New Ford Focus (2011 / 2012) at Detroit

The 2011 / 2012 Ford Focus - starts out as a saloon or hatchback

The new Ford Focus – possibly the most important car in Ford’s history – debuts today at the Detroit Motor Show. Which is in itself an indication that the 2011 / 2012 Ford Focus will be the beacon for Ford’s ‘One Ford’ policy of producing basically the same cars for markets throughout the world.

Scheduled to start production at the end of 2010 – and start hitting customer’s driveways in early 2011 – the new Ford Focus is just one of ten variations on the Global C Platform which Ford will launch in the next few years. We’ve already seen the Ford C-Max and the Ford Grand C-Max revealed at Frankfurt and others will including an estate, three door hatchback and tin top coupe.

The same size as the current Focus, the 2011 Ford Focus gets brand new styling inside and out. The cabin looks to be a class act with high-quality materials and great detailing. The exterior builds on Ford’s Kinetic design featuring big lower grill, prominent wheel arches and sharp defining creases on the flanks. It looks bold and contemporary and gives the new Focus a clear character.

Engines will be Ford’s Ecoboost range, including a 1.6 litre which gives better performance than the old 2.0 litre. Also on offer will be a range of Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines all of which will offer economy 10-20% better than the outgoing model. The Focus will also get a six speed dual-clutch box which gives an improvement of 9% in fuel consumption over the old slush-box.

Ford plan to start production simultaneously in Saarlouis, Michigan  and Chongqing, which covers Europe, North America and Asia straight away. There are plans to extend production to both Spain and Russia later. And the Focus will be at least 80% the same in every market, making it a true world car.

With the trend for downsizing going on worldwide, and emerging markets looking for higher quality products, the world markets could well converge in a way that gives Ford a product that will wipe the floor with the opposition from North America, Europe and Asia.

More details from Ford in the 2011 Ford Focus Press Release. We’ve spared you the US press releases as they run to about 500 pages (slight exaggeration), but the UK press release gives you the gen.

The 2011 Ford Focus gets revealed with a gallery full of photos.

24 Photos

By Cars UK