First look: 2009 Ford Focus range

By Neil McDonald

Herald Sun

02 March 2009

Apart from the refreshed exterior, Ford has answered criticism of the car's low-rent interior with vastly improved quality and enhanced comfort levels.

Joining the upgraded Focus XR5 at the Melbourne Motor Show is the new-look Focus range.

The Focus goes on sale next month and like the current car, will be available as a five-door hatch and four-door sedan.

Prices have risen $300 and $1500 depending on the model but buyers get more equipment and improved safety levels.

The new LV-series will be available in four core models, entry CL, LX and TDCi and Zetec.

Anti-skid brakes are standard across the range while electronic stability control and traction control are standard on LX, TDCi and Zetec models.

Apart from the refreshed exterior, Ford has answered criticism of the car's low-rent interior with vastly improved quality and enhanced comfort levels.

There is a black soft-touch dash pad, along with the soft-touch upper door trims, contrasting with a tan coloured inner roof lining to visually lighten the cabin.

The dark dashboard is designed to reduce reflection in bright conditions common in Australia.

In front of the driver is a large-face tachometer and speedometer set deeply into individual binnacles.

Positioned above are small-face water temperature and fuel gauges, with each surrounded by a silver bezel.

And LCD information screen displays time, outside temperature, trip meter and odometer.

The LCD screen also has a trip computer.

The revised centre console and redesigned window and mirror switches accompany intuitive controls for air conditioning, heater and ventilation system.

At night, the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light which is more soothing,versus the stark white of the previous generation Focus.

The centre console is more user friendly with a sliding armrest, two cupholders and storage cubbies.

The 107kW 2.0-litre Duratec engine carries over and can be mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Ford is also debuting its innovative six-speed PowerShift automatic in the TDCi, in combination with the potent 100kW/320Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine.

The TDCi with Powershift returns a fuel economy figure of 5.9 litres/100km.

The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 8 comments

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We purchased our first ever Ford - a CL focus back in 2006. At the time I was most reluctant to convert from my commodore to a Ford but I’ve now upgraded to the new 2009 model. I’m not a petrol head or any sort of expert but find the new model more responsive as well as being very a comfortable and fuel efficient ride.

Rosemary of Adelaide SA Posted at 23 July 2009 5:42pm

Brought a focus new 2006 i will buy another….Rob think your wrong..Dave,Sash your right

reg harris of SA Posted at 30 March 2009 9:51pm

WTF Rob? Clearly you are another uninformed expert. The Mazda 3 has 50% of the Focus bits but not the better rear suspension for starters. Holden Cruze?? Are you for real? I hope you base your arguments on fact after driving all these vehicles. I know I did when my wife was buying a new car and the Focus came out on top. Granted she hasn’t got the new model but in Fords case for this Focus, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I know of many people who are happy with their purchase of a Focus over other makes so where you get your dribble from who knows.

Dave Posted at 17 March 2009 8:29pm

Once again Ford, too little too late.
The horse has bolted and Ford has been left behind.
The Focus will continue to struggle for sales, why bother buying on indeed ?

The design is already 5 years old.
Mazda is about to launch an all-new 3 and Holden an all new Cruze.
Who would even look at an old design like the Focus now.

Rob of Sydney Posted at 11 March 2009 10:11pm

Merrick, The information was taken from the European-release information from Ford and reissued by Ford Australia. It wasn’t a car “review” either, just a report on Ford’s new product line.

Neil McDonald of Melbourne Posted at 09 March 2009 9:16am

This idiot obviously doesn’t know nuts, probably never sat in a Focus b4.

“At night, the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light which is more soothing,versus the stark white of the previous generation Focus.”

Neil McD, the previous gen Focus had a green centre stack controls NOT white.

Carsguide, please employ better writers for car reviews instead of idiots who doesn’t know anything about cars or probably hasn’t sat in one.

Merrick of Brisbane Posted at 08 March 2009 9:16pm

CQ Because there was absolutely nothing wrong with the old engines. I believe Ford has now come up with an awesome car that is easily the best car in its class.

Sash Posted at 03 March 2009 4:39pm

A few more kw from both motors should have been on the cards.

Why bother buying one if the price has gone up and the engines are the same?

CQ of Qld Posted at 02 March 2009 6:53pm

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