Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Once a revered nameplate in the Old Continent, the Focus can’t hold a candle to many competitors in the compact segment. Adding insult to injury, Ford of Europe nipped the Focus RS in the bud over low demand, high costs, and the increasingly draconic carbon emissions targets.
The bad news doesn’t end here, though. The Blue Oval intended to export the Focus Active from China to the United States to capitalize on the SUV craze, but that plan fell through over the Trump administration’s trade tussle with the People’s Republic. Alas, the U.S. lineup currently comprises trucks, utility vehicles, and one (!!!) passenger car in the form of the Mustang.
Even though the Focus isn’t as lucrative as crossovers and SUVs for the Ford Motor Company, the Dearborn-based automaker isn’t prepared to abandon this nameplate in the European Union and United Kingdom. Expected as a 2022 model, the mid-cycle refresh has been spied on German roads with slimmer taillamps, sharper headlamps, as well as modern-looking LED daytime running lights.
The makeshift front bumper and grille are complemented by a rear bumper that may seem familiar to customers of the outgoing model, but that’s only natural because Ford is putting the finishing touches on the compact hatchback. As ever, the Focus lineup will consist of two more body styles in the guise of the station wagon and sedan. Only five-door variants will be available with the Active package that doesn’t include all-wheel drive.
As far as engine options are concerned, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost Hybrid is likely to prove itself the most popular thanks to relatively good performance, fuel economy, and production costs. The 1.5-liter EcoBoost that also features three cylinders and a turbocharger is expected to soldier on, and that should be the fate of the 1.5-liter EcoBlue four-cylinder turbo diesel as well.
Performance-oriented customers will be treated to the 2.0-liter EcoBlue and 2.3-liter EcoBoost in the Focus ST, which leaves much to be desired in comparison to segment rivals. Over in Germany, for example, the go-faster model starts at €36,100, while the Hyundai i30 N costs €34,300.
Even though the Focus isn’t as lucrative as crossovers and SUVs for the Ford Motor Company, the Dearborn-based automaker isn’t prepared to abandon this nameplate in the European Union and United Kingdom. Expected as a 2022 model, the mid-cycle refresh has been spied on German roads with slimmer taillamps, sharper headlamps, as well as modern-looking LED daytime running lights.
The makeshift front bumper and grille are complemented by a rear bumper that may seem familiar to customers of the outgoing model, but that’s only natural because Ford is putting the finishing touches on the compact hatchback. As ever, the Focus lineup will consist of two more body styles in the guise of the station wagon and sedan. Only five-door variants will be available with the Active package that doesn’t include all-wheel drive.
As far as engine options are concerned, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost Hybrid is likely to prove itself the most popular thanks to relatively good performance, fuel economy, and production costs. The 1.5-liter EcoBoost that also features three cylinders and a turbocharger is expected to soldier on, and that should be the fate of the 1.5-liter EcoBlue four-cylinder turbo diesel as well.
Performance-oriented customers will be treated to the 2.0-liter EcoBlue and 2.3-liter EcoBoost in the Focus ST, which leaves much to be desired in comparison to segment rivals. Over in Germany, for example, the go-faster model starts at €36,100, while the Hyundai i30 N costs €34,300.
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