This is the new Focus. It adds more tech, more space, and new powertrains. And it will arrive sometime next year, after going on sale in Europe and China.
The Focus still resembles its predecessor, but it introduces some new styling cues to the car. Like a longer hood and a cabin that has been moved more rearward and is more upright. It's the same size as the current car, but looks bigger. Ford also says it has more interior space and has been made easier to get in and out.
Shoulder room is up 61 mm in the rear, with knee clearance and legroom up 51 mm and 71 mm. That's thanks to a longer wheelbase and a flat interior floor.
Ford said that the new Focus will be coming to North America, but that the automaker will introduce the North American version closer to the on-sale date. While we don't have official confirmation that "North America in 2019" includes Canada, it most likely does as this is a popular car for Ford here. No big differences between the design of the international and North American cars are expected, especially since the cars coming to our market will be built in China. What we aren't likely to see are the wagon versions, but expect the sedan.
Powertrains revealed included new EcoBoost engines in current 1.0L three-cylinder and all new 1.5L four-cylinder versions for China and a 2.0L diesel for Europe. They get a new eight-speed automatic transmission that learns your driving style to adapt the car to you. North American powertrains will be announced closer to launch. The chassis is all-new and is more rigid for better handling and ride. It will have new Normal, Sport, and Eco modes to adjust engine and transmission response as well as steering feel.
Ford wants 90 percent of its new global vehicles to get internet connectivity by 2020, and the Focus will be on that list. It will have FordPass Connect with an embedded modem and WiFi hotspot. The system will have a vehicle locator function as well as vehicle status, door unlocking, and remote start.
More active safety features will come to the new Focus, in the form of Ford's new Co-Pilot360. That available system will include radar cruise with stop and go, sign recognition, and lane centering, adaptive front lighting that can read road signs, active park assist, and evasive steering assist that helps drivers avoid obstacles.
The new Focus is set to arrive in North America in the second half of next year.
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