First look: Ford surprises with facelifted Focus
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Nose job: Most of the changes have been made to the front end.
Focus upgraded with Kinetic design language and a double-clutch automatic
By JAMES STANFORD
12 September 2007
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THE Ford Focus has been given a facelift using its current Kinetic design language to bring it in line with its siblings, starting with the new Mondeo that will arrive in Australia next month.
Ford revealed the mid-life upgrade of its all-important small car at the Frankfurt Motor Show last night, with European sales to start in February.
It is not yet clear when the South African Focus production line, which supplies Australia, will switch over to the new shape, but Ford Australia president Tom Gorman said this morning that it would "not be far" behind Europe.
The visual changes made to the front of the car stand out, but Ford has also announced some important mechanical upgrades.
These include a new six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission for diesel Focus models.
Ford claims the new transmission - which will be sourced from Getrag and is believed to be similar to the popular Volkswagen DSG automatic - uses 10 per cent less fuel than a regular six-speed automatic.
Adding an automatic option for the diesel-engined Focus is expected to be popular in Australia, where the recently-launched diesel is currently only available with a manual.
 The 2.0-litre petrol engine remains unchanged and continues with its current transmissions.
Ford will continue to offer the current 100kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, but has also developed a more affordable 80kW version of the engine for overseas markets.
Ford has also upgraded the Focus interior, although the same basic shape remains.
There is a new instrument cluster which now uses red illumination, softer plastics have been introduced, some buttons and switches have been redesigned and there are new door storage areas throughout the cabin.
A new Focus trim level includes a new centre console, which Ford says continues the Kinetic theme.
The exterior shape picks up the design language that was first introduced at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show with the Iosis concept car.
It was picked up by the new Mondeo and the upcoming Kuga compact all-wheel-drive, while the design language has also been applied to the 2008 Falcon that will be launched in March.
Most of the changes have been made to the front of the Focus, with a large trapezoidal air-dam below the bumper being the standout design element.
There is a thin grille topped with a chrome strip and the headlights now have a swept-back look.
The wheel arches are more prominent and the rear of the car has also been altered with new LED tail-lights, a horizontal crease running across the back of the hatch and redesigned hatch glass panel.
A 1.8-litre petrol Flexifuel Focus will also be offered in Europe that will be able to run with a fuel mix of up to 85 per cent ethanol.
Ford Europe will also sell compressed natural gas (CNG) and LPG versions of the 2.0-litre petrol Focus.
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