Ford India has been on a roll since the launch of their small car Figo. The Figo has got off to a tremendous start and is now one of the top ten selling cars in India. The last time Ford featured in the top 10 list was when they had launched the iconic Ikon and then the Fiesta. Riding on this success, Ford launched the 2WD Ford Endeavor automatic. This too was welcomed with open arms by the SUV lovers.
The good news for Ford fans is that the internationally acclaimed Ford Focus is coming to India. Yes, we know you must have been hearing of this for the umpteenth time but its too true to be dismissed as a rumor. Ford Focus, internationally, is sold in 4 body styles namely a 2-door cabriolet, sedan, coupe and hatch. However the one for our interest would be the sedan. This would be a sedan which would compete with the likes of the Hyundai Verna, Fiat Linea, Honda City and the Volkswagen Vento.
The New Ford Focus would be the biggest of all the aforementioned cars. It would slot in between the Ford Fiesta and the upcoming Ford Mondeo. The Focus will most likely have the 1.8 L Duratec petrol which pumps out 140 Bhp at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque at 4350 rpm. It will have the regular five speed manual tranny and a four speed automatic as an option. There would also be a diesel which would have a 1.6 litre Duratorq engine churning out 119 Bhp at 4500 rpm with about 156 Nm of peak torque at 3,800 rpm. As with all Ford cars, the Focus would have the most advanced suspension in its class. The front features Independent McPherson with an anti-roll bar and the rear has the Blade type independent Control Multi-Link suspension. ABS and traction control would be standard also all wheel disc brakes.
Ford Focus Photo Gallery
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The Ford Focus in India is presented across as an upmarket sporty vehicle and this can be seen from the flared wheel arches and side skirts that it comes with as standard. The front resembles that of the Ford family with its “Kinetic Design” theory. It has a big chrome strip running across its grill. The head lamps are Bi-Xenon lamps with indicators embedded in them.
The interiors follow the same theme as the recently launched Figo. They have the coral hue, now standard across the range and have a pleasing to the eye arrangement for everything. Standard audio and Bluetooth controls are present in the steering wheel. The Fiesta’s gripe has been ironed out in the Focus, with the Focus having ample space for the chauffer driven at the rear. The handling would be for given on any Ford, so it wouldn’t be a problem on this one as well. The instrument panel would be more like the Fiesta S with its blood red needles and all the jazz.
Ford have been testing prototypes across India in heavy camouflage. Spy shots indicate them to be the Focus as the Mondeo is a bit larger than the Focus and the shots reveal dimensions similar to that of the Focus. Now, the launch of the Focus would be around February 2011 as informed by one of our sources in Ford Focus Price would start from around Rs.7,70000 for the base model to Rs. 9,50000 for the top one. Mileage is said to hover around the 13kmpl mark in city and about 19kmpl on the highway. This is at par with what the segment rivals offer now.
Technical Specifications
Length (mm): 4550
Width (mm): 1483
Height (mm): 1465
Engine Type: 1.8 litre Duratec-HE engine and 1.6 litre Duratorq engine
Configuration: DOHC
Maximum Power (kw): 140 bhp from Petrol Engine and 119 bhp from Diesel Engine