Friday, March 5, 2010

Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Ford Focus Wagon



The 2012 Ford Focus Wagon being unveiled at the 2010 Geneva show is the fifth variant derived so far from Ford's new Global C-car platform, the development of which is part of its evolving "One Ford" effort. We first saw the platform underpinning the C-Max and Grand C-Max at last fall's Frankfurt motor show, then the Focus sedan and hatch in Detroit. Ford has plans for at least five more cars derived from the platform. The U.S. market will see several of those vehicles, but the Focus Wagon reportedly won't be one of them.

While almost entirely developed in Europe, the new Focus line will be approximately 80 percent identical across the globe, with the other 20 percent accounting for subtle differences in taste according to individual markets. Even suspension tuning is virtually identical.

We are getting the funky five-door Focus hatchback, which is almost as versatile as a wagon and doesn't come with the negative stigma. Indeed, Americans appear to be warming up to the idea of hatchbacks if orders for the Fiesta -- Ford's other new world car -- are any indication. So far, Fiesta orders in the U.S. are reportedly evenly split between sedan and hatches.

In addition to getting the Focus Wagon, the Europeans are also getting diesel engines for their Foci. A 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi engine lineup is available in 161, 138, and 113 hp flavors, while the 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi can be had with 113 or 94 hp. Ford hasn't released any torque output for the diesels yet, but we do know the automaker will offer its six-speed dual-clutch automatic (aka PowerShift) transmission with the 2.0-liter diesel engines.

Other exciting engine news for non-Americans includes the launch of the 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine, which will produce up to 177 hp in the wagon. Ford will offer the EcoBoost engine with 148 or 177 hp in Europe. Again, Ford is withholding torque ratings on its EcoBoost engine at this time. U.S.-bound Foci will only have a 2.0-liter I-4 producing 155 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

No comments:

Post a Comment