Ford PH introduces the new Focus with EcoBoost

THE ENHANCED Active Park Assist that comes with Ford’s popular Parallel Park Assist has an added Perpendicular Park Assist feature.

THE NEW Ford Focus promises a new level of refinement packaged with Ford’s new and advanced technologies, and a powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine, giving today’s compact sedan buyers a rare combination of performance and fuel economy.

With Ford’s new 1.5-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, the driver can have a choice between an exciting onroad performance or go easy on the gas pedal to gain more fuel efficiency, thanks to Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharging technology.

The engine is rated at 177.53 horsepower of power and 240 Newton-meters of torque, giving a more powerful feel than a naturally aspirated 2-liter engine because of its high-pressure direct fuel injection and twin-independent variable cam timing technology.

Its new aluminum engine block helps to reduce overall weight, further improving performance and efficiency.

Ford’s core technologies for the new engine came from Ford’s multiple-award-winning 1-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Its new cylinder head design promises improved cooling and an integrated exhaust manifold that delivers a more efficient feed of air into the engine so it can operate at optimal temperatures.

Designed to minimize the distance of its exhaust gases traveling from the cylinders to the turbocharger, the integrated manifold also reduces turbo lag to give a more rapid torque delivery.

SPECIALLY LAID-OUT traffic cones simulated various road conditions and helped demonstrate the agility and handling of the new Focus.

Ford also reprogrammed the engine control system to ensure high levels of engine refinement, quietness and performance.

Easy change gears

Aside from better engine performance, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine is mated to a new lightweight and efficient

6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls.

Drivers can now change gears without taking their hands from the steering wheel for an enhanced feeling of performance and control.

“The new Ford Focus has been created with our customers and their needs in mind,” said Kay Hart, managing director of Ford Philippines.

“The sophisticated, energized and progressive new Focus is loaded with the smartest and safest technologies in its segment, making it absolutely more efficient and cleverly designed, all within a more refined package.”

THE ENHANCED Active Park Assist that comes with Ford’s popular Parallel Park Assist has an added Perpendicular Park Assist feature.

Ford’s new stylish take on the Focus’ exterior design also has a lower and wider stance, giving it a sense of width, and a new hood design that elegantly slopes toward Ford’s new signature trapezoidal grille that matches well with its slim, chiseled front headlamps. Its rectangular, elongated fog lamps further add to a bolder front end.

The refined and athletic exterior is complemented by a sleek and modern new interior. Ford designers paid particular attention to customer feedback on the current-generation Focus, which called for a simpler, more intuitive interior with fewer controls and switches.

Inside, the new Focus’ cabin was designed to have better levels of sound insulation, thanks to strategic placements of sound-deadening materials and sound-insulating windshield glass and thicker side-window glass panels, thicker carpets, increased insulation in the door trims, and improved engine insulation—giving the new Focus increased passenger comfort and refinement.

Class-leading technology

The new Focus is also packaged with a number of cutting-edge driver aid technology and smart connectivity to ensure safety and ease of operation.

“The new Focus is one of our smartest cars ever. We wanted to ensure that our customers experience ease, comfort and advantages in usability that these technologies bring,” said Hart.

The new Focus is equipped with Ford’s new and advanced connectivity system, the Sync 2, promising a safer and smarter way to stay connected. One can easily operate the car’s climate controls, entertainment system and a linked smartphone with natural voice commands.

Its centrally placed, high-resolution 8-inch touch screen offers a more intuitive control right at the driver’s fingertips, with color-coded corners for easy menu navigation.

Its Enhanced Active Park Assist that comes with Ford’s popular Parallel Park Assist has an added Perpendicular Park Assist feature.

These technology-based driver assist features allows its system to scan for available parking spaces alongside other cars and the system takes control of the car’s steering to guide the vehicle into the space, leaving the driver to control the shifting, braking and acceleration.

The Perpendicular Park Assist uses two new ultrasonic sensors on the rear of the car, which also features a Park-Out Assist. Its sensors make sure driving out of a tight spot is as easy as parking in, thanks to these state-of-the-art driver aid features.

The new Focus also features an improved Active City Stop system to help mitigate low-speed collisions. It has a windshield-mounted sensor to

detect braking, slower-moving or stationary vehicles in front, and at speeds of 50 kilometers per hour, the system precharges the brakes if the car is approaching a vehicle in front too quickly.

Should the driver fail to take action, the system takes over and automatically reduces the engine’s torque and applies brake pressure to reduce the impact of a collision.

“These driver assist technologies used to be found only in more premium vehicles. With the new Focus, we are making these segment-first features more accessible to our customers for that ultimate driving experience,” said Hart.

Performance-oriented

Aside from a great engine, Ford’s refined Electric Power Assisted Steering system and chassis design promise a better driving experience with more precise steering while reducing unwanted damping to give

better feedback to the driver.

During the launch event, Ford Philippines conducted a “gymkhana” style track on the open lot of the Megatent Events Hall located along C-5 in Pasig to offer members of the media and select participants a feel of the agility and performance of the new Focus.

Specially laid-out traffic cones were positioned to simulate various road conditions and allow drivers to feel the agility and handling of the new Focus as well as acceleration and braking capabilities of several Focus variants.

“The new Focus reflects the strengths of its predecessor while evolving nearly in every aspect, from design and technology to driving dynamics, driver comfort and overall performance. We are very excited to be launching a smarter, safer, efficient and more sophisticated Focus which guarantees to give that fun-to-drive experience that our Filipino customers are looking for,” said Hart.

Starting this month, the new Focus will be available for delivery. It will be available in four variants, and eight colors (frozen white, panther black, ingot silver, winning blue, magnetic metallic, lunar sky, candy red and mustard olive).

The variants and prices are as follows: the 1.5-liter Focus GTDI EcoBoost Sport+ AT (P1.278 million), the 1.5-liter Focus

GTDI EcoBoost Titanium+ AT (P1.278 million), the 1.5-liter Focus GTDI EcoBoost Sport AT (P1.088 million), and the 1.5-liter Focus GTDI EcoBoost Titanium AT (P1.088 million).