Ford Standardises More Innovations In Focus Range

**russellw** · 06-07-2014, 02:53 PM

Emergency Assistance technology now standard on all Focus models

Ford Keyfree system and Power Start Button standard on Sport

Titanium Sports Executive Pack now $1,200 – $1,100 less than previous mode

MELBOURNE, Australia, 02 Jul., 2014 – Ford has upgraded equipment levels in the award-winning Focus line-up – the world’s best-selling nameplate – including the addition of Emergency Assistance as standard across the range.
From July, customers will also gain several new features available across the Focus Ambiente, Trend, Sport and Titanium range. Importantly for customers, the Manufacturer’s List Price remains the same, across all models, which start at $20,290.
In the Focus Ambiente, rear parking sensors will become standard while the Trend gains Dual Zone Climate Control and Convenience Pack as standard.

The Convenience Pack previously included rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, auto dimming rear view mirror and ‘follow-me-home’ lighting.
In the Sport, the Ford Keyfree system and Ford Power Start Button will be standard and the range-topping Titanium benefits from a standard Power Sunroof. This desirable feature was originally part of the Sports Executive Pack.
As a result, the Sports Executive Pack is now available from $1,2003, down from $2,30035. The Sports Executive Pack continues to be available with HID headlights, Active City Stop and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Ford Australia Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service, Graeme Whickman, said the Focus already represented excellent value-for-money. “We are always looking at ways to make sure our customers are getting features they want and desire,” Whickman said.
“These added features will ensure Focus remains a key consideration among prospective buyers.
“With its efficient, yet powerful engines, Ford SYNC™ connectivity and 5-star ANCAP crash rating, the Focus has exactly what our customers expect of a compact hatch and sedan.”
The Ford SYNC™ Emergency Assistance delivers a critical voice message directly to 000 operators, indicating that a vehicle has been involved in an accident in which the vehicle’s airbags have been deployed or the fuel cut-off switch has been activated and opens the line for hands-free communication.
Emergency Assistance uses the driver’s own mobile phone via Bluetooth1 and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC™ and is within mobile phone range.
“Apart from the Focus, Emergency Assistance is a key safety feature already available in the Fiesta ST, Ford Kuga and EcoSport SUVs and it will progressively roll out across other Ford nameplates,” Whickman said.
The Ford Focus ranks as the best-selling vehicle nameplate in the world, based on recent Polk new vehicle registration data for the 2013 calendar year6.
Registrations of the Focus were up 8.1 per cent, with 1,097,618 cars sold world-wide last year. That compares with global Focus sales of 1,014,965 in 2012. In Australia 19,180 Focus sedan and hatches were sold last year and year-to-date in 2014, more than 7000 have been sold.
Market gains for the Focus continues to be driven by consumer demand in the fast-growing China market. China registrations were up 50 per cent in 2013, to 403,219 vehicles, up from 268,354 vehicles in 2013. China is now responsible for about one in every three Focus vehicles sold globally, based on Polk data.

Key Features

Focus Ambiente:
1.6-litre Sigma Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission
Torque Vectoring Control
Ford SYNC™ with advanced voice control system
Bluetooth®1 Hands-Free Phone
Cruise Control
Control Blade independent rear suspension
5-star ANCAP safety rating
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Power adjustable side mirrors with side indicators
Power central locking
Power front and rear windows
Air-conditioning

New
Rear parking sensors
Emergency Assistance

Focus Trend adds:

2.0-litre GTDi petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission (optional 2.0 TDCi diesel)
16’’ x 7’’ alloys
Rear parking sensors
Front fog lamps
Trend series badging

New
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Emergency Assistance
Convenience Pack:

- Auto headlights
- Automatic rain sensing windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
- 'Follow-me-home' lighting

Focus Sport adds:

17’’ x 7’’ alloys
Rain sensing auto wipers
Auto headlights
Sony Audio System with nine speakers
5’’ multi-functional display with Satellite Navigation
Reversing camera
Driver’s lumbar support
Leather gear shift knob
V-shape sports style front seats
Dual-zone climate control
Sports-tuned suspension

New
Ford Keyfree system
Ford Power Start Button
Emergency Assistance

Focus Titanium adds:

18’’ x 8’’ alloys
Active Park Assist automated parking system
Ford Power Start Button
Ford Keyfree system
Leather seat inserts

New
Tilt / Slide Power Sunroof
Emergency Assistance

Apart from the high level of standard features on the Focus, myFord Capped Price Servicing is available for up to 7 years or 135,000km (whichever comes first) on all Focus models including the performance ST hatch.

Source: Ford Media

kevino · 06-07-2014, 03:23 PM

No six speed manual.
Lazy Ford.
5 speed box obviously cheaper.

Franco Cozzo · 06-07-2014, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

No six speed manual.
Lazy Ford.
5 speed box obviously cheaper.

Thats pretty pox in 2014 isnt it?

**PG2** · 06-07-2014, 04:19 PM

In regards to the 5 speed box.

We are currently looking at a new car and have driven a test driven a number of cars recently.

Sure, the 6 speed box makes the spec sheet look better but as an overall driving package nothing in my opinion comes close to the Focus.

**PG2** · 06-07-2014, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempted

The emergency assist system is hardly new technology, iirc Holden had this in the VS Caprice.

Are you sure? Do you know what the emergency assist does in the Focus?

Considering the VS caprice did not have bluetooth technology (or any mainstream car of it's era for that matter) I seriously doubt it.

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 07-07-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tempted

My mistake, it was actually the WH Statesman in 2001.

http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_5411...wsarticle.html

Still don't see where anyone referred to it here as "new" technology. And whilst Holden may have had similar technology back in 2001, they obviously didn't consider it to be the way of the future as it doesn't seem as though their version of the technology lived on.

And what other vehicles in Australia currently have this same form of technology? Not being smart with this question, just wondering how 'unique' this feature is in our market?

Craig H

galaxy xr8 · 06-07-2014, 06:21 PM

What is the need for a 6 speed manual if the ratios are already right for the 5 speed considering we are talking about small vehicles here anyway, or is it that some people prefer the pub talk so that they can lay claim the Ford focus has a 6 speed manual and lay down some decent rubber ?.

The percentage of manual’s versus auto’s in small vehicles would negate the need for it anyway ?.

Franco Cozzo · 06-07-2014, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

What is the need for a 6 speed manual if the ratios are already right for the 5 speed considering we are talking about small vehicles here anyway, or is it that some people prefer the pub talk so that they can lay claim the Ford focus has a 6 speed manual and lay down some decent rubber ?.

The percentage of manual’s versus auto’s in small vehicles would negate the need for it anyway ?.

Given that my LV is a 6sp manual, it seems like a step backwards to have a 5sp box, especially if you have a tiny engine in a bigger car. 1.6 doesn't belong on the Focus, leave it in the Fiesta.

Mazda 3 is 6sp manual as well.

**Burnout** · 06-07-2014, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Given that my LV is a 6sp manual, it seems like a step backwards to have a 5sp box, especially if you have a tiny engine in a bigger car. 1.6 doesn't belong on the Focus, leave it in the Fiesta.

Mazda 3 is 6sp manual as well.

Perhaps they could delete the silly rain sensing wipers and put a six speed in.
Rain sensing wipers, who needs **** like that, anyway.

mac_man_luke · 07-07-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnout

Perhaps they could delete the silly rain sensing wipers and put a six speed in.
Rain sensing wipers, who needs **** like that, anyway.

Rain sensing wipers are awesome. Not so much for the need to not turn them on but more for the intelligent speed control. No messing with it as conditions change or you stop at the lights etc.

**DJM83** · 07-07-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

What is the need for a 6 speed manual if the ratios are already right for the 5 speed considering we are talking about small vehicles here anyway, or is it that some people prefer the pub talk so that they can lay claim the Ford focus has a 6 speed manual and lay down some decent rubber ?.

I dont care for 5 vs 6 sp manual. I rarely use 6th gear and i have an ST. I know its a different engine/box but 6th is only used on the highway, hell 5th would suffice there to most of the time.

glider · 08-07-2014, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

I dont care for 5 vs 6 sp manual. I rarely use 6th gear and i have an ST. I know its a different engine/box but 6th is only used on the highway, hell 5th would suffice there to most of the time.

I have a Xr5 with the 6 speed box, 6th gear is a tall overdrive gear and under say 90 on a flat road usually means a drop back to 5th

**DJM83** · 08-07-2014, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

I have a Xr5 with the 6 speed box, 6th gear is a tall overdrive gear and under say 90 on a flat road usually means a drop back to 5th

I had one aswell. Different box to the ST. But it's the same deal. My old XR5T was tuned so using 6th or even 5th at low speed was torture for the clutch.

kevino · 06-07-2014, 06:50 PM

Corolla -6 spd manual
Pulsar-6 spd manual
Golf- 6 speed manual
Octavia - 6 speed manual
I could go on and on.

Also disappointing is the lack of ecoboost engines. The 1.6 and 2.0 petrols are sluggers for this and the current model.

xr6turboford · 06-07-2014, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Corolla -6 spd manual
Pulsar-6 spd manual
Golf- 6 speed manual
Octavia - 6 speed manual
Focus ST-6 speed manual & ecoboost
I could go on and on.

Also disappointing is the lack of ecoboost engines. The 1.6 and 2.0 petrols are sluggers for this and the current model.

Fixed, mind you 95% of the time I only use 4-5 gears some times I use 1st 2nd 3rd oops speeding brake 6th

**PG2** · 06-07-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Corolla -6 spd manual
Pulsar-6 spd manual
Golf- 6 speed manual
Octavia - 6 speed manual
I could go on and on.

Also disappointing is the lack of ecoboost engines. The 1.6 and 2.0 petrols are sluggers for this and the current model.

Corolla - 1.8 ltr - 103kW/173Nm
Pulsar - 1.8 ltr - 96kW/140Nm@5600rpm!!!!

chevypower · 07-07-2014, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Also disappointing is the lack of ecoboost engines. The 1.6 and 2.0 petrols are sluggers for this and the current model.

They should have all EcoBoosts now. 1.0 standard, 1.6 mid range, and 2.0 top of the line, with the 2.3 for the ST only.

Franco Cozzo · 06-07-2014, 06:55 PM

I'm not saying its a poor package overall, its great but it seems like they got to the last part and decided, "yeah, that will do" for the box and base engine.

I don't think you can really afford to do the ol' "Yeah that'll do" in a segment with this much competition. Did they have lots of 1.6L engines and 5sp boxes in stock to run down or something?

galaxy xr8 · 06-07-2014, 06:59 PM

And how does the Focus compare with emissions and economy ?.

Franco Cozzo · 06-07-2014, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

And how does the Focus compare with emissions and economy ?.

You've already lost the war on paper to the people who do their spec comparisons before they go out with their list of cars to test.

You need to get someone into the dealership first for someone to test drive the car.

If it gets crossed off the list before they even go out then there is your problem.

Nikked · 06-07-2014, 08:23 PM

Does a small city car really need a 6 speed? Be lucky to use the 6th gear in most cases...

csv8 · 06-07-2014, 11:09 PM

A conventional auto box would be better...there is a new model coming early 2015. This is the american link..say hello to FH's little brother...
http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/2015/

1TUFFUTE · 07-07-2014, 03:39 AM

Ahh look it's the bash the focus thread....probably the best drivers small car for the last however many years yet people pick on useless dribble like lack of certain gearboxes and other options that still make it not only the worlds most popular car, but in most cases around the world BEST IN CLASS despite these glaring omissions.
I mean how many percent of zero people do you think start at weather it has a 5 or6 speed box and just walkaway if it's not the one the others had.

. Comon.......stop whinging!
So if it's fun to drive.....as economical an efficient as it's competitors, aswell as at least evenly specd......then there you go. Winner.
Rant over (but can be continued)

kevino · 08-07-2014, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Ahh look it's the bash the focus thread....probably the best drivers small car for the last however many years yet people pick on useless dribble like lack of certain gearboxes and other options that still make it not only the worlds most popular car, but in most cases around the world BEST IN CLASS despite these glaring omissions.
I mean how many percent of zero people do you think start at weather it has a 5 or6 speed box and just walkaway if it's not the one the others had.

. Comon.......stop whinging!
So if it's fun to drive.....as economical an efficient as it's competitors, aswell as at least evenly specd......then there you go. Winner.
Rant over (but can be continued)

Matey. Damo does a few kms through biggish hills to work and uses his 6 speed manual box in his LV diesel Focus. I do (in my LT diesel Focus)130km a day highway up to 125km/hr and ditto use the 6 gears and don't have the engine revving its tits off at that speed.

Prior I had a 1.6 Fiesta with a 5 speed which revved its tits off doing this job.

Unless Ford put a decent engine and a 6 speed manual in the Focus I,ll be buying another make next year to replace the Lt and yes it will have a 6 speed manual box.

Incidentally all 3 cars in our house are Fords, 2008 Focus, 2012 Fiesta DCT, and a 2007 4 speed auto Fiesta.

Damo has 2 Fords , I have 3 -we want to buy Ford but if ford is too cheap and lazy to spec the car right I,ll go elsewhere.

**PG2** · 08-07-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Unless Ford put a decent engine and a 6 speed manual in the Focus I,ll be buying another make next year to replace the Lt and yes it will have a 6 speed manual box.

From what I have read, they are going to use the ecoboost engines and 6sp gearboxes next year in the updated model.

Franco Cozzo · 08-07-2014, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Matey. Damo does a few kms through biggish hills to work and uses his 6 speed manual box in his LV diesel Focus. I do (in my LT diesel Focus)130km a day highway up to 125km/hr and ditto use the 6 gears and don't have the engine revving its tits off at that speed.

Prior I had a 1.6 Fiesta with a 5 speed which revved its tits off doing this job.

Unless Ford put a decent engine and a 6 speed manual in the Focus I,ll be buying another make next year to replace the Lt and yes it will have a 6 speed manual box.

Incidentally all 3 cars in our house are Fords, 2008 Focus, 2012 Fiesta DCT, and a 2007 4 speed auto Fiesta.

Damo has 2 Fords , I have 3 -we want to buy Ford but if ford is too cheap and lazy to spec the car right I,ll go elsewhere.

Technically I have three, WS 1.6L 5sp Fiesta, LV TDCI Focus 6sp which both I bought new, and the third if you count my grandpa spec EL Fairmont Ghia which has spent more time on stands in my driveway than all 4 wheels on the road in the last 3 years lol.

There is 4 Fords and a Mazda in our driveway, the other Ford is ye olde' WF Festiva.

Fiesta and Festiva sit at 3000 RPM in 5th, Focus 1750 in 6th, Falcon 2000 in 5th.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Damo has 2 Fords , I have 3 -we want to buy Ford but if ford is too cheap and lazy to spec the car right I,ll go elsewhere.

This, if I hadn't of gone back to school this year I would have been buying another car and the only difference is I don't wear blue tinted glasses when it comes time to part with large sums of $$$.

Sunburst50 · 09-07-2014, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Unless Ford put a decent engine and a 6 speed manual in the Focus I,ll be buying another make next year to replace the Lt and yes it will have a 6 speed manual box.

Have a look at the Focus ST, that has a decent engine and 6 speed manual.

kevino · 09-07-2014, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunburst50

Have a look at the Focus ST, that has a decent engine and 6 speed manual.

Totally agree but outside my budget limit of 23k.

XR Martin · 07-07-2014, 06:47 AM

The fact the base model has only 5 speeds is virtually irrelevent considering very few manuals are ever sold.
I bet more manual Falcons are sold than manual Focus'

Franco Cozzo · 07-07-2014, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

The fact the base model has only 5 speeds is virtually irrelevent considering very few manuals are ever sold.
I bet more manual Falcons are sold than manual Focus'

I don't know how people drive auto small cars, they're down right slow and horrible to drive

If you've only got milk and juice you gotta work it to get her to move.

And this is from a small car owner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

I mean how many percent of zero people do you think start at weather it has a 5 or6 speed box and just walkaway if it's not the one the others had.

. Comon.......stop whinging!

I do, I bought my Focus new, if it had a 6sp and its a 2010 model why doesn't the 2014 one have a 6sp? Why are we going backwards?