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Ford Focus III (2008 - )

What's Good

"Kinetic Design" rebody of 2004-2007 Focus to bring its styling in line with the 2007 Mondeo's. Launch Frankfurt Motor Show September 2007. First deliveries early 2008. Enhanced interior quality. New Ford PowerShift six-speed double-clutch transmission (like VAG's DSG) from March 2008. New Focus ECOnetic with average CO2 of only 115g/km.

New features and options include Easyfuel capless refuelling (prevents misfuels), Ford Power starter button, tyre pressure warning system, 230 volt socket and LED rear lights. On sale February 2008.

All Focus 3 have switchable ESP. 3 levels of steering assistance selectable by column 'menu' stalk.

Three-door, four-door, five-door and estate body styles first in UK showrooms, Coupe-Cabriolet and ST sporting flagship variants arriving in spring 2008.

Inside, new soft-touch plastics cover the instrument panel as well as the upper front door trim and this is complemented by plush new seat fabrics plus a variety of attractive fascia finishing's. The instrumentation has been re-designed too and, along with all other interior controls, is illuminated in red. Controls for the upgraded audio equipment and two-zone air conditioning have also been ergonomically improved.

6-speed manual shift quality improved by a new type of lubricant.

Ford/GETRAG PowerShift transmission available from March 2008 in Focus III as well as C-MAX, in combination with the 136PS and new 110PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. Jointly developed by Ford and transmission specialists GETRAG, the gearbox consists 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, while the other one 'even' gears 2, 4 and 6 – the next gear change can be prepared by pre-selection whilst in motion and at full power. As a result, average fuel consumption improves by around 10 per cent, and CO2 emissions are lower, compared to a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. HJ got 49.2mpg on test.

Another new development is the Focus "ECOnetic" which features an array of aerodynamic efficiencies and is powered by a 109 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Average consumption for the Focus ECOnetic is a frugal 65mpg. This corresponds to an average CO2 emission of only 115g/km, which is a class leading result for a conventional vehicle in this segment.

As a direct result of the Ford ECOnetic initiative, all Focus 1.6-litre TDCi variants achieve 119g/km CO2 or less regardless of power rating, body style or wheel dimensions. HJ is currently getting 62.4mpg from long term test car.

Flexifuel version of the 1.8-litre Duratec petrol four-cylinder engine can be fuelled with bio-ethanol E85-fuel as an alternative to conventional unleaded petrol – or in any mix of both. The Ford Focus range also includes CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) derivatives both based on the 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engine.

List Prices announced 12-11-2007, from £11,945. ESP standard across the range.
Range now Studio, Style, Zetec, Titanium and ST trim. Transmissions include five and six speed manual gearboxes, a conventional automatic or the all-new dual-clutch PowerShift automated gearbox jointly developed with GETRAG.

In addition to ESP, every Focus is equipped with ABS, four airbags, electric front windows, CD player, central locking, height adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, curtain airbags and Easyfuel capless refuelling system. This uses a mechanically operated diameter detector that only allows the larger diesel fuel nozzle to be inserted into the filler pipe, and locks out the thinner petrol nozzles.

Style, costing from £13,445 adds body coloured door handles and mirrors, bigger wheels, front fog lamps, air conditioning, remote audio controls, trip computer, leather covered steering wheel and remote central locking.

Zetec lists from £14,695 and adds 16" alloy wheels, dark headlamp surrounds, sports suspension, sports seats, Quickclear heated front windscreen, perimeter alarm, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, rear spoiler and upgraded centre console. A body colour rear spoiler, previously an option, is also included as standard.

Focus Titanium lists from £15,445. Equipment highlights are privacy glass, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, Sony CD sound system, electric rear windows, cooled glovebox, aluminium scuff plates and footwell lighting.

As before, buyers can personalise their Focus by choosing from the long list of options, some of which have been reduced in price from the previous model.

Three-door, five-door and estate body styles arrive January 2008 with the revised Coupe-Cabriolet, sporty ST versions and Powershift semi auto following by March.

Focus ECOnetic voted 'What Car Green Car of the Year 2008'. On long term test by Honest John.

23-10-2008 Zetec S added to Focus III range. Based on the existing Zetec model but with the addition of a full sports styling kit, of front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions, 17" alloy wheels, aluminium-style foot pedals and hand brake cover, and an exclusive "S" badge on the front fender.

3-door and 5-door versions. Same wide choice of engines as the existing Focus Zetec with the addition of a 1.6 Ti-VCT 115PS petrol engine. Other engines are the 1.8 125PS and 2.0 145PS petrol units and the diesel 1.8 TDCi 115 PS, 2.0 TDCi 136PS, and 2.0 TDCi 136PS with diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can also be specified with Ford's six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

Focus Zetec S priced just £750 above the equivalent Zetec. (Separately, the additional features would cost over £1,600.) Two optional styling packs are additionally available. The Sport pack (£500) includes 18in alloy wheels and privacy glass, and the WRC pack (£200) includes World Rally Championship 'chequered flag' decals and WRC scuff plates.

Optimum gearshift indicators on ECOnetics built from 17-12-2008.

16-9-2009: Ford Focus ECOnetic for 2010 uses Auto-Start-Stop to achieve 99g/km CO2 and 74.2mpg. First Ford of Europe production model with new eco technologies including Ford Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and Low Tension FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive). Focus ECOnetic versions without Ford Auto-Start-Stop still achieve 104g/km. New Focus ECOnetic range available from early 2010.

Road Test Mk III range at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=301

3,000 Mile Test Focus ECOnetic at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=343

www.ford.co.uk

Last updated 10-11-2009

What's Bad

2.0i down to a 5-speed manual. Gate can be obstructive may need adjustment on some cars (though no trouble on long term ECOnetic).

What to Watch Out For

Diesel Particulate Filters of EU5 1.6TDCI 110s and 2.0TDCI 136s can eventually give up at around 100,000 miles and require replacement at a cost of £1,150 from a Ford dealer or £1,034 independently. Most 1.6TDCI 90s don't have DPFs.

More owner/driver feedback welcome.

Recalls

29/07/2008 R/2008/113 FORD FORD FOCUS, C-MAX, FOCUS CC failure of power steering hose could result in an engine bay fire. Build dates: 02/04/2008 15/05/2008

TSB 9U225 Brake Vacuum Pump Safety Recall on Focus III 2.0 TDCI.