatic-only option from launch on all Focus Sport and Titanium variants, the oil-burning powerplant returns 5.5L/100km and pumps out 144g/km of CO2. The diesel arrives in Trend trim level from October.

Representing a clean-sheet redesign espousing Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design theme, styling for the LW Focus commenced in 2007 in the UK, and was then refined in Germany. Attention to better aerodynamic flow both above and below the car has resulted in a competitive 0.297Cd figure on some versions.

A five-star Euro NCAP crash-test performer, the Focus features a bodyshell that is 30 per cent more rigid than before, with 55 per cent of it made from high-strength steel. Additionally, 26 per cent of the vehicle is made from ultra-high-strength steel, including Boron. The upshot is a vastly quieter car – helping address one of the previous models’ biggest failings.

Overall length, width, height and wheelbase measurements are 4358/1823/1484/2648mm (with the sedan being 176mm longer) respectively, while increases of about 50kg sees kerb weights range from 1311kg (1.6 Ambiente hatch) to 1543kg (Titanium TDCi sedan).

Cargo capacity is rated from 277 to 1101 litres (hatch, with all seats folded and a mini-spare) and 372 to 421 litres (sedan with a mini-spare).

As before, front suspension consists of MacPherson struts and coil springs, while the Focus is famous for pioneering a multi-link rear suspension arrangement in the small car class. Nowadays the latter is attached via a separate subframe to decrease noise/vibration/harshness.

In the name of improved economy, lower emissions and lower cost, and with the exception of the Ambiente 1.6 Powershift model, Ford switched from a conventional hydraulic power steering system to an electric power-assisted (EPAS) rack-and-pinion steering system for the third-generation car.

The base Focus includes remote central locking, power windows, trip computer, air-conditioning, adjustable steering, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, six-speaker audio, six airbags – including side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers – ABS brakes, electronic stability control and hill-start assist.

Stepping up to the Trend gains buyers 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, rear parking sensors, body-coloured door-handles, cruise control, a leather gearshift knob and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat.

An option pack includes automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and ‘follow-me-home’ lighting.

These features are standard equipment on the Focus Sport, which also gains 17-inch alloys, a rear spoiler on the hatch, heated power-adjustable side mirrors with indicator lamps, LED tail-lights on the hatch, an upgraded Sony audio system with nine speakers and colour screen, dual-zone climate-control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Eco Mode driver information system, sports seats, ambient cabin lighting, leather-clad steering wheel, centre console with armrest, illuminated vanity mirrors, a folding centre rear armrest and front scuff plates.

The Titanium in Powershift-only format boasts 18-inch alloys, active park assist that can park the car in 24 seconds using front and rear radar sensors, keyless entry and starting, partial leather seats, trip computer, four-way power driver’s seat adjustment and heated front seats.

An optional Sports Pack includes adaptive cruise control, bi-Xenon headlights with cornering lamps, LED running lights and a powered sunroof.

With a 5.5 per cent market share in the first six months of 2011, the outgoing Focus has enjoyed a 28.4 per cent improvement over last year’s disappointing sales results, but the LV still trails the leading Mazda3, Cruze, Corolla, i30, Lancer and Golf to sit at an underachieving seventh place.

Ford Australia vice-president for sales, marketing and service, Beth Donovan, is confident the LW has what it takes to thrust Ford back to small-car segment leadership – a position it has not enjoyed since the Laser’s halcyon days of 1981 to 1990.

“We should be able to do what the Mazda3 has done in this space,” she said.

Since 1998 some 10 million Focus cars have been sold worldwide, with Australian sales commencing relatively late in the lifecycle of the Mk1 ‘LR’ series in September 2002. The Mk2 Focus (LS, LT, LV) was introduced here in June 2005.

2011 Ford Focus pricing:

Hatch
Ambiente 1.6 $21,990
Ambiente 1.6 (a) $24,290
Trend 2.0 GDi $24,490
Trend 2.0 GDi (a) $26,790
Trend TDCi (a) $30,500
Sport 2.0 GDi $27,390
Sport 2.0 GDi (a) $29,690
Sport 2.0 TDCi (a) $33,190
Titanium 2.0 GDi (a) $32,590
Titanium 2.0 TDCi (a) $36,090

Sedan
Ambiente 1.6 (a) $24,290
Trend 2.0 GDi (a) $26,790
Trend 2.0 TDCi (a) $30,500
Sport 2.0 GDi (a) $29,690
Sport 2.0 TDCi (a) $33,190
Titanium 2.0 GDi (a) $32,590
Titanium 2.0 TDCi (a) $36,090

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...804-1icc6.html

First Drive: New Ford Focus
Jez Spinks
August 4, 2011 - 9:00AM

Ford’s matured small car aims to give Golf a run for its money.

They’re not building it, but Ford Australia is hoping they’ll still come. Buyers, that is.

The latest version of the blue oval’s small car, the Focus, has arrived - but after rolling off a ship from Germany rather than out of the doors of Melbourne’s Broadmeadows plant as once planned.

Ford’s local executives may not want to peer at sales for the rival Holden Cruze, though. Its figures are already increasing since it sewed on a Made-in-Adelaide label earlier this year. And that’s before the hatchback version hits showrooms.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The Focus is immediately available in both hatch and sedan forms, though the irony – Ford would have built 40,000 Focuses locally from 2011 – is that supply will be constrained until the car’s production source switches from Europe to Thailand in mid 2012.

That brings a free-trade agreement into play, but don’t necessarily expect pricing to drop from today’s starting price of $21,990.

Ford is trying to pitch the new Focus as a more grown-up small car to rival Volkswagen’s Golf, and that seems to include pricing – which goes up to $36,090.

Unlike similarly priced Cruze and Golf models, though, there’s no clever downsized engine employing a turbocharger. Instead, the Ambiente (there’s even a more flamboyant range of trim names to replace the rather dull CL, LX, etc of the old model) comes with a relatively humble 1.6-litre normally aspirated engine.

There’s little wrong with its refinement, but the 92kW four-cylinder asks for plenty of effort from the ball of your right foot and the manual gearbox desperately needs a sixth ratio for more relaxed freeway progress.

From $24,490, buyers can step up to a petrol engine with two litres of capacity that brings more power and torque, though it’s a similar case of gaining momentum smoothly and gradually rather than rapidly.

A 1.6-litre turbo ‘Ecoboost’ engine available in Europe sounds promising – more torque, even better fuel economy, and quicker performance – though Ford Australia has decided not to raid that particularly cupboard.

That leaves a 2.0-litre diesel, available from $30,500, as the only turbocharged engine on offer, and the pick of the bunch.

Mated to Ford’s smooth-shifting ‘Powershift’ transmission as standard where the dual-clutch auto is optional on the five-speed-manual petrols, it’s pleasantly quiet at idle and the usual loud clatter associated with small-cylinder diesels never materials as speeds rise.

The diesel’s refinement is reflected in other myriad improvements for all models. Tyre and wind noise is noticeably reduced, and the Focus’s ride, while a supple affair previously, now absorbs bumps with even less fuss after engineers tweaked the carry-over suspension.

And the Focus’s class-leading dynamics? Well, still there, though we didn’t unearth them in full guise until we hit winding roads in the base model.

The diesel versions have a front end that is less eager to turn into corners than its petrol counterparts, penalised by an engine that puts an extra 80kg over the nose, and the Titanium’s big, 18-inch tyres do a great job of sticking the Focus to the road without leaving room for much playfulness.

The base model doesn’t get the slightly firmer sports suspension of either the Sport or Titanium trims, though it does get the same torque vectoring system that helps to pull it around corners by constantly altering the amount of power being distributed to each front wheel.

Yet the lesser grip from its smaller, 16-inch tyres conversely shows the Focus’s beautifully balanced handling in its best light.

The steering, a Focus highlight in previous models, is now electric, though while it doesn’t feel as fluid as before it is highly accurate.

The driving position is also excellent, complemented by supremely comfortable seats and good vision. The rear bench is also one that gives the impression the designers also cared about rear seat comfort, while a tall passenger can fit behind a tall driver even if it’s on the snug side.

Interior design hasn’t been the Focus’s strongest suit since it debuted in 1998, but the third generation makes great strides here to add to the model’s greater maturity. It doesn’t look as classy as the Golf’s cabin but it’s also less conservative, with Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design language making a welcome transition from (the improved) exterior to the interior.

Combine the cabin comfort and the loping ride, and the Focus is now a car you’d happily travel in for hundreds of kilometres without fear of fatigue.

If you can afford the range-topping Titanium model that starts at $32,590, you also get a system that will automatically steer you into a parallel parking spot.

Regardless of where it’s produced, the Focus is better made than ever.

PICS