In Geneva, we saw the world debut of the 2015 Ford Focus hatchback. At the 2014 New York Auto Show, it’s the 2015 Focus Sedan’s turn to be unveiled.
Like the hatchback, the sedan now boasts the new nose found on the likes of the Fusion and Fiesta, while under the hood will include a 2-liter four-pot or — for the U.S. market — the 1-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder, both of which will be mated to a new six-speed manual. An SE Sport Package will also be available, swaping the manual for an automatic with paddle shifters in addition to tuning upgrades for the suspension and 17-inch wheels.
Safety features on-board include a standard rearview camera paired with a choice of two monitors, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.
Both the hatchback and sedan will enter U.S. showrooms early in 2015.
The only thing this has that I would want over mine is the 6 speed manual. I’d wonder if it would swap directly over to the 2013.
Whether the 6-speed is better than the 5-speed depends on the ratios. It may be like the Honda Fit reviewed here a few days ago, where 6th was the equivalent on 5th in the old box, and the extra gear was just for fuel economy stats. So you’re left just changing gears more often for no real-world benefit. More is not necessarily better… The old Ford 5-speed was a nice one too.
Very, very true. I guess that would be the caveat.
I still have another year on my lease so this wouldn’t even be on my radar until then, unless they offer me an early buyout. I’ve been waffling back and forth between keeping my current car and buying out the lease, or getting into something different.
Good car, nice dynamics (at least historically). I guess it’d please almost everyone looking for a car in this segment. Disappointing all grey interior though.
They have a couple different leather seat options (non-ST) in the US that have other colors. White or red/burgandy are both available. You’ll still have a bunch of charcoal and gray though.
I don’t know if Ford makes a car that without a grey dashboard, regardless of the seat color.
good to know, thanks! All that grey was depressing.
I agree that it is too much grey. My C-Max has the light stone interior, which is kind of a taupe color. It breaks up all the grey, but I wish the dash was a lighter color. The lighter colored fabic and airy cabin are a welcome change from some of the vinyl coffin cabins I’ve had on recent VWs.
After looking at AutoBlog’s photos, it looks like you can get light colored seats now! Hooray for tan leather!
I’m not much on Fords but I actually like this one, appearance-wise anyway, other than the pointless boy-racer spoiler.
This example has the Black Appearance Package that adds the black wheels, paino black accents, black mirrors, black fog light bezels, and a black spolier. The wheels, which are very nice can be added as a stand alone option with other packages.
“An SE Sport Package will also be available, swaping the manual for an automatic with paddle shifters in addition to tuning upgrades for the suspension and 17-inch wheels”
Again Ford, with the “Sport” package mated exclusively to the automatic. This is disappointing, and looks like I’ll be spending money on a Mazda3.
The Sport Package will be offered in both auto and manual like it is now. The Sport package Focus gets paddle shifters, when selected with the auto.
I’m hoping bball40dtw is right and this is just another poorly rewritten press release.
Per Autoblog:
“For fans of sportier looking models that can’t quite afford or justify splurging on the Focus ST, there’s a handsome new SE Sport Package that includes a firmer touring suspension, modest body kit and 17-inch wheels. SE Sports equipped with Ford’s optional dual-clutch gearbox also receive paddle shifters.”
I wish they had made more substantial changes to the interior. As a focus owner the thing I can’t stand is the way the IP juts out above the HVAC controls.
Same goes with the placement of the screen, why is it framed by just a massive surround? From my seating position you can’t see the bottom left corner of the screen and I can’t reach the top left corner.
The whole damn thing should be on one similar plane canted slightly towards the driver. Kia does this very well on the Optima and SAAB did it very well on the 93 and 95. Volvo is an honorable mention.
The dash can’t be turned towards the driver, this is a World Car(TM). It has to be easily convertible to LH or RHD depending on market.
You are of course 100% correct and I can’t believe that I didn’t think of it. I’ll settle for a Volvo style IP then.
Didn’t BMW manage this for years? More inline with the Focus’ segment, isn’t the Civic a world car?
There are two versions of the Civic, one for North America and one for Europe. Two completely different cars. Japan doesn’t get a Civic at all; it isn’t sold there anymore.
I was taking a closer look at the center stack in the ST this morning and Ford is already managing this to some extent. There were is a the passenger side of the IP is very different from the drivers side and for LHD cars it would have have an entirely different setup.
So listen here Ford… do I what I say.
Tim-
Honestly, the answer is because its a refresh of a compact car (that is built by Ford). Ford is going to throw enough money at the Focus to keep it fresh and make some improvements. In my opinion, the whole dashbaord needs to be moved away from the occupants by 2-3 inches.
It does feel a tad claustrophobic at times. The entire dash is very tall, especially compared with the rather airy nature of the GTI.
Best looking sedan in its segment.
For once we’re in complete agreement. That is one handsome car.
It’s probably not the first time we agreed. But, we are right on this one.
I don’t know. I mean it’s much easier to look at than anything Mazda will ever produce, and I’m glad they’ve finally adopted a version of the Fusion/Fiesta type front end, but does anybody else think that the grill should be just a bit more angular looking?
Also, I wish they would’ve tried streamlining the rear end by slimming down the tail lamps, or something.
This is quite an improvement. The one objection that I’ve had against the current Focus is the front-clip, and now that’s been improved. I also like the new steering-wheel, which looks similar to the one in the Fusion and the MKZ. Hopefully some or all of these improvements will get ported over to the Escape as well.
Looking at the photo (perspective) it appears to be very similar to the Australian designed Escort.
http://cdnlive.cardesignnews.com/shanghai2013/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Ford-Escort-1.jpg
So that’s the new SYNC ‘Branding’. I understand the change was neede to ditch the MS part, but I prefer a little badge. Silkscreening something on part of the dash seems too much like cost cutting.
I am not a fan of these new front clips, where the hood is abbreviated and a decent fit “attempted” to the plastic front bumper cover/grille. None of them fit perfectly, and none quite get a good color match, so it must be that they’re cheap to make, even on a Merc or CTS. Ugh.
I blame BMW for reintroducing this 1960s throwback to poor quality. Only Audi stands out as resisting the latest trend.
Probably has to do with pedestrian-safety regulations — the front edge of a metal bonnet would be like a hatchet aimed at approximately knee height. One solution would of course be to make the bonnet too out of plastic.
Are pics of lower spec trims available yet? Since they updated the interior, I’m curious to see if they did anything to cars without MFT and auto climate control.
I own a 2012 Focus sedan, and overall I’m pleased with the changes. I like the new front end and the addition of paddle shifters, plus the new center console. I’m not fond of the new steering wheel or the loss of amber rear turn signals, not to mention the black door mirrors. I can’t wait to see one in person, though.