Almost a decade into its lifespan, the
Ford Focus is still holding its own especially in a small-car segmented dominated by imported vehicles. A lot of credit goes to the comprehensive facelift that Ford gave its current model. The 2009 Ford Focus is blessed with a new coupe body style along with a sleek new interior. Its fuel economy has been much improved, and the Sync interface works perfectly, allowing voice control of cell phones and MP3 players.
The 2009 LV-series is available in four models – the Focus CL is the base model, followed by the conventional LX and TDCi models, and the thrilling Focus Zetec derivative. The most striking visual enhancement to the new Ford Focus is its new front headlined by 'kinetic design' elements such as the huge trapezoidal aperture below the bumperline, a new hood, and a larger Ford badge in the new upper grille.
Inside the Focus, it’s quite evident that Ford was keen on improving the quality of materials and enhancing comfort levels. The instrument panel is handsome and well laid out; the soft-touch upper door trims in combination with the elegant black soft-touch dash pad, blends perfectly against a tan colored inner roof lining, while the darkened dash effectively reduces windshield reflection in Australia’s bright sun conditions.
The large-face speedometer and tachometer have been set deeply into individual compartments. An LCD information screen displaying time, odometer, tripmeter and outside temperature lies between the two large gauges. The LCD screen also shows menu options for average speed and fuel consumption. Situated above are small-face fuel and water temperature gauges, with each binnacle fringed by a silver bezel.
There is also new center stack and revised window and mirror buttons that go with new instinctive controls for air conditioning and ventilation system. The center console has been redesigned with comfort and function in mind. It features a moveable armrest that slides forward, a cardholder, a coin holder and two cup holders with butterfly lids.
All Focus petrol models – the CL, LX and Zetec are powered by a 2.0-liter Duratec engine good for 107 kW and can be mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. Ford also unveiled its state-of-the-art six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission in the TDCi, in combination with the robust 2.0-liter Duratorq turbodiesel engine that generates 100kW / 320Nm. This innovative drivetrain combo provides remarkable fuel efficiency without sacrificing driving performance, thanks to the 320Nm torque output, topping out to 340Nm during brief overboost periods.
For safety, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) technology is standard across the Focus range while interactive vehicle dynamics is standard equipment for the LX, TDCi and Zetec models. This feature adds Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and DSC to aid the driver in maintaining stability in all driving conditions. To further improve the entire Focus safety package, larger exterior side mirrors have been installed to enhance driver’s side visibility. The Focus lineup also boasts of an automatic hazard warning light activation system, which alerts following drivers of emergency braking maneuvers.
