{"id":62789,"date":"2018-04-11T07:36:02","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T07:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=62789"},"modified":"2018-04-11T07:36:02","modified_gmt":"2018-04-11T07:36:02","slug":"first-look-ford-sharpens-small-car-focus-redesigned-2020-focus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/technology\/first-look-ford-sharpens-small-car-focus-redesigned-2020-focus.html","title":{"rendered":"First Look: Ford sharpens its small car focus with a redesigned 2020 Focus"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Look: Ford sharpens its small car focus with a redesigned 2020 Focus<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve ever driven the current Ford Focus, you know that the car is unexpectedly entertaining to drive. Credit its European design and engineering for this.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, the majority of current Ford Focus models are equipped with a 6-speed automated manual gearbox that has generated a ton of complaints from owners, ranging from rough shifting to outright component failure. Don\u2019t believe me? Check out the Consumer Reports reliability chart for the Focus dating back to 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

This record, perhaps more than any other reason, has deterred people from choosing the otherwise appealing Focus over other small cars. With the redesigned 2020 Focus, Ford will attempt to push the re-set button.<\/span><\/p>\n

Engineered to serve small car buyers all around the world, the new Focus cements Ford\u2019s global approach to product development. In order to create the new car, the company says it spent significant time talking with current Focus owners, and while the next-generation Focus will share common parts all around the planet, it will be tailored to specific regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The all-new Focus will be offered first in China and Europe later in the 2018 calendar year, followed by a U.S.-market launch during the second half of 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Globally, the Focus is available in 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, and station wagon body styles, and in specification levels ranging from basic to performance-tuned to luxurious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ford showed Titanium, Vignale (the equivalent to Ford\u2019s U.S. Platinum trim), Active, and ST trim levels at the car\u2019s debut for the Chinese and European markets. The North American lineup is yet to be determined. However, Titanium and ST are good bets to return, and the Focus Active looks interesting, given consumer appetites for small crossovers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stylistically, the new Focus looks familiar. Up front the appearance is similar to the current car, and in the hatchback body style the design and detailing recall a first-generation Mazda 3 from the windshield back. All three versions include what appears to be a BMW-derived Hofmeister kink just aft of the rear windows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dimensionally, according to Ford, the new Focus is essentially unchanged from the outgoing model. However, a stretched hood, a longer wheelbase, and cab-rearward interior placement make it look lengthier than the current model.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite this approach, Ford says the interior contains more passenger, storage, and cargo space, solving complaints about the outgoing Focus. By Ford\u2019s ruler, rear seat leg, knee, and shoulder room improve a minimum of two inches, depending on the measurement. The cabin\u2019s rear floor is flat, too, making the rear seating area look and feel more spacious.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should U.S. customers be lucky enough to choose the Focus wagon, it supplies 58 cu.-ft. of maximum cargo space, accessed using levers in the cargo area that fold the rear seat backs down. An available hands-free liftgate opens by kicking a foot under the bumper, and the removable cargo cover stores under a flexible load floor when it\u2019s not needed. Plus, Ford says the wagon\u2019s cargo area has been designed to accommodate large pet carriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ford also claims that the new Focus\u2019s interior materials benefit from greater refinement, such as inclusion of soft kneepads on the sides of the center console for added occupant comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noise levels are expected to be lower, too. For example, new climate systems heat and cool the interior faster and more quietly than before, and even the car\u2019s side mirror shapes are designed to reduce what Ford accurately describes as \u201cair throbbing\u201d when a single rear window is lowered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Ford predicts that quality will improve through reduced complexity. The number of different vehicle configurations will dip dramatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Technologically speaking, the 2020 Ford Focus will offer improved connectivity and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Available as an expected upgrade, the company\u2019s Sync 3 infotainment system will provide an 8-inch touchscreen display as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection. An embedded modem will support FordPass Connect high-speed Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices.<\/span><\/p>\n

A navigation system with live traffic data is optional, and a FordPass smartphone app will supply a vehicle locator service, remote vehicle status checks, remote engine starting and door lock operation, and more. A wireless smartphone charging pad will be an option for the new Focus.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the safety front, the automaker\u2019s new Ford CoPilot360 suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems will be available, most likely as standard equipment in the U.S. Expect adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a forward collision warning system, and automatic emergency braking \u2013 all requirements if Ford wants the new Focus to earn top safety ratings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on regional preferences, Ford also plans to offer features such as speed limit sign recognition and a lane centering system to ease driver fatigue and improve lane discipline. Adaptive headlights with new camera-based predictive curve technology that monitors road signs and recognizes bends in the road will also be offered for the new Focus, though perhaps not in the U.S. market.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ford is planning a new version of its Active Park Assist technology that handles gear selection and braking in addition to steering, and an Evasive Steering Assist system will be available, which helps drivers get around stopped or slower vehicles as well as obstacles in order to avoid a collision or loss of vehicle control.<\/span><\/p>\n

No doubt continuing from the current car, Focus buyers will also be able to outfit the new Focus with a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist.<\/span><\/p>\n

From a dynamic perspective, Ford promises that the new Focus will be more fun to drive. It is built on a new modular platform with a new suspension design, and Ford says it boasts a 20-percent improvement in torsional rigidity.<\/span><\/p>\n

New engines will debut for the car, including normally aspirated gas, turbocharged EcoBoost gas, and EcoBlue diesel selections. For North America, engines and specifications will be determined closer to the car\u2019s arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n

A manual gearbox remains standard for global markets. A new 8-speed automatic transmission is an option, which ought to resolve one of the most common complaints about the existing Focus model\u2019s 6-speed automated manual transmission. Shifted using a rotary dial, similar to the Ford Fusion, the new 8-speed includes adaptive software that shifts depending on individual driving styles and adjusts clutch pressure to consistently deliver smooth gear changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drive Mode Technology offers the driver Eco, Normal, and Sport selections. Each driving mode changes engine and transmission responsiveness, steering feel, and adaptive cruise control operation. New electric steering debuts, and Ford claims it is more responsive and engaging than what is installed in the current car, which is pretty good in its own right.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plenty can change between now and when Ford puts the new Focus on sale in the U.S. market during the latter part of 2019. That\u2019s why we\u2019re going to go ahead and place our order now.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll take all three body styles, please, and make sure that the ST hatch makes the trip across the Atlantic. Give us the next RS, too. But scratch the diesel. We like it, but most Americans don\u2019t prefer this type of powertrain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, give us turbocharged engine upgrades with enough displacement that they don\u2019t require flogging to make the car accelerate in a reasonable fashion. In turn, this will allow them to actually hit realistic EPA fuel economy estimates instead of fail to match imaginary numbers based on driving that doesn\u2019t reflect reality.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, think Volkswagen Golf 1.8T, not Chevrolet Cruze 1.4T.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Ford, thrash the new 8-speed automatic during the car\u2019s final development stages. Take it out to Death Valley this summer, and drive the car like you stole it. Stomp on the gas. Slam on the brakes. Stomp on the gas. Manually shift it at redline. Do that every day, in triple-digit heat, for three months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make really damn sure that when 95 percent of Americans choose this transmission in their new 2020 Focus, that it doesn\u2019t behave whatsoever like the outgoing 6-speed PowerShift gearbox did. Otherwise, you might need to dust off the old Escort name for whatever small car follows this one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-http:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/autos\/news\/redesigned-2020-ford-focus-preview-article-1.3924994<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t