Filed under: Convertibles, Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Ford
Geneva 2008: Ford's European cabrio comes into Focus
by Noah Joseph on Mar 5th 2008 at 4:28AM 
Click above to view the Ford Focus CC in high resolution
Ford took the occasion of the Geneva Motor Show to display the latest variant of the European Focus that we wish we could get in the good ol' US of A, the Pininfarina-built Focus Coupe-Cabriolet. As we reported one month ago in the wind-up to the big show, the Focus CC takes the battle to its European rivals with a folding hardtop, stiffened body and engines ranging from 100 to 145hp, with a 136hp diesel thrown in there too.
Until Ford decides to bring it over the Atlantic, you can look but you can't touch in the gallery below, and read the press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus CC
PRESS RELEASE
NEW COUPÉ-CABRIOLET TO COMPLETE THE NEW FORD FOCUS FAMILY
• Restyled Focus Coupé-Cabriolet debuts at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show
• New Focus front end with 'kinetic design' styling
• Enhanced interior with high quality materials and new instruments
• Best in class Coupé-Cabriolet luggage compartment volume with roof up and down
• Coupé-Cabriolet completes the line-up of new Focus bodystyles, comprising 3-door, 4-door, and 5-door Sedans as well as Wagon
• Ultra-stiff body to support driving dynamics and steering precision
The new four-seater Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet has its public debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The new model joins the three-door, four-door, five-door, wagon and sporty ST models, extending the comprehensive new Focus range and offering the greatest variety of bodystyles for a single vehicle line within the Ford of Europe portfolio. As a final addition to the exciting and fully comprehensive Focus range, the all-new Ford Focus RS high performance model will be launched in 2009.
The newly designed Focus Coupé-Cabriolet with its retractable hardtop will once again be manufactured at the Bairo plant of Pininfarina, Ford's partner in designing, engineering and building the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet. This stylish vehicle is a true four-seater that combines a high emotional appeal with "must have" means for everyday use: With the roof closed, new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet offers a best-in-class luggage capacity of 534 litres. Even with the retractable hardtop stowed in the boot, the new Ford provides a voluminous 248 litres of luggage space under the folded roof.
"As with the generic new Ford Focus, with the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet we also felt the importance of aligning this charismatic vehicle with our 'kinetic design' language as soon as possible," said Stephen Odell, Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford of Europe.
'Kinetic Design' Styling
"The new Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is a special blend: We felt that the new very 'kinetic' front end design will perfectly complement the timelessly-elegant, Italian flavoured profile and rear end design. The result is a perfect mix of latest level Focus dynamics and the special Coupé-Cabriolet design execution that we had already developed jointly with Pininfarina," said Chris Bird, Design Director at Ford of Europe.
The entire front end design of the new Ford Focus was fully adopted for the
Coupé-Cabriolet: The new three-dimensional bonnet design flows harmoniously into the iconic dual-trapezoidal-grille design, with both the upper and lower grille being equipped with a classy chrome surrounding. The front bumper, lights and front fender designs clearly reflect the latest dynamic Focus styling, but are also tailored to perfectly fit the elegant side view of the Coupé-Cabriolet.
The interior styling of the new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet also received a fresh approach with bold design statements, high quality finishes and hard-wearing materials all completed with a high level of craftsmanship. Most prominent for the driver is a new instrument cluster of a 'binocular' style with instruments illuminated in red.
As with the new Focus, the Coupé-Cabriolet also benefits from the flow through centre stack to the standard 'premium' centre console with an increased stowage volume of approximately 4 litres and a sliding armrest with a travel of 80 mm, both contributing to increased comfort and convenience.
New Technology
A number of new standard driver assistance features have been introduced on all new Focus models with further technology options, and will also be introduced to the Coupé-Cabriolet.
These features include:
• Available 'Ford Power' button for keyless start, plus keyless entry system
• Standard emergency hazard warning light activation system (Info: except Finland and Sweden)
• New optional Tyre Deflation Detection System (DDS)
• New audio connectivity module for external devices and new levels of Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, voice control and navigation systems
• New navigation systems include an affordable navigation option with 'SD' card slot as well as a DVD based system with 7" colour touchscreen
• Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) tuner on Sony radio system available
Powertrains and Series
A fine range of Duratec petrol and Duratorq diesel engines was chosen for the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet: While the 1.6-litre 100 PS/74 kW Duratec petrol is the entry level into the Focus 'wind-in-the-hair' experience, the well acclaimed 2.0-litre 145 PS/107 kW Duratec HE engine is available with a choice of a sporty 5-speed manual transmission or the very comfortable FN automatic transmission for relaxed cruising joy.
The 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine has 136 PS (100 kW) and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. To make driving with the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine even more refined and comfortable, specific improvements have been made to its Sound quality and vibration behaviour. This engine – along with all other Ford Focus petrol and diesel engines – benefits from a new insulated, weight reduced cowl panel, for optimum acoustics and a new carpet with a modified heavy duty coating for further sound deadening.
In terms of the series availability, the new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is once again available with a well equipped entry 'Trend' specification, which can also be ordered in conjunction with a special 'Sport' pack, covering a sport suspension and specially designed 17-inch alloy wheels. Black tinted headlamp housings on the exterior emphasise the sporty appearance of this series.
The top-of-the-range 'Titanium' series also features exterior details like specially designed 17-inch alloys and the black headlamp housings, but also classy interior items like the standard partial leather seats. As an option, full leather seats in three different designs are available.
High Safety Standards
A very stiff bodyshell construction and a precise suspension and steering tuning are the active and solid base for the new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet's safety package. As a part of Ford PrecisionDrive, it helps drivers to intuitively rely on their Ford car in any driving situation. In addition to this very convincing package, ESP has now been introduced to be standard in all European major markets, and complements the very capable four-disc braking system with EBA.
The passive safety also starts with an ultra stiff bodyshell and a rigid passenger safety cell. Without a regular sedan roof structure however, front crash load paths for the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet had to be redistributed behind the A-pillars into the door structure.
As a result, these load paths were significantly reinforced by using high strength HSS 2 steel and increasing the rocker height by 35mm. The load path through the door structure can carry loads up to seven tons – comparable with the cumulated load capability of a Focus four-door at the roof and door structures.
In addition to standard front and side airbags, Ford's new Rollover Protection Device (RPD) system plays a vital role in increasing Focus Coupé-Cabriolet's passive safety performance. RPD is designed to help protect passengers in the unlikely event that the vehicle rolls over. Electronic sensors and a gyroscope are at the heart of the system, and can detect an impending rollover. When this happens, two ultra-strong safety roll bars "fire" into position within a tenth of a second. Combined with the reinforced A-pillars and the highly rigid front window frame, RPD is a reassuring device that provides valuable extra protection for occupants.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KA 4:35AM (3/05/2008)
Not bad -- once again, if they would just sell their damn European cars in the states, Detroit would be alive and well again.
Interestingly enough, there's almost a hint of the Jaguar XF in the headlights.
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jgp 4:46AM (3/05/2008)
ARGH.
I hate the bloody European pedo safety law and how it has ruined car design in Europe. The grill should be where the "Focus Coupe-Cabriolet" sign is, and the headlights should be on the same level. European cars are now dead to me, thanks to stupid socialists.
The Renault Laguna and VW Scirocco are the only European designs since the pedo safety law was passed that don't completely suck, and even they're a bit too tall.
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Val 7:37AM (3/05/2008)
Perhaps you will change your mind when a dodge Ram cracks open your skull while you are crossing a parking lot ... Or maybe you won't.
Vega 4:51AM (3/05/2008)
Unfortunately like Peugeot and Renault the Focus CC uses a 2 part folding top, in cotrast to Opel (Astra) and VW (EOS), who use 3 parts. This leads to a limited roof size and consequenlty bad proportions: The trunk is too long and the windshield reaches way back over the driver's head, limiting the "convertible feeling".
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Mattias 6:21AM (3/05/2008)
Ford already has a nice convertible on the Focus platform with a three piece foldable roof: The Volvo C70. It would make no sense to weaken the distinctive features between the two.
Vega 7:03AM (3/05/2008)
@Mattias: Weaken the distinction? Which Volvo buyer views the Focus CC as a car he needs to distance himself from? No Volvo customer spends a second thinking about the features a Focus has. Not having a 3 part roof weakens the Focus against its main competitors, the Astra and the Eon.
Mattias 7:13AM (3/05/2008)
Here in Europe every big Ford dealership has a Volvo dealership. When someone opts for a foldable hardtop Focus and is not convinced on the looks when it is closed, the salesperson will show him the C70 which is priced just slightly above the Eos. A three piece foldable Focus would not convince the buyer to move upmarket.
Yes, you can say that Volvo already has lost lots of its distinction with the shared showrooms. Fleet managers who opted for a replacement for old V70s do not always go home with base diesel new V70s. They often take the new Mondeo. Same platform, same engine, but ~5000€ cheaper.
Vega 7:32AM (3/05/2008)
Maybe fleet buyers. But they're not exactly the target customer for a convertible, right? I'm from Germany and the Volvo convertible drivers I know wouldn't want to be seen dead in a Ford.
And Ford customers? Well, the msrp for a base Focus CC is EUR 23,750, the Astra TwinTop is 25,340 (+6.7%), the EOS is 26,950 (+13.4%) and the C70 is 34.840 (a whopping +46.7%). Guess where the prospective Focus CC-buyer is going to take his money?
Mattias 7:45AM (3/05/2008)
Nearly none of these convertibles is sold in base configuration. Compare specs that are comparable and keep an eye on rebates. There are nearly none on some Volkswagen models like the Eos or the Tiguan, but since Volvo managed to increase production capacities you get C70s well under 30.000.
It's about moving Ford buyers upmarket, not Volvo buyers downmarket.
Mark 5:07AM (3/05/2008)
The solution to Ford's trouble with Mercury is very simple:
Step 1) Introduce the Mercury Galaxy, S-Max, Mondeo, Focus, Focus Cabrio, and Kuga.
Step 2) Watch Mercury cars outsell Ford cars.
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SPG 9:23AM (3/05/2008)
Yep, I agree.
In fact from what I have been reading (and saying myself) most of the people that comment on this site agree.
dwain white 5:51AM (3/05/2008)
Why doesn't Ford bring over those European design men and women and let them do some of that stuff over here? I can not believe they are so stupid as to not bring over the cars that almost everyone on these posts talk about wanting!
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Mr Cool 9:01AM (3/05/2008)
So true my friend. C'mon Ford! Stop being cheap skates and take a risk!!
SPG 9:25AM (3/05/2008)
That's such a nice car, it would make a great addition to the few affordable convertibles on the road.
I love convertibles but the Sebring is a bit too old folks for me, the Mustang is awesome but not a Canadian winter car, the G6 gets up there price wise pretty easily, but this... This could be the car.
Call it a Ford, Mercury, or Merkur for all I care. Just make the effort.
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Mike 10:02AM (3/05/2008)
I agree with those who have stated their distaste for American design - particularly from Ford. The Focus in the U.S. is an awful design, the lack of the Kuga, and others is why Detroit -- as previously mentioned -- is falling behind. But then again, the Accord Euro certainly has better "taste" than the "new" Accord in the U.S.
Time to bring the European designers to the U.S. and change Detroit!
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Cire 10:12AM (3/05/2008)
I know this is another "shoulda, coulda, woulda" comment about Ford importing their superior Euro products, but I'm going to submit it anyway: This car would have made a nice Capri for the Mercury brand. So much for wishful thinking.
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Gregg 12:55PM (3/05/2008)
This hardtop convertible has really nice proportions. I like the side profile better than the Volvo's. Most of these cars (Eos included) end up having a too long and/or too high rump. This one looks right.
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