23-01-2008
Met de nieuwste Ford Focus nog maar net in
showroom verkondigd de Auto Express de komst van de Focus III, in 2010.
De beelden die ze er bij laten zien lieten wij
13-02-2007 al zien.
Toen zagen we deze foto's of photoshop beelden al rondzwerven op
het internet. Nu beweert de Auto Express dat dit waarschijnlijk serieuze
beelden zijn van de Ford Focus anno 2010.
Ze schrijven er het volgende over:
Ford’s moving up with Focus MkIII
All-new best-seller sets its sights on Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.
The Focus is aiming ever higher at Ford – and Auto Express has the
pictures to prove it. This is an exclusive preview of how the next
generation of Ford’s family favourite is shaping up.
Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful current car – which
has only just received a makeover – the Focus MkIII will be better in
every way, with sleeker looks, more space and a sharper driving
experience.
That’s just as well, because when it reaches showrooms, the model will
have a host of fresh competitors, including the new Vauxhall Astra and
VW’s Golf MkVI. The next Focus also has premium brands in its sights. As
the S-MAX and Mondeo have shown, Ford’s ethos of combining good looks
with a fun driving experience has seen it tempt buyers away from
prestige marques, including BMW.
That means the Focus will move upmarket, blurring the lines further
between compact family cars and models such as Audi’s A3 Sportback, the
BMW 1-Series and Saab’s forthcoming small hatchback, the 9-1.
Key to the MkIII’s appeal will be its head-turning styling. As you can
see from our pictures, the Focus will be chunkier and sportier than
ever.
With meaty wheelarches, a wide track and athletic profile, it really
stands out. At the front, it’s clear the Fiesta previewing Verve concept
has influenced the new face of the Focus, which has swept-back LED
headlamps, a small upper grille and a larger lower air intake. At the
rear, the rakish tailgate gets L-shaped lights as well as a neat roof
spoiler. A further design highlight is the panoramic windscreen, which
brings even more light into the cabin.
A longer wheelbase creates more space inside, while the interior will be
trimmed in classier materials. Sat-nav is set to feature as standard on
even the most basic models, along with Bluetooth phone connectivity and
Internet access. All variants will have keyless entry and starting, too.
Under the skin, the new Focus will be packed with even more
up-to-the-minute technology, such as composite materials, in an attempt
to keep the weight down and reduce emissions.
The current car’s suspension set-up will be
carried over for the next generation, albeit with tweaks aimed at
increasing driver appeal. A primary goal for engineers will be to
improve refinement – and in a bid to achieve this, they will use a
stiffer chassis and better sound deadening.
Under the bonnet, it’s likely that the existing model’s large, thirsty,
normally aspirated petrol engines will be replaced by new small
turbocharged units. The diesel range is to be uprated and carried over.
All Focus variants will also feature a stop-start system, which switches
the engine off when stationary in traffic, to cut CO2 output.
Buyers will be offered Ford’s Powershift twin-clutch gearbox, plus an
even cleaner evolution of the low-emission ECOnetic model, as the Focus
bids to become one of the greenest cars in its class when it arrives in
2010. But there will still be room for a hot ST, which will use a 260bhp
version of the current 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo.
Bron:
Autoexpress.co.uk
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