2019 Ford Focus finally unveiled - Available in three body styles

MANILA: Finally, Ford decided to stop teasing the buyers and auto critics around the globe and hand over the treat it has been long working on - the 2019 Focus. After seeing the endless series of spy photos, leaks, and teasers for close to a year, we got a pretty decent idea about the new car. But we were surprised when Ford introduced all the three body styles - sedan, hatch, and wagon at once. While the Focus sedan is aimed at the Asian and North American market. The European buyers will enjoy the wagon and hatch model.

The all-new Focus like all the other Ford cars is available in a number of specialised variants -

• First, is the sporty ST-Line
• Second, is the luxury adorned Titanium
• Third, is the high riding Active
• Last, is the range-topping Vignale

While the European market will benefit from all the four mentioned trims, the Asian and more specifically the China market, for now, will have to settle for the ST-Line and Titanium variants. 1Also, the wide variety of configuration available with previous generation Focus is now reduced to as low as 26 (from 360), making the Focus affordable.

As for its under the hood configuration, Ford has tuned the new Focus with three powertrains. Included in the list are - a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, 1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost and 2.0-litre turbo EcoBlue engine. While the first two engines run on petrol, the last one is the only available diesel option. The transmission choice includes a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic with selectable shift speed. Also, the automatic models now ditch the traditional gearbox setup for a more modern rotary style selector dial.

Though the company has not revealed the new Focus dimension specs, it claims that the fourth-generation model comes with more cabin space, larger booth, and more accessible egress and ingress. From the design perspective, the 2019 Ford Focus is nothing like the ongoing model, all thanks to the flatter and more extended bonnet line and cab-rearward proportions.

On the amenity front, the new Ford Focus features advance tech options like -

• Fully automated parking assistance
• Adaptive lighting with sign lighting and predictive curve
• Electric power steering with selectable driving modes and evasive assist
• Ford Pass Connect that allows the driver to unlock and lock the car with a smartphone, remotely start the vehicle, and check car stats
• Ford Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPLay and Android Auto

The safety and utility front is packed with features that’ll give the driver confidence and convenience while on the go. The 2019 Focus features the in-house Co-Pilot360 safety system that depending on the country and trim may include gears like - Stop and Go functionality, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Speed Sign Recognition. Further, Ford has built the new Focus with a 20 percent more rigid body that it says remains ‘true to its 20-year legacy of class-leading driving dynamics’.

Ford Philippines has not yet confirmed when the new Focus will land in the Philippines. Although, we are expecting it to happen somewhere close to late-2018.