Ford launches refreshed C-Max and Grand C-Max, better looking that the new S-Max.

• Stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX deliver significant improvements in fuel efficiency and CO₂emissions; advanced technology; and smart new stowage ideas
• New C-MAX family inherits sleek exterior design with bold new face of Ford and an intuitive, beautifully crafted interior
• Hands-Free Tailgate and Perpendicular Parking available; improved Active City Stop collision avoidance now works at speeds of up to 31mph
• Powertrain line-up for the UK includes a 1.5-litre TDCi engine offered for first time on C-MAX

Ford Motor Company today unveiled the stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX with a new sleek exterior design, beautifully crafted interior with improved stowage ideas, and major fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions improvements.

The five-seat C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX will also offer superior comfort and refinement when they go on sale across Europe in early 2015. The models will introduce advanced technology including Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system.

“Ford C-MAX has earned a reputation for providing a balance of great fuel economy, responsive, sporty handling and a flexible, roomy interior package,” said Stephen Odell, Ford executive vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “All powertrains benefit from CO₂ improvements without sacrificing any of the car’s great driving dynamics.”

“The new Ford C-MAX family also delivers levels of refinement often found in larger, more upmarket vehicles – including the segment-first Hands-Free Tailgate that only requires a gentle kicking motion to gain access to the boot space.”

Ford first introduced the C-MAX in 2003 and since then has sold more than 1.2 million in Europe.** Now in its third generation, C-MAX has accounted for more than 12 per cent of all MAVs sold in Europe so far this year.***

Flexible, comfortable, sporty and stylish

The five-seat C-MAX or the seven-seat Grand C‑MAX, which features Ford’s innovative twin sliding doors and “walk-through” seat design for greater convenience, space and flexibility, remain available.

The Ford C-MAX family has been restyled to reflect the One Ford global design language and is available in new exterior colours Red Rush and a stylish brown-grey shade called Caribou. The dynamic styling delivers a stronger, sleeker front end, featuring Ford’s distinctive inverted trapezoidal grille. The washer jets have been hidden underneath the windscreen to complement the cleaner look of the restyled bonnet. 

Sleeker, more chiselled front headlamps and more rectangular, elongated fog-lamps add to the bolder front end. The tailgate has been given a smoother and more sophisticated one-piece appearance using the latest laser-brazing technique, which applies cleaner and exceptionally strong welds to thin sheets of metal. A compact tail lamp design completes the contemporary look.

The new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX interiors follow the customer-led design refinements that have already been executed on new Focus. The more intuitive layout has fewer controls and switches, while the new black satin trim and chrome detailing contributes to a cleaner, modern look. Functions are simpler to use, such as the air-conditioning controls that now feature buttons that are easier to recognise and distinguish from each other.

A redesigned centre storage console offers increased space and features a sliding, integrated armrest. The new adjustable console accommodates a variety of bottles and cups with the capacity to hold a one-litre water bottle and a 0.4-litre cup simultaneously, while the swing bin glovebox makes items stored inside easier to access. A deeper upper storage area significantly improves the capacity on top of the dashboard for family belongings, and features a new USB connection point for integrating and charging mobile devices.  

In addition, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will be offered with higher quality trims across the entire range, a heated steering wheel, door-sill scuff plates and load-net fitting points behind both the first and second row seats.

Noise, vibration and harshness have been improved through the use of thicker side glass and more absorbent seals around the tailgate and rear view mirror. The engine bay heat shield has been filled with acoustic damping material to reduce powertrain noise, and diesel cars are equipped with extra acoustic seals to further reduce noise intrusion.

Continuing under the bonnet, a retuned dual mass flywheel helps to reduce shaking forces when the engine is under load, while new engine mounts offer improved refinement during Auto‑Start-Stop operation. On the outside, stiffer, noise- and vibration-optimised alloy wheels have been designed to reduce resonant vibrations.

“We are committed to delivering clean, and intuitive interiors across the entire Ford line-up and C-MAX is the latest vehicle to benefit from our comprehensive restyling programme,” said Joel Piaskowski, director, Design, Ford of Europe. “The new C-MAX has received its most significant remodelling to date and is now more comfortable, more practical, and delivers the best driving experience in its segment.”

Sensing danger

The new Ford C-MAX family is equipped with advanced Ford technologies that help drivers avoid or mitigate incidents – from scrapes and bumps while parking to more serious, higher speed collisions.

Ford’s Active Park Assist system locates suitably-sized parking spaces and, at the push of a button, steers the vehicle in to the space while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. C‑MAX and Grand C-MAX add Perpendicular Parking capability with the addition of two new ultrasonic sensors at the rear of the car. The system helps drivers reverse into spaces side-by-side with other cars.

The extra sensors also enable two additional technologies that help drivers as they manoeuvre out of parking spaces:

• Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Operating with radar at a range of up to 40 metres (131 feet), the system will issue three distinct warning signals if it detects a vehicle approaching from either side
• Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake

Ford has also improved its Active City Stop collision avoidance system, which uses sensors at the front of the vehicle to look for stationary objects in the road ahead and pre-charges the brakes if the vehicle is approaching an object too quickly. If the driver still does not respond the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of collisions. New C-MAX offers the latest system that now operates at speeds of up 31mph, up from 19mph.

In the case of moving objects Active Braking works in a similar way to Active City Stop but with a vehicle speed range of between 5mph and 112mph. It supports drivers at higher speeds, for example on the motorway, by issuing warnings and applying braking as required.

Also new to C-MAX, Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control technology enables drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, even when that vehicle is travelling more slowly than the cruise speed. For occasions when Adaptive Cruise Control is not active, Distance Indication enables drivers to set a preferred distance they would like to maintain with the vehicle ahead. Should the driver get any closer, the system issues a three-stage dashboard display warning – from grey to yellow to red.

Better connected with SYNC 2

The new Ford C-MAX family is equipped with Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system that features a high-resolution, 8-inch colour touch screen and advanced voice control for hands-free operation of audio, navigation, climate control and connected mobile phone functions.

SYNC 2’s navigation system is supported by map services provider HERE, and offers a split-screen display with detailed intersections, spoken street names, 3D highway junctions, landmark views and the MICHELIN guide.

SYNC 2 enables drivers to issue simpler “one-shot” navigation destinations, and to ask the system to “play” a desired artist. Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will provide a list of local restaurants, which you can then get directions to via the navigation system.

“We have developed SYNC 2 so it is simple and intuitive for drivers to use, and it seamlessly

switches between touch screen and voice commands,” said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Drivers will be able to control more in-car systems than ever before, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

The new Ford C-MAX will also be offered with a premium sound system that incorporates 10 Sony speakers, including a subwoofer (bass speaker) to deliver a more rounded and deeper sound.

Powerful and efficient

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX offer significantly improved CO₂ figures and for the first time feature as standard Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop technology on EcoBoost petrol and 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines. The most improved model is expected to offer a 20 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The new C-MAX family powertrain line-up will be offered with Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, delivering 120PS. The C-MAX family will continue to be offered with 100PS and 125PS versions of the multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.

During the first seven months of 2014, more than a quarter of C-MAX models sold in Europe** were equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which in 2014 was named International Engine of the Year for an unprecedented third consecutive year.

The new 120PS 1.5-litre diesel engine is expected to offer up to a six per cent improvement in CO₂ compared to the 1.6-litre diesel it replaces, while delivering 5PS more power. The revised 2.0-litre diesel is expected to improve emissions by up to 20 per cent and power by over four per cent.

“These powertrains will also help make C-MAX the first car in its segment to comply with the latest EU Stage VI emissions regulations across the entire range from launch,” Jim Baumbick, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director.

Brighter future

The new Ford C-MAX family is offered with LED Daytime Running Lights, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps and Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System that adjusts the headlight beam angle to one of seven settings depending on traffic and road conditions. For example; when cornering at lower speeds, the system will project a beam towards the side of the road to make cyclists and pedestrians more visible. The system also will support drivers cornering at higher speeds by directing light further into the bend.

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will for the first time offer Ford’s MyKey technology, which enables owners to programme a key – usually for younger drivers – that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable the audio system altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts. The system can also prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies such as Traction Control.

“C-MAX and Grand C-MAX deliver a more relaxing experience with chassis and interior enhancements and, with sophisticated driver assistance technologies,” Baumbick said. “The ability to see more clearly in challenging conditions, to detect potential accidents and to keep less experienced drivers safe provide additional assurance and reduce stress for drivers whether at the wheel or not.”

FORD FOCUS #4 - New Voice activated SYNC 2, makes life far easier when on the move.

• Ford demonstrates SYNC 2 that allows drivers to control key in-car systems using simple voice commands and a new high-resolution eight-inch colour touch screen
• Drivers can use simple, conversational language to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems ; MICHELIN guide helps with food choices
• Simplified dashboard features easy-to-operate, high-resolution eight-inch touch screen; navigation screen features detailed intersections, 3D junctions and landmarks

The new Ford Focus will debut SYNC 2 in Europe, Ford’s advanced connectivity system that enables drivers to control key in-car systems using simple, natural voice commands and a new high-resolution eight-inch colour touch screen.

The SYNC 2 features in the new Focus make it easier to control the car’s entertainment system, climate control, satellite navigation and linked mobile devices using voice commands. In addition, SYNC 2 also features simplified, dashboard controls.

Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will bring up a list of local restaurants. If your need for food is less urgent, you can use the MICHELIN guide to choose a restaurant. SYNC 2 will connect you by phone to the restaurant to book a table and then guide you there.

Entering a navigation address is also simplified. Rather than reciting the address in stages, you can say the full address at once, and SYNC 2 will bring up directions. For points of interest, you don’t even need an address – simply say “Picasso Museum” or “Eiffel Tower”. The SYNC 2 navigation system is supported by map services provider HERE, enabling landmarks and major junctions to be displayed in 3D.

“We have developed SYNC 2 so it is simple and intuitive for drivers to use, and it seamlessly switches between touch screen and voice commands,” said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Drivers will be able to controlmore in-car systems than ever before, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

If you’re hot, say “Max AC” to cool down quickly, or be more specific by saying “Temperature 20 degrees”.

Plug in your MP3 device and you can hear the music you want simply by asking SYNC 2 to play the artist or track you want. There’s no need to recite a string of commands. Cover art is also displayed on screen with compatible players. Connectivity is delivered via Bluetooth, USB and SD card ports.

Customers can place hands-free phone calls with the command “Call <name>”, without first having to give the command “Phone”, while the system is in audio, navigation or another mode.

SYNC 2 also features Ford’s Emergency Assistance, which directly connects the vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region.

Following its debut in Europe on the new Focus, SYNC 2 will also be introduced on the new Mondeo later this year.

FORD FOCUS #3 - New Focus delivers 15% better fuel economy and a reduction in CO2.

• New Focus powertrains deliver up to 15 per cent improved fuel efficiency
• New Focus debuts 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in Europe and also offers 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine to achieve a significant reduction in CO₂ emissionsacross the range
• 2.0-litre TDCi engine upgrades deliver more power, torque and fuel efficiency
• Ford’s lean NO_X trap reduces emissions; Diamond Like Coating reduces friction of engine internals

The new Ford Focus delivers the car’s most fuel-efficient powertrain line-up ever with improvements of up to 15 per cent, and a significant CO₂ emission reduction across the entire line-up.

The new Focus will be the first vehicle in Europe to offer Ford’s new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and new Focus will also be available for the first time with Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine.

Ford engineers have further optimised power, torque and fuel efficiency from the 2.0-litre TDCi engine; and Focus will continue to be offered with the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine – including a 99 g/km CO₂ 1.0-litre EcoBoost model.*

Advanced new diesel engine technologies are available on both the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre TDCi engines and include a lean NO_X trap for cleaner exhaust emissions, while friction is reduced with microscopic applications of Diamond Like Coating (DLC); engine breathing enhanced with Variable Nozzle Turbocharger.

Further Ford fuel-saving technologies including Auto-Start-Stop, Active Grille Shutter, and Smart Regenerative Charging help achieve significant reductions in CO₂ emissions across the full range of petrol and diesel engines.

“We have improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance by analysing engine and transmission effectiveness down to the smallest detail, and also given consumers more choice with an additional four new engine and transmission combinations,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “When the new 1.5-litre TDCi engine is introduced, Focus will be available with all engines meeting Euro Stage VI months ahead of the legislation taking effect.”

Powerful petrol engines

Ford’s new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine achieves a seven per cent improvement in fuel efficiency when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox and equipped with Auto-Start-Stop, compared with the power-equivalent 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine it replaces. From early next year it also will be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Available with 150PS or 182PS, the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost is equipped with the integrated exhaust manifold technology first introduced with Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. This improves efficiency by helping the engine reach optimal temperatures faster, and also delivers torque more rapidly by minimising the distance exhaust gasses travel between the cylinders and turbocharger.

The engine also uses the core EcoBoost technologies of turbocharging, high-pressure direct fuel-injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing alongside a new aluminium engine block. A water-cooled intake charge cooler delivers a more efficient feed of air into the engine and the control system has been reprogrammed to offer high levels of engine refinement, quietness and performance.

“The new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offers customers the very latest EcoBoost engine technologies in a smarter and more efficient package,” Bakaj said. “More economical, smoother-running and free-revving, this new EcoBoost engine delivers an even more compelling option for drivers who love petrol performance and want low running costs.”

Award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost

The new Focus will continue to be offered with Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, which last year was chosen by a third of Focus customers** and this year was named International Engine of the Year for an unprecedented third year in a row. From early next year the 125PS Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost will also be offered with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

New Focus also will continue to be offered as a 1.0-litre EcoBoost version delivering 99 g/km CO₂, the previous version of which became the first non-hybrid petrol family car in Europe to offer sub-100 g/km CO₂ emissions earlier this year.

New gear ratios help to deliver the low emissions, alongside existing fuel-efficient technologies including Auto-Start-Stop, Active Grille Shutter, and Ford EcoMode that provides drivers with feedback on their driving style to help them become a more fuel-efficient driver.

In addition, Ford’s Smart Regenerative Charging system selectively engages the alternator and charges the battery when the vehicle is coasting and braking to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost – reducing engine load for less fuel usage.

Paddle-shift controls will be available as an option with all automatic and PowerShift transmissions, both diesel and petrol – and enable drivers to control gear changes while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.

New diesel technology

New Focus will also be offered for the first time with the Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine. Available with 95PS or 120PS, it delivers greater power, torque and responsiveness, with optimised combustion chamber design, and cutting-edge turbocharger and fuel injection technology. It will feature the most fuel-efficient combustion process from a Ford diesel engine to date and it has a lean NO_X trap in the exhaust after-treatment system for even cleaner emissions.

“The total surface area of the active material inside the new lean NO_X trap covers the equivalent of two and a half full-sized football pitches – despite measuring just 132mm in diameter and 124 mm in length,” said David King, manager, diesel calibration, Ford of Europe. “It acts like a sponge to capture the NO_X emissions that result from more efficient combustion of diesel fuel, which is helping Ford achieve lower levels of CO₂.”

Ford has developed the engine’s piston bowl to improve combustion, and coated a number of components including the pistons, pins and seals with a layer of DLC. Less than a third the width of a human hair, the six-micron-thick layer of this extremely tough and smooth material bonded to a component is enough to reduce friction for improved efficiency and refinement.

A revised Variable Nozzle Turbocharger helps to increase airflow into the engine, while the latest generation high-pressure fuel injection minimises internal fuel losses and improves combustion, helping to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.

The 95PS version will deliver 98g/km CO₂ emissions, a 10 per cent improvement compared to the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel. It also will deliver 74.3mpg fuel efficiency when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

A 120PS version of 1.5-litre TDCi diesel, with the six-speed manual gearbox, will also deliver a 10 per cent fuel efficiency improvement and a PowerShift automatic option will be introduced next.

The enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine delivers significantly more power, torque and better fuel efficiency. The 150PS version will deliver a 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the previous 140PS model when specified with the six-speed manual gearbox, or PowerShift automatic transmission – achieved by introducing Auto-Start-Stop and Variable Nozzle Turbocharger technology. Torque is up from 340Nm to 350Nm.

“The new Ford Focus is the clearest example yet of Ford’s commitment to delivering the fuel efficiency drivers demand using advanced technologies,” Bakaj said. “Customers needn’t look to a specific variant to reduce their carbon footprint or running costs – they can now find optimised powertrains across the range.”

Ford’s 1.6-litre Ti-VCT petrol and 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engines will still be available on selected series in some markets.

FORD FOCUS #2 - New Focus dellivers industry first tech to predict and avoid skids.

• New Ford Focus Enhanced Transitional Stability technology improves safety by pre-empting skids to intervene earlier and could prevent drivers from losing control
• Industry-first system detects when a skid is likely from the car’s speed and steering; triggers skid-preventing braking inputs from Electronic Stability Control for smoother journeys
• Technology is among new and improved chassis control technologies that enhance driving dynamics and safety on the new Focus
• New Focus offers improved driving experience with retuned Electric Power Assisted Steering, new dampers, new suspension bushes and structural stiffness improvements
• Focus driving experience reaches new levels of refinement with noise, vibration and harshness improvements that help deliver best in class interior quietness

 Ford Motor Company is launching a new technology that can predict when a car might skid – and by stepping in early could prevent the driver from losing control in the first place.

The industry-first production car system called Enhanced Transitional Stability debuts on the new Focus and can calculate when a skid is likely to take place from a combination of the car’s speed, the position of the steering wheel and the speed at which the steering wheel is being turned.

If the system identifies that a skid is imminent, braking of individual wheels is applied – often before the driver realises that anything is amiss – by activating the advanced Electronic Stability Control; enhancing safety and helping deliver smoother journeys.

“By recognising scenarios that will lead to a loss of driver control before an incident has developed, the Enhanced Transitional Stability system is setting the recovery process in motion quicker than ever before, and improving safety and comfort for driver and passengers,” said Norbert Kessing, vehicle dynamics manager, Ford of Europe.

Enhanced Transitional Stability is just one of the new and improved chassis control technologies that enhance driving dynamics and safety on the new Focus. Ford engineers also have made revisions to the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to make Focus feel more connected to the road – and even easier to drive.

Engineers have retuned the EPAS system to reduce the amount of effort required to steer, eliminate neutral zones from the steering operation, and deliver almost instantaneous feedback from the road surface to enable more instinctive steering.

“The Ford Focus has long enjoyed a reputation for class-leading driving dynamics and handling and the new Focus is even more fun to drive, while at the same time delivering its best-ever comfort, stability and security on the road,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.

The driving experience has been further enhanced through new levels of quietness achieved with thicker side window glass and carpets, new front wheel arch liners and door trims, and more absorbent acoustic seals around the air extraction system, mirror hinges, and tailgate. These help Focus achieve best-in-class interior quietness to deliver a relaxing and stress-free environment for driver and passengers.

Ford engineers have also improved the front end structural stiffness of the new Focus by increasing the thickness of two brackets within the engine bay and using a stronger metal arc welding technique to reduce body flex during cornering, delivering sharper responses and greater agility. New Multi-Tune Valve Damper technology offers improved shock absorber performance and durability, as well as enabling engineers to deliver the optimum balance between body control and driver comfort.

In addition, the suspension geometry on the new Focus has been fine-tuned and the rubber lower control arm suspension bushes have been increased in stiffness by over 20 per cent. This reduces the amount of flexibility between the metal mounting surfaces during high-load conditions – such as when cornering – and minimises unwanted wheel movement. The front bushes also now feature flared edges that clamp over the suspension hub and chassis mounting points, further reducing movement of the connected components.

The all-new Focus is built on Ford’s C-Car global platform that also supports the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, and last year underpinned over 1 million Focus models registered worldwide, including more than 87,000 registrations in the UK.

FORD FOCUS #1 - New Ford Focus - Advanced Technologies

• New Focus delivers sleek, new design with the bold new face of Ford and a re-designed interior
• Upgraded powertrain line-up for Europe delivers expected fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15 per cent, includes new 1.5-litre EcoBoost and 1.5-litre TDCi engines
• Class-leading Focus driving dynamics further improved with stiffer front end, revised suspension and dampers, Electric Power Assisted Steering, and industry-first Enhanced Transitional Stability system
• New Focus debuts SYNC 2 connectivity system in Europe, featuring colour touch screen and improved voice control for easy access to audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones
• New Focus introduces hands-free Perpendicular Parking, helps drivers reverse into spaces side-to-side with other cars

The new Ford Focus elevates the world’s best-selling nameplate* with a bolder, more emotive exterior design, a finely crafted, intuitive new interior, a suite of 18 new or improved driver assistance technologies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQo7mQoWJRw) and major fuel economy improvements.

On sale from November, the new Focus also debuts SYNC 2 in Europe, Ford’s advanced in-car connectivity system, and offers a more powerful, yet frugal engine line-up, including new 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines.

“We weren’t satisfied with being number one; we wanted to make the best even better with a stunning new version of the Focus,” said Stephen Odell, president of Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The new Ford Focus marries modern design, advanced technology and leading fuel efficiency with the fun-to-drive DNA for which Focus is rightly acclaimed.”

Sophisticated design

Ford has crafted a more sophisticated and advanced Focus with a redesign to reflect the One Ford global design language.

Available in five -door and estate body styles, the new Focus has a lower, wider stance, with a new bonnet, front fascia and grille. The bonnet is sculpted with a dynamic shape from the front pillar to the corners of the upper part of the inverted trapezoidal grille to deliver a strong, proud look.

Slimmer, chiselled front headlamps and elongated fog-lamps add to the bolder front end. Subtle chrome details add to the feeling of elegance while the rear of the car also is sleeker with a new fascia and tailgate arrangement, as well as thinner tail lamps.

“The vision was to add more emotion to the design of Focus by incorporating our very latest ‘face of Ford’,” said Joel Piaskowski, director, Design, Ford of Europe. “The new Focus is more toned, and more athletic, with more refined surface language; and clearly offers a promise of the drive experience to come.”

When redesigning the interior of the new Focus, Ford listened to customer feedback and responded with a more intuitive layout, complemented by a steering wheel and central stack with fewer controls and switches. The new black satin trim and chrome detailing contribute to a cleaner, more modern look.

The redesigned centre storage console offers more space as well as a new sliding, integrated armrest. The adjustable console accommodates a variety of bottles and cups with the capacity to hold a one-litre water bottle and a 0.4-litre cup simultaneously.

“We’ve responded to a clear customer desire for more simplicity inside the car, creating a clearer visual connection between the key components and significantly reducing the number of buttons in the cabin,” Piaskowski said.

Fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive

The new Focus offers fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15 per cent compared with the current model, and a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions across the range.

For the first half of 2014, one in three Focus models in Europe were sold with the 1.0‑litre EcoBoost engine that this year was named the International Engine of the Year for an unprecedented third successive year.**

New Focus also will continue to offer a 99 g/km CO₂ 100PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine variant, the previous version of which earlier this year became the first non-hybrid petrol family car in Europe to achieve sub-100 g/km CO₂ emissions.***

The new Focus also will be offered with Ford’s new fuel-efficient 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, available with 150PS and 182PS with a new six-speed automatic gearbox. When mated to the six-speed manual gearbox the engine will deliver a seven per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared with the outgoing 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that offered equivalent power. In 2015 it also will be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission.

It will also be offered for the first time with Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCi diesel, available with 95PS or 120PS, and a 10 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared to the 1.6-litre engine it replaces. The 150PS 2.0-litre TDCi model with six-speed manual gearbox will deliver a 15 per cent improvement over the previous 140PS model.

With enhanced handling and steering, the new Focus takes the model’s class-leading driving dynamics and acclaimed fun-to-drive DNA to a new level. 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, and retuning the shock absorbers.

The Electric Power Assisted Steering has been retuned to make the driver feel even more connected to the road. Ford’s industry-first Enhanced Transitional Stability system monitors vehicle speed and the driver’s steering input to predict a loss of traction before it actually happens and triggers Electronic Stability Control sooner to enhance safety and help deliver smoother journeys.

The new Focus will also be available with paddle-shifters that enable drivers to control gear changes while keeping their hands on the steering wheel. Paddle-shift controls will be available as an option with all automatic and PowerShift transmissions, diesel and petrol.

The highly acclaimed driving experience is further refined with improvements to noise, vibration and harshness that help deliver best-in-class levels of interior quietness in Focus, and contribute to a more relaxing and stress-free environment. Among the changes that contribute to improved interior quietness are thicker carpets, thicker side window glass, and improved engine bay insulation.

Touch screen control with SYNC 2

The new Focus will be the first vehicle in Europe to offer SYNC 2, Ford’s advanced connectivity system. SYNC 2 features a high-resolution, eight-inch colour touch screen and advanced voice control of audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones.

SYNC 2’s navigation system also offers for the first time in Europe a split-screen display with detailed intersections, spoken street names, 3D highway junction and landmark views, and the MICHELIN guide.

Drivers are able to issue simpler “one-shot” navigation destinations, and to ask the system to “play” a desired artist. Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will bring up a list of local restaurants, which you can then get directions to via the navigation system.

Advanced driving technologies

The new Focus is the first Ford to offer Perpendicular Parking, a new hands-free parking technology that helps drivers reverse into spaces alongside other cars.

The current Focus introduced Active Park Assist, the parallel parking aid that, at the push of a button, uses ultrasonic sensors to locate parking spaces and steer the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. The addition of two new sensors to the rear of the new Focus enables Perpendicular Parking to operate in the same way.

The extra sensors also enable Ford to offer technologies for the time in Europe that help drivers as they manoeuvre out of parking spaces:

• Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Operating with radar at a range of up to 40 metres (131 feet), the system will issue three distinct warning signals if it detects a vehicle approaching from either side
• Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake

Ford also has improved its Active City Stop collision avoidance system, which uses sensors at the front of the vehicle to look for stationary objects in the road ahead and pre-charges the brakes if the vehicle is approaching an object too quickly. If the driver still does not respond, the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of collisions. Active City Stop now operates for the new Focus at speeds of up to 31mph, increased from 19mph.

In the case of moving objects Active Braking works in a similar way to Active City Stop but with a vehicle detection range of between 5mph (8km/h) and 112mph (180km/h). It supports drivers at higher speeds, for example on the motorway, by issuing warnings and applying braking as required.

Existing Adaptive Cruise Control technology enables Focus drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, even when that vehicle is travelling more slowly than the cruise speed. For occasions when Adaptive Cruise Control is not active, Ford is now introducing to Europe Distance Indication, which enables drivers to set a preferred distance they would like to maintain with the vehicle ahead. Should the driver get any closer, the system issues a three-stage dashboard display warning – from grey to yellow to red.

New Focus will also be equipped for the first time with Ford’s MyKey technology. MyKey enables owners to programme a key – usually for younger drivers – that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable it altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts. The system can prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies.

Lighting the way

The improved Adaptive Front Lighting System now adjusts the beams of the new Bi-Xenon HID headlamps to best suit the road layout. The system assesses the ambient light surrounding the car, as well as objects in the road ahead and then adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to one of seven settings depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front.

At high speeds, such as on a motorway, the headlights will be raised to project a longer, straighter beam for visibility further ahead; in towns where speeds are lower and street lighting more intense, the beam will spread out downwards to more intensely illuminate the road immediately ahead. When cornering at lower speeds, the system will project a beam towards the side of the road to make cyclists and pedestrians more visible. The system will support drivers cornering at higher speeds by directing light further into the bend.

The new Focus will continue to offer innovative features that drivers have come to appreciate and rely on, such as the industry-first Door Edge Protector, which provides a buffer against accidental damage by extending a protective flap that covers the door edges a split-second after the door is opened.

“New Focus offers a host of new and cutting-edge features and technologies, but at the same time this latest version has been refined and simplified,” said Jim Baumbick, Ford’s global medium car vehicle line director. “The sophisticated redesign has given Focus a new, fresh and modern style both inside and out, but the soul of Focus is the fun-to-drive feeling you get when you’re behind the wheel, and we’ve not compromised on that – in fact, we’ve improved it.”

Ford will also offer the new Focus ST, revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifVo-rjmvXs&list=UU-uGdDHxmwi_eH5t_ph9uuw), which will be available for the first time with both a petrol and a diesel powertrain. The most advanced Focus ST yet offers new chassis control technologies, tuned suspension and steering, and bespoke tyre specification that ensure an even more responsive, balanced and refined driving experience.

Ford first launched the Focus in 1998 and since then more than 12 million have been sold worldwide, including 6.9 million in Europe – where Ford builds a new Focus every 90 seconds. To meet growing customer demand for Focus, which is sold in more than 140 markets, Ford has now ramped up capacity worldwide to build the car in eight plants on four continents. Factories in Germany, U.S., Russia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Argentina have a combined capacity to produce more than 1.5 million Focus vehicles annually.