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100 not out and Ford field a strong side for their second century
publication date: Dec 3, 2011
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author/source: David Miles
Ford is coming to the end of its centenary year of selling or producing cars in the UK but in 2012 there will be even more new models joining their line-up. Introducing the new Focus five door Zetec S models to the UK's motoring media at Goodwood this week, Anthony Ireson, Ford of Britain's marketing director, said Zetec S versions of the Focus Estate will also join their UK line-up in quarter one of 2012. This will be followed in the same quarter by the new Ranger pick-up models, the new three cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine will follow in quarter two as will the low 89g/km Focus ECOnetic. The long awaited 250PS (247bhp) Focus ST hatchback will arrive in quarter three (July) along with the B-max supermini sized MPV and the new Transit. Finally next year the Focus Electric and the new Kuga SUV will join the line-up in quarter four. Returning to the subject of the Ford Focus he said, "The new five door models were launched in March this year and the Estate in June. We have sold 34,000 five door hatchback to date and we have 7,000 orders in the bank. We have also sold 4,000 Focus Estates and have a 2,000 order bank." He added, "The new Focus brought to market a host of new technologies for us and these included Active City Stop, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information System and Active Park Assist. These systems and the use of the new EcoBoost petrol engine and the TDCi diesel units have not only won for the new Focus many awards they have won-over many new conquest customers to the brand." Ford expect to sell around 6,000 Zetec S specification Focus models in the UK in a full year, 20 per cent of them Estates. There should be a 50/50 split between petrol and diesel powered models and roughly the same split between retail and fleet/business sales. Ford say the Zetec S specification for the Focus was developed specifically for UK customers and it combines sporty styling with the debut of the 1.6-litre 180PS EcoBoost petrol engine built at Ford's Bridgend Plant in South Wales. Based on the existing Zetec model, it adds a full sports styling kit including unique front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions and 17-inch alloy wheels together with sports suspension featuring stiffened springs and dampers, aluminium-style sports pedals, rear LED tail lamps and Ford Power starter button. The Ford Focus Zetec S is available with a choice of four engines including the ‘headline' 1.6-litre 180PS (178bhp) EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine which has a top speed of 138mph, reaches 0-62mph in just 7.9sec and emits only 139g/km CO2. This ‘halo' version is priced at £20,495. Any Focus Zetec S chosen with this engine or the 1.6-litre 115PS (114bhp) TDCi will carry the ECOnetic Technology badge, as they benefit from auto start-stop, Ford ECO mode, gear shift indicator, active grille shutter and smart regenerative charging. The 1.6-litre 125PS (123bhp) Ti-VCT petrol and the 2.0-litre 163PS (160bhp) TDCi are also available and can be specified with either manual or PowerShift automatic transmission. From £18,745 on the road the Focus Zetec S is priced just £1,250 above the equivalent Zetec derivative. If purchased separately, the additional features would add over £1,700. The Zetec S and Titanium are identically priced so customers can choose either sport or luxury at the same price point. Options include the technology-laden 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 for £800. In a full year around 90,000 Focus models are sold in the UK and currently it is the second highest selling car in the UK behind the Ford Fiesta. Up until the end of October Ford held the largest share of the UK's new car market at 13.8 per cent with 233,104 registrations. |
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