Ford Focus: Raising the Standard for Small Cars
13 August 1999
Ford Focus: Raising the Standard for Small Cars DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 12 -- It's not your typical small car.
As the 1999 European Car Of The Year, the all-new 2000 Ford Focus is designed
to raise the standard of what a small car should be with new levels of
roominess, comfort, driving dynamics and safety. Combined with a bold new
exterior design and an all-new chassis, the Ford Focus will give customers of
all ages much more car while still providing affordability and value.
On sale in late September, 1999, Focus is available in three body styles
-- a sporty three-door, four-door sedan and versatile wagon -- and a choice of
four series matched to varying lifestyles. Appealing to a wider array of
customers than ever before, the Focus combines a youthful attitude with a
higher standard of quality performance -- making this new compact car one of
the most innovative and exciting vehicles in its class.
About The Models
Available in an electric array of colors including Pitch Black, Malibu
Blue, Autumn Orange, Sangria Red, Atlantic Blue, CD Silver, Fort Knox Gold,
Rainforest Green, Twilight Blue, Infra-Red, Cloud 9 White and Light Sapphire
Blue, the Focus offers customers the opportunity to match their own
personality to the look of the car.
Available for as low as $12,280, teenagers and adults will find the zippy
three-door ZX3 model bold and unique with curving arcs created by the roofline
and high-mounted taillamps. Unique in its class, the ZX3 model as well as all
Focus models comes with the SecuriLock (TM) passive anti-theft system, 60/40
split-fold-down rear seatbacks, manual driver's seat height adjustment, dual
visor vanity mirrors, battery saver feature and rear-seat heat ducts. In
addition, a CD player comes with the ZX3 model -- making it the only compact
car on the market with this standard feature.
The three sedan series comes in the base LX, mid-level SE and high-end ZTS
models ranging in price from $12,540 to $15,580. Combining a progressive
front-end, deep luggage compartment in the rear and comprehensive safety
systems, the sedan continues to raise the standard for compact cars. As the
high series, the ZTS represents the image leader for the Focus line-up with
the most standard features, such as the 16-valve, 130 horsepower, Zetec engine
and antilock brakes (ABS) -- for the most demanding customers. In addition,
leather seats, power locks and tilt and telescoping steering are included in
this model. The Focus wagon, which will be available for as low as $15,795,
demonstrates versatility with extended rear side-windows and a full-width
tailgate.
Smart Design Inside/Outside
One of the key objectives set for the new Focus was a best-in-class
package with intelligent use of space, as well as ergonomics.
Inside
Ergonomically, the Focus' interior features are logically placed and
provide easy-to-use controls. For example, audio dials are large in size for
ease of grabbing, while placed higher on the dashboard than the heater control
because they are used more frequently. Similarly, all rotary knobs are
rubberized, while push/pull buttons use silicon pads to help drivers easily
and tactilely distinguish between controls while driving.
In addition, the high roofline, raised seating positions, tall, wide doors
and long wheelbase work together to provide more interior passenger room than
any competitor. It also provides more leg room. Moving to the trunk of the
car, the Focus luggage compartment conveniently fits two full-size suitcases
side-by-side. Smartly designed, the Focus team carefully planned to build
more space in the trunk by stretching the wheelbase and pushing the wheels out
of the corner, making sure the trunk hinges did not intrude inside as well as
installing the rear speakers in the doors rather than in the trunk.
Outside
Focus' bold, innovative use of Ford's "New Edge" design -- with its
combination of rounded shapes, crisp edges, sharp intersections and taut lines
-- brings a new look to the class. The design is also driven by maximum
functionality. The car's low hood line and shape couples superior
aerodynamics with maximum crash protection. Another important feature
includes the door handles that pull out rather than up -- so there is
less chance of broken nails or scratches on the paint from rings. This design
is even recommended by emergency services because it's faster and easier to
open.
Driving Dynamics
The mission for the dynamics team was clear from the start -- make Focus
ride and handle better than any car in its class had done before, including
being more stable, easier to drive, more reassuring, rewarding and fun for all
drivers. To achieve the objectives, Focus is based on an all-new platform and
features the stiffest and -- one of the lightest -- body shells in the
class. The highly rigid, yet lightweight platform, architecture provides the
best possible base and mounting points for Focus' next-generation low-friction
steering and front suspension and fully independent rear suspension. With
zero offset front suspension geometry and fully compensated dampers, Focus'
chassis provides superior ride and handling quality equal to and even better
than larger and more expensive cars.
The multi-link rear suspension provides greater longitudinal compliance
for superior ride quality. Lateral stiffness and better wheel control greatly
improve stability and active safety -- particularly in extreme cornering or
heavy braking situations. In addition, the advanced braking system has new
friction materials and a larger brake-pad area which provides new levels of
driver reassurance. The latest four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is
available as an option. Power rack-and-pinion steering is standard.
Powertrains
Two engines are available on Focus including the 2.0L SOHC I-4 split-port
induction (SPI) engine with 110 horsepower @5000 rpm and 2.0L DOHC 16-valve
Zetec I-4 engine with 130 horsepower @5300 rpm. Combined with the lightweight
body shell, these engines give Focus a high ratio of torque-to-weight, which
results in excellent response when accelerating. Both engines are available
with an all-new, light, compact four-speed automatic transmission, which
features overdrive and lock-up torque converter. The transmission is
exceptionally quiet in operation, is sealed for life and requires no scheduled
maintenance.
Specifically, the SPI engine is available with the latest Ford improved
IB5 five-speed manual transmission. It features external stiffening ribs on
the transmission and clutch housing to resist powertrain bending forces more
effectively and reduce NVH in the engine/transmission assembly. The final
drive gears and bearings also are strengthened for greater durability.
The Zetec engine is available with Ford's MTX75 manual transaxle. The
adoption of a low-inertia hydraulic clutch and cable-operating gearshift
eliminate two direct acoustic paths from the powertrain to the passenger
compartment, providing significant reductions in NVH. Both controls also
offer superior precision for greater accuracy and ease of operating,
together with greater durability and weight savings. Low-friction, needle-
roller bearings and low viscosity mineral oil aid fuel economy.
Safety Features
A safe car doesn't have to be a big car. Focus is proof of that. The
Ford personal safety system takes occupant protection to another level. Its
features include: standard second generation driver and front passenger
airbag Supplemental Restrain System (SRS); crash-severity sensors, driver
seat position sensors and safety-belt usage sensors to help determine airbag
deployment; three-point lap/shoulder safety belts with safety belt protectors
and load-limiting retractors, which work with the airbags to help hold
passengers in proper position; optional front-seat/head/chest side-impact
airbags; three-point rear center safety belt; tether child-safety seat
mounting -- among the first in the segment -- makes it easier and less
stressful to properly install a child-safety seat; a trunk entrapment release
on sedan models, which helps prevent children from accidentally locking
themselves in the trunk; belt minder system, which supplements the existing
safety-belt reminder; SecuriLock(TM) passive anti-theft system; a remote
keyless entry system; and power door locks.
Caring About The Environmental
Environmental compatibility and recycling were designed into Focus from
the beginning. All Focus models meet low-emission vehicle (LEV) requirements,
which exceed U.S. Federal emission requirements. Beyond offering excellent
fuel economy and low emissions levels, the car's lubrication oils, coolants
and other fluids were chosen with the environment in mind. Besides CFC-free
refrigerants, all friction materials and insulation are asbestos-free.
Recycled consumer goods -- such as old plastics, carpets and even denim
jeans -- are used to make Focus components, including battery housings,
heating components, sound-deadening materials, air filter housings and fuse
boxes.
