Ford Focus (second generation, North America)

Ford Focus (second generation, North America)
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	September 2007–December 2010[1]
Model years	2008–2011
Assembly	Wayne, Michigan, United States
Designer	Lon Zaback (2005)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car / Small family car (C)
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupe
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L Duratec I4 (gasoline)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	102.9 in (261.4 cm)
Length	175 in (444.5 cm)
Width	Coupe: 67.9 in (172.5 cm) Sedan: 67.8 in (172.2 cm)
Height	58.6 in (148.8 cm)
Curb weight	Coupe:MT 2,588 lb (1,173.9 kg) Coupe:AT 2,617 lb (1,187.1 kg) Sedan:MT 2,623 lb (1,189.8 kg) Sedan:AT 2,642 lb (1,198.4 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Focus (first generation)
Successor	Ford Focus (third generation)

2009 Ford Focus SES coupe (note the rear roof spoiler found only on SES coupes)

Since debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, the restyled North American second generation Ford Focus has been sold by Ford as either a two-door coupe and 4-door sedan — the hatchbacks and wagon were discontinued. The interior was redesigned, including new seats, a new dashboard design with message center atop of the dashboard, ambient lighting, dashboard panels that simulate brushed aluminum, and Ford's voice-controlled Sync audio/Bluetooth system. Also included in the redesign is a support beam behind the dashboard for extra structural rigidity.

Optional ambient lighting in the Focus uses LEDs placed in the front and rear footwells and the cup holders. Standard equipment includes a tire pressure monitoring system as mandated by the TREAD Act.

The 2.3 liter Duratec engine is discontinued for the redesign, leaving only the 2.0 liter Duratec 20 engine. Power is increased in the 2.0 liter engine, up to 140 hp (104 kW) from 136 hp (101 kW), along with other changes to increase fuel efficiency. The chassis was lightened and stiffened and overall weight is decreased by 30 lb (14 kg) from the previous model. Highway mileage is rated at 35 mpg_-US (6.7 L/100 km; 42 mpg_-imp) using the new 2008 United States Environmental Protection Agency standards.^[2]

The second generation of Ford Focus stopped production late in calendar 2010, with the switchover to that of the third generation taking until early spring 2011 due to the total refitting of the Michigan Assembly Plant, and to give dealers time for stock depletion. Despite this, some dealers ran a 50% sale on 2011 Focuses as of mid-2011, as they were forced to simultaneously offer both it and the 2012 model.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given the Focus a "Good" overall rating in the frontal offset crash test and an "Acceptable" rating in the side impact test. Front and rear side curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags are standard.^[3][4]

2009 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (coupe):^[5]

• Frontal Driver:
• Frontal Passenger:
• Side Driver:
• Side Rear Passenger:
• Rollover:

2009 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (sedan):^[6]

• Frontal Driver:
• Frontal Passenger:
• Side Driver:
• Side Rear Passenger:
• Rollover:

Sales and reception

A dark grill and altered front-fascia distinguished later SES models. Those equipped with a manual transmission also received three extra horsepower over the basic trims.

Dashboard

Like many compact cars, demand for the Focus increased because of high gasoline prices in 2008. At that time, the Focus took 7.6 percent of the U.S. small car market. To meet this increasing demand, Ford increased output for 2008 by 30%.^[7]

Where second generation North American Focus models continue with the C170 platform beginning with model year 2008 — in sedan and coupe configurations — the international Focus introduced in 2005 employed the newer C1 platform for sedan, hatchback (3 and 5-door) and wagon configurations. The North American Focus was succeeded by the Focus Mk III.^[8]

Running changes

Being an interim facelift of an old model, changes were few and minor. For 2009, the SEL trim for sedans was added and the chrome-plastic fake grilles on the front fenders were deleted from all models. Also, Coupes equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, but not a Duratec 20E PZEV engine, received a horsepower increase to 143 hp (107 kW; 145 PS), compared to the 140 hp (104 kW; 142 PS) found in the sedan. A standard rear seat dome light was added for the 2010 model year. Changes for the short 2011 model run were limited. The coupes were discontinued in preparation for the new (2012 MY) 4-door hatchback or sedan, set to arrive in the spring of 2011. Production of the sedan ended in the beginning of December 2010.^[9]

Body styles and trims

Year	Model	Trim levels
2008 [10]	2-door Coupe	S, SE, SES
	4-door Sedan	S, SE, SES
2009 [11]	2-door Coupe	SE, SES
	4-door Sedan	S, SE, SES, SEL
2010	2-door Coupe	SE, SES
	4-door Sedan	S, SE, SES, SEL
2011 [12]	4-door Sedan	S, SE, SES, SEL

Focus FCV

The "Focus FCV" is a hydrogen powered version of the second generation North American model. Just before Bill Ford (the great grandson of Henry Ford) stepped down as the CEO of Ford on September 5, 2006, he devoted much of his time and energy to researching this new technology of hydrogen cars. He was eager to make a Hydrogen powered car for Ford, which had already been successful with its hybrid cars, such as the Ford Escape Hybrid. However, Bill felt it was time to make something newer, more fuel efficient, and more advanced.^[13]

The car is powered by a Ballard 902 fuel cell. The fuel cell compresses hydrogen in its 5,000 PSI tank and creates electricity when the hydrogen is separated into protons and electrons. The car itself is powered by two sources: one source is from the fuel cell itself and the second is from the car's battery pack. It is considered a hybrid because it is powered by two different sources. The car's only byproduct is water which, is made when the hydrogen from the fuel cell contacts the oxygen from outside.^[14] It has a top speed of 80 MPH and a driving range of 150 to 200 miles. Ford has delivered about 30 different cars to various cities within the United States, Germany and Canada. It is a zero emissions vehicle.

References

1. "2008 Ford Focus Production Launch Drives Employee Celebration At Wayne Assembly Plant". Media.Ford.com. October 15, 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
2. "AutoblogGreen: 2008 Ford Focus gets 35 mpg on the highway". Retrieved 2007-11-15.
3. "IIHS-HLDI: Ford Focus". Iihs.org. 2008-10-09. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
4. "IIHS-HLDI: Ford Focus". Iihs.org. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
5. "Safercar.gov". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
6. "Safercar.gov". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
7. "It has a nice personality: Ford boosts Focus production by 30% to meet demand". Autoblog.com.
8. "The Truth About the Chevrolet Malibu". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
9. "Ford Facebook page". Ford Motor Company. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
10. "2008 Ford Focus Press Kit". Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
11. "2009 Ford Focus". Autoblog.com.
12. "Product Press Info | Ford Motor Company Newsroom". Media.ford.com. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
13. Abuelsamid, Sam. "Ford Focus FCV in the AutoblogGreen Garage part 1- hydrogen tech-Autoblog green ." Autobloggreen . N.p., Oct. 30, 2006. Web. Oct. 17, 2009. <http://green.autoblog.com/2006/10/30/ford-focus-fcv-in-the-autobloggreen-garage-part-1/>.
14. "Ford Focus FCV." Hydrogen Cars Now. http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/ ford-focus-fcv.htm, n.d. Web. Oct. 17, 2009.

External links

• Ford Focus US - official website
• Ford Focus Australia - official website
• Ford Focus UK - official website
• Ford Focus ST US - official website
• Ford Focus ST Australia - official website
• Ford Focus ST UK - official website