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20-05-2011, 01:53 PM
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Chairman & Administrator
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Ford Increases Safety, Enhances Specification and Reduces Price of Focus
July 2007
Increased safety levels, white-hot pricing, a powerful yet economical diesel engine, two new body configurations and revised styling headline a raft of changes that provide a greater level of choice and value for customers in the 2007 Ford Focus line-up.
In a first for Focus in Australia, the entry level CL model now comes with dual front airbags and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard. It will also go on sale with a recommended retail price of $19,990. ( Excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges).
"Focus has established a reputation as a highly-specified value-for-money model and these enhancements are sure to reinforce its position as one of the most desirable new vehicles in the small-car segment," said Ford Australia Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Mark Winslow.
"The introduction of new safety features across the new Focus line-up, the availability of a new diesel powertrain and two new body-styles helps to extend the appeal of what is already one of the world's most exciting to drive small cars."
All five model series in the Focus range (CL, LX, TDCi, Zetec and Ghia) now feature dual front airbags and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard equipment.
Driver and front passenger side airbags are added to the LX, TDCi, Zetec and Ghia specification, while Zetec and Ghia models also receive Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) as standard.
Motorists wishing to further enhance the safety of their new Focus can also specify an optional safety pack, the contents of which depend on the model selected.
The safety pack available in conjunction with the CL consists of driver and front passenger side airbags, curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The CL Safety Pack will have a special introductory half- price limited recommended offer until the end of September of only $800.
The LX/ TDCi Safety Pack includes curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The initial recommended half- price offer of the safety pack through to the end of September will be $650.
Zetec and Ghia can be further specified with the addition of curtain airbags, a half- price $200 option before the end of September.
From October 2007, the recommended retail price of the safety packs will be $1600 (CL), $1300 (LX and TDCi) and ($400 (Zetec and Ghia).
The recommended retail price of CL, LX, Zetec and Ghia models in the new Focus range has also been reduced with the introduction of the new line-up, in some cases falling by as much as $1500, and now ranges from $19,990 for the CL through to $29,490 for the highly desirable Ghia model. ( Excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges).
"Focus has always represented outstanding value for money, but the pricing we have announced today make it one of the best deals available," said Mr Winslow.
"Focus offers German engineering, superb driving dynamics, a high level of standard safety equipment and an extremely competitive price. Focus represents an extremely compelling value proposition, even more so with the inclusion of the attractively priced special introductory safety pack offers."
A new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door model, featuring a six-speed manual transmission, is another eagerly awaited addition to the new Focus range, becoming the first diesel-powered passenger car in the Ford Australia line-up.
"There is an increasing awareness of the benefits associated with diesel and a subsequent groundswell of desire for diesel alternatives, so Ford is introducing an all-new Focus diesel option in direct response to consumer demand," said Mr Winslow.
"Today's diesel technology is state-of-the-art and, in some aspects of motoring such as fuel efficiency and range, can provide performance benefits over and above petrol engines."
Two new bodystyles will also be introduced as part of the freshening actions. A new Zetec sedan with five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission will be available, as will a Ghia hatchback with a four-speed automatic.
"Focus customers expressed a desire for a Zetec sedan and a Ghia hatchback model. Again, we have listened and we're adding these two derivatives to the line-up, to cater for motorists who want an even more highly specified feature-laden small car," said Mr Winslow.
New exterior door mirrors incorporating a turn indicator will become standard on all models and a new front bumper, as appears on the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, will be incorporated across the range (excluding XR5 Turbo).
New alloy wheel designs on Zetec and Ghia will further differentiate the freshened range, as will two new exterior colours, Ocean and Tonic.
Customers will also appreciate the convenience of a new fold-out flip remote key, previously only available on the high performance Focus XR5 Turbo.
The six-disc CD audio system that is standard in the Ghia models is now also available as an option for Focus LX, TDCi and Zetec owners.
Leather seat trim in ebony is now an option on Zetec models.
"Focus sales rose by 63 per cent in 2006 compared with the previous year, which shows an increasing number of people have come to appreciate Focus and its outstanding driving dynamics, comfort, quality and refinement," said Mr Winslow.
"The enhancements we have detailed today will add to its desirability and confirm Focus as one of the safest, versatile and fun to drive small car models available in Australia."
The power to move
"With the choice of a proven petrol engine or a new technically advanced Duratorq TDCi common-rail turbo-diesel, Focus customers will enjoy the benefits of power, low emissions, refinement and low operating costs." - Ulrich Koesters, Focus Powertrain Manager
The 2007 Focus line-up features the first passenger car offered by Ford Australia with a diesel engine. It is a lightweight, low-friction engine, benefiting from high-pressure second-generation common-rail injection technology, a variable-nozzle turbocharger (VNT) and electronic drive-by-wire acceleration controls.
The new diesel engine represents a strong performance and value equation for Focus customers. The 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi is the largest common-rail turbo-diesel in the Ford passenger vehicle range and comes equipped with Ford’s MMT6 six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment – ideal for spirited driveability combined with fuel economy.
The turbo-diesel engine is rated at 100 kW and achieves peak torque output of 320 Nm at just 2,000 rpm, making it not only powerful but also agile and responsive, with plenty of pulling power at low engine speeds for user-friendly everyday driving.
In addition to its outstanding performance, the 2.0-litre TDCi is a miser at the fuel pump, with an ADR 81/01 fuel consumption rating of just 5.6 litres/100 km. That outstanding fuel economy is backed up by an excellent CO2 emissions output of just 148 grams per kilometre.
The new Focus TDCi engine is certified to Euro IV standards.
The common-rail fuel injection technology uses sophisticated injectors to deliver fuel to the individual cylinders under extremely high pressure; up to 1,600 bar. The combination of fine levels of injector control and high fuel pressures allows the engine combustion to be controlled with extreme precision.
The 2.0-litre TDCi engine in Focus offers a series of features aimed at enhancing its dependable service and customer value, including:
* A dual-mass flywheel with integral damping for optimum operating balance, providing smoothness and refinement normally associated with a modern petrol engine.
* Special cylinder head valve to prevent oil draining from the adjusters, which reduces cold start noise, drastically reduces oil consumption, and increases engine durability.
* A new cam cover/air module assembly, with integrated components, for ease of maintenance or repair.
Engine architecture – lightweight and durable
The engine architecture of the Duratorq engine was designed to be highly durable with low vibration, and robustly matched to the higher torque levels of today’s high-pressure common-rail-injection diesel engine technology.
The 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi has a cast-iron block to handle this engine’s higher torque output. The cylinder heads are made of low-pressure die-cast aluminium alloy with four vertical valves per cylinder, sealed by a multi-layered steel gasket designed for the cylinder head’s geometric shape and for an extremely long service life.
Carrying the camshafts are two separate die-cast aluminium alloy castings, split on the camshaft centre lines. Oil drain and crank case ventilation galleries are cast within the block. This built-up arrangement of robust castings, combined with strong reinforced webs, provides the Focus TDCi engine with an extremely stiff structure and very low powertrain bending moments, which results in low levels of engine noise and vibration into the passenger cabin.
It comes fitted with a dual-mass flywheel which, combined with the robust casting architecture, further counteracts torsional irregularities of the engine to reduce vibration in the powertrain. This ensures smooth engine running and idling, with NVH characteristics similar to that of a petrol engine.
Like its petrol sibling, the Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi features twin overhead camshafts, the first driven by a long-life, glass-fibre-reinforced, high nitrite, butyl rubber belt. The second camshaft is driven by the first via a chain. The camshafts run in five bearings, machined directly into the carrier castings. These operate the 16 valves via low friction rollers, mounted in finger followers that pivot on maintenance-free hydraulic lash adjusters.
The camshafts themselves are fabricated using a lightweight tubular technique, instead of being manufactured as a single cast or forged part. This contributes to overall low engine weight with no compromise on durability and stability. The camshaft drives the high-pressure pump of the fuel injection system.
The primary drive belt operates the lightweight water pump. The oil pump is chain-driven by the crankshaft and is made of lightweight die-cast aluminium with sintered steel rotors. It provides robust oil flow and helps to maintain proper engine operating temperatures.
The cylinder head has a special valve to prevent oil from draining from the adjusters, as long as the engine is switched off. This not only reduces cold start noise, it contributes to an increase in overall service life of the engine.
Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT)
The Focus Duratorq TDCi engine features Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) technology controlled by the engine management system. Compared to a traditional by-pass turbocharger, VNT provides for quicker engine response and better overall efficiency plus higher power and torque, without increasing fuel consumption and emissions.
VNT achieves this by adjusting the gas cross section at the inlet of the turbine wheel, to match turbine speed with the load required at that moment. For instance, at low engine speed and small gas flow, VNT correspondingly reduces the gas cross section, which increases turbine speed and boosts pressure.
At full engine speed and load, and high gas flow, VNT automatically increases the gas cross section. This keeps the boost pressure at the level required by the engine and avoids turbocharger overspeed. It also allows for overboost that, in certain conditions under acceleration, allows the driver to take advantage of bursts of added torque.
Engine management controls – Drive-by-Wire
Focus’ Duratorq TDCi powertrain has an engine management module that operates in conjunction with a host of engine, transmission and steering sensors to provide latest-generation, map-controlled combustion timing calibrated for refinement, lower fuel consumption and robust emissions.
A critical element of this system is the system’s electronic control of the common-rail injection system, and Ford engineers considered that the best way to achieve this was to fit the engine with a complete drive-by-wire system that takes full advantage of the vehicle’s advanced digital two-speed CAN bus electrical network.
Sensors on the engine measure camshaft position, crankshaft speed, mass airflow, engine coolant temperature, fuel pressure and temperature, along with ambient temperature and pressure. This data is then instantaneously analyzed to select the right fuelling points from the calibration map and is stored in the control module memory.
Significant attention was devoted by Ford engineers to calibrating throttle response of the engine to driver inputs at the accelerator pedal. This attention to detail was part of a broader approach to harmonising brake pedal feel, steering input and instrument panel-mounted gearshift operation for an overall feel of driving quality.
6-speed MMT6 manual transmission
“We mated the MMT6 to the Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel, because it is robustly engineered to translate the engine’s high torque output to the front axle, and its compact size was ideal. For Focus drivers, it means a sixth gear for low-rev motorway driving both for fuel economy and to take full advantage of the engine’s top-speed potential.” - Stephan Brandt, Supervisor MMT6 Transmission
The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi comes equipped with Ford’s MMT6 6-speed manual transmission, which has been designed to further enhance the driving quality of the 2007 Focus. It gives TDCi drivers better flexibility to take full advantage of their engine’s responsiveness and top speed potential while maximizing fuel economy.
The MMT6 manual transmission is perfectly matched to the 320 Nm of torque output from the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. It combines in-gear performance flexibility and top speed potential with improved fuel economy, and brings even greater refinement to the already refined Focus common-rail powertrain, because reduced engine revs at cruising speed result in quieter operation.
The MMT6 is exceptionally compact for a six-speed transmission. Despite its three-shaft design, it has an extremely short architecture ideally suited to high-torque front-wheel drive vehicles. The new transmission is manufactured using a number of modern technologies, including the use of laser-welded, stamped-steel, sliding gear-selector sleeves.
The wider ratios of the new six-speed transmission – with the higher gears contributing to both acceleration and fuel economy – mean the 2.0-litre Duratorq is more suited to drivers who wish to adopt a particular style of driving, whether it be oriented toward economy or sportiness. The MMT6 aids the driver in operating efficiently by providing taller gearing for cruising, which brings down engine revs by adapting engine load to operating conditions. Its high sixth gear ensures quieter and more fuel-efficient engine operation at motorway speeds.
Focus on improved safety
The new model adds new features to the inherent high levels of safety across the Focus range, with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard and across the range availability of side curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control (TC) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
The structure of the Focus provides one of the most advanced passenger safety systems in its class, putting its rigidity to work with carefully constructed crush zones to route energy away from the occupants in the event of a crash and protect them from objects intruding the survival area.
Focus is constructed from variable-gauge laser-welded panels of dual plasma and high strength steel. Both the occupant cell and surrounding envelope of energy absorbing crush zones have been rigorously tested in virtual and physical form.
The new Focus also offers optional side thorax airbags and inflatable side curtains (from A-pillar to C-pillar) and seatbelt pretensioners with load-limiting retractors. Optimised single-stage dual front airbags are standard equipment for the Focus passive safety system.
The driver and front passenger airbags are designed to provide optimum protection over a wide range of impact conditions.
The seat-mounted side thorax airbags are high volume bags allowing early and efficient occupant protection during a crash event.
Combined with the crash optimised seat structures, the new Focus range provides an exceptional safety cell for all vehicle occupants.
Seat belts consist of a three-point lap-sash inertia reel belt system. Front upper anchorages can be adjusted for height, as can the head restraints.
The front belts are fitted with high performance pyrotechnic pretensioners, fired by the same sensors that trigger airbag deployment. However, the deployment thresholds are optimised for each actuator individually.
Both front seat belts also incorporate new load-limiting retractors that release a small amount of chest webbing progressively above pre-determined loads. This is to reduce the incidence of chest injuries, particularly in older occupants.
All seats have anti-submarining ramps under the front edges to help prevent occupants from sliding under the seat belt.
Child seat restraint anchor fittings are provided in the rear seat backs.
Poised for performance
"Driving quality has been a Focus trademark from the beginning and the 2007 line-up maintains the high levels of driving dynamics that are synonymous with the brand," said Mr Winslow.
The chassis has been engineered to provide high levels of vibration isolation and stable, confidence-enhancing body control, making it reassuringly comfortable even on coarse Australian roads.
Electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering makes low speed manoeuvres easier while preserving precision on the open road, while the excellent braking system provides outstanding ‘feel’ and high levels of reassurance for drivers even in emergency situations.
2007 line-up
Focus customers will appreciate the high levels of standard equipment across the range.
The entry level CL sedan and hatch comes complete with driver and front passenger airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), air-conditioning, CD player and front power windows.
In addition to the optional four-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift, Ford Australia will also offer two option packs for CL buyers.
The Smooth Pack combines stylish 15-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured power mirrors and cruise control with leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The CL Safety Pack comes complete with side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Emergency Brake Assist.
The LX sedan and hatch – and TDCi hatch - add standard front seat-mounted side airbags, body-coloured power mirrors, rear power windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel mounted with audio controls.
The LX models come standard with a five-speed manual transmission with the option of a four-speed tiptronic-style automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift.
The TDCi is available only with the six-speed manual transmission.
The sporty Zetec hatch and new Zetec sedan build on that impressive list of features by adding stylish 17-inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Emergency Brake Assist, a unique sports suspension and a stylish body kit.
The Zetec comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission and is also available with the optional four-speed automatic with Sequential Sports Shift.
The range-topping Ghia sedan and new Ghia hatch come complete with four-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift, leather trim, six-disc in-dash CD player, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Emergency Brake Assist, six-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual zone climate control and unique 16-inch alloy wheels.
Recommended retail pricing (excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges) for the new Focus range is as follows:
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