The price is right for face-lifted Ford Focus
2014-09-20 04:58:17
Ford has announced that the entry level price of its updated best-seller, the Focus, will not have any change in its pricing when it goes on sale in November. That means the entry-level 5-door Studio model will maintain its £13,995 price tag – although other models in the range will see moderate increases, except for those at the top of the range.
The face-lifted Focus has undergone some minor cosmetic surgery and has had a nip-tuck-and-tidy-up on the inside too.
The Edge-trim has been replaced by a new Style version which will start at £16,795 - £395 more than the model it replaces. Next up will be the sport-biased Zetec S version which has increased by £400 to £20,045. The most popular model – Zetec – sees its price rise by a more substantial £895 to £18,295. However, some of this price increase is off-set by the fact that the slow-selling 1.6-litre petrol model – formerly the cheapest Zetec model available – has been deleted from the range.
Since there is no word yet on specification, it is hard to tell whether the price increases are pure uplifts, or are off-set by additional equipment.
Conversely, at the more premium end of the range, the luxury-biased Titanium and Titanium X models will actually see their prices reduced by £100 each.
Prices for the hot ST models have not yet been released.
A range of new engines will also be introduced to the Focus. The most efficient of these will be a new 118bhp 1.5-litre diesel unit that is claimed by the company to offer a 10% improvement in fuel economy compared to the version it replaces. It also enjoys a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, bringing the level down to 98g/km from 109g/km. As a result, the new model now avoids UK annual road tax. This engine can be had in your Focus from £17,995.
Not to be outdone, the petrol engine range will also feature a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost unit. Like the outgoing 1.6, it will produce 180bhp, but enjoys a 7% improvement in fuel economy and reduced emissions of 127g/km.
In addition to parallel parking – something that is becoming increasingly common on cars – the new Focus also parks at right angles to the kerb.
The latest Sync2 smartphone integration brings an 8-inch touchscreen and voice control for many of the audio, satellite navigation and climate control functions. In total, Ford claim that as many as 40 buttons have been removed from the dashboard of the 2015 Ford Focus. Meanwhile, the company’s MyKey system allows owners to programme the key to automatically limit the maximum speed that can be travelled and the volume of the stereo – ideal if you are going to loan your pride and joy to a younger driver.
This is an abridged version especially prepared by first4auto.com on behalf of EcoCars4Sale.
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
