The Ford Focus is a compact car manufactured
by the Ford Motor Company since 1998. Ford
began sales of the Focus to Europe in July
1998 and in North America during 1999 for
the 2000 model year.
In Europe, S and South Africa, the Focus replaced
the various Ford Escort models sold in those
markets. In Asia and Australasia, it replaced
the Ford Laser.
Europe
Design and engineering
Codenamed CW170 during its development, and
briefly known to some Ford contractors as
the Ford Fusion, the original Focus took its
eventual name from a Ghia concept car which
was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991.
Certain elements of the design had been seen
even earlier in prototypes used by Ford to
demonstrate forthcoming safety features, such
as the eye-level rear lighting clusters. As
a continuation of Ford's New Edge styling
philosophy, first seen in the Ford Ka in 1996,
and Ford Cougar in 1998, the Focus' styling
had been often described as polarising. The
styling had been overseen by Jack Telnack
and executed by Claude Lobo and Australian
designer, John Doughty.
The decision to name the new car the Ford
Focus was made in early 1998, as Ford's overheads
had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate
for its new generation of small family cars.
A last minute problem arose in July 1998 when
a Cologne court, responding to a case brought
by the publishers Burda, ordered Ford to avoid
the name "Focus" for the German market cars
since the name was already taken by the publisher's
Focus magazine. This eleventh hour dispute
was overcome, however, and the car was launched
without a different "German market" name.
Rear suspension
Engineers for the Focus, including Richard
Parry-Jones, developed a class-leading, space-saving
independent multi-link rear suspension, marketed
as Control Blade suspension, combining the
packaging of a trailing arm, with the geometry
of a double wishbone suspension . The system
was developed from that used in the CDW27
Ford Mondeo estate, but with various modifications
to make it simpler and cheaper to build and
therefore economically viable on a mass-market
vehicle.
Where many competitors in the compact class,
or small family car class, used the less expensive
non-independent twist beam suspension, Control
Blade offered enhanced elasto-kinematic performance,
i.e., strong body control, sharp and accurate
steering regardless of the car's attitude,
and an absorbent and quiet ride over bumps.
Unlike conventional multi-link suspension,
Control Blade features a wide, simple, uniform
thickness, pressed steel trailing arm with
hub carrier — taking the place of two longitudinal
locating rods, eliminating an expensive cast
knuckle, and offering the same level of body
control — with a lower center of gravity,
reduced road noise, and at lower production
cost. The long rear lateral arm controls toe,
a pair of shorter front lateral arms, vertically
above each other, control the camber, and
the Control Blade reacts to brake and traction
loads.
In testing the suspension in 2000, Motor Trend
writer Jack Keebler noted "The Focus' average
speed of 62.6 mph through our slalom makes
it faster around the cones than a $62,000
Jaguar XJ8L and a $300,000 Bentley Continental.
The impression is of having plenty of wheel
travel for gobbling the larger stuff and big-car,
full-frame isolation when encountering expansion
joints and smaller road imperfections."
Following the 1998 introduction of Control
Blade suspension and popularization by the
Focus, other manufacturers began offering
multi-link design rear suspensions in the
compact class, or small family car class.
Manufacturing
The Mark 1 was also previously produced in
factories in Saarlouis, Germany; General Pacheco,
Argentina; Valencia, Spain; Santa Rosa, Philippines;
Chungli, Taiwan and Vsevolozhsk, Russia; Valencia,
Venezuela.
South America
The Mark 1 Focus remained in production until
2008 in General Pacheco, Argentina for the
South American Market. The last of the Mark
1 Focus produced in Argentina featured either
a 1.6 L Zetec Rocam Flex Fuel Engine or 2.0 L
Duratec HE Engine or the 1.8 L Duratorq Diesel
Engine. Assembly of Mark 2 Focus started in
2008 for the 2009 model.
However, in Brazil, Ford do Brasil offered
this until 2009, in 1.6 GL or GLX hatchback
or saloon versions.
Safety
The Mk 1 Ford Focus received 4 out of 5 stars
for occupant safety, and 2 out of 4 stars
for pedestrian safety in its EuroNCAP tests.
In Australia, the 2002–2005 Ford Focus was
assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006
as providing "average" protection for its
occupants in the event of a crash.
2001 facelift
The 2001 Mk 1 Focus facelift included:
Revised headlamps with integrated indicators
and separate main and dipped bulbs
Revised bumpers without indicators, but with
the addition of removable bump strips
Revised upper and lower grille and fog lights
Optional Xenon headlights
Optional 6-disc CD changer
Optional Navigation System
Optional Digital Climate Control
Features of certain trim levels changed
Modified centre console with rubber cup holders
Different centre dash colours
New seat trims
Different instrument cluster finishes
Damped and lit glovebox
New colours
Rear power point
TDCi Engine introduced to the range
Versatility Pack Option added
Bluetooth camera facility
A new flexfuel engine was introduced, based
on the European Zetec 1.6 L version. This
could use both gasoline and bioethanol, but
only on the Swedish market. This version is
still available in some countries despite
the advent of an all-new Mk 2 Focus.
Engines
European introduction
Gasoline engines available were the well-proven
1.8 L and 2.0 L Zetec-E units from the Ford
Mondeo and 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions of the
Zetec-SE units found in the Ford Fiesta and
Ford Puma. The ST170 and RS performance models
used modified versions of the 2.0 L Zetec-E.
Originally, the only diesel engine available
was the Endura TDDI. This was replaced in
2002 by the Duratorq TDCI.
International summary
Transmissions
5-speed MTX-75 Manual
5-speed IB5+ Manual
5-speed IB5 Manual
6-speed Getrag 285 Manual
4-speed 4F27E Automatic
Trim levels
Trim levels
CL, 3/5-door hatchback, 5-door estate
LX, 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door
saloon, 5-door estate
Zetec, 3/5-door hatchback, 5-door estate
Ghia, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, 5-door
estate.
ST170, 3/5-door hatchback, 5-door estate
RS, 3-door hatchback
Trim levels
GL, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
GL, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
GL, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
GLX, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
GLX, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
XR, 5-door hatchback.
GHIA, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
GHIA, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon.
Body styles
5-door hatchback
4-door saloon
3-door hatchback(Not available in Japan and
New Zealand)
5-door estate
Performance versions
ST170
The ST170, which was launched in 2002, was
the first Focus sport model to be developed
for international markets by a joint SVE/SVT
global team. Adapted from the Facelift Mk
1 Focus, the ST170 had the following cosmetic
revisions: 17 inches Multi-Spoke Alloy Wheels;
Alarm; Side Airbags; Optional 1/2 and full
Recaro leather seats; Optional 9006 Stereo
system with bespoke Subwoofer; brushed aluminium
door releases; honeycomb 'tech flec' front
grills, round projector style fog lights,
colour-coded bumper and side beadings & door
handles; and Locally developed bodykit. The
engine was developed by Cosworth and tuning
bumped the power from 130 to 170 horsepower.
Upgrades included: High-flow aluminium cylinder
head; Variable valve timing; Dual stage intake
manifold; Stainless steel exhaust system and
exhaust manifold by Cosworth; Sports catalytic
converter; Larger brake discs; Getrag 6-speed
manual gearbox; Revised power steering 'falling-flow'
pump and close ratio steering rack. The engine
was sourced from the Ford of Mexico Chihuahua
plant. The vehicle final-assembly was in the
Ford Saarlouis plant in Germany, with some
content such as the subwoofer assembled off-line
at the ACÜ facility attached to the plant.
There was an additional Wagon/Estate variant
launched in Europe-only in 2003, which featured
Nivomat self-levelling rear dampers.
RS
The Focus RS Mk I was produced from 2 October
2002 to 11 November 2003 and was Ford's return
to the RS badge after the demise of the tweaked
Escorts, particularly the fabled Ford Escort
RS Cosworth. Production was limited to about
4500 from the outset, and the car was largely
built on its own assembly line in Ford's Saarlouis
plant, with some additional specialist off-line
assembly performed by the ACÜ group at Überhern.
The RS was offered all over Europe, but 2147
were sold in the United Kingdom, by far its
largest market. The Mark 1 Focus RS was a
limited production run available in 21 European
countries.
Using a turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre
Ford Zeta engine, the Focus RS rated at 212
horsepower.
Ford famously over engineered the RS to such
an extent that they lost around £4000 on
every vehicle sold. This was due to 70% of
the original car's parts being replaced - the
engine for example is not far off WRC spec
in materials and parts.
It would generate a steady 0.98G in lateral
acceleration due to racing parts such as Sachs
dampers, lightweight O.Z Alloy Wheels and
a Quaife ATB Differential. It would also allow
1.0G of braking force due to the standard
Brembo braking system 326 mm 280 mm.
The development of the Focus RS was undertaken
by a mixed team of mainstream Ford engineers
and Tickford Engineering in Milton Keynes,
United Kingdom. Originally it was to be released
as the Racing Focus, however after the poor
selling Racing Puma, Ford decided to revive
the RS badge.
More bespoke than the prior Ford Focus SVT,
the Focus RS upgraded or replaced 70% of the
standard Focus mechanicals. The turbocharged
straight-4 engine produced a minimum of 215 PS
and 310 N·m of torque, which was then mated
to the 5-speed MTX-75 and not the Getrag transmission
used in the ST 170. Mechanically, most notably,
the car incorporated a Quaife automatic torque
biasing differential to improve traction from
the front-wheel drive setup. The steering
used a similar quick-ratio rack as the ST170
while the brakes used fixed-caliper, four-piston
Brembo units with 324 mm discs at the front
and single-piston floating calipers and 280 mm
discs at the back. Wheels were 18" alloys
specially developed by OZ Racing. The engine
was heavily modified with forged aluminium
pistons, hardened valve seats, sodium-filled
exhaust valves, stainless steel exhaust system.
The forced induction system comprised a Garrett
turbocharger with a water-cooled charge air
cooler and an electric water pump. To transmit
the higher torque an upgraded AP clutch was
used.
The Focus RS was available in one metallic
colour, Imperial Blue. The body looked similar
to the standard Focus or to the ST170, although
the RS featured unique front and rear bumper
assemblies required for the wider wheel arches
which accommodated the 65 mm wider front
track. Internally, the theme is blue and black
with sections of blue leather trim on the
door trim panels, the steering wheel and the
Sparco seats which were trimmed in blue/black
leather and Alcantara. A green starter button
starts the engine. The instruments have a
blue background and in place of the coolant
temperature gauge, the RS was equipped with
a boost pressure indicator. The gear lever
knob, handbrake lever, and pedals were all
custom made by Sparco.
All-around performance was roughly equal or
better to its other competitors, including
hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic Type-R
and some four-wheel drive cars in the same
price field. Power was a diminished priority
and the handling on a track, courtesy of the
front differential, was considered by most
observers to be its strongest characteristic.
In a Top Gear review, Jeremy Clarkson noted
that "it lacks the straightforward oomph of
a Subaru Impreza. [...] The reason it was
quick round our track is simple: this car
handles like it's in a cartoon." Clarkson
and other motor journalists also commented
on the car's torque steer on bumpy British
roads.
Focus RS WRC
The Focus RS WRC was built in 1999 to replace
the Ford Escort WRC. It debuted in the Monte
Carlo Rally with Colin McRae and Simon Jean-Joseph
behind the wheels of the two cars. It was
immediately on the pace, setting many fastest
stage times, but the use of an illegal water
pump meant that the two cars were excluded
from the event. McRae gave the Focus its first
win two events later on the Safari Rally Kenya
finishing over 15 minutes ahead of the second
placed Toyota of Didier Auriol.
In 2003, Ford released a newly designed Focus
WRC, named Focus RS WRC 03, for competition
during the second part of the season. The
car, with most parts redesigned from the ground
up, featured a lighter body shell and a new
aerodynamically enhanced front bumper and
wing. Markko Märtin drove the car to two
world rally victories. The 2004 and 2005 Focus
WRCs were evolutions based on the RS WRC 03.
The Focus RS WRC 04 won three events with
Märtin at the wheel. By 2005, the car was
no longer competitive and Ford had a winless
season.
Overall sales and history
In Europe, the hatchback is the biggest selling
body style. Ford attempted to market the saloon
in Europe as a mini-executive car by only
offering it in the Ghia trim level, something
that it had tried before with the Orion of
the 1980s. It has since given up on this strategy,
and has started selling lower specified versions
of the saloon.
Despite its radical styling, and some controversial
safety recalls in North America, the car has
been a runaway success across the globe, even
in the United States, where Ford has traditionally
failed to successfully sell its European models.
In Europe, where the Focus was positioned
at the heart of the largest market segment
by volume, Ford's overall market share had
declined by 25% between 1995 and 2000 as the
aging Ford Escort failed to match up in technological
terms to the Vauxhall/Opel Astra and Volkswagen
Golf without being able to achieve compensating
sales volumes in the low price sector where
Korean manufacturers, in particular, were
becoming increasingly competitive. The Focus
stopped the rot for Ford in Europe, selling
particularly strongly in the UK. This was
the best-selling car in the world in 1999
through 2004. It was elected Car of the Year
in 1999, ahead of GM's new Astra model. The
Focus won the North American Car of the Year
award for 2000.
Both versions of the Focus have been the 1999
and 2005 Semperit Irish Car of the Year In
Ireland.
The Focus, unlike the Escort, was never offered
in a dedicated panel van body style; however,
a commercial Focus based on the 3-door hatch
is available in Europe - most commonly in
Ireland.
Ford therefore continued the Escort Van until
the purpose-designed Transit Connect was introduced
in 2002 as its replacement. A convertible
version was another notable omission that
was rectified with the Mk2 Coupe-Cabriolet.
The European Focus, in 2002, according to
German reports and surveys, was claimed to
be the most reliable car between one and three
years old in the German car market. This was
a remarkable feat as the Focus was competing
against German prestige manufacturers as well
as Japanese manufacturers, all of which have
strong reputations for quality and reliability.
North America
Ford began marketing the Focus in October
1999 for model year 2000 initially as 3-door
hatchback, 4-door sedan and 5-door wagon —
with a 5-door hatchback debuting for model
year 2002 model at the Canadian International
Auto Show in Toronto. The Focus became one
of the ten best-selling cars in America shortly
after its introduction.
Design
Focus models had been designed under the directorship
of Richard Parry-Jones and were noted at introduction
for their styling, class-leading rear suspension
and tall interior packaging  — as well
as a stiff and light body structure, low-friction
steering and suspension, and extensive safety
and convenience features including driver
and passenger airbags, available head-and-chest
side air bags, rear ISOFIX child-safety seat
attachments, safety belt system with pre-tensioners
and load-limiting retractors, battery saver
to automatically switch off lights after 10 minutes,
interior theater dimming, and flip-up/flat-folding
rear seat cushions.
Styling
The Focus' styling, often noted as polarizing,
was marketed by Ford as New Edge design. The
design language had been overseen by Jack
Telnack and Claude Lobo and executed by Australian
designer, John Doughty. In 2000, Karl Brauer,
writing for Edmunds.com described the styling:
"While ergonomically sound, the Focus' interior,
like its exterior, displays much of Ford's
New Edge philosophy that had editors split
on loving or hating it." Sherri Koucky, writing
for MachineDesign.com said the styling "mixes
round shapes with funky geometric ones and
adds sharp angles, somehow making them all
work together." James R. Healey, writing for
USA Today, called the styling a "collision
of curves and lines." After the international
Ford Focus, which shared styling with North
American models, had won the prestigious European
Car of the Year, William Diem of the New York
Times wrote, "To some extent, the prize vindicates
Ford's risky design for the Focus, especially
the New Edge styling -- a combination of straight
lines, curves and planes."
Rear suspension
Engineers for the Focus, including Richard
Parry-Jones, developed a class-leading, space-saving
independent multi-link rear suspension, marketed
as Control Blade suspension, combining the
packaging of a trailing arm, with the geometry
of a double wishbone suspension at considerably
lower cost.
Where many competitors in the compact class,
or small family car class, used the less expensive
half-independent torsion beam suspension,
Control Blade offered enhanced elasto-kinematic
performance, i.e., strong body control, sharp
and accurate steering regardless of the car's
attitude, and an absorbent and quiet ride
over bumps.
Unlike conventional multi-link suspension,
Control Blade features a wide, simple, uniform
thickness, pressed steel trailing arm with
hub carrier — taking the place of two longitudinal
locating rods, eliminating an expensive cast
knuckle, and offering the same level of body
control — with a lower center of gravity,
reduced road noise, and at lower production
cost. The long rear lateral arm controls toe,
a pair of shorter front lateral arms, vertically
above each other, control the camber, and
the Control Blade reacts to brake and traction
loads.
In testing the suspension in 2000, Motor Trend
writer Jack Keebler noted "The Focus' average
speed of 62.6 mph through our slalom makes
it faster around the cones than a $62,000
Jaguar XJ8L and a $300,000 Bentley Continental.
The impression is of having plenty of wheel
travel for gobbling the larger stuff and big-car,
full-frame isolation when encountering expansion
joints and smaller road imperfections." Engineers
also worked to improve the front suspension,
removing sticking and friction from each component.
Following the 1998 introduction of Control
Blade suspension and popularization by the
Focus, other manufacturers began offering
multi-link design rear suspensions in the
compact class, or small family car class.
Tall packaging
Focus engineers developed a new interior packaging
for the car's class, with a computer-modeled
interior, long wheelbase, tall doors, raised
roofline, increased passenger and cargo volume,
raised rear seating and raised H-point front
seating providing higher sight lines and increased
rear footroom. James R. Healey, writing for
USA Today, said "Focus is bigger inside than
cars much larger outside." Ford later marketed
the high H-point seating as Command Seating,
noting that "the higher the H-Point, the higher
you ride in the car, and in some cases, the
more comfortable you feel behind the wheel".
Model year changes
2000 MY — Introduction of the Sony Limited
Edition, Street Edition, Kona Editions.
2001 MY — available electronic stability
control, marketed as "AdvanceTrac," standard
fog lamps on ZTS Series, new 6-spoke 16-inch
aluminum wheels now standard on ZTS Sedan,
front armrest now standard on SE Sedan and
Wagon, comfort Group now includes only tilt/telescoping
wheel, speed control, and front map lights
on SE Sedan and Wagon, power windows standard
on SE Sedan and SE Wagon, SE Sport Group upgraded
to include leather-wrapped steering wheel,
single CD now standard on SE Sedan and Wagon,
new manual moon roof available on ZX3, front
and rear floor mats and smoker's package now
standard on all models, new premium group
available on ZX3, manual transmission available
on SE Wagon, power Group includes power locks
with all-door remote entry, power windows,
and power mirrors — now available on ZX3,
Zetec Engine now standard on SE Wagon. Introduction
of the S2 Edition. Introduction of the SVT
models.
2002 MY — Introduction of the ZX5 5-door
hatchback, power moon-roof available for the
first time on all body styles, available 6-Disc
In-dash CD Changer, improved cup holders to
accept larger cups, added rear-seat map pocket
on LX, SE, ZX3, and kangaroo pouches on ZTS,
and the ZTW trim level for the wagon —
including the 2.0L DOHC Zetec I-4 engine,
leather seating surfaces, driver's side lumbar
support, six-disc in-dash CD player, tilt/telescoping
steering wheel, remote key-less entry, power
windows and door locks, electronic speed control
and air conditioning. In 2002, all Focus models
received a safety package, marketed as the
Personal Safety System — which included
an electronic crash severity sensor, restraint
control module, dual-stage driver and right
front passenger airbags, dual-threshold driver
and right front passenger airbags, driver's
seat position sensor, front outboard safety
belt energy management retractors, front outboard
safety belt pretensioners, front outboard
safety belt usage sensors. Introduction of
the Mach Audio Edition
2003 MY — ZX5 now available in three trim
levels, two new interior fabrics, heated front
seat and heated mirror option, available traction
control and ABS package, gray headlamp surrounds,
silver instrument cluster and color-keyed
trim on premium trims, CD/MP3 audio player
standard on ZX3, ZX5, redesigned 16-inch alloy
wheels, optional perimeter alarm, improved
interior noise level, recalibrated throttle,
refinement of 110 horsepower engine. Introduction
of the Centennial Edition in celebration of
Ford's 100th anniversary.
2004 MY — The new 2.3 L I4 Duratec engine
previously only available in select states
became available nationwide, ZX3 now available
with leather seating surfaces, new steering
knuckles and struts for improved ride and
handling, discontinuation of optional electronic
stability control.
2005 MY — Under Focus Chief Engineer John
Sidelko and Focus designer Larry Erickson,
the 2005 Focus introduced styling and engineering
changes — including introduction of the
ST model of the ZX4 sedan, With the 2005 model
year, Ford revised the Focus nomenclature
to combine a body-style designation with a
trim designation. Styling revisions included
a new front bumper facia, a revised instrument
panel, new tail lamps and a new rear bumper
fascia on sedan models, a new harder steel
alloy used for the hood, an 11% thicker plastic
bumper fascia, a storage drawer for six compact
discs located by the driver’s left knee,
optional overhead console with sunglasses
holder and space for a garage door opener,
molded-in beverage holders in the front door
pockets, 15-inch steel wheels and all-season
tires, instead of 14-inch on entry trim level
models,, and new brake linings with total
brake swept area increased by 17 percent.
Engines included a 136 hp, 2.0-liter Duratec
20 dual-overhead-cam, in-line four-cylinder
engine replacing both the base 110 horsepower,
2.0-liter single-overhead-cam I-4 engine and
the 130 horsepower 2.0-liter Zetec DOHC I-4,
a 151 hp 2.3-liter Duratec 23 DOHC I-4 engine
for the ZX4 ST available in all 50 states
and derived from the Duratec 20 family, with
larger displacement and performance-tuned
exhaust — and in California, New York,
Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, the Duratec
23E which qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero
Emissions Vehicle. Manual transmission now
listed as standard equipment rather than a
delete option on wagons.
2006 MY — On ZX4, ZX3 and ZX5, standard
CD/MP3 player on all models, S and SE models
receive revised plastic wheel covers with
alloy wheels now available as a standalone
option, six-disc audio systems now have steering-wheel
controls, convenience Package and Safety Packages
bundle popular options. Also in 2006 Ford
introduced the Street Appearance Package priced
at US$1295 with two unique front and rear
fascia choices. The front fascia included
integrated fog lamps and side markers. While
the rear offers a rear diffuser in addition
to a large rally-style spoiler.
2007 MY — models no longer carried body
configuration tail badges, modifications increased
EPA mileage ratings, new leather-trimmed sport
seats with contrasting leather inserts, new
exterior colors: Kiwi Green and Aqua Blue
Clearcoat Metallic, available Street Appearance
Package I with rally-style rear deck lid spoiler,
single-disc CD and MP3 capable player now
standard on all series, available six-disc
CD and MP3 capable player now includes duplicate
audio controls on steering column, new Interior
Upgrade Package. Wagon production ends at
the end of the 2007 calendar year.
Engines
Transmissions
5-speed MTX-75 manual
6-speed Getrag manual
5-speed IB5
4-speed 4F27E automatic
4-speed F-4EAT automatic
Body styles and trims
On 2005 and 2006 models in the US and Canada,
the second generation Focus received a body-configuration
badging along with separate badging to designate
trim levels SE and SES trim; there was no
trim badge for the S trim level. The body
configuration badging were deleted from the
liftgates/trunklids of 2007 models, the trim
badging remained.
2005–2007 trim designations
Focus S:, Duratec 20 or 20E engine with five-speed
manual transmission, manual driver’s seat
height adjustment, split-folding rear seat,
AM/FM single CD player, 15-inch wheels, Dual-stage
driver and front-passenger air bags.
Focus SE: Included S content, plus air conditioning,
overhead console, AM/FM stereo with single-disc
CD/MP3 player, dual power mirrors, power windows
and locks, remote keyless entry.
Focus SES: Included SE content, plus tilt/telescoping
leather-wrapped steering wheel, tachometer,
decklid spoiler, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Focus ZX4 ST: Included SES content, plus Duratec
23 engine with sport-tuned exhaust, ST suspension
with unique 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps,
four-wheel antilock disc brakes, chrome-tipped
exhaust, body-color, heated outside mirrors,
leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
with contrast stitching, unique sport-trimmed
interior fabrics and instrument panel.
SVT models
In late 2001, Ford's in-house performance
group, Special Vehicle Team, introduced the
SVT Focus to the United States and Canadian
markets for the 2002 model year. The exterior
included revised front and rear bumper fascias,
side skirts, fog lamps, rear diffuser and
17-inch alloy wheels wearing fairly sticky
"Y" rated 215/45R17 tires from Continental.
The SVT also featured a reworked version of
the 2.0-liter Zetec engine available in other
Focus models. Developed in concert with Cosworth,
this engine featured a special aluminum cylinder
head with enlarged intake ports, high compression
pistons and forged connecting rods, piston
oil squirters, solenoid operated variable
camshaft timing on the intake cam, dual stage
intake manifold, and a 4-2-1 tubular exhaust
header.
These additions, coupled with an increased
10.2:1 compression ratio, increased power
from 130 to 170 horsepower. Getrag provided
a six-speed manual transmission shared with
the Mini Cooper S. This transmission was a
twin layshaft design and included a dual mass
flywheel to eliminate vibration and transmission
noise. Other changes to complete the package
included sharper steering through an increased
boost ratio in the steering rack, larger disc
brakes on all four corners, and stiffened
suspension with a slightly larger rear anti-roll
bar.
Interior features included leather seats,
steering wheel, shift knob, and boot as well
as emergency-brake handle and boot. Options
included a powered glass sunroof, seven-speaker
Audiophile sound system with 8-inch sub-woofer,
a cold weather package with heated seats,
traction control, a 115V block heater, heated
side mirrors and, for 2003 and 2004 models,
HID xenon headlamps.
In 2003 the SVT was offered in the five-door
body style and an all new European Appearance
Package for three-doors only. It included
all available options plus full leather Recaro
seats and fifteen-spoke dark argent colored
wheels. The exterior was available in two
new colors, Screamin' Yellow and Competition
Orange. The only option the five-door did
not include were the sideskirts. In 2004,
its final year of production, the Euro package
was available in the five-door model as well.
Also the five-spoke wheels were no longer
available and a 6 spoke design was the replacement.
ST model
Following discontinuation of the North American
SVT Focus in 2004, Ford introduced the ST
variant of the ZX4 for 2005–2007, with a
2.3-litre, 151 hp Torque) Duratec driving
a five-speed MTX-75 manual transmission with
reverse lock-out. Though power was lower than
the SVT, acceleration was only slightly lower
due to a higher differential ratio. The 2005
ST used dampers and stabilizer bars similar
to those of the SVT, but significantly softer
springs. The ST featured a unique interior,
16-inch wheels with Pirelli P6 Four Seasons
tires, four-wheel disc brakes, spoiler, color-keyed
fascia, a color keyed grille, and four-wheel
anti-lock disk brakes. The 2005 ST included
all SES package equipment — with heated
seats, heated mirrors, leather interior, moonroof,
and Audiophile package controlled by a Blaupunkt
headunit all optional. 2007 was the final
year for the 2.3 L engine in the Focus. For
the 2006 and 2007 ST's the suspension geometry
was changed to provide a softer ride.
In Canada, the Street Appearance look was
available and named the GFX package. The Focus
ST name did return in 2012 in an all new model.
Total Production:14464
2005: 9329
2006: 2419
2007: 2716
Awards and recalls
Since its launch in 1998, the first generation
Focus has won over 60 awards including 13
Car of the Year awards in both Europe and
North America, and more recently, the best
family car ever. In 2000, the Focus won Automobile
magazine’s Automobile of the Year and MotorWeek’s
Best Small Car.
Though the Focus received the R.L. Polk & Co.
Automotive Loyalty Award for highest percentage
of repeat buyers, four years running, from
2000 through 2003 — the Focus did experience
numerous recalls early in the car's life.
Despite Lemon-Aid describing it as "glitch
ridden" up until 2004, Focus reliability steadily
improved.
By 2005, the Focus received a Consumers Digest
Best Buy Rating, as well as the Strategic
Vision 2005 Total Quality Award. In 2006 the
Focus received AutoPacific’s first Ideal
Vehicle Award as top-rated compact car for
2006.
The Focus placed on Car and Driver magazine's
Ten Best list for five consecutive years between
2000 and 2004.
Debut marketing
Targeting Generation X and Generation Y in
the Focus marketing campaign at its North
American introduction, Ford created a now
defunct youth-destination website, aired 64
live television spots featuring comedian Annabelle
Gurwitch beginning September 6, 1999, during
the MTV Video Music Awards, featured the Focus
in co-sponsoring Ricky Martin's Livin La Vida
Loca North American tour, and developed a
strategic partnership with the WB Network
show Dawson's Creek — including a private
live concert event, featuring of the Focus
in two Dawson's Creek episodes, and a Focus
signed by the Dawson's Creek cast auctioned
on Amazon.com.
In January 2001, Ford partnered with Atom
Films and J. Walter Thompson to create three
short films featuring the Ford Focus. Costing
$80,000 the films were later shown at the
Sundance Film Festival and on Atom Films'
web site. In “Little Man on Campus,” the
lead male, undersized, uncoordinated, who
had trouble living up to his father's hopes,
gets a Ford Focus from his parents and then
makes a varsity sports team, wins 'the girl'
and finally carries a squad of cheerleaders
in the Focus. The film features a cameo appearance
by Barry Livingston, who played "Ernie" in
the TV show My Three Sons. Another of the
films was titled "The Kiss." The third film
entitled “gulp” and by director Jason
Reitman was selected to premiere in the 'Official
Sundance Screening Room'. The film depicted
the efforts of a young man to save his tropical
fish. All three films were available for viewing
at a now defunct web site, www.focusinfilm.com.
Marketing packages At introduction, Ford offered
five specialized packages for the Focus targeting
the youth market marketed as Tailored For
You kits, allowing buyers to customize their
car's interior:
The Pet Package included custom car bed, insulated
pet sport bottle, lint roller, integrated
pockets for leashes, a foldable bowl, air
purifier, and pet safety belt.
The Professional Package included a voice-recorder,
illuminated notepad holder, pocket for cellular
phone/pager storage, and a mobile work station
consisting of a tray to hold laptop, paper,
pencils and supplies.
The Sports Package included a backpack that
slid over the back of the front seat and a
customized roof rack.
The Express Yourself Package included customized
decals, steering wheel cover, gear shift knob
on manual models, and special seat covers
in neoprene, fleece or jersey
The Friends Package included the features
of the Express Yourself Package along with
a coordinated ice cooler, and candy dispenser.
Special editions
Sony: Ford marketed 7000 examples of the Sony
Limited Edition in January 2000 featuring
an AM/FM CD receiver with wireless remote,
four red and black three-way speakers, trunk
mounted 10-inch subwoofer. Exterior colors
were Rainforest Green, Infra-Red, Pitch Black,
and Going Platinum, each with an MSRP of $15,535.Kona:
the Kona Mountain Bike Edition, featuring
an "Out Of Bounds" Kona bike, bolt-on bike
rack, nylon washable seat covers, unique colors
Dirt Metallic and Rainforest Green, unique
side moldings with molded-in Kona Moto logo
and bike tire treads; 16” six-spoke machined
aluminum wheels and heavy-duty black rubber
floor mats, also with Kona Moto logo and bike
tire treads
Street: the Street Edition with European suspension,
black trim, 16-inch polished aluminum wheels,
a 6-disc CD changer, leather-wrapped steering
wheel. On the exterior, the front chin, rocker
panels, bodyside moldings and lower rear fascia
were black, while exterior colors were Infra-Red,
Egg Yolk Yellow and Malibu Blue. The models
used same springs, dampers and anti-roll bars
found in the European Focus. Interior details
included sport bucket seats with diamond,
silver-masked instrument cluster, radio bezel,
door accents and a silver shift knob. 7,500
total Street Editions were manufactured, approximately
85 percent of them were made as sedans, the
remaining models as wagons.S2: The Focus S2,
available only in the three-door ZX3 model,
featured European-tuned suspension, grey body
trim with unique front spoiler and rocker
panels, color-keyed bodyside moldings and
S2 badging, rear spoiler, six-spoke 16-inch
aluminum wheels and chrome exhaust tip, six-disc
in-dash CD changer, sport bucket seats with
diamond-patterned inserts, and exterior colors
including CD silver, Sangria Red and a Focus
Liquid Grey.Mach Audio: The Focus MACH Audio
ZTS sedan featured an audio system with six-disc
in-dash CD changer, four 5 x 7-inch door-mounted,
two-way speakers, a 10-inch dual-voice coil
subwoofer, equalization customized to the
Focus' interior configuration and 460 watts 
unique silver-faced instrument cluster, mesh
seat fabrics and door trim panels, six-spoke,
machined-aluminum wheels, MACH Audio badging,
exterior colors of CD Silver, Liquid Grey
and Mandarin Copper, and an MSRP of $16,975.Centennial:
In celebration of its 100th Anniversary on
December 20, 2002, Ford marketed 3000 examples
of the Ford Focus Centennial Edition, each
a 2003 four-door sedan with black paint, 16-inch
aluminum wheels; rear spoiler, fog lamps,
leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and
telescoping column, AM/FM Stereo with CD and
MP3 player, driver's seat lumbar support,
premium Verona-grain Imola leather seating
surfaces in two-tone parchment, Ford 100th
Anniversary deck lid and side badges, a commemorative
key chain and watch, a copy of the limited
edition coffee table book "The Ford Century,"
and a black leather owner's guide portfolio
with the embossed signatures of Henry Ford,
his son Edsel Ford, Henry Ford II, and William
Clay Ford, Jr.
Aftermarket
Tuner Saleen modified the first generation
USA Focus into the S121 and N20 performance
cars. The S121 includes a 138 hp Duratec
2.0L I4 engine with improved suspension, custom
body work designed and CAD modeled by Phil
Frank, custom graphics, tire and wheel package,
customized interior components, and optional
upgraded brakes. The 10% performance boost
to the factory Duratec 2.0l I4 engine was
achieved by replacing the factory paper air
filter with a more freely flowing reusable
air cleaner and by replacing the factory exhaust
with a cat back exhaust system. The N20 offers
the same base engine and other improvements
along with a factory installed nitrous oxide
system that offers a 75 hp boost bringing
the N2O to 225 hp. The S121/N2O are sold
as new at many Ford dealers. There were 200
S121/N2O's produced by Saleen in 2005.
Several American companies offer genuine Ford
parts to modify North American built Focuses
to full or partial European standards. There
is also a V8 engine conversion for the Focus.
References
External links
