Autoblog

2012 Ford Focus: North America's version of global car in detail [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has worked hard over the past few years to completely overhaul its entire model line. Recent product launches like the 2011 Mustang and Fiesta show that FoMoCo is committed to making class-leading vehicles, and the larger (ahem) focus on style, quality and packaging is nothing short of impressive.

Perhaps the most important new car launch for Ford, however, is the 2012 Focus, which makes its world premiere at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. This is the first product designed from the ground up with the Blue Oval's "One Ford" product strategy, and Ford's group vice president of product development says the Focus is the automaker's "flagship" for global vehicles. The Focus you see here will be sold in both North America and Europe with only very minor tweaks being made for the individual markets. Not even the original Focus that was sold in both markets when it debuted back in 1999 shared so much with its sibling on the other side of the Atlantic.

It certainly looks good, and with a raft of new engineering, safety and infotainment technologies on hand, the 2012 Focus is ready to set the C-segment on fire.

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus: North America's version of global car in detail [w/video]

2012 Ford Focus: North America's version of global car in detail [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment tease

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ford, UK

2012 Ford Focus Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery

We'll be honest - we're all pretty excited about the 2012 Ford Focus as it's set to add new levels of refinement and technology to the booming C-segment in the United States. And while we're pleased to see the return of the five-door hatchback, we'd be lying if we said we weren't a bit jealous that other markets will be getting this haul-ready wagon variant.

Plans for bringing the wagon to the States haven't been completely ruled out, and executives have said that if market demand is there, Ford will answer (we've heard this one before). Still, Europe should be relatively impressed with the 2012 Focus Wagon, what with its new Kinetic design, optional MyFord Touch system, and a range of both petrol and diesel engines. Click through our attached gallery to see live shots of the not-for-U.S. Focus Wagon.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Ford Focus Wagon

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon

Continue reading Geneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment tease

Geneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment tease originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in Geneva

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Ford

2012 Ford Focus wagon - Click above for high res-image gallery

With the debut of the 2012 Focus Wagon at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford has reached the halfway point in the roll-out of its new C-segment platform. When Ford first announced the new C-Max and Grand C-Max at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall, it said the C platform would eventually spawn at least 10 different variants. The two MPVs were joined by the four- and five-door Focus at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The new station wagon is number five and we expect it to be joined by a three-door hatch and coupe-convertible in the coming months. Ford also revealed that a small SUV will join the C-segment lineup soon.

While the new wagon will likely be a popular configuration on the continent, there are currently no plans to make the estate available in North America. Frank Davis, executive director of North American product programs at Ford, told Autoblog that when a wagon was last offered as part of the U.S. Focus lineup, the market share never got over 14 percent and only hit four percent in the final year of availability.

Davis wouldn't rule out offering a wagon in the U.S. at some point if it were justified by market demand. Since Ford will be using common manufacturing processes for the new Focus globally and the lines are flexible, it would not be difficult to add production at the Michigan Assembly Plant where the North American Focus will be built. Davis emphasized that over 80 percent of the parts on the new Focus are common globally, considerably more than the 60 percent commonality on the new Fiesta.

Design-wise the new Focus wagon differs little from the sedan and five-door hatch. It is identical back to the B-pillars with only the extended roof-line and cargo area setting it apart. Ford has integrated the cargo rails into the roof in order to maintain the sleek looks of the latest iteration of its Kinetic design.

Inside the wagon gets the same up-scale interior shown in the sedan and hatch including the first European availability of the new MyFord Touch system as part of the latest generation of Sync technology. Unlike here in the U.S. where we will initially get only one 2.0-liter engine, Europeans will get a range of updated gas and diesel engines to choose from. Production of the Focus starts simultaneously late this year in Europe and the U.S.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in Geneva

2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First pics of new Euro Ford Focus Wagon

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:17:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Ford

Click image for photo gallery

While Ford has yet to formally release official photos and details relating to the new variants of the updated Euro Focus, the overseas media has been doing a knockup job stealing the Oval's thunder. First, it was Auto Express spilling the beans on the new Focus ST. Next up is the Focus Wagon, courtesy of Autoweek.nl (via our compadres at Autoblog Spanish). As you're probably aware, the Focus station wagon is now an overseas-only body style, and what a shame that is, because it's a snappy-looking one at that. As with the regular Focus and Focus ST, the latest Ford Europe design elements are on display here. A host of engine/trim levels will be available, too, including an Econetic-branded version that should deliver 54 US mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of just 115 g/km. On top of the green-themed car, expect a variety of gasoline, diesel, and flex-fuel offerings depending on market.

[Source: Autoweek.nl via Autblog Spanish]

Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus Wagon

First pics of new Euro Ford Focus Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments