Unveiled as a world car at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, the new Mk3 Ford Focus is one of the biggest launches in North America, and it will certainly prove to be a very familiar sight globally in the coming years.
The third generation Ford Focus features plenty of kinetic design qualities and a really stylish interior, and unlike any Focus before it will look pretty much the same in all of the 122 countries where it will be sold, including the UK where it is due to go on sale in a year’s time. This comes as part of the One Ford strategy, which means that around 80 percent of the car doesn’t change from market to market, and therefore simplifying the whole build process and boosting economies of scale.
Its chassis and mechanicals will form the basis for 10 different models by 2012, and this move will allow Ford to double global Focus-based production to around two million cars a year. And with the large number of countries selling this car, the Focus has the potential to be one of the biggest-selling Fords in history.
The new four-door and five-door models are the same size as the current model, but feature brand new styling both inside and out. Also staying the same is the chassis dimensions and suspension hardware, although carefully refined, and new electric power steering promises improved dynamics and lower noise levels.
The interior features a more driver focused cabin, and clearly shows that the big emphasis on getting the interior fit, finish and quality up to the level of the Golf’s has paid off. A high centre console, and the latest version of Ford’s SYNC multimedia software and interface lets you plug in various devices and control them by voice.
Ford are not giving too much away regarding engines for the moment, but have confirmed that the Focus Mk3 will get a range of direct injection EcoBoost petrol engines, including a 1.6-litre version here, and improved Duratorq common-rail diesel engine.
Production of the Ford Focus Mk3 will take place at Saarlouis in Germany, Michigan in the USA, and Chongqing in China all at the same time, and if the car is a big a hit as Ford hope, production will also be added for Spain and Russia later in the model cycle.
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