Ford Focus 2007 News

Small, economical cars powered record January sales, 9.9 per cent up on the same month last year. VFACTS show it was a close contest at the top of the chart, with the small Corolla beating the big Commodore by 11 sales — 3485 to 3474.Holden played down the defeat — five months after the new model went on sale — noting that few businesses buy cars so early in the year."In January, fleet sales are softer so it is no surprise that the whole large-car segment is slightly down," GM Holden marketing manager Alan Batey says.He says there is a strong future for Holden's best-selling car, despite the surge in sales of small cars, such as the Corolla."The Commodore remained the best-selling car in the country last year for the 11th year in a row," Batey says.There were not many smiles at Ford either — it sold only 1974 Falcons last month, despite a drive-away deal and free six-speed automatic and stability control.Ford Australia says the Falcon result is the worst since 1990, when it began to keep accurate sales records.Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary says the drive-away Falcon deal was not successful.Sales in the light-car segment (which includes models such as the Toyota Yaris) were up 14.3 per cent on last January.Sales of small cars (including models such as the Corolla) were up a huge 26.3 per cent, and large cars were down 0.9 per cent.The Mazda3 continued to sell strongly; January sales of 3347 put it third on the chart, 138 behind the Corolla. Other small cars to make the top 10 included the Astra (2239) and Ford Focus (1665). Mitsubishi's Lancer finished just outside the top 10 with 1527 sales, the company's best-selling car.The Hilux (2781) and Yaris (2498) were strong again, but Toyota's larger cars were off the pace. The Camry did not make the top 10 with 1347, and the new Aurion continued its slow start with 1125.The Falcon ute struggled with 834, but outsold Holden's Commodore ute with 697.Ford's Territory responded to a $4000 cashback deal to notch 1343, in front of the Holden Captiva (577) and Toyota Kluger (389). WHAT'S SELLINGTOP 10 MAKES1 Toyota 16,2382 Holden 11,2583 Ford 75014 Mazda 66275 Honda 54356 Nissan 50857 Mitsubishi 45548 Subaru 30979 Hyundai 306710 Volkswagen 2034TOP 10 MODELS1 Toyota Corolla 34852 Holden Commodore 34743 Mazda3 33474 Toyota Hilux 27815 Toyota Yaris 24986 Holden Astra 22397 Ford Falcon 19748 Nissan Navara 18749 Ford Focus 166510 Holden Barina 1563

The 2006 Australian International Motor Show heralded the opening of open-top motoring season, and summer could not then have been celebrated in a better way than with a hefty V10-engined super-cabrio, a stylish sultry Italian, some topless European flair and some ‘home-grown’ hotties.Many flocked to the BMW stand to spend what will be a rare moment with the new BMW M6 Convertible.The wild Chris Bangle styling of the 6 Convertible is matched to the German marque’s phenomenal five-litre V10 engine.With 373kW and a sprint time of 4.8 seconds from 0-100km/h (just 0.2 behind the more aerodynamically-friendly Coupe), there is nothing soft about this soft-top.Unfortunately for those interested parties with a spare $295,000 to spend, the global allocation of the M6 Convertible for 2006 was completely sold out.Fifty additional Limited Edition M6 models made for the infamous Nieman Marcus Christmas Catalogue in the USA recently sold out in 1.5 seconds of the magazine’s online release. Another eagerly-anticipated convertible is the new Alfa Romeo Spider.Born of the beautiful new Brera coupe, the Spider misses out on the Coupe’s sublime behind and its two (compromised) rear seats, but strikes an equally imposing, aggressive stance with the roof down.The Spider was launched at the show in two engine and drive layouts - but for the moment transmission choice is manual only.This is a move that has proved disastrous for convertibles in the past (most recently, the Holden Tigra), but automatic transmissions should follow in 2007.The 2.2-litre petrol will set you back $76,950, but the flagship 3.2-litre V6 AWD strikes six figures at $100,950.The Eos is the next big thing from Volkswagen, and while it may be based on an old favourite, the trick folding roof is a completely new concept, it looks hot, and comes with a choice of two-litre turbo petrol or diesel drivetrains. It almost makes up for the Beetle convertible. Almost…Sharing much of the platform and DNA of VWs biggest seller, the Golf, it actually commandeers the suspension of the larger Passat sedan and wagon to carry the weight of the five-piece retractable hardtop.The first cutaway section acts as a sunroof when only a hint of UV is required, but folds a further four times into the boot like a deftly dealt deck of cards in a decent 25 seconds.The innovative roof, called a CSC or ‘convertible sliding coupe’ roof, still leaves room for luggage, while the design is resolved and solid with or without the roof down in coupe or convertible guise.The retractable hard top (RHT) is the emerging trend in the burgeoning convertible market. Even the second-gen Volvo C70 Convertible drops its traditional cloth roof in preference of the retractable hard top; the new version of Holden’s best selling Astra Convertible, the Astra TwinTop, does the same.Both the new TwinTop and opposition Ford’s new cabrio, the Ford Focus RHT (due here mid-2007), are designed and built in Europe where the trend obviously fired up – in a region of vastly fluctuating weather through the seasons, it makes sense to take the top off or completely shut out the cold.But for now, with these exciting new models coming to or on the Aussie market, we can all take the chance to enjoy a little ray of sunshine. And with a RHT, it seems that style does not go out with the seasons…

Read related storyPatrick Loved the yellow Hummer, I just want one !Grant The Subaru Tribeca seems an awesome car. Look at its list of standard features for $53000 - leaves an X5 or Territory for dead. OK, the front grille takes a bit of getting used to, power could be up a bit for its weight, but you do get all the usual Subie delights, 5 star safety and quality. Definitely worth a test drive on November 25!Mark Mercedes e280cdei definatly the bestDan The absolute standout was the new BMW 3 series coupe. Can't believe no one else has mentioned it. What a sexy car! Looks much better in the metal than in photos...David Rome The Mazda CX7 is very fresh and the new BT-50 ute looks the goods to take some salesMichael Volvo C70 What a Glamour!!the engineer Mitsubishi TRM 380- bring it on in AWD! Would sell double current! Should have been the original 380 GT.Audi R8 ;-)Captiva <8>-(French Body Art 8-)Bob Rona Gotta Be the Lexus RX 350 Sports Luxury!!Jay The Saab Aero X concept car looks extraordinary. I was pretty impressed with the XR5 Turbo Ford Focus - hopefully if they bring it out in diesel, there would be a lot more interest and salesDavid Lunn Mazda CX7John The Mitsui 380 supercharged - grabbed allot of attention (so did the girls in the red dresses); I also like the new Outlander V6 & Astra convertible (or at least my wife did).Lex Biggar Audi R8william yates dark 4 door mitsi I believe it's a Tommy Mac serise and also shannon's stand the rest well............Kim I must agree with Bob MX-S ROADSTER COUPE The best by far!Jim Until I hit the Mitsubishi stand the show was a let down for me. Thank you to the Mitsubishi Girls for making the show worthwhile.Julie Definetely the Honda Legend & the Audi RX8.aaron need this so i could have this to have it better then i wont be a laughting stockNick Definitely the Mitsubishi TRM 380 - because I might be able to afford it and it looks great. Can't wait to test drive it.David Lyons Peugeot 207Stephen HSV GTS is my current realistic dream carROBERT DAWSON MX-S ROADSTER COUPEKris Audi R8 looked absolutely brilliant, that will be a real winner when it lands here. The Audi TT also looked really neat.Other cars to impress were the Volvo C30 and Suzuki SX4 WRC prototype.wazza smith nonesasha The Convertible Ford Focus. I simply love it. The new Fairmont Ghia was nice too.I did not like the Camry V6 sorry Avalon, sorry again, Aurion.Now I have gone and twisted my tongue. Anyone know a good tongue doctor <8>-). .... At least I can still type.The Volvo C30 was nice too as was the Land Rover Discovery.The Holden Commodores looked pretty decent although the Captiva did not captivate.Its too tall and skinny. I saw one in a shopping centre car park right next to a Territory and boy did it look like it needed some widening.I was also quite impressed with the Audi R8.The Hummer reminded me too much of the war in Iraq (I am against senseless wars). I also thought the Citroens were cool.Sean Hickey HSV GTS a true sports car at third of the price.I enjoyed the show,love to dream but quite a few people could get a GTS

Each carmaker presented their new cars to the media on opening day in ways that reflected their brands, ranging from the inner sex kitten, blustering diva, demure sophistication and plain old snoring.

The question isn’t who 'wants' to be a racing car driver, but who doesn’t?Let’s put aside for a moment the issues of safety and speed limits because this is a boom time for sports cars, and we don’t just mean selfish two-seat coupes.From hot hatches to sports sedans and convertibles, the line between every day road hack and sports car is fading in terms of both looks, equipment and especially performance.The expanding sub-$45,000 turbocharged market is just the thing for those who realise sports and performance does not equate to expensive and impractical.Take Volkswagen’s immensely popular Golf GTI, whose appeal has just been boosted by the announcement of a three-door hatch which joins the existing five-door.The best news is the deletion of rear doors lowers the price $1500 to a very appealing $38,490.Running the same 147kW 2.0-litre turbo through a tight, very right six-speed manual or DSG gearbox, the two-door GTI’s aggressive profile now matches that of its more expensive V6 AWD stablemate, the R32.One of the GTI’s main rivals is HSV’s new Astra VXR Turbo, which aims to put both the VW and the recent Ford Focus XR5 Turbo in their places.The first ever non-V8 HSV thrusts out 177kW from its 2.0-litre turbo, the three-door hatch’s thick equipment list and $42,990 sticker putting it at the top of the price list of the current crop of turbo hot hatches.All too dear? Then Holden’s sporty Astra SRi could be the next best thing from the red lion, with a 2.2-litre good for 110kW, and a practical five-door hot hatch now joining the two-door coupe.Cheaper insurance premiums aren’t the only savings here, with a $29,990 starting price for the SRi five-door hatch.One spider that’s just swallowed a turbo is the new Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet Turbo.Styled by Ferrari-fettling Pininfarina, the Colt’s hard roof extends in a lazy 22 seconds, but with 110kW from its 1.5-litre MIVEC engine everything else about it is fast, and its $37,990 retail makes it the cheapest way to get into topless turbo motoring – unless the new Peugeot 207 CC takes up the cause next year.There’s also the option of an 80kW non-turbo Cabriolet for $32,990, but our sports performance advisers will quickly slap that skim vanilla latte from your hand and guide you to the more sporty Colt Ralliart.The Cabriolet’s hardtop sibling, the Colt Ralliart, runs the same 1.5 turbo MIVEC engine but squirts out a little more power for 113kW. With its Evolution Lancer bonnet vent, Tupperware bodykit and rev-happy engine, at $29,990 it targets the likes of VW’s $26,990 Polo GTI turbo.All too turbo? If the insurance company answers the turbo request with an engaged signal, the Suzuki Swift Sport could be the answer to the P-plate blues.Reviving the Swift GTi of the 1990s, the new Sport’s 1.6-litre uses variable cam timing to peak out 92kW through its 16-inch alloys, making it a quarter-more powerful than the GTi.Airbags and ABS tick the safety boxes too.At $23,990, the Swift Sport has potentially the strongest sports-to-price ratio of the hot hatch heroes - meaning there are now many more reasons for a hot hatch upheaval. Hurrah.