Already at its third generation, the Mk3 Focus has received its first facelift since it debuted in early 2011. Aesthetics and added goodies aside, the U.K. customer will be happy to find out that the entry-level variant will retain the same £13,995 price of the pre-facelift Ford Focus, while the range-topping Titanium and Titanium X are £100 cheaper.
Slated to go on sale in the U.K. in November, the biggest changes the Blue Oval operated with the revised Focus are a bit of botox here and there, improved fit & finish, added or improved tech features, as well as a handful of mechanical updates and tweaks where it matters, including the drivetrain, chassis, steering and suspension.
The updated Ford Focus range will retain a six-series lineup, which looks like this: the entry-level Studio (£13,995), Style (£16,795), the mid-range Zetec (£18,295), Zetec S (£20,045), and the more upmarket Titanium (£19,795) and Titanium X (£21,795) trim levels. One of the most important additions is the Perpendicular Parking feature. Basically a hands-free parking technology, this bit of tech helps drivers reverse into parking spaces alongside other vehicles. Active Park Assist also debuted on the new model.
At the push of a button, ultrasonic sensors locate parking spaces and steer the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. Cross Traffic Alert is also available, warning drivers that reverse out of a parking space of vehicles that may be about to pass behind them, while Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side, the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedal.
That's about enough with these kind of gizmos… or is it? Well, not quite. We deem necessary to mention that the updated Ford Focus benefits from SYNC2, the second generation of the Blue Oval's connectivity interface. This piece of kit is boasting with an 8-inch touchscreen that lets you control features such as the satellite navigation, climate control, phone connectivity via Bluetooth and many other. It even offers a split-screen display feature for the passenger, like what one might find on a Jaguar or Range Rover.
If you have a teenage daughter of son, then the Ford MyKey technology is the thing for you. This technology lets owners program a key to restrict parameters such as top speed, the maximum volume of the audio system and other useful stuff that'll keep your kid safe when behind the wheel. Mechanicals? Well, the most basic of models is powered by a 1.6-liter Ti-VCT petrol mated to a five-speed manual.
If you want diesel power, that will be at least £17,895 for the 1.6 TDCi in Style flavor and a six-speed manual transmission. If you want an estate, that body variant goes for at least £17,880 of your hard earned pounds. All powerplants now meet Euro 6 regulations, but the big news is the addition of a 1.5-liter EcoBoost mill with either 148 or 177 hp available, along with a 1.5 TDCi available with either 94 or 118 ponies. Naturally, the 1-liter EcoBoost is also included in the range and comes with two output levels: 99 horsepower or a more punchy 123 hp variant.
"The Ford Focus is the U.K.’s favourite family car, so the launch of the new model is an exciting time,” declared Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain's chairman and managing director. “With unmatched levels of technology and impressive fuel economy, combined with Ford’s traditional driving dynamics and competitive pricing, we believe that the new car will not only delight our existing customers but also expand the appeal of the Focus brand.”
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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