FORD Focus 2016 1 Engine no Ambiente..

[csv8]

The 2016 Ford Focus hatch and sedan range will arrive in Australia — at last — in October this year, and the company appears to be making a bold move upmarket.

Unlike the current (non-ST) Ford Focus range, available in four specification levels with three engine choices, the MY16 range will come with three specification options and just one choice of engine — a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol unit with class-leading figures.

The new 1.5 engine punches out 132kW at 6000rpm and 240Nm from 1600 to 5000rpm (7kW/38Nm more than the outgoing 2.0), placing it somewhere in the middle ground between most regular small cars, and more upmarket hot hatches in terms of output.

The new engine is matched to six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, and consumes between 5.8 litres of 95-98 RON fuel per 100km and 6.4L/100km depending on spec.

The streamlined engine range spells the end of the outgoing line-up that comprised normally-aspirated 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol units, as well as a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (diesel versions represented just 3.0 per cent of sales). The Euro 1.0-litre three-cylinder option — a multiple International Engine of the Year award winner — will not be offered.

As part of the update, Ford has also trimmed back the spec levels. The Focus can now be had in Trend, Sport and Titanium hatch form (no more base, price-leading Ambiente), while the sedan comes as a Trend or Titanium.

As such, the price of entry grows — the cheapest version, the manual Trend hatch, costs $23,390 plus on-road costs, up $1100 over the outgoing Trend, but a significant $3100 pricier than the current base Ambiente.

This means the Focus range has a higher price of entry than almost any rival — it’s $900 more than a Volkswagen Golf 92TSI. But, given the power on tap, Ford is clearly not chasing entry-level — often meaning fleet — sales. This is perhaps in line with company strategy to focus (sorry for the pun) on margins more than outright volumes for the sake of volumes.

This move upmarket is also reflected in the level of standard features on order. All versions, regardless of spec, get upmarket features such as an eight-inch touchscreen with SYNC 2, a reverse-view camera and satellite navigation.

This is a nice counter-move the Volkswagen, which recently announced that all Golfs would get a standard App-Connect USB interface for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink within a few weeks time.

All versions also get Ford’s MyKey system (not to be confused with Melbourne’s Myki public transport system), that recognises different sets of car keys that are programmed to limit things such as top speed — that’ll keep your P-plater kids in line.

The Sport versions get features such as bigger wheels and racier suspension and a better sound system with DAB+ digital radio, while Titanium versions get high-end safety gear such as low-speed autonomous brakes, perpendicular parking assist and a blind-spot monitor.

The Focus also sports a vastly improved — less button-heavy — cabin design with more upmarket fit-and-finish and extra sound-insulation. Externally, there’s a new grille/headlight design up front and a re-jigged rear end design to boot.

Under the skin, Ford has revised the suspension, particularly by making the front-end stiffer, and re-tuned the shocks. The electric-assisted power steering has been revised, as has the stability control system. We’ll have to wait for our first drive in October to assess these changes.

Most of the Focus range is sourced from Thailand — just like the Fiesta, Ranger and Everest – while the already-on-sale Focus ST update comes from Germany.

The facelifted Focus launch has been some time coming — it was revealed globally in February 2014, though it didn’t actually go on sale anywhere for some time after that.

Ford Australia will no doubt be rapt to have it. Stocks of the current version might be getting slim, and sales are down a whopping 53.8 per cent this year to 4087 units.

Read more at http://www.caradvice.com.au/365357/2...HVIfMe1GEy7.99

My comment : Ford still haven't learnt that Ford cars in Aus are over priced....$32,690 for Titanium????

[Brazen]

132kw standard is impressive

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Brazen

132kw standard is impressive

[DJM83]

Another typical thread whinging about prices from OP

[Brazen]

Sport looks like great value. Would like to see a sunroof as an option somewhere in the range.

Base Trend would be a great car for the vast majority of the population. Pop 25 grand on the counter and drive out in a roomy 132kw car with a host of features, even comes standard with sat nav.

[new2ford]

Considering Focus is on the verge of being beaten out of second sales place in its sector in Europe by Octavia, it's surprising to see no acknowledgement in this new model of the issues that are probably turning people away from it. Broadly speaking I'd say the family market. It's still the same squashed little bubble and no wagon version is being offered here. Ford must be pitching for fleet and young singles sales only.

It looks like the cheapest Focus hatch here will cost more than a base Octavia wagon and the base Octavia sedan is cheaper still. Another own goal for Ford?

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Considering Focus is on the verge of being beaten out of second sales place in its sector in Europe by Octavia, it's surprising to see no acknowledgement in this new model of the issues that are probably turning people away from it. Broadly speaking I'd say the family market. It's still the same squashed little bubble and no wagon version is being offered here. Ford must be pitching for fleet and young singles sales only.

It looks like the cheapest Focus hatch here will cost more than a base Octavia wagon and the base Octavia sedan is cheaper still. Another own goal for Ford?

How do you come up with that?? Ford are moving away from fleet sales & these changes is a very very clear sign of that. No way does this line up look good for fleet sales.

[Brazen]

Rumours in the comments section suggest power shift is gone and it's getting the same torque converter auto box as Kuga?

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Rumours in the comments section suggest power shift is gone and it's getting the same torque converter auto box as Kuga?

I noticed that and wondered. It would give them an advantage over VAG's DSG (if it didn't affect fuel economy too much).

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Rumours in the comments section suggest power shift is gone and it's getting the same torque converter auto box as Kuga?

correct. i believe they have gone back to a standard 6sp auto.

[Brazen]

Wagon is available in NZ. I think it would if been smart to launch here as it would make it a bit more revelent to family buyers. I suppose the issue is that it would probably take away Kuga buyers.
I like the VAG method of offering as many variants as possible across all their model ranges.

[csv8]

new2ford.. careful!! or you will get a comment from DJM83..like I do!!! Ford are going to having a hard sell when comparable cars are cheaper..But, not allowed to make comment here, unless its praising Ford!!!!!!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by csv8

new2ford.. careful!! or you will get a comment from DJM83..like I do!!! Ford are going to having a hard sell when comparable cars are cheaper..But, not allowed to make comment here, unless its praising Ford!!!!!!

what many fail to grasp, is the companies have their own data, and perhaps it tells them that the ambiente wasn't a big seller anyway.

also, they operate on profit, not some silly sales rankings that so many get so hung up on. nobody knows what their internal targets are.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by csv8

new2ford.. careful!! or you will get a comment from DJM83..like I do!!! Ford are going to having a hard sell when comparable cars are cheaper..But, not allowed to make comment here, unless its praising Ford!!!!!!

I've already praised Ford prolifically over the last decade. I've still got about 270 brownie points left to trade on.

Besides, I want Ford to try to do the best thing, so my comments are in the hope that things will get better so maybe I can come back to them!

Originally Posted by prydey

not some silly sales rankings

Those sales rankings are a very significant marketing and public perception tool though. You don't make much profit when you sell hardly anything at all.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Those sales rankings are a very significant marketing and public perception tool though. You don't make much profit when you sell hardly anything at all.

are they really?

apart from people like us who browse forums, who knows about the sales data??

ask any non car person what the make up of the top 10 is. i bet they wouldn't have a clue.

also, if ford sell everything they bring here, at a price close to what they intended, what is the problem?? of course every manufacturer wants to sell as much as they can, but you don't just go bringing over thousands of cars and then live in hope.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by prydey

are they really?

apart from people like us who browse forums, who knows about the sales data??

I would think most people going out to buy a car would have at least a vague idea of what's popular and what's not and form perceptions on that. It's even publicised in the mainstream press.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by csv8

new2ford.. careful!! or you will get a comment from DJM83..like I do!!! Ford are going to having a hard sell when comparable cars are cheaper..But, not allowed to make comment here, unless its praising Ford!!!!!!

Crap.
Look at the prices posted above. I was going to post some up but I was beaten. You are forever sooking about prices for any for model Ford. Maybe you should go talk down Ford on an Hyundai forum.

[1TUFFUTE]

Seems like the logical move by ford. Diesels are dead, so it's gone.
Plus people are always going on about the ford reputation. What's wrong with moving further away from the cheap stuff and building a premium rep instead?

And who the hell buys a small Mazda for over FOURTY k. if I hear anyone whinge about pricing again....you know where u can go.......

[Imolator]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Crap.
Look at the prices posted above. I was going to post some up but I was beaten. You are forever sooking about prices for any for model Ford. Maybe you should go talk down Ford on an Hyundai forum.

It will be interesting to put it mildly, to see if not having a price competitive entry level Focus works for Ford.

In my opinion it wont. This section of the market is very price sensitive, Just look how many i30's sold in June due to 19990 drive away pricing.

It's pure arrogance and another example of Ford US not really caring about sales figures here.

With the free trade agreement with Thailand where the Focus is built it should be cheaper than both VW Golf and Mazda 3 certainly not dearer.

Having recently sold my Focus S and choosing between Golf and 3, I can say that both are better put together than the Focus.

If Ford wants to go premium then they need to provide a premium product, and this takes more than beating others on specs, they need to really lift their game on fit and finish.

Every Ford I've bought has been for the way it drove and value for money. If fit and finish, brand reputation and price are the main criteria then The new Focus just doesn't cut it.

My 2 cents.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Imolator

It will be interesting to put it mildly, to see if not having a price competitive entry level Focus works for Ford.

In my opinion it wont. This section of the market is very price sensitive, Just look how many i30's sold in June due to 19990 drive away pricing.

It's pure arrogance and another example of Ford US not really caring about sales figures here.

With the free trade agreement with Thailand where the Focus is built it should be cheaper than both VW Golf and Mazda 3 certainly not dearer.

Having recently sold my Focus S and choosing between Golf and 3, I can say that both are better put together than the Focus.

If Ford wants to go premium then they need to provide a premium product, and this takes more than beating others on specs, they need to really lift their game on fit and finish.

Every Ford I've bought has been for the way it drove and value for money. If fit and finish, brand reputation and price are the main criteria then The new Focus just doesn't cut it.

My 2 cents.

Me too, the sweet spot for Ford was always how it drove (better handling, better ride) and value for money initial pricing. For that I put up with lesser finish (but still nice) and greater depreciation, and gained reliability from simple drivetrain matched with nicities like the ZF.

A Corolla (hatch - Japanese built) on a sub 20K deal with it's resale, build quality and apparently better (than before) drive experience looks pretty good tbh.

[Adamz Ghia]

Personally I don't think it's a good move not to have price fighter in the line up, but Mazda don't seem to have a problem without one so I guess we'll see. Mazda has the badge credibility to get away with it, I'm not sure that Ford does yet...

[Windsor220]

I think Ford have realised they cant compete on the cheap side of the scale.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I think Ford have realised they cant compete on the cheap side of the scale.

They are starting to present a pretty compelling ownership case with lots of feature and their new customer service program.

I think offering value over being cheap is the way forward. I think for some of the other new releases they still haven't nailed the value argument - Mondeo in particular, maybe Everest.

[prydey]

apple and samsung don't outsell everything else because they are the cheapest. its about making a product desirable.

if you chase sales via price, you need volume as well.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I think Ford have realised they cant compete on the cheap side of the scale.

So time to find out they can't compete on the expensive side either?

I get your point, but Ford is not a premium or aspirational brand in Australia. Jacking up the price won't change that perception. Only a very high quality product, spot on dealer and factory support and a decade or two of over delivering on all the things that make customers happy will change Fords current position in the market. They are a long way from even starting on that process.

[stevanford]

With a tune, it wouldn't surprise me to see 150-160kw out of one. Would be tempting to trade the Fiesta in for one...

[GTP534]

I'd be glad to see Powershift gone.

It's the worst feature of my wife's Titanium and spoils the whole car in my view.

It's going to make way for a "Pony".

[mik]

Originally Posted by GTP534

I'd be glad to see Powershift gone.

It's the worst feature of my wife's Titanium and spoils the whole car in my view.

It's going to make way for a "Pony".

Yes it was a serious backwards step by ford management, and it probably cost them a lot of customers and reputation ,
had ford spent a few more dollars on testing the cars better they would have found these problems and done something better.
This is the problem when you let bean counters run the show .

[XR Martin]

Ecoboost engines have never had the powershift in the first place.

I would have thought the base model might get the 110kw 1.5 Ecoboost, which would still be competitive in the market.

[minheim]

If the powershift is gone then that would make it a car that I could recommend to my daughter if she decides to update next year or the following. Should be a good refresh and hopefully they can promote it well for the sake of the brand and dealers.