The all new Ford Focus debuted in Detroit earlier this year; it is penned to hit the UK market in the early part of 2011. This new Focus is planned to move away from the conservative looks of the current model.
Ford designers have been busy creating a more daring design, the new Focus is more in line with its competitors such as the Megane and Astra who on their unveiling caused a stir and set new standards for design and technology.
When the new Fiesta was unveiled 2 years ago it was seen as a new design direction by ford with more angular lines and body style, it seems to be the way forward with most manufacturers. The new Focus continues this trend.
The Focus is the first to emerge under the 'One Ford' strategy established by chief executive Alan Mulally. In future, Fords all around the world will be based on common platforms to streamline production and make manufacturing cheaper.
Ford plans a total of 10 cars from the new Ford Focus platform, starting with the five-seat C-Max and seven-seat Grand C-Max compact MPVs next summer. Both were unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show last autumn.
The new Ford Focus in Liverpool is expected to use a development of the current model's fully independent suspension and have fuel-saving all-electric power steering similar to that used on the latest Fiesta. It will be available with electronic cornering control to curb wheel slip in bends, as well as active cruise control, lane-change and speed-limit warnings, automatic control for the headlight beam and a low-speed anti-collision system like the one in Volvos.
Ford have not unveiled full technical specifications for the Focus yet, but it is assumed the Focus will include the new Ecoboost range a 1.6-litre turbocharged, direct-injection unit as well as revised versions of its 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbo diesels.