Detroit 2010: Ford Focus MkIII revealed

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Detroit Motor Show 2010 sees the arrival of the third generation Ford Focus. And unlike any Focus before, this one will look pretty much the same in all of the 122 countries it’s sold in, including the UK where it goes on sale in a year's time.

One love, one Focus

The new Focus has been designed in accordance with big boss man Alan Mulally’s ONE Ford philosophy. So that means that around 80% of the car doesn’t change from market to market, boosting economies of scale and simplifying the whole build process.

Meet the family

Further to that, the Focus’ C-segment platform will spawn 10 different models, including the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which arrive in the summer, by the time the whole range has made is to showrooms in 2012.

Exterior design

The new Focus features the latest version of Ford’s “looks like it’s moving even when it isn’t” kinetic design language. So it looks quite a lot like a big Fiesta, especially in hatchback form, although that’s not exactly a bad thing. We’re not quite sure about the Darth Vader’s helmet air intakes in the front bumper, and the back of the hatch is a bit Kia Cee’d, but we’ll wait until we see it parked next to a VW Golf before we make up our minds properly.

And on the inside…

We’re much more taken by the new car’s driver focussed interior. Even from these highly touched up press pics you can tell that the emphasis on getting the interior fit, finish and quality up to the level of the Golf’s has paid off. The latest version’s of Ford’s SYNC multimedia software and interface, which lets you plug in various devices and control them by voice, all sounds pretty premium too.

Under the skin

The new Focus is about the same size as the car it replaces, and just like the transition from Golf V to Golf VI, Ford has elected to thoroughly tweak the existing car’s setup as there isn’t exactly much wrong with the way the current car drives. There is a brand new electric power steering system though, which should be pretty good if the Fiesta’s is anything to go by, and the use of high tech steels means that its crash performance should be very good.

And under the bonnet

Ford is keeping quiet about engines for now, by has confirmed that the Focus will get a range of direct injection EcoBoost petrol engines, including a 1.6-litre version here, and improved Duratorq common-rail diesel engines. Ford reckons these will “offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 per cent compared to the outgoing models.” The PowerShift DCT gearbox will be offered too.

Anything else?

Production of the new Focus will begin simultaneously at Saarlouis in Germany, Michigan in the USA and Chongqing in China. Ford reckons it have a massive hit with the car, so will add production in Spain and Russia later in the model cycle.