2010 Detroit: New Focus finally goes global

By John LeBlanc

DETROIT – It only took a decade, but Ford has finally delivered a world-class compact car to Canada. Instead of a dumbed-down, decontented North American version, the all-new 2012 Focus
is virtually the same car on both shores of the Atlantic—in fact,
around the world. And based on the ways it looks, and how it will be
offered with upscale interiors and luxury features, the new Focus makes
the current iteration look like the over-ten-year-old car it is.

Initially, there will be a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan Focus, just like the new 2011 Fiesta subcompact. The European Focus Grand C-Max (a Mazda5-like mini-minivan) that debuted last year is also expected to go on sale some time in 2011.

The
lone Focus engine choice at launch is a 155 hp, 2.0-litre four with two
six-speed gearboxes (manual and dual-clutch auto) . Ford won’t confirm,
but a turbo 1.6 four is also expected eventually.

The Focus will also be one of the first North American cars to offer
stop-start technology (it switches off the engine when the car comes to
a stop, like in hybrids) as standard kit.

Ford also said an electric Focus developed with Canada’s Magna will join the lineup sometime in 2011.

Ford Canada’s Christine Hollander said Canadian pricing and
equipment will be announced closer to the Focus’s on sale date, about
six months after the Fiesta goes on sale this summer.

[Source: Ford]