In 1998, the Ford Focus replaced the Escort VII. The debut took place at the Geneva Motor Show, where the novelty caused a stir. The model range provides complete freedom of choice: the three- and five-door hatchback, sedan and wagon Focus Turnier. The design is made in accordance with the concept of New Edge, which is based on a mix of sharp corners and streamlined lines. The creators tried to collect all imaginable geometric shapes, for example, a turn signal in the shape of a triangle, and next to it - trapezoids, ellipses, sharp corners and curved lines.
Ornate dashboard and center drop-shaped console look pretty avant-garde. Oval atypical speedometer and tachometer scales have a classic layout. Due to all this, the exterior of the car turned out to be quite original and unusual. The European Focus uses petrol engines from the Zetec and Zetec-SE families with volumes ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 liters (75 to 130 hp), as well as diesel engines of 1.8 liters (75, 90 and 115 hp). American versions are equipped with only 2.0-liter gasoline engines (from 110 to 172 hp) paired with an automatic transmission.
Suspension on the Focus deserves a separate discussion, front - McPherson, rear - independent multi-link suspension with the effect of steering the wheels when turning the Control Blade. It provides the car with incredible cornering stability and comfort on any surface. The rest of the Focus is made according to the canons of class B: front-wheel drive, transversely located petrol and diesel engines, McPherson front suspension, manual or automatic transmission. Focus has got several equipment options. Basic equipment (Ambiente) offered: power steering, adjustable steering column and airbag for the driver.
In the performance of Comfort: front electric windows, air conditioning, remote unlocking of the trunk, central locking and duffel pockets in the front doors. The Trend package will please the front "foglights", leather-trimmed steering wheel and boot light. For the most demanding and demanding clients, a performance suite called Ghia was offered. Here, standard equipment includes 15-inch wheels instead of 14-inch, passenger airbag, winter package (heated seats, mirrors, windshield, washer nozzles, electric mirror adjustment), rear electric windows and central locking with remote control.
Salon "Focus" at first glance is not replete with all sorts of useful containers. The main glove compartment is small, but there are very spacious niches in the doorway, in front of the gear lever there is a platform where you can put small items, such as a mobile phone, pockets are provided in the seats. The seats have standard mechanical adjustments back and forth, the angle of the back and the size of the lumbar support. The expensive versions provide electric adjustment of the driver's seat height and retractable armrest. On the flight and tilt, and in a very wide range, the steering column is also adjustable.
Thanks to all of the above qualities, Focus was recognized as “Car of the Year in Europe” in 1999 and “Car of the Year in the USA” in 2000. In 2001, the Focus underwent a slight restyling - the headlights, the front bumper, the grille, and the interior details changed. In 2002, two “charged” versions appeared with forced 2.0-liter engines - the Focus ST170 with an engine of 172 hp. and Focus RS with a capacity of 215 hp, the production of which was discontinued just 394 days after it began. The new generation Ford Focus II debuted in September 2004 at the Paris Motor Show.
Production of the car initially began in October 2004 at the head plant for Focus in Saarlouis (Germany) and in Valencia (Spain), in the spring of 2005 in Russia (the plant in Vsevolozhsk), in the PRC and in Taiwan. The car is based on the Ford-C1 group platform, which has already given life to such models as the Ford Focus C-MAX, Mazda3 and Volvo S40 / V50. Visually, it looks more solid predecessor. And it's not just the body style. The second generation is wider and longer (50 mm) first.
The wheelbase is increased by 25 mm, gauge - 40 mm. The wheels are now 15, 16 or 17 inches. That is why the cabin is so spacious, even the rear passengers. A sloping roof, giving the appearance of the car swiftness, is quite high above the heads of passengers.
Thus, in Russia, since the end of summer 2005, only the new Ford Focus II local assembly with bodies has been offered: 5-door Hatchback (3-door Hatchback - from August 2005), a sedan and a wagon in four fixed trim levels: Ambiente (driver's driver, central locking , immobilizer, steering column adjustment for reach and tilt); Comfort (optional air conditioning with air circulation and electric); Trend (optional on-board computer, fog lights and improved interior) and Chia (optional aluminum and leather trim, a full set of PB, including side, central locking with remote control, cooled glove box, Sony radio, etc.).
The Russian package also includes engine compartment protection, reinforced wheels and tires, sill protection, mud flaps, and a full-size spare tire. Gamma engines for Russia: 1.4 liters R4 16 V (80 hp); 1.6 L R4 16V (100 hp); 1.6 L R4 16V Duratec Ti-VCT with variable valve timing (115 hp); 2.0 liter R4 16V (145 hp) and for the first time for the Russian market - Duratorg turbo diesel 1.8 liter R4 16V (115 hp). The KP's choice is a 5-step “mechanic” (two models, the IB5 and MTX75) or a 4-step adaptive “automatic” Durashift-ECT (only for 1.6 liters). For the European market, the Focus II is also equipped with a 1.6-liter TDCi with a volume of 1.6 liters R4 16V in versions of 90 hp.
In profile, the new Focus looks stylish and harmonious. Each element of its design has a functional purpose. So, the visor above the rear window optimizes air flow. Even the side mirrors have worked carefully and this has affected the acoustic comfort. In accordance with the exterior of the interior of the second Focus has become more serious.
Fundamentalism is emphasized not only by the architecture of the interior decoration, but also by the quality of finishing materials. So, the front panel is now made of elastic plastic. "Ford" engineers came up with another adjustable pedal assembly. He "drives up" to the seat by 50 mm. In general, everything is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. In the interior, all soundly, thoroughly and modernly. First of all, this is the merit of higher quality materials. It looks very good combo salon with a light "bottom" and a good seat material.
In addition, the interior has lost the sharp edges inherent in the Focus of the first generation. From the pleasant little things - the glove box grown to 12 liters, also for the passengers - cupholders, compartments for papers and a backlight. There is where to put small things - there are compartments next to the seats. The back sofa is quite comfortable, you can get three of them on it. The amount of luggage increased by 10% to 385 liters (1.245 liters with the seats folded) on the hatchback and up to 475 liters (1.525 liters with the seats folded) on the station wagon.
The steering wheel on the steering column adjustable in two directions is also on the level. By the way, the effort on it can be changed by selecting the appropriate mode in the onboard computer settings. In Focus II, you can choose any of the three modes of electric power: sporty, standard, comfortable.
In the “Sport” mode, the steering wheel becomes a little tighter and the reverse reaction in the turn is more distinct. The "Comfortable" mode is clearly with an eye on the city: in this mode, the steering wheel is light. In the "Standard" mode, you can ride the rest of the time. The suspension is comfortable enough. Ford Focus II goes well with bumps, quickly copes with vibrations, clearly stands in the corner. Brake mechanisms that maintain continuity, adequately and reliably slow down the car without trajectory distortion. Safety is provided by: side curtains and airbags that inflate from the front to the rear pillar.
In the rating Euro NCAP Focus II is recognized as the safest car in the class. The balance of attractive consumer qualities and prices made Ford Focus II the leader in sales in Russia among foreign cars of the “golf class”. In 2008, Ford Focus was restyled. The philosophy of "kinetic design" got to this popular model.
Upgraded car has almost no old body parts. Is that the roof remained unchanged. And everything else - headlights, hood, fenders, bumpers, mirrors - have become different. The upgraded Focus has gained a more dynamic appearance, successfully emphasizing the swiftness and maneuverability of this car.
Inside the model has also changed. The new dashboard has become much more noble. The "softness coefficient" of plastic has increased, and by a lot. In addition, now the creators of Ford Focus offer 2 versions of the panel: "under the tree" or steel color. The elephant restyled Ford Focus II is also good.
The features of the kinetic design are visible here, for example, the smooth outlines of the new center console. All instruments are located very conveniently, everything is in place. Ergonomics and after restyling remained at a high level.
The instrument panel is highlighted in red, which makes the indicators more readable. Comfortable seats with pronounced lateral support are covered with high-quality, pleasant to the touch material. Plastic also looks very decent. In addition to the “kinetic” design, the car received new options.
Under the order, the car can be equipped with air conditioning, music, heated seats, heated windshield, folding electric mirrors, directional stability, 6 airbags, radio control from the steering column, etc. The upgraded Focus is also rich in new features and additional equipment. A convenient fuel cap without a cap - EasyFuel - will help to avoid errors during refueling, and a low pressure warning system will know in advance about possible problems with the tires. The cabin has a 230 V power outlet to which various electrical equipment can be connected.
The new Sony audio system is notable for its excellent sound quality, and besides, it offers the possibility to listen to MP3 files and connect your mobile phone to the system via Bluetooth®, thus establishing a speakerphone. LED taillights that create a unique visual effect complete the picture. The restyled Ford Focus engine range offered on the Russian market has not undergone any significant changes: the car will be equipped with 1.4 (80 hp), 1.6 (100 and 115 hp) petrol units, 1.8 (125 hp) and 2.0 (145 hp).
The car security system received the highest 5-star rating on Euro NCAP tests in the category “safety of adult passengers”. This high level of security provides an impressive array of advanced technologies, including Intelligent Security System (IPS). The lighting technologies used in the new Focus make night driving more confident and safer.
It is possible to install headlights on the car that turn on automatically as soon as it becomes dark, as well as bi-xenon headlights, or an adaptive head light system. Adaptive headlight system automatically shifts the light beam in the horizontal plane, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the angle of rotation of the steering wheel. This means that when you turn the steering wheel, the headlights turn, illuminating exactly the road, and not the surrounding landscape.
Such lighting is especially effective in turns. It improves the visibility of road bends and makes driving safer. At the same time, the new LED taillights, complete with bi-xenon headlights or an adaptive headlamp system, light up faster and shine brighter than ordinary incandescent bulbs.
This makes the car more noticeable to other drivers. The car is still available in several bodies: 3- and 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon. The flagship model - Focus ST - is an incredible dynamic, unique sports design, powerful brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels. The third-generation Ford Focus was first shown to the public at the Detroit International Car Show in early 2010. In the summer of the same year, the novelty was presented in Russia at the August Motor Show in Moscow, however, the opportunity to buy the Focus III from the Russians appeared only in 2011.
The manufacturer now offers only three types of bodywork - a five-door hatchback, a sedan and a station wagon - a three-door hatchback is out of the line. Compared with its predecessor, the Focus III added 21 mm (4 358 mm) in length, but it was 16 mm lower (1,484 mm) and 16 mm narrower (1,823 mm). The wheelbase has grown by an additional 8 mm (2,648 mm), but the amount of luggage has decreased slightly. In the version with a full-size spare wheel it is 372 liters for the sedan and 277 liters for the hatchback (1,062 liters with the rear seats folded).
The car received a completely new body design, but retained the best qualities of previous generations - recognizable appearance, spaciousness of the cabin, versatility and reasonable prices. Exterior turned out spectacular and modern. The front bumper stands a huge air intake divided into three sections. In the back, all the attention of the observer is occupied by lanterns of an unusual shape, far reaching on the wings. Built to reflect the new materials, the body was made of several steel grades, which made it possible to reduce weight and increase rigidity. The new body of the five-door version is stronger than its predecessor by 45% and 15% tougher.
The interior has also changed noticeably. It is made in a modern style: a lot of buttons, nice lighting. Illumination deserves special attention. Light bulbs are burning everywhere: above the dashboard, in buttons, in door pockets, in cup holders, in legs.
And the color of the backlight can be changed by clicking on the button in the ceiling. Color options vary from white to orange. Next to this button there is a backlight brightness control.
The car received a completely new center console and instrument panel, each of which is equipped with an LCD display. The instrument panel is made in bright blue color. The display of the onboard computer is also with blue backlight. It displays the average speed and flow rate, odometer, instantaneous flow rate and distance to the gas station. To the right of the display shows the condition of the car - on the drawn silhouette of the car lights and lights come on, doors open.
And under all this animation, the readings of the box mode are displayed (on a mechanical box, the system advises when to switch to the next gear, showing up arrows), temperature overboard and the overall path of the car. As a base powertrain, the European Ford Focus III received a completely new four-cylinder 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine of the EcoBoost family, available in two versions - with a capacity of 150 and 182 hp. A 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed PowerShift “robot” are offered as transmissions. EcoBoost engines will not be represented on the Russian market yet.
The buyer can choose a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 105 and 124 hp, as well as a more powerful 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a power output of 150 hp. Six-speed mechanics also will not, the engines of 1.6 liters will receive a 5-speed box. 140 hp two-liter turbo diesel Only available with automatic transmission.
The engine starts with a button, but access to the car is not keyless - the doors and trunk are unlocked from the buttons on the key. By the way, the hood of the Focus III now opens traditionally - with the help of a lever in the cabin, unlocking the logo with a key is a thing of the past. The filler cap is not locked with a stopper. Access to the tank can only be a gun or hose of the desired diameter, and only when the machine is unlocked.
By the way, the Focus is powered by gasoline not lower than 95th. The Russian version has also lost a lot of modern electronic systems that have prepared for the Focus III in the amount of thirteen pieces. Of these, we will get a navigation system with voice control, a system for tracking “dead” zones, an emergency braking system aimed at preventing collisions at low speeds, and an automatic parking system.
The optional Premium Light package includes bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and rear diode lights. Russian car buyers are offered in one of four configurations: Ambiente, Trend, Trend Sport and Titanium. Ambiente offers electric side mirrors and front windows, ABS and EBD systems, steering wheel adjustment for reach and tilt, and driver's seat height, painted in body color of the mirror housing and a rear spoiler (at the hatchback), remote locking of doors, a system refueling Ford Easy Fuel without using a cap, etc.
