[deetjohn]

The next Ford Focus is ramping up for a 2019 launch, with engineers currently testing late-build prototypes.

Spotted by Autocar UK' photographers, these images show the fourth-generation model’s real skin beneath a disguise being tested in arctic conditions. Such testing only takes place when the car’s look and specification are mature, to prove that the finished model works well under extreme conditions and to fine-tune its braking and stability electronics.


The new Focus, set to be revealed in early 2018 ahead of a launch the following year, will follow the same evolutionary path as the recently unveiled Fiesta, using Ford’s highly flexible global C-class platform.

The Focus programme’s similarity to the Fiesta’s evolution is no surprise since the project is now under the management of Ford’s small-car guru, Darren Palmer, whose team recently delivered the Fiesta, the Ka+ and a dramatically improved Ecosport B-segment SUV.



The new Focus is unlikely to grow in length or width, but is tipped to have about 50mm more wheelbase to match its rivals for rear legroom. It will also deliver weight savings around 50kg, model for model, though precise figures are still being calculated. Efficiency will be high on the agenda: Ford will undoubtedly improve on the current car’s aerodynamics.


The new mainstreamer’s engine range will depend heavily on the successful 1.0-litre Ecoboost three-cylinder petrol engine — available in 99, 123 and 138bhp versions — and is likely also to offer 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre petrol units in several power outputs to power its ST-line and “full fat” ST versions. The staple diesel will again be the 1.5 TDCi, though a 2.0-litre diesel may still be offered for ST performance models. Ford has been talking nine- and 10-speed automatics in America for several years but is likely for the time being to stick with its the six-speed Powershift twin-clutch gearbox as the European automatic option.

One certainty is that Ford will launch a high-riding Focus Active, along lines established by the recently revealed Fiesta Active, to take advantage of burgeoning demand for “lifestyle” models. There will be several models: base cars will have a regular front-wheel-drive system, but there is likely to be an optional four-wheel drive utilising hardware from the existing Kuga SUV.


Suggestions that there would be no replacement for the current Focus RS appear wide of the mark: Ford sources suggest there may be “at least one more” version of the highly rated 165mph sports hatch in the company’s armoury. Ford chief Farley is known to be keen on such models, which he says do much to boost the image and desirability of the whole Ford range.

Inside, the new Focus will be more carefully packaged than ever, to offer enhanced passenger space in key areas even though it is no bigger externally. The décor will be simpler and more stylish: the company’s designers privately admit they “overdelivered” on dashboard complexity in recent Fiesta and Focus cabins. The fascia, in particular, will be simpler and less claustrophobic, with more functions activated via a prominent central touch-screen.


Hopefully, Ford can get the Focus here. By the looks of it, the C segment (or whatever it will be called) will hit 20 lakhs by then and there will be a lot of space for mature and capable hatchbacks. Let's hope against hope that our market will have some space for the driver's cars among the deluge of boring all-rounder cars and SUVs.

Source

[deetjohn]

The new Focus has been spotted completely devoid of camouflage. The design cues are straight from the new Fiesta.



It was also spotted earlier with the bare minimum of camouflage.







source

[rohitoasis]

Ford has now officially unveiled the 2019 Focus. The car will be made available from July 2018 in Europe and China.

Focus which was launched in 1998 in hatch and sedan form as a replacement to the iconic Escort name quickly garnered popularity within Europe. Personally for me that 1st Generation car with it's sharp styling, amazing interiors, the revolutionary "Control blade" suspension was and still is one of the best cars ever. Over the year the sharp styling gave way to more (Please all) rounded styling. The last generation was a very dull iteration of the hatchback. Now to the 2019 Focus.

Styling
Ford seems to have noticed the need to fix the styling and has put a lot of effort into differentiating this version from the previous one. The front gets the hexagonal grille similar to the Fiesta. Space has been liberated inside and interiors have been given the ford family treatment. Rear passengers gain more space thanks to a longer wheelbase, which grows shoulder room by roughly 60mm, knee room by 50mm, and legroom by 70mm. Ford claims improvement in drag coefficient as well.


Chassis
Ford says the new car is up to 88kg lighter, like-for-like, than today’s Focus. Some 33kg of that comes from the chassis, which uses a greater proportion of high-strength steel and a few aluminium elements in the front crash structure. Overall, body rigidity is up by 20%, but this increases by as much as 50% around the suspension elements, which, Ford says, allows it much more flexibility in suspension tuning. The body panels are 25kg lighter than those of the previous Focus, the interior loses 17kg andthe powertrain and electrical systems each lose up to 6kg and 7kg respectively.

The important bit is Ford seems to cater to the masses who enjoy driving. Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe’s vice president for product development, said: “Driving quality in itself isn’t enough to sell cars. If you’re not up to scratch [in infotainment], you’re not even considered. But owners will still get that fun-to-drive feel that people have loved about the Focus for the past 20 years.”
But what contradicts this is that the lower spec cars 1 Litre Turbo Petrol and 1.5 Diesel will come with a twist beam Axle while only the 1.5 Litre Turbo Petrol and 2 Litre Diesel will come with Independent suspension.

Engines
Four engines are currently planned.
1 Litre Turbo Petrol in tunes of 84bhp, 99bhp and 124bhp, each with estimated CO2 emissions of 108g/km
1.5 Litre Turbo Petrol in tunes of 148bhp and 179bhp forms, offering CO2 outputs of 120g/km or thereabouts.
1.5 Litre Diesel in tunes of 94bhp and 118bhp forms and produces from 94g/km of CO2
2 Litre Diesel producing 148bhp and emits about 110g/km of CO2.

A Mild Hybrid version with 48V electric assistance is also expected.

Electricals and Communication
The Focus will be available with Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and displayed on an 8.0-inch touchscreen. This Focus will have radar- operated cruise control and lane-keep assist to level two autonomous standards, emergency auto braking, park assist, rear cross-traffic alert and, significantly for passengers, a wi-fi network that will connect to up to 10 devices and work up to 15m away from the car.



































Top Gear
Motortrend
Autocar

[qaqa]

Interesting. Even the new Focus has the same plain-jane instrument cluster as the EcoSport. I wonder why Ford is going down this path.

[murthy_p]

Ford is introducing pothole-detecting technology that can smooth out a car’s ride over broken roads to its range via the fourth-generation Focus.

Versions of the new fourth-generation Focus equipped with continuously adaptive damping will be able to smooth out the ride for the driver and passengers when traveling on broken road surfaces by 'seeing' the potholes
.
The system makes use of 12 high-resolution sensors that are able to detect the potholes before they are driven over and adjusts the suspension setting accordingly to makes things as comfortable as possible for the car's occupants.

When a pothole is detected by the continuously adaptive damping, which will be available as a cost-option for new Focus models that don't have it as standard, the dampers automatically adjust to the hardest possible setting. The reasoning behind that is so the wheels don't fall as deep into the hole as they would do otherwise when they run over it. Ford claims that this reduces the impact as a wheel bounces back out of a pothole, which, as well as improving the comfort of the ride, also reduces the chances of damage to the car.

The system was introduced into the Ford range in the US last year, but the Focus will be the first model to get it in Europe when it goes on sale later in the summer. After that, all models above the Focus in the Ford portfolio will have it available.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/i...detection-tech

https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/autos/...oles-1.3984575

[Aaron:)]

This is a beautifully designed car, it made me go WOW when I saw the pictures. Compared to the the likes of the Corolla, Civic, Elantra, Octavia etc. the Focus looks the best IMO.

Really wish we could see this car in India. Maybe the sedan version?

[murthy_p]

China wanted wider doors, so Ford complied.

Ford admitted that the 2019 Focus looks the way it is now, meaning it doesn't have the familiar six-window design, because the Chinese market dictates it to be that way. This was revealed in an interview by GoAuto Ford of Europe exterior design manager, Jordan Demkiw, at the launch of the Focus in France.

Ever since the Ford Focus hatchback was introduced back in 1998, it has a certain design element that was kept throughout its lifetime as a compact five-door vehicle by the Blue Oval – it has six windows, with the additional window panes found by the C-pillar.

However, as Ford killed the nameplate in the U.S. and focussed the production for the Chinese market, the familiar six windows were taken out to conform to the need of Chinese people – a not-so-surprising move by a brand who’s looking to sell a car at a specific market.

Apparently, the Chinese market demands wider doors. Easy ingress and egress are selling factors for Chinese buyers, which could make or break a car’s success. Another not-so-surprising fact, by the way. Looks like China really likes it big at the back. Remember the China-exclusive long wheelbase Mercedes A-Class Sedan?

With that, Ford had to make a decision and use the non-six-window design found in the Ford Focus Sedans. As a result, all three body types—hatchback, sedan, and wagon—share the same doors for the first time. This not only makes the Focus (hopefully) attractive to Chinese buyers, but also saves money for Ford as it unifies the construction of all three body types. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone.

https://www.motor1.com/news/260430/f...a-six-windows/