Ford Thailand brings new excitement to the market with the “New Ford Focus TDCi”. This new diesel version of the award-winning Ford Focus comes with a more contemporary and sporty look enhanced by “kinetic design” elements plus the first-in-segment six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). With these improvements, drivers can expect more impressive performance, responsiveness and road handling. Capable of running on B5 biodiesel fuel, the New Ford Focus TDCi continues to live up to the green heritage of the Ford Focus range.
“The New Ford Focus TDCi is destined to be a new milestone in the Thai automotive market,” said Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice president of Ford Thailand. “It is ready to set a new benchmark and impress urban drivers with a remarkable package of the combined benefits provided by the six-speed PowerShift transmission system and the Duratorq turbo diesel commonrail (TDCi) engine. Drivers will definitely enjoy the ease and convenience of automatic transmission, performance of a manual transmission, and shift smoothness as well as unmatched power and torque and best-in-class fuel efficiency. This innovative transmission system — PowerShift — that is generally found in luxury or supercars is now installed in the new Focus TDCi.”
Ford has invited World Rally Championship (WRC) star racer Mikko Hirvonen to the launch. The 28-year-old Finnish racer staged a demo drive on track to demonstrate the New Ford Focus TDCi’s performance to a group of Thai media. Some Thai media and celebrities had an opportunity to sit in the car while Hirvonen drove around the track, allowing the media and celebrities to enjoy a hot lap in the New Focus TDCi. Hirvonen has just finished the Pioneer Carrozzeria Japan rally, the 14th rally in the WRC 2008, with his third victory of this season.
“In the World Rally Championship, I drive a modified version of the Ford Focus. After trying the New Focus TDCi with PowerShift transmission today, I am impressed with its responsiveness, great performance and especially by the uninterrupted torque during gear shifts, which provides an outstanding comfortable drivability that drivers can truly enjoy. Try it and I am sure you will love it too” said Hirvonen.
Contemporary design with “kinetic design” cue
The New Ford Focus TDCi’s influential visual enhancement is its dramatic new front featuring 'kinetic design' elements. It is more expressive, more athletic and more in keeping with the overall on-road character of new Focus. Kinetic design elements such as the large trapezoidal opening below the bumperline, new bonnet with defined contours, new stylish headlamps, large exterior side mirrors that also offer better driver’s visibility, sporty 16-inch alloy wheels and a new roof spoiler dominate the new Focus TDCi design.
The touch of kinetic design continues inside. The interior is outstanding with the use of quality and soft-touch materials such as the soft-touch dash pad as well as soft-touch upper door trims. The new console creates a 'flow through' effect from the centre stack of the instrument panel and helps to create a 'cockpit feel' for the driver and front passenger. A new premium centre console has been designed with an emphasis on improved comfort and function. It features a moveable soft armrest which slides forward, plus two cup holders with butterfly-style folding covers. To make any journey in the New Focus TDCi even more pleasant, Ford has provided sockets for MP3 and iPod connection, the features that urban drivers cannot live without.
Innovative PowerShift Transmission
The New Ford Focus TDCi will be available in four-door sedan Ghia and five-door hatch Sport. Both models are powered by Ford’s renowned Duratorq TDCi 2.0L with PowerShift automatic transmission.
The PowerShift automatic transmission provides great responsiveness. It consists essentially of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own wet clutch unit. Thanks to the layout of the intermediate shafts — one carrying the 'uneven' gears 1, 3 and 5, and the other the even gears 2, 4 and 6 — subsequent gear changes can be prepared by pre-selecting the next gear while in motion and at full power. The change then takes place through the opposed activation of both clutches, the clutch activations being co-ordinated such that no torque interruption occurs. From the driver's seat, the sensation is smooth acceleration — much smoother than a conventional automatic transmission.
The Ford PowerShift transmission system does not require any complex sub-systems such as torque converters, planetary gear sets, multiple wet clutches and multiple bands — all of which significantly reduce gearbox efficiency due to increased inertia and drag torque effects.
"With the new Ford PowerShift transmission we are introducing the transmission of the future. This automatic six-speed dual-clutch unit provides the efficiency of a manual and the full comfort of an automatic with sophisticated dynamics thanks to uninterrupted torque from the dual-clutch technology — it is therefore perfectly suited to the new Ford Focus,” said Kiatfuengfoo.
The 2.0-litre DuraTorq turbodiesel engine produces 100kW and maximum torque of 320Nm at low rev of only 1,800 rpm (can be boosted up to 340Nm for a short period if necessary). It also offers an impressive fuel economy (combined urban and extra urban) of just 5.8L/100km. Both Ghia and Sport models are able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds. Being B5-capable, the New Focus TDCi is also environmentally friendly.
Outstanding driving dynamics and safety
Ford Focus’ renowned safety and driving dynamics are maintained. The Control Blade multilink rear suspension and the front MacPherson spring struts give the New Focus TDCi the optimum balance of ride, handling, steering precision and comfort. At the same time, the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is improved, resulting in a quieter and more pleasant ride.
The New Ford Focus TDCi gives maximum confidence at all speed and accurate and responsive steering control with the electric-hydraulic power-assisted steering (EHPAS). The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Traction Control assist the driver to maintain vehicle stability during all driving situations.
Full safety package in the New Ford Focus TDCi includes ABS, electronic braking distribution (EBD), air bags and safety structure. The clever automatic hazard warning light activation system will warn following drivers of emergency braking manoeuvres. Once switched on the hazard warning lights can be switched off automatically by the system or at any time by pressing the hazard warning light switch.
Take a look at the New Ford Focus TDCi at the Ford booth in the Thailand International Motor Expo 2008 from the end of November at Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani. Both the 4-door Ghia and the 5-door hatch Sport model are available at a special launch price of only Bt1,099,000.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit our website at www.ford.co.th.
Contact: Duangkamon Isarapandh
Ford Thailand
Tel. 0 2686 4662 Mobile. 08 1824 0461
Email: [email protected]