2011 Ford Focus - US Finally Gets European Update
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Ford is redesigning its compact car with a renewed focus on “whole earth” appeal; this includes International style, high-efficiency powertrains, and green-tech engineering all in an effort to make it a stronger competitor. The 2011 Ford Focus will be a true “world car,” sold around the globe with only relatively modest tailoring for local needs and tastes. The debut year-2000 Focus was a “world car” too. But where Europe and other overseas markets got a redesigned replacement in 2005, Ford kept the original “C1” design for North America as a cost-saving move. The next-generation Focus is being designed and engineered by Ford Europe, the company’s designated center for global small-car development. The aim is to trim upfront costs and boost manufacturing economies of scale with a single basic design that can be built and sold anywhere, rather than having disparate regional variations. Small, economical, and fun, the 2011 Ford Focus is a smart choice for those looking for a compact car that is capable, comfortable, and all at a moderate price.
Focus Power
The 2011 Ford Focus should benefit from new high-efficiency front-wheel-drive powertrains; these involve a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and engines designed to do more with less. Dubbed PowerShift, Ford's new dual-clutch gearbox behaves much the same as a conventional automatic transmission. But the company says the dual-clutch transmission weighs less than a 4-speed auto, and helps increase fuel economy by about nine percent. The U.S.-market Focus would doubtless get a clean-sheet 4-cylinder in the 1.5- to 2.0-liter range, with direct fuel injection, perhaps cylinder deactivation and, for sporty models, optional turbocharging. Maybe even a “clean-diesel” counterpart. The European Focus already offers thrifty “DuraTorq” diesel fours, but the upcoming engines would be even cleaner and thus 50-state legal. A gas/electric hybrid option is another prospect. Nevertheless, a diesel-powered 2011 Ford Focus could well boast EPA-rated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 50 highway--as indeed it will need to with the way fuel prices are going. Whether the Focus will use Ford new cylinder deactivation technology – Ecoboost – is unknown, but giving the 2011 Focus this engine would certainly increase mileage, and this is one of the overall goals of the redesign.
2011 Ford Focus Design
One reason the US Focus is due for a redesign is that it was never updated with the C2 that its European counterparts were. In fact, most of its overseas cousins use Ford’s newer C2 platform. So do the Mazda 3 and Volvo’s C30/S40/V50 compact cars. The replacement C3 architecture would presumably serve future versions of 2011 Ford Focus, but should be even more “scaleable” to suit a wider range of vehicle types. The 2011 Ford Focus will look something like the recent pair of Verve subcompact car concepts, with a smooth lozenge shape punctuated by crisp sheetmetal creases and a big trapezoidal grille. The dashboard and interior could be equally bold, if only to stand out in a crowded market segment.
Driving the Focus
To improve fuel efficiency Ford is paring pounds through greater use of aluminum, plastics, high-strength steel and other lightweight materials--costly substitutions for this price class, but necessary in light of tough new U.S. fuel-economy standards and equally daunting Euro-zone caps on CO2 emissions. The 2011 Ford Focus will handle better than previous models, thanks to a limited-slip differential that does its job of keeping both tires biting, and the patented front suspension geometry suppresses the torque steer. The Focus may be small, but it handles like a more powerful car, swooping out of turns and accelerating well.
Focus Cabin
The 2011 Ford Focus should be roomier than today’s car, as the C3 platform is likely to bring modest gains in width, height and wheelbase. Overall length, however, will probably be unchanged or even slightly reduced. The interior features an available SYNC system that allows the driver to synchronize mobile electronic devices such as mp3 players and cell phones. Four airbags are standard, and rear seats include headrests. Ford offers two series on the coupe, the SE and SES; and four on the sedan, the S, SE, sporty SES, and luxury SEL. Ford's MyKey, Message Center, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, remote keyless entry and power door locks are standard on all series.
Summary
There is most certainly a trend in the US of consumers downsizing their vehicles. At the same time, American drivers expect safety, technology, and convenience features while still getting the higher mpg and lower emissions that a small car will offer. Ford is well aware of this so the 2011 Ford Focus should have more standard equipment and a longer option list than today’s U.S. models. It will still be a competitively priced mainstream compact, but luxury features should proliferate to ease any buyer pain associated with going small. There also may be profit-boosting gimmicks and gizmos. The long-awaited EcoBoost technology is finally available on several models, including the 2010 Ford Flex, 2010 Lincoln MKT, 2010 Lincoln MKS and 2010 Ford Taurus. It would be hopeful that Ford would offer it on the Focus. Ford recently announced that 4- and 5-door versions of the new European Focus will start North American production in late 2010. So the 2011 Ford Focus should be available by spring of 2011.
