Ford Focus Active: Trademark application hints at Australian release
Crossover variant could be heading Down Under to duke it out with the Subaru XV
The Ford Focus Active – a crossover version of the all-new small car already available in Europe – could be on track to launch in Australia alongside the core range, if a pending trademark application is anything to go by.
Spotted by a keen CarAdvice reader, the 'Focus Active' name has shown up on the Australian Trademark Search, lodged by none other than Ford Motor Company.
The description is classified as Class 12, which covers "vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water". According to the website, Ford lodged the request on June 8.
CarAdvice reached out to Ford Australia for further comments, but the company's local division was unable to confirm any plans to offer the Active Down Under.
Based on the Focus hatchback, the Active gets a raised ride height and extended wheel arches compared to the standard body, along with an array of SUV-inspired styling elements inside and out for a more rugged look and feel.
Power comes from the same range of engines available in the standard Focus – overseas, at least – including a range of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel units, though it appears the Active doesn't offer an all-wheel drive option.
In saying that, Ford's current small SUV offering, the Ecosport, doesn't offer all-wheel drive in Australia either – the option is available in other markets, however.
Rivals for the Focus Active in Australia would include small SUVs like the Subaru XV, Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX. It's unclear, though, whether the Focus Active and Ecosport would be sold alongside each other in the same segment, or whether the latter would be dropped – it's been a relatively slow seller locally anyway.
The high-riding Focus sits alongside the crossover-styled Ka+ Active and Fiesta Active in Ford's global line-up, which are aimed at markets like Europe where off-road-styled hatchbacks and wagons continue to sell strongly.
At this stage we only know that the 2019 Focus will arrive in Australia in "late 2018", though details regarding which variants remains a mystery – there's was no offical word as to whether the wagon and/or Active will be coming here.
However, the Blue Oval has already confirmed all Australian Focus models will be made in Germany, equipped with autonomous emergency braking (including pedestrian and cyclist detection), and offer a pair of new three-cylinder Ecoboost petrol engines – one naturally-aspirated, one turbocharged.
A new eight-speed automatic will also be available, while adaptive cruise control with stop/go will be offered as an optional extra.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest updates over the coming months. Thanks to aboveaverage_cars on Instagram for the tip!
Would the Focus Active be on your shopping list if it came here?
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