C-segment family car comes with a variety of body styles and engines, but Thai sales are unlikely.
That’s quite an array of body styles!
Ford has just taken the wraps off the fourth-generation Focus in Europe this week which comes in several guises like five-door hatchback, estate and mild-looking SUV called Active.
Although not pictured here, there’s also a saloon variation for some markets. Along with this, the all-new Focus can be specified from four available trims: Trend, Titanium, sport ST-Line and classy Vignale.
Underpinning the C-segment Focus is Ford’s C2 platform which is also shared with the smaller B-sector Fiesta. Ford says torsional stiffness has increased by 20% when compared with the third-gen model.
Also greater than before is the 53mm longer wheelbase for enhanced interior space. The cabin gets a simpler fascia design accommodating an 8-inch touchscreen operating the brand’s Sync 3 infotainment. There’s also a wireless charging tray for smartphones inside.
What engines are on the menu?
The petrol-turbo engines include 1.0-litre three-cylinder producing 85hp, 100hp or 125hp, plus new all-aluminium 1.5-litre four-pot with outputs of either 150hp or 182hp.
The diesel-turbo motors, meanwhile, comprise of 95hp/120hp 1.5-litre three-pot and 150hp 2.0-litre.
Replacing the outgoing six-speed torque-converter automatic is a new eight-speeder that’s claimed to improve fuel efficiency by 10%. Its operation is now done via a knob on the centre console similar to those found in Land Rovers and Jaguars.
A plethora of driver-assist features are available to help give the new Focus Level 2 driving autonomy.
One highlight is the second-generation park-assist system that can now automatically choose the gear, accelerate and brake upon the push of a button. The other is evasive steering assist to help the driver avoid obstacles.
And why isn’t it coming to Thailand anymore?
Since the mid-life facelift, the third-gen Focus was only available in one body and one grade: five-door hatchback with just 180hp 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine priced at just over one million baht. Because of its price point, it couldn’t really generate serious sales.
Sources say the new Focus is unlikely to come to Thai showrooms now that Ford has made it quite clear that it doesn’t intend to sell passenger cars anymore. It recently axed plans to make the latest Fiesta as an Ecocar in Thailand.
Like Chevrolet, the Thai Ford office is most likely to concentrate on just pickups and SUVs. Aside the slow-selling MG6, the only other C-segment family cars sold in the country with prices starting under one million baht include Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Sylphy/Pulsar and Toyota Corolla Altis.
Which is a pity because choice has become less again and leaves the Thai C-segment dancefloor to just the major Japanese brands.
