Ford has unveiled the new facelifted 2015 Focus hatchback at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The American manufacturer had released the first images of the hatchback and the estate version of the car, yesterday. The car will also be showcased at 2014 Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale in the UK market around June. Being just a facelift, the new car retains the dimensions and underpinnings while incorporating several cosmetic changes, better interiors, new engines as well as new technology.
The new Focus carries a fresh look, along the lines of the new range of Ford cars like the Fusion and the soon-to-be-launched Mondeo. Speaking about the design, Martin Smith, executive design director, Ford Europe, said, “The vision was to add more emotion to the design of the Focus. 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.”
The front of the car features a six-point grille with sharper and slimmer headlamps, a new bumper and a redesigned hood. The rear of the car houses thinner lights with redesigned graphics, as well as a new bumper and tailgate. Bi-Xenon adaptive headlamps will be offered as an option for the first time.
More updates can be seen inside the car which includes a new center console which is adorned by a black satin trim with chrome detailing for the dashboard and door trims. Ford claims that denser carpets, thicker side window glass and enhanced engine insulation have improved noise insulation of the car. For a better ride, Ford has revamped the car with a stiffer front end, reworked suspension and shock absorbers, Electric Power Assist Steering and a new ESP system.
Ford has also retuned the engines in the car. The updated powertrain lineup now includes a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine available in two guises, a 148bhp and 178bhp while the new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine is also offered in two versions, 94bhp and 118bhp. A new version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost will also be offered in the US markets. The optional Getrag-developed six-speed, double-clutch PowerShift semi-automatic gearbox will transmit the power to the front wheels.
Ford hasn’t announced specs or pricing of the C-segment car though it’s unlikely to deviate much from its current GBP 14,000 (Rs 14.2 lakh) to GBP 33,000 (Rs 33.5 lakh) price bracket. We can expect further details to be revealed at the 84th Geneva Motor Show, next month.
