New Ford Focus family revealed

Fourth-generation Ford Focus to bring new look, tech and body styles Down Under late this year.

We’ve seen the teaser images, the spy shots and the news of a range-topping RS hot hatch with 300kW of hybrid power; now the fourth-generation Ford Focus has made its official global debut.

Confirmed for Australian release by the end of this year, the all-new 2019 Ford Focus small car range was revealed globally tonight in hatch, sedan, wagon and crossover forms, and there’s a good chance all four models will be sold here.

As well, the Mk4 Ford Focus will be imported to Australia from Europe rather than Thailand this time round, and could also be available in Vignale luxury guise for the first time.

Ford Australia has confirmed few other details at this stage, but its existing Thai-sourced mainstream Focus range comprises Trend, Sport and Titanium variants. Europe’s new Focus family will comprise entry-level Trend, mid-range Titanium, sporty new ST-Line (pictured here in blue) and premium Vignale (brown) equipment grades, plus the Active crossover (white).

Ford’s global small car will, however, be available here with a new eight-speed automatic transmission across the mainstream range, which will eventually be joined by replacements for today’s warm ST and hot RS variants.

For now, Ford says its latest rival for the big-selling Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and Volkswagen Golf is the most advanced Focus in the model’s 20-year history.

It says its ‘clean-sheet’ design – the first to be based on Ford’s new C2 platform — brings a claimed 20 per cent improvement in torsional body rigidity — marks a new era in comfort, space, interior quality, safety, dynamics and technology.

In Europe, all models will come standard with selectable drive modes and isolated independent rear suspension with patented spring technology and Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) — a first for Focus.

While its IRS is a development of the system first developed for the outgoing Focus RS, the ST-Line rides 10mm lower than standard and the new Focus Active rides 30mm higher.

Other new technologies will include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane-Centring, adaptive sign-based and predictive curve lighting, head-up display, segment-first Evasive Steering Assist and Active Park Assist 2, a fully automated parking system.

As such, along with an upgraded version of Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist with Night-time Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology (which will be standard across the Australian range), the new Focus is claimed to offer a wider range of advanced features than any Ford vehicle before it, bringing “Level 2 automation to a family car”.

Again, Australian specs are yet to be announced, but in Europe the standard SYNC3 infotainment system with 8.0-inch touch-screen is available with wireless phone charging, B&O Play audio and new FordPass Connect embedded connectivity.

The latter comprises a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices and features like Vehicle Locator, Vehicle Status and Remote Start (auto models).

Also TBC for us is the upgraded Ford Focus engine line-up, which in Europe is claimed to bring 10 per cent lower fuel consumption thanks in part to an average 88kg weight reduction, class-leading aerodynamics (0.25Cd for sedan, 0.273Cd for five-door models) and the new eight-speed auto.

While its current mainstream Focus model range is powered exclusively by a 132kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-four, Ford Australia says its new Focus line-up will open with an entry-level non-turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and Ford’s new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol EcoBoost triple.

Ford of Europe’s 2019 Focus engine line-up will include updated 1.0-litre and new 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engines with cylinder deactivation (yes, in a world-first, even for the three-cylinder), and new 1.5- and 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbo-diesels.

Europe’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost triple will be offered with 62, 74 and 93kW outputs, the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost in 112 and 135kW forms, and the new 1.5-litre EcoBlue in 70 and 89kW guises (both with 300Nm), while the 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine delivers 112kW/370Nm.

All of them will be available with the new self-shifting gearbox, which has eight speeds instead of six and features Ford’s new Rotary Gear Shift Dial. There’s also an electric handbrake for automatic and up-spec six-speed manual models, and new braking and air-conditioning systems.

Ford claims the new Focus will set new standard in craftsmanship and quality, following a €600 million investment at its Saarlouis assembly facility in Germany, where European and Australian versions will be produced.

Punctuated by new horizontally-split headlights and tail-lights, the new Focus rides on a 53mm-longer wheelbase and features a longer bonnet, shorter overhangs and a cabin and A-pillars placed further rearward in an effort to produce “a strong, dynamic stance with a compact impression”.

Inside, Ford says the new Focus body and narrower centre console liberates more front-seat space, as well as 50mm more rear knee room (for a class-leading 81mm) and 60mm more shoulder room. Wagon models now offer 1650 litres of cargo capacity and hands-free tailgate.

A total of 13 paint colours will be offered in Europe, including Orange Glow, Desert Island Blue and Vignale-exclusive four-coat Dark Mulberry.

Ford has sold more than 16 million Focus cars globally since the nameplate was introduced in 1998.