Ford has unveiled its third-generation Focus at the Detroit Motor Show and the company believes it has the ability to become the biggest-selling car in the world.
The new hatchback and saloon versions are the same size as the current Focus, but with brand new styling inside and out. They will also have the same chassis dimensions and suspension hardware, although carefully refined and new electric power steering that promises improved dynamics and lower noise levels.
The company claims that the cars will nearly be identical in all markets with 80 per cent parts in common. All the variants will have common suspension architecture, with regional modifications in areas like wheel and tyre specifications.
The new Focus sports a modern looking high detailed interiors with and a driver-focused cockpit layout. It also houses a high centre console and has lots of emphasis on quality of materials used.
In the European markets, Focus will be offered with a new direct-injection 1.6-litre Ecoboost (petrol turbo) engine. It is likely to offer better performance than the old 2.0-litre unit, yet exceptional levels of fuel economy. Duratorq turbodiesels will also be improved. It will be offered with six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which offers nine per cent better fuel economy than the conventional four-speed automatic of previous Focus models.
The Focus saloon and hatchback are due to be launched in the Europe at the beginning of 2011 and Ford is hopeful of stripping down the Toyota Corolla from its top-selling-car spot and replace it with the new Focus.