The Trend and Titanium models come with Ford’s ‘standard’ suspension that provides a great balance between handling and comfort, while ST-Line models get sports suspension that’s firmer but offers better body control. How the car rides on the road, however, is partly dictated by which version you choose. Those in the back seats should have plenty of space to stretch out, too, although the central seat is a bit narrow and uncomfortable, so carrying three back-seat passengers will be a stretch. The Focus also offers plenty of front seat adjustment, which means everyone can find a position that’s comfortable for them, and ample interior space, so there’s no need to worry about banging your head on the roof or rubbing shoulders with your passenger. The as-tested example costs from GBP28,625 before options.The Focus is generally a comfortable car to drive, thanks to great seats that offer support in all the right places and a good driving position, which allows greater control of the vehicle and more comfort over long distances. Whatever the future holds, what’s at least certain is that the refreshed 2022 Focus is the best yet.įocus pricing starts at GB22,965. And who knows, the name might well be used again, for example Focus-E or something similar. The update which the Focus has been given puts the car in a good place for the final years of its life cycle. Combined annual production capacity is 200,000 units.īoth of the electric crossovers were confirmed five months ago and each is an MEB architecture model. A year later the same factory begins making a ‘medium-sized crossover’. Officially, two ‘high-body’ models are coming, at least one of these being an electric ‘Sports Crossover’ for the Niehl plant in Cologne during 2024. Yet still there has been no mention of any new C-hatch and/or estate electric model.Ĭould Ford perhaps even pull away from today’s Focus class? It might well do that, downsizing not only its manufacturing footprint but also the European model range. In 2021, Ford told us, “by mid-2026, 100% of passenger vehicle range in Europe will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid moving to all-electric by 2030”. Why not an electric hatchback-crossover that also uses the German OEM’s MEB (platform)? It could certainly happen. We know that there’s a second EV coming as a result of the deal struck between Volkswagen and Ford, the first one being a crossover for Europe. Could Ford do something similar? It probably will, in fact. It may be the case that Volkswagen either discontinues the rival Golf at the end of its own life cycle (potentially towards the end of 2026) or merges the successor with a larger replacement for the ID.3 (‘ID.Golf’) in early 2027. Ford has also stated that it has no new model or models scheduled for Saarlouis once the plant stops manufacturing the Focus in 2025. Build slots are apparently backed up until 2023, a recent report further adding that production will fall short of 120,000 cars this year.Īll of this comes on top of component shortages earlier in the year following the invasion of Ukraine and before that, Covid-related supply chain issues. The regional division and national sales companies have reportedly been told recently that the German factory can take no fresh orders. The company’s Saarlouis plant makes all versions of the Focus for Europe. A combination of buyers instead flocking to hybrids, PHEVs, EVs and the national infatuation with crossovers and SUVs are only two of the reasons. On the face of it, the lack of Ford’s long-time C segment hatchback and estate in the sales chart is shocking but it shouldn’t be. The brand has a lead of 1,948 passenger vehicles over second placed Volkswagen, while Kia is in third, the gap being 3,563 cars and SUVs. All in all, the inside of this latest Focus is really nice place to be, especially in Vignale trim.Įven though there wasn’t a single Ford in the UK’s July top ten, a sales tally of 68,024 keeps it in first place for the year to date. Instrumentation is clear, lighting feels premium and there are few of the nagging beeps which bedevil many rival models. Like most of the latest Fords, the dashboard, door trims, headlining and upholstery all have an appealing soft touch to them. Still, they’re fairly easy to locate quickly if not as easily as what went before. Inevitably, the former buttons for HVAC functions have gone, replaced by these functions now being on a screen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |