Today Ford Europe opened the order books for the new Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost version, the most fuel efficient petrol-powered car they’ve ever made.

This new Eco-minded focus is powered by a three-cylinder engine block so small it can fit on a sheet of A4 paper, and will initially be available in two 100 and 125PS versions.

They have average of fuel economy of 4.8l/100km (58.9mpg) with CO2 emissions of 109g/km, and 5.0l/100km (56.5mpg) with CO2 emissions of 114g/km, respectively.

The 3-cylinder engine utilizes turbocharging and direct fuel injection to offer a good compromise between economy and performance, with a peak torque of 170Nm. The Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost will join the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol and 1.6-litre TDCi diesel in wearing the ECOnetic Technology badge, recognition reserved for Ford cars that are leaders of or among the very best in their segment in terms of fuel economy.

Besides downsizing, Ford is also working on ECOnetic technologies to further reduce fuel consumption. These include:

* Active Grille Shutter, which automatically adjusts the grille to improve aerodynamics (Active Grille Shutter);
* Smart Regenerative Charging, which helps ensure the battery is kept charged in the most efficient way, in turn reducing the overall amount of fuel used;
* Ford Eco Mode, a smart in-car eco-driving coach that rewards efficient driving via instrument cluster graphics;
* Gearshift Indicator, which highlights the most fuel-efficient point in the rev range to change gears.

Here’s Autocar‘s quick encounter with the Zetec S, a hot-ish version of the new Focus hatchback for the British market. It’s the one with the 161bhp TDCi diesel engine, which is supposed to be fun and economical. Question is, can it deliver. Hopefully we’ll find out in 90 seconds. The car has a base price of £18,745, which is £1,250 above the equivalent Zetec, but then it comes with more bells and whistles.

One of the most exciting developments to come out of Detroit in a long time was the announcement that Ford plans to revamp their entire Focus lineup for 2012, and the buzz is all around one of the five new models, the electric vehicle. Small cars may not be the glamor end of automotive design, but for city lifestyles they trump, so an all new electric vehicle is a cause for celebration.

Unlike most electric vehicles that tend to adopt unique bodies, and frankly make buying them awkward for their inability to blend into the crowd, the Ford Focus Electric is clearly part of the same family of vehicles, and a passing glance won’t raise eyebrows in its standard 5 door configuration. If electric vehicles are to gain acceptance, they need to be seen as regular vehicles competing on the same points like comfort, luggage space, safety, or entertainment systems.

Ford have recently shaken off their financial blues and seem poised to regain their place in the history of automotive innovation with the Focus Electric, a vehicle that firmly identifies itself as green, more so than Toyota’s hybrid Prius, and if Google are a litmus test of the Focus Electric’s viability, we could see a lot more of these vehicles on our roads.Ford are obviously going to be aggressive in marketing their new EV, with Google taking delivery of the first production model off the factory floor just before the season’s holidays. Rumors that Google plan to purchase several hundred of the Focus variants for their campus and Street View teams may very well have Toyota worried.

Taking a new approach to electric vehicles, Ford have designed the Focus Electric to charge from a regular socket, 120v in North America, and 240v for international sales, with advanced active cooling for temperature regulation. The 6.6kW on-board charger produces a full charge in the 23kwh lithium-ion batteries in 3-4 hours using the 240v charging station.

An illuminated charging port is located just in from of the driver’s door, and a full charge is colored solid blue, perfect for seeing in dark garages. The battery packs are actively heated and cooled for stable use in all weather types, though Ford haven’t released any figures showing how drive time would be affected in hot or cold climates.

Ford have also decided that battery use is an important consideration for any driver, and rather than minimize the display to a simple sliding scale, they have developed a full suite of battery indicators including a range view indicator, brake coach showing the percentage of brake energy recaptured, and a smartphone app that monitors battery charge and points out nearby charging stations.

The all electric engine generates a top speed of 84mph (135kmh), not exactly spectacular, but certainly road-worthy for guilt free driving. 123hp means acceleration is comparable with other vehicles in its class, and the single speed transmission means no more gear changing, and Ford states, “delivers quick responsiveness, smooth acceleration and no-compromise driving fun.”

Ford Racing is now taking orders for the new Focus ST-R turnkey race car, priced at a whopping $98995.

That sounds like an awful lot for a Ford Focus, but 100 grand is no money in motorsport. Ford Racing Parts is actually having a very good business with turnkey racing cars, selling them through regular Ford dealers. The lineup include Mustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R, Boss 302S, and now of course the ST-R Focus.

This hatchback is powered by a 2.0 liter engine riddled with racing bits and pieces, and is intended for racing classes with production based specifcations, such as Grand-Am’s ST class, World Challenge’s Touring Car Class, Canadian Touring Car as well as the 24 hour Nuerburgring race.

The car is based on Ford’s flexible and competitive global racing platform which can be tailored for regional competition to meet local rules and regulations.

Here’s full technical specs of Ford Focus ST-R:

Powertrain

• Ford Racing custom exhaust
• Ford Racing engine calibration
• Ford Racing high capacity radiator
• Ford Racing clutch
• Ford Racing oil to air oil cooler
• Remote oil filter
• 6-speed manual transmission with Ford Racing limited-slip differential

Chassis

Rear Suspension

• AST performance adjustable dampers
• Control-blade multilink rear suspension
• Ford Racing upgraded sway bars with adjustable end links
• Upgraded bushings

Brakes

• Front brakes 320 mm with 2-piece rotors and race pads
• Production rear brakes with race pads
• Ford ABS with unique Ford Racing calibration

Wheels & Tires

• 18″ BBS CF 1 piece cast alloy wheel (Anthracite)
• Hoosier 225/40-18 R6 race tires

Fuel System

• ATL 18 gallon fuel cell with custom single dry break system

Exterior

• 2012 Focus ST body kit
• Brake cooling ducts
• Hood pins

Interior

• Ford Racing lightweight wiring harnesses
• Recaro Pro Racer HANS racing Seat
• AIM MXL Pista GPS based data system
• Ford Racing short throw shifter
• Ford Racing fire suppression system
• Ford Racing 6-point safety harness
• Ford Racing driver safety nets
• Ford Racing steering wheel with quick release
• Custom carbon fiber center panel with switches

Ford wants to prepare UK customers for the 2012 Focus ST with this, the semi-hot Focus Zetec S.

The Zetec S is not as powerful as the 250PS ST, but it gets the new 1.6-litre 180PS EcoBoost petrol which debuts in the UK and features fuel-saving ECOnetic technologies. It gives the car a not so brisk performance, with 0-62mph in just 7.9sec and 139g/km CO₂. This engine is designed to save fuel rather than burn it to go faster.

You can also go for the 1.6-litre 115PS TDCi, 1.6-litre 125PS Ti-VCT petrol and the 2.0-litre 163PS TDCi, with either manual or PowerShift automatic transmission.

Based on the Focus Zetec, the S comes with a full sports styling kit including unique front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions and 17in alloy wheels together with sports suspension featuring stiffened springs and dampers, aluminium-style sports pedals, rear LED tail lamps and Ford Power starter button.

And it’s still good value with a base price of £18,745, which is £1,250 above the equivalent Zetec. Optional extras you can specify for the car include Driver Assistance Pack, cruise control with Active Speed Limiter and a Zetec S interior pack featuring Inferno Red partial leather, heated front seats, power driver seat, power rear windows and global closing for £800.00

The new Ford Focus is, as we’ve said a thousand times, a very well-engineered car. And here’s a solid proof for that. The car just won receive four Euro NCAP Advanced safety rewards after its Driver Alert and Forward Alert technologies.

The Focus introduces high-tech safety features to the smaller, more affordable class and practically makes driving safer because the number of people who buy the Focus is far greater than those who buy say an S-Class. And before this if you wanted this technologies you had to buy an S-Class!

Euro NCAP Advanced rewards were introduced in 2010 to recognise car manufacturers that make new safety technologies available. Ford is one of only two manufacturers to hold four of these rewards and the only manufacturer to achieve this with one product.

Driver Alert feature is available on new Focus, C-MAX, Grand C-MAX, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy. It comes with a a forward facing, windscreen mounted camera that constantly monitors the road ahead and senses erratic movements via sensors. It constantly computes how vigilant the driver is, and presents this rating via a display in the instrument cluster. It sends a warning if it detects the driver is fatigued and needs to rest. The Forward Alert accident warning system uses radar technology to scan the road ahead for slowing traffic and triggers the brakes if needed.

“At Ford Motor Company we are committed to providing outstanding levels of safety for vehicle occupants, and it is immensely gratifying to have received two more Euro NCAP Advanced rewards with the new Ford Focus,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

Ford is now taking orders for the ll-new 2012 Ford Focus Electric online at Ford.com and at certified dealers.

According to Ford’s website, which also lets you customize the car to your desired specs, the electric Focus, available in two colors, is priced from $39,200 excluding destination and handling charge.

Speaking about power and performance of an electric car is irrelevant. So let’s talk about its charging time! Ford says this Focus Electric’s battery can be recharged in just over three hours using a 240-volt charging station, about half the cord.

Standard features of the electric Focus include: MyFord Touch with 8-inch touchscreen; two driver-configurable 4.2-inch color LCD displays in cluster for unique EV driving screens; MyFord™ Mobile App (for remotely monitoring and scheduling battery charging with owners’ smartphone as well as remote start); HID Headlamps; 17-inch aluminum wheels, ambient lighting, seats made from 100-percent recycled material; Rear Camera with Rear Parking Sensor; Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start; MyKey®; voice-activated Navigation System; Particulate Air Filter; hands-free SYNC® Bluetooth telephone connectivity with Traffic, Direction and Information Services; electronic traction control; Sony®-Branded audio with nine speakers; SIRIUS® Satellite Radio and HD Radio™.

As usual with only a few weeks to the SEMA show in Las Vegas car makers release teasers of their heavily modded cars, to be shown at the big show.

Here’s Ford’s lot, consisting of no less than seven tricked-out Focus and three tuned Fiesta. They are all Ford’s in-house tuned cars, but obviously they couldn’t do that without some help from the experts in this business.

So they collaborated with some of the big players including 3dCarbon, ROUSH Performance Products, The ID Agency, Capaldi Racing, Steeda, Bojix Design, and COBB Tuning to make these Focus show cars. The Fiestas are made in partnership with M2-Motoring, Gold Coast Automotive and Aaron Vaccar.

Now these are the small Euro Fords getting such thorough treatment. We are quite eager to see what they have in store for the Mustangs and more importantly Raptor pickups. They will be much much more interesting.

“Millennials, which this car is all about, want to personalize every aspect of their lives – everything from laptop covers to body art, and even cars,” said Mike Murphy, Ford C-Car Marketing manager. “Being unique allows them to stand apart and be different, and all the Focus models we have on display at SEMA live up to that standard.

Continuing their tradition of smashing things up for fun and a bit of science, Fifth Gear decided to speed things up a bit. So instead of crashing a car to a concrete wall at say 60 mph, they did at 120 mph, or near as makes no difference 200 km/h. It ends up with devastating results. I mean the picture above says it all. Still, the footage is pretty cool. Check it out after the jump.

As you know the Focus RS500 is already sold out. So it makes no sense why Ford should pay Tanner Foust and take him to the Nurburgring to publicize it. They don’t even show a full lap of Tanner taking the car round the ‘Ring. Still, a 350bhp hot hatch in the hands of an expert like Mr. Foust is not something you want to miss watching. He might be an American, and they generally have no understanding of a hot hatch, but Tanner’s an international drift champion. So he should be handle it!

To showcase the new Cosworth RS2000 wheels, Project Kahn tuned a Ford Focus RS.

The 300-hp hot hatch gets a body kit consisting of back spoiler, side vents, rear and front diffuser, and bonnet vents, all in matt black, plus privacy glass, and red brake calipers. These changes, especially if the base car is in blue, green, orange or red, gives the Focus Rs an awesome new look.

Then to perfect it they’ve lowered the suspension and the installed the Cosworth wheels, available in 17, 18 and 19 inch with fitment. The wheels are also available for other makes as well.

No word on the pricing, probably because there are many bespoke features, such as the interior, or even the color of the exterior.

In Frankfurt Ford unveiled a racing version of the Focus ST as well, designed for track-day enthusiasts all over the world.

The race-tweaked, production-based Focus ST-R is a purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America as a fully-prepared competition car. It features a powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, FIA regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and track-tuned suspension.

Initially homologated for American and Canadian touring car racing, Focus ST-R will be available to order from Ford dealers in North America by seasoned hardcore professional drivers, amateur racers and track day enthusiasts as well.  Ford’s vision is to broaden availability to additional regions in the future.

This is Ford’s way to make motorsport accessible for more people by making it easier and more affordable.

For North American customers, the Ford Focus ST-R is the latest in a long-line of turn-key race cars offered by the company including the Mustang FR500C, Mustang FR500S, Mustang Cobra Jet, Boss 302R and Boss 302S.  The ST-R offers clear links to the Focus ST road car.

Ford unveiled the latest ST variant of the 2012 Focus, in both hatchback and wagon forms, at the IAA.

The ST in this car’s name stands for Sport Technologies, and means they feature strong performance, fine handling dynamics, eye-catching style and the refinement needed for everyday use. In other words, true definition of a hot hatch.

The new ST series of the Focus are powered by the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, utilizing high pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) for the best compromise between performance and economy.

The engine has a maximum output of 250PS and strong torque levels in a broad, flat torque curve peaking at 360Nm. It is 20 percent more efficient and cleaner than the 5-cylinder unit in the old ST.

Ford enginners have gone to enormous length to make sure the new model feels as good as the old one. they’ve worked on the noise it makes an they’ve tweaked the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to reduce the torque steer. Further enhancements have also been made to the Focus ST’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), with emphasis put on driver enjoyment.

The rear suspension of the five-door and the wagon versions of Focus ST differ slightly. The wagon features angled shock absorbers – as in the base model – to maintain the optimum amount of capacity in the luggage compartment.

The iconic Y-shaped spoke design of the previous generation Focus ST has evolved for the new incarnation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels carry on the recognised Focus ST style but subtle revisions bring them up-to-date for 2012.

New Focus ST will be offered to European customers in three distinct trim options – ST1, ST2 and ST3. This approach is already familiar to owners of the previous Focus ST in the UK.

With the latest ECOnetic versions of the Fiesta and Focus, to be revealed at IAA next week, Ford introduces the most fuel efficient non-hybrid family cars in Europe.

Alright, let’s cut to the chase and straight to some nerdelicious numbers: The Focus ECOnetic does 3.4 litres/100 kilometres (83.1 mpg) and emits just 89 g/km CO2. These numbers for the Fiesta are 3.3 litres/100km (85.6 mpg) and 86 g/km.

ECOnetic cars will be powered by the 1.0-litre or 1.6-litre EcoBoost engines or the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine. The features resulting in this amazing fuel economy include Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter, ECO Mode, in additon to Electric Power Assisted Steering, Low-friction engine and transmission oils, Low rolling resistance tyres, Low tension Front End Accessory Drive, and Thermal Management Systems to optimise warm-up of engine.

Ford also plans to show at Frankfurt a Ford Focus powered by the new 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which delivers both impressive fuel efficiency and surprising performance due to direct fuel injection and turbocharging.

Ford decided that instead of a pointless teaser, they better release this video of the new Focus ST ahead of the car’s debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new ST is a global product and to make sure it works well all around the world, Ford engineers have tested the car on all kind of road surfaces. Jost Capito, Ford’s Director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development explain more in this film after the jump.

Six street artists used a public studio in the Scottish city of Glasgow to create a one of a kind Ford Focus art car.

This temporary public ‘studio’ was located just outside the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in Buchanan Street, so it was kinda relevant. The artists, Lyken, FiST, Syrkus, Rue 5, Death Rattles and Al White, from the city’s Independent Recoat Gallery, needed only sic hours to turns a brand-new Ford Focus into this mobile artwork you see here.

The car will be featured in the Ford Centenary Tour, which is an exhibition charting the company’s unique history in the UK and its future plans. It started in London last week, runs until September 18, finishing at the Goodwood Revival in Chichester, West Sussex, and will visit 20 UK locations, including Ford plants and dealers.

Recoat Gallery manager, Amy Whiten, said: “The artists we have at Recoat have been doing great work in Scotland and we are delighted to get the chance to show what we can do.  We’ve worked on a few different vehicle projects but this is the first time the artists have collaborated on completely restyling the paint job of a car.”

Turns out the upcoming ST is not the hottest version of the new Ford Focus. There is a new Focus RS in the works with 380 hp!

380? So Ford must be developing a new kind of front differential, and it must be witchcraft to be able to handle all that power. Gunnar Herrmann, a senior official at Ford has confirmed in an interview with Drive that the car will indeed remain a front-wheel-drive hot hatch, but they are also developing a fancy new suspension to minimize the torque steer.

It would be great if they could make it rear wheel drive, but that would basically mean developing a whole new platform.

The power comes from a turbocharged 2.0 liter four-banger. We’re wondering how bog the turbos are that make that kinda power! The new Focus RS will arrive sometime in 2013 or 2014. Until then we are perfectly happy with the Focus ST.

“I think we stay with our two-wheel-drive strategy [for the new RS], which I think was well executed [for the previous version],” says Herrmann, Ford’s German vehicle line director for C-segment (small vehicle) platform.

“I think [more power for the next RS] is sustainable. With the limited edition RS500 [sold only in the UK] we went up to 350 horsepower [261kW] and some of our development units we have them up to 380hp [283kW]. And we even moved torque [upwards].

Source: Drive

Studio is the name of the latest edition of Ford Focus, and it replaces the ‘Sport’ trim in the UK range.

Going on sale in September with the new “61-plate”, Focus Studio is the entry-level model starting at £13,995. It is powered by the 85PS 1.6 Ti-VCT powertrain which does 47.9mpg, and is available in three colors of Panther Black, Moondust Silver and Frozen White.

Standard equipments of this entry-level Focus include 16in sports-style alloy wheels, body-coloured rear spoiler, radio/CD player, USB connectivity, air-conditioning, electrically-operated body-coloured door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, electrically-operated front windows, Ford Easy Fuel ‘capless’ refuelling, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with torque vectoring control.

Pretty good value then, considering its price. The top of the range Titanium X with six-speed Powershift automatic transmission and 163PS TDCi engine costs £24,000.

The new Ford Focus is an engineering masterpiece. Still, German Loder1899 think they can do better.

This is the result of their efforts. Based on the 2.0 liter TDCi diesel model, Loder’s Focus receives a pretty substantial power upgrade from 140 PS to 195 PS and from 320 Nm to 395 Nm of torque. They’ve also used sportier suspension components that lower the car by 35 mm and installed a stainless steel sport exhaust system for a better soundtrack.

So as far as technicalities go, the car’s very good. But in terms of design, it is less successful and that’s because the Focus itself is not a very sporty car to begin with. The third gen is caertainly better than the one it replaces, but it’s nowhere near as cool and amazing as the Focus mk1. Loder’s bodykit consisting of carbon fiber front spoiler, side skirts, and rear diffuser, plus daytime running LED lights, does not make thing better either.

As for the wheels, Loder lets you choose between various 18-, 19- and 20-inch sets in different designs and finish.

Ford wants to assure fans that they are hard at work developing the new Focus ST, which they refer to as the global performance car, by releasing details of its testing.

The new ST will go on sale in Europe and America in 2012 and they are evaluating its performance in various conditions by putting a fleet of around 60 pre-production prototypes through a punishing regime of testing and development to fine-tune the car’s driving dynamics and performance.

Ford’s RS and SVT experts from Europe and America are studying prototypes to make sure it delivers high standards both a performance machine and a user friendly hatchback that can be used everyday. That’s why they test the car on California highways just as they do on the Nurburgring.

The new Focus ST will be powered by a high-performance version of Ford’s new 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, targeting an exhilarating 250PS, while still delivering significantly better fuel economy than the previous generation Focus ST. The car features unique technologies like the Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system to unique, or driver-orientated seats to offer an exhilarating driving experience.

“The new Focus ST is eagerly awaited around the world, which is appropriate as this is our first global performance model,” said Jost Capito, Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles. “It must live up to Ford’s reputation for producing affordable yet exciting and sporty versions of its smaller cars that reward and delight enthusiast drivers, but can also be used every day.

“We’ve done all the engineering groundwork, and now we’re using some of the most demanding roads we can find in Europe and North America to validate and fine tune the performance and driving dynamics.”

“Fuel efficiency is a key leadership target for Ford Motor Company globally. We want to be class-leading even with a performance vehicle, so we’re working on getting the best possible blend of high power and fuel economy from the new ST,” said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer, Global Performance Products, Ford of Europe.

Recently, the development team completed demanding cold weather testing in northern Europe, as well as exacting tests to refine steering performance.

“We’re fine-tuning, testing, and fine tuning again many of the small but critical details to make sure it is worthy of the ST badge,” Tonn said. “We will build upon and improve the ride, steering and handling strengths that defined the current European Focus ST.”