Ford Focus (UK) (United Kingdom, 2011-present)

Ford debuted a completely revised Focus at the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Focus marks the European debut of SYNC 2, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system, as well as the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines.

Ford gave the Focus a redesign that reflects the One Ford global design language that carries through the new Mondeo and Fiesta. The new model gets new metalwork, bumpers, grille and lights, created under Ford Europe design director Steffan Lamm. The centrepiece of the new look is a hallmark, trapezoidal grille, now positioned higher up on the Focus nose. The top-spec Titanium version receives five chromed bars with a chrome surround as shown in the images.  Entry-level and mid-spec versions feature a matt-black mesh grille.

Regarding the interior of the new Focus, Ford has given attention to customer feedback in order to improve it. It gets a redesigned centre console to eliminate the 'multi-button' look that many drivers disliked.

The Focus also gets the new generation Sync II software for driver interface, which is now cleaner looking, and claimed to be simpler in operation. At the heart of the revised interior is a new, sportier-looking three-spoke steering wheel.

The Focus takes the model’s acclaimed fun-to-drive DNA up a level with enhanced handling and steering. Ford engineers have delivered a more solid, responsive and connected-to-the-road feel by increasing the structural stiffness at the front, revising the suspension geometry, increasing lateral stiffness of “steering-relevant” suspension bushes, retuning the shock absorbers and incorporating a new Electronic Stability Programme. The Electric Power Assist Steering also has been retuned to make the driver feel even more connected to the road.

Revised engine range

The Focus is the first vehicle in Europe to offer the fuel efficient new 1.5-litre EcoBoost (150 PS and 180 PS) petrol engine and also offers with the new 1.5-litre TDCi (95 PS and 120 PS) diesel engine. It continues to be equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine (100 PS and 125 PS) and there is also a new version of the 99 g/km CO2 1.0-litre EcoBoost, the first non-hybrid petrol family car in Europe to offer sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions.

The third generation of Ford Focus was first unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show for the 2011 model year. 2011 marks the year Ford decided to present the third generation for both the international and north american models at the same time.

In terms of design, Ford's trademark Kinetic Design is upgraded with front lights featuring a new shape, the trapezoidal grille is now triangular and the rear tail lights were lowered. The interior now has two types of centre console, a basic one and premium for higher trims and stronger engines. New and improved materials were used and new technologies were added.

In the international market the available engines include: a 1.0l EcoBoost that will produce 100 and 120 hp and will replace the 1.6l Ti-VCT Duratec in 2012; a 1.6l Duratec Ti-VCT, an updated engine from a previous model that is available in two versions, one that produces 105hp and a second that produces 125hp; a 1.6l EcoBoost, a new engine that is mated with a manual gearbox, Durashift, and produces 150 or 182 hp; another engine is the 1.6l Duratorq, an upgraded diesel engine focused on improving emissions and consumption with a 95hp and 115hp version; finally the 2.0l Duratorq, the top diesel engine available in three versions, 115hp or 140 and 163 hp.

Focus ST

The new Focust ST sits 1cm lower than the standard Focus and comes with a redesigned version of the previous ST's 18in Y-spoke wheels. To improve looks, Ford is offering a Performance Pack that colors the wheels black with red brake calipers.

The interior was designed to resemble a fighter cockpit. It gets a special steering wheel, pedals a exclusive Recaro seats. The seats were designed by Recaro specifically for Ford and have cushion tilt and length adjustment.

The Focus ST will come with three option packages: ST1, ST2 and ST3. The ST1 is the base car. The ST2 gets partial leather seats, automatic front wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and automatic headlights. The ST3 has everything the ST2 gets but includes xenon lights and leather seats.

The Focus ST Wagon gets all of the amenities that the five door has but offers more storage.