2004 Ford Focus Review

Specifications

Focusing on the Future

Just a few months away from the production cars debut, Ford has just unveiled the Ford Focus concept. Having seen undisguised photos and countless sketches of the “finished product,” this concept seems to definitely be a foreshadowing of what the real second-generation Focus will look like. Until the debut of the production version this autumn, well have to make do with this mock concept and the current generation “new edge” model.

A point about the concepts unveiling: despite being one of the Western worlds best selling cars, one might expect to find this car initially displayed at the Birmingham Motor Show or possibly Barcelona, but Ford has instead chosen to unveil its Focus Concept next week in Beijing at the leading auto show in the region, Auto China 2004, an example of just how important the burgeoning Chinese market is to the global automaker.

The Focus Concept isnt about demonstrating potential new motors and innovative technology, but rather its about display of design. This is Fords way of integrating potential deign elements of other vehicles into a brand new car. The new car borrows heavily from Fords previous concepts, as well as its production vehicles. The proportions are quite similar to the Mazda 3 Sedan and S40, which makes sense being it shares general architecture with each, but rather than being curvy designers have used flat planes. A combination of a low nose, high window sills and a high, squared off trunk are merged with large window space make for the new theme. Despite the revitalized look, the car can easily be recognized as a Focus - OK, other than the Honda Civic Coupe taillight shape, that themselves copy Mercedes-Benz S and current SLK design language.

Like the Visos or C-MAX concept, the Focus concept is also about the details. The car itself is somewhat plain without them. Although the grille is similar in shape and appearance to those used on the Mondeo and C-Max, a unique interconnecting hexagon pattern can be picked out in detail. All exterior lighting, including headlights, taillights and foglights, make use of ultra-bright LED lighting in unique patterns and designs. Although the headlights looks similar to those used on the C-Max, the individual components, such as the vertical turn signals, are all encased in what look like a solid LED unit. The taillights, which feature triangular reverse lights with orange turn signals that weave underneath, are wrapped around by the red brake light. The white fog lamps mimic the look of the chrome-tipped exhaust pipes inset into the same valance.

From a dynamic standpoint, the Focus should be among the best. The current generation compact Ford is simply cracking when it comes to tackling the corners even in basic spec. This new generation will utilize the same chassis architecture as seen in the Volvo S40/V50, Mazda 3 and the Focus C-Max. There will be changes in the suspension damping as well as the assist of hydro-electric steering to differ it from other models while maintaining a feel thats closely related to the current Focus, with an added sporty nature balanced with a maturity of purpose necessary for targeting its all-age-groups audience. The concept is designed for show, however, and therefore rolls on 19-inch 7-spoke blackout alloy wheels, which visibly show a set of cross drilled discs and heavy-duty sports calipers. There is no doubt that the production model will ride on smaller aluminum wheels and tires.

From what I have been able to find out, a variety of diesels and gasoline engines will be made available to the upcoming Focus depending on market. European models will feature a fair amount of each, while the North American Focus will actually be a mere upgrade of the current Focus instead of the all-new model.

Three gasoline motors, ranging from 100 to 145 horsepower will be available in the new Euro-spec Focus, including Fords all-new 1.6 TiVCT with 115 horsepower. This is one of the European divisions first production engines to feature variable intake and exhaust cams, enhancing performance, broadening the torque curve and increasing fuel economy. Diesels, built in collaboration with PSA, will range in output from 109 to 136 horsepower. Each meets Euro4 emissions standards and features a maintenance-free particle filter. Ford will most likely reintroduce an RS model with similar output to the car of the same designation that was recently phased out of production. As well the brand will most likely bring back a 300+ horsepower all-wheel drive Cosworth model, but once again to Europeans only.

Expect to see something similar to this Focus in North America by around 2007. Ford is also investing time and money into the development of a dual-clutch sequential transmission, similar to the VW-Borg-Warner DSG. But its unknown if this gearbox will make into a Focus anytime soon. What most likely will, however, is the brands upcoming 7-speed automatic, specially designed for small displacement engines.

In the end North American buyers wont be getting all the new and improved goodies that will soon be available to European Focus buyers, but on the other hand should be able to trust their slightly less sophisticated domestic Focus will get them to and from where their going with fewer problems. And that, compared to the myriad of recalls that its current generation Focus faced just after it debuted, is something Ford can bank on.