The European budget car segment is filled with attractive and relatively affordable compact hatchbacks, from the seventh version of the Golf to the second one of the Peugeot 308. Ford was feeling a bit left out, with its model dating back to 2011. So today they've officially announced comprehensive updates which will make the third-gen family of Focus cars look bang-up-to-date.
Ford has steadily been pushing for a new type of grille design across the model range, starting with the US-market Fusion (equivalent to the Mondeo) to the Fiesta facelift and now this. A wide hexagonal shape defines the grille, with 5 horizontal chrome bars giving a more upmarket look. It's bolder than the Golf or the Skoda Rapid, but also more mainstream and elegant than the Peugeot 308. Not bad Ford!
That's not the only thing that's changed, as Ford has given their compact a new bonnet/hood with character lines, as well as fresh colors "Deep Impact Blue and Glace Blue". Slimmer headlamps and more rectangular, elongated fog-lamps add to the makeover.
Speaking of the headlights, Ford has not gone for LEDs, instead option for Bi-Xenon headlamps with adaptive tech. "The system assesses the ambient light surrounding a vehicle, as well as objects in the road ahead and then adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front," the company says.
The interior is equally as important for a mainstream car like this. Thicker carpets, glass and engine bay insulation ensure that the Focus is a quieter place. They've also integrated a better center console, a sliding armrest and redesigned the heater/AC to be more usable.
Perhaps most important of all, SYNC 2 has been added to the list of options, a first for the European market. The advanced in-car connectivity system features a high-resolution, 8-inch color touch screen and advanced voice control for easier access to audio, navigation, climate control and compatible mobile phones.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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Speaking of the headlights, Ford has not gone for LEDs, instead option for Bi-Xenon headlamps with adaptive tech. "The system assesses the ambient light surrounding a vehicle, as well as objects in the road ahead and then adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front," the company says.
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