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Ford Focus 2018 revealed

Ford Australia has confirmed it will receive its entire Focus range from the Blue Oval's factory in Saarlouis, Germany.

Ford Motor Company has revealed its fourth-generation Focus small car, with the new model to be sourced from Europe instead of Thailand when it arrives in Australian showrooms later this year.

Ford Australia has confirmed it will receive its entire Focus range from the Blue Oval's factory in Saarlouis, Germany, which has been treated to a €600 million ($A957 million) injection in preparation for production of the new model.

Ford's Pluak Daeng plant in Thailand, which provides the current Focus range (excluding ST and RS variants), will stop producing the Focus to concentrate on the Ranger and Everest.

Along with the usual five-door hatchback and wagon, and four-door sedan body styles, the all-new Focus will also be offered in a high-riding Active guise for the first time.

The Active variant is a new high-riding crossover bodystyle. The Active variant is a new high-riding crossover bodystyle.

It is expected that two grades will be offered initially – Trend and Titanium – with the entry-level Ambiente, sporty ST-Line and new luxury-orientated Vignale to join the range sometime next year.

A new RS variant is also in the pipeline, though Ford is yet to confirm details on the high-performance hatchback.

Standard Australian-market variants will be exclusively powered by an all-aluminum 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The three-cylinder unit is said to produce 110kW, though peak torque is yet to be confirmed.

A range of weight-saving and fuel efficiency-increasing upgrades will be on the new model. A range of weight-saving and fuel efficiency-increasing upgrades will be on the new model.

The addition of a petrol particulate filter has helped decrease carbon dioxide emission by 10 per cent, and the inclusion of idle-stop and cylinder deactivation systems has improved fuel efficiency.

Dimensionally, the new Focus has undergone a number of changes that affect styling, performance and aerodynamics. 

The A-pillars are positioned further rearward, resulting in a longer bonnet and front fenders. Also, the wheelbase is 53mm longer which in turn has shortened the overhangs. 

Thanks to sleeker, lower profile body elements as well as an active grille shutter, air-curtain inlets, an optimised rear spoiler and underbody shielding, the Focus is more aerodynamic than before. 

Specifically, the drag co-efficient has been reduced to 0.250 for the sedan and 0.273 for the five-door body styles.

The new Focus will feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Focus will feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Ford's staple small car has also shed up to 88 kilograms in like-for-like variants.

The front of the car is dominated by an enlarged grille flanked by adaptive full-LED headlights with high beam assist and bisecting LED daytime running lights (DRLs).

At the rear, two-piece LED tail-lights accommodate a more versatile tailgate opening.

On the inside, the centre console has been simplified with an electric park brake and a rotary dial for gear selection.

A new 8.0-inch touchscreen is also featured, supporting satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a new head-up display shows current speed, navigation, entertainment and safety information.

A 675W 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen 'Play' sound system is also available. 

In an attempt to elevate the Focus' premium feel, Ford has added soft-touch materials to the dashboard and door trims and polished glass and brushed finishes for the door trims and air vent surrounds.

The new Vignale variant has a luxury focus, with styling touches to the bodywork. The new Vignale variant has a luxury focus, with styling touches to the bodywork.

Rear leg- and shoulder-room has been significantly improved across the range, and the wagon features a hands-free power tailgate giving access to more than 1650 litres of cargo capacity.

The Focus is the first model to be underpinned by Ford's new C2 platform that brings a 40 and 20 per cent increase in front crash load capability and torsional rigidity respectively. 

Local Focus models are expected to be equipped with five driving modes; Eco, Eco-Comfort, Comfort, Normal and Sport. The aforementioned modes allow the driver to adjust throttle, transmission, suspension, electronic power steering and adaptive cruise control settings.

The sporty ST-Line grade stands out with an aggressive rear diffuser, large roof-mounted rear spoiler and front apertures, and unique lower wing elements designed to direct air to the air-curtain inlets.

On the inside, the ST-Line wears carbon-fibre-effect trim and red-stitching distinguishes, while 10mm lower springs, unique dampers and stabiliser bars should aid in handling.

Inside, the Vignale gains leather upholstery. Inside, the Vignale gains leather upholstery.

The luxurious Vignale grade features a 'coast-to-coast' lower front aperture and mesh front grille insert as well as a satin-aluminium finish on the roof rails, fascia and rocker inserts. 

On the inside, the Vignale gets premium leather upholstery and fine-grain wood trim.

The all-new Active body style rides 30mm higher than regular Focus variants, and offers a more rugged SUV-esque look with a bespoke front-end design, protective black wheelarch and rocker claddings, silver front and rear skid plates and textured interior materials.

In terms of driver-assist technologies, Ford has updated its 'Co-Pilot360' to now feature stop and go functionality, steering assist and speed sign recognition.

Additionally, the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system will no detect cyclists as well as pedestrians, and new post-collision braking and rear cross-traffic alert with automated braking has been added.

Finally, the reversing camera has been upgraded to offer nearly 180-degrees of view.

Local pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the Focus' Australian launch.

Do you like the look of the new Ford Focus? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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