2009 Ford Focus at MIMS
February 27, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Ford has celebrated the tenth anniversary of the global Focus nameplate with the release of a dynamic new model, the LV series Focus.
As seen on the XR5 Turbo, the LV series’ kinetic styling has now been extended across the Focus range incorporating a fresh new exterior and upgraded interior, along with some impressive new features and technologies.
Originally launched in Europe in 1998, Focus has become a global success story for Ford, and manufacturing sites have expanded to include North America, South America and Asia-Pacific.
The new Ford Focus for Australia will go on sale early in the second quarter, following its debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show, and will be available in five-door hatch and four-door sedan bodystyles across a revised model line-up.
The new LV-series Focus will be offered in four core models for the Australian market – CL, LX, TDCi and Zetec – with a fifth, turbo charged five cylinder model, the XR5 Turbo, sitting atop the pack.
The most influential visual enhancement to the new Ford Focus is its dramatic new front featuring ‘kinetic design’ elements.
Rather than just update a bumper or grille as many manufacturers do, Ford’s Asia-Pacific and Africa design team working in Australia took a ‘whole vehicle’ approach in applying kinetic design form language to the exterior.
Kinetic design elements such as the large trapezoidal opening below the bumperline, new bonnet with defined contours, and new upper grille (with larger Ford badge) dominate the new Focus front design.
It is more expressive, more athletic and more in keeping with the overall on-road character of new Focus. In all, the new Focus is visually confident and modern.
“We wanted to ensure that the new model was still recognisably a Focus, but was also identifiable as a new-generation Ford,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s Executive Director for Design. “I’m very happy with the results, as the new car has greater presence and stronger lines, which reinforce its driving dynamics credentials.”
Inside Ford’s new Focus, the emphasis is on improving the quality of materials and enhancing comfort levels.
The evidence is clear to see and feel. The black soft-touch dash pad, along with the soft-touch upper door trims, contrast beautifully against a tan coloured inner roof lining to visually lighten the Focus interior, while the dark dash greatly reduces windscreen reflection in bright sun conditions common in Australia.
The driver now sees large-face tachometer and speedometer set deeply into individual binnacles. Positioned above are small-face water temperature and fuel gauges, with each surrounded by a silver bezel.
Between the two large gauges is an LCD information screen displaying time, outside temperature, tripmeter and odometer. The LCD screen also displays menu options for distance to empty, average speed, and average fuel consumption.
A revised centre stack and redesigned window and mirror switches accompany new intuitive controls for air conditioning, heater and ventilation system. At night, the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light which is more soothing (versus the stark white of the previous generation Focus).
A new premium centre console has been designed with an emphasis on improved comfort and function. It features a moveable soft armrest which slides forward 80mm, two cup holders with butterfly lids, a coin holder and a card holder.
The 107kW 2.0-litre Duratec engine continues to power petrol Focus models – CL, LX and Zetec – and can be matched to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
In addition, Ford debuts its innovative six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission in Focus TDCi, in combination with the potent 100kW / 320Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine.
This drivetrain combination offers impressive fuel efficiency with no compromise to driving performance, thanks to its impressive torque output of 320Nm – peaking to 340Nm during brief overboost periods.
A key strength of the Ford Focus has always been its no-compromise approach to safety, which includes the Ford Intelligent Protection System. The new Focus maintains a robust list of standard active and passive safety features, including its rigid, reinforced passenger cell.
To enhance the overall Focus safety package, larger exterior side mirrors improve driver’s side visibility. The Focus range also benefits with a clever automatic hazard warning light activation system, which warns following drivers of emergency braking manoeuvres.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) safety technology is standard across the Focus range, while Focus LX, TDCi and Zetec models also offer interactive vehicle dynamics as standard equipment. This adds DSC, Traction Control and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) to assist the driver to maintain vehicle stability during all driving situations.
The Ford Focus has always been acclaimed for its driving quality, particularly its precise steering control and chassis balance, and the new range remains true to this heritage.
The new Focus TDCi with Duratorq turbodiesel engine introduces an all-new transmission system that combines impressive fuel efficiency and dynamics of a manual gearbox, with the driving ease of a quality automatic.
The new Ford PowerShift transmission is an innovative, six-speed, double-clutch automatic transmission available with the 2.0-litre Duratorq common rail turbodiesel engine. The six-speed PowerShift automatic is extremely refined, shifting smoothly through its six-speed gearing more efficiently than a conventional automatic transmission.
PowerShift convincingly demonstrates a high degree of driving comfort and agility in congested urban driving, as well as proving more fuel efficient than a conventional torque converter automatic transmission.
This efficiency is realised with a fuel consumption rating of 5.9L/100km (combined urban and extra urban according to ADR 81/01) from its 2.0-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine, which leads the way against similarly-equipped small car competitors.
Pricing starts at $21,990 (RRP)
Print it: 
Good to see Ford adding a DSG to the diesel, perhaps they can lend it to Mazda for their diesel 6…
Myke, having driven that gearbox, let me say that it is the choice of vehicles in the standard Focus range, (XR5 excluded ;-)).
Hmm… Is this the totally new model that Europe has or a simple face lift of the current model we get in Australia?
It just doesn’t look like from the side for some reason…
And also $1500 more over the outgoing model? No thanks!
How come the new Fiesta can be sold at a cheaper price over the outgoing model and the Focus has to go up by this much?
Well well well… Having just had a quick look on ford.com.au it seems all their prices have gone up.
The Fiesta has gone up by $900 since its launch and the Mondeo $1000. This is the second rise this year from Ford.
Too right Yianni……..less management, markup and more value Ford!
Yianni, Fiesta hasn’t gone up! it’s still the same price. Mondeo went up in January (with everything else). Focus has gone up but so has spec, there is now no smooth pack asn items are included standard and the higher models come down a touch.
The Focus is the SAME face lift as in Europe & UK! There is no totallynew modle in Europe that Ford knows about? New model not out till 2010! This face lift was done 9 months or so ago in the Europe and now Ford SA are inline with it.
The 6 speed dual clutch gearbox is “innovative”. In what way, exactly, is it innovative, when it’s just a copy of the DSG VW has used for years?
What’s this about Ford’s AsiaPacific and African design divisions working on this with Australian involvement? This is the current European model, I didn’t think it had ANY input from the Australian office.
Have they fixed the front seats in this model? It’s the main reason the focus is not on my shopping list for a new car this year…
“Frontman Says:
February 27th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Yianni, Fiesta hasn’t gone up! it’s still the same price. Mondeo went up in January (with everything else).”
The price of the new Fiesta has gone up! It was $15,750 in January and the website now says $16,450!
Also the Mondeo went to $30,990 [from $29,990] in January but is now listed at $31.990.
The new Focus also has received a price increase compared to the old model going from $20,490 to $21,990!
The Falcon has also received a major increase if you look at their website.
with the prices, dont forget that the aussie dollar fell to the floor recently.
“Andrew M Says:
February 27th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
with the prices, dont forget that the aussie dollar fell to the floor recently.”
These are Euro models sourced from Europe and South Africa and shouldnt be affected as much like the Japanese cars.
The AUD has lost around 14% to the EUR and 40% to the JPY. Japanese manufacturer price rises is one thing but why Euro cars?
The new Golf was launched yesterday with the exact same pricing as the old model and it even comes straight from Germany now and not South Africa like the old model.
I don’t understand why this Focus is worth $1500 more over the old model?
Cheers
GO FORD!
This the Mazda 3 and the Golf are the drivers choice in this Category.
Yeah I second that GO FORD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPAM WORD DIESEL: NOW THATS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT..
Great car. Must get a chance to drive one.
Yianni, most car price will go up 2009 because of the current economic conditions.
Most not all.
I recently test drove a current model Ford Focus for my elderly parents.I was pleasantly surprised.
It did everything well,plenty of power from the 2.0L, comfortable and ride was very good.
I also test drove a 1.4L auto Fiesta… very disappointed.
My parents decided to buy the Focus with the safety pack(more airbags ,stabilty control)option.
A 1.4 litre engine mated to a slushbox equals slug.
We’ve been ripped off! This doesn’t have the new door panels of the euro model.
What a half assed attempt
Big wooopy doooo BOB, door panels is a pretty minor argument.
Kiwis get the German made Focus, Aussies get the South African. Hope Ford Australia do a better job for you Bob.
Carpoint think they have images of the soon-to-be Aussie built Focus. please let them be immensely wrong:
http://carpoint.com.au/news/20.....ocus-14360
Matt, I really doubt thats right. Although the Kinetic look is getting retired, the carpoint picture has nearly no Ford styling cues at all. Its a half camry/half mazda design. And the badge is tiny, a complete change to the current trend of Fords (and most car manufacturers)increasing the size of the badge.
As of 2009 all new Fords are recieving a 3% increase on the RRP. Don’t know why.
The price increase is due to the fall in the aussie dollar compared to the yen. although the Focus is not a jap model, ford is increasing prices to compensate the loss its making with its low sales of all current models especially the Falcon.
The price hike is due to the fall of the Aussie dollar compared to the yen. Although the Focus is not a jap model, Ford is hiking up the price of all models to compensate for low sales of all models especially the local mad eFalcon.
Give me a Mazda 3 anyday of this ugly Focus
Too bad the price is no longer the cheapest small car either.
The Focus hasn’t got a hope of increasing sales against the Mazda3, Corolla, Civic etc. Just look at the lame Ford dealer network for a start, they couldn’t sell lollies to kids if they tried….
And don’t start on their service, just appalling.
from the article “Rather than just update a bumper or grille as many manufacturers do, Ford’s Asia-Pacific and Africa design team working in Australia took a ‘whole vehicle’ approach in applying kinetic design form language to the exterior.”
Think that’s bollox – I cannot see any difference beween the Euro marketed veehicles and the “Asian” ones.