Segment-First Technology Available in the Enhanced Focus Range

MELBOURNE – July 3, 2012: Ford's stylish Focus is undergoing a variety of enhancements, among them new connectivity features with the introduction of SYNC and the availability of the Active City Stop accident avoidance system, a segment first in a vehicle under $40,000.

General Marketing Manager, Ford Australia, David Katic said; "Focus has always been a rewarding car to drive with its smart technologies and engaging dynamics. Now with additional technologies available such as Active City Stop and Ford SYNC, Focus offers customers safety and a level of connectivity previously only available in premium vehicles.

"With improved safety, technology and fuel economy, we are confident more customers will find the stylish Focus the smart choice," Katic said.

Since its launch in 2011 the LW Focus has won over a legion of fans and customers. May was the best Focus sales result since January 2008 (1668 sales) with strong demand for high-end models.

"We are also seeing a strong preference for high-end models and a high mix of private sales," Katic said.

Improved fuel economy
Focus now boasts active grille shutters across the range. Active grille shutters improve aerodynamics by closing to reduce drag at higher speeds and opening again to reduce under-bonnet temperatures at lower speeds. Active grille shutters, along with optimised engine under-shielding and wheel deflectors help reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency without compromising performance.

Reduced drag as well as minor engine enhancements sees fuel economy improve from 7.2 l/100km to 6.6 l/100klm1 on the 2.0-litre petrol direct injection equipped Trend and Sport models with manual transmission. Diesel models see an improvement from 5.5l/100km to 5.4 l/100km1.

Active City Stop
A feature usually only found in premium vehicles, Active City Stop is offered for the first time on a C-segment vehicle (under $40,000) as part of the optional Sports Executive Pack on Focus Titanium. Ford Focus is the first Ford vehicle to be fitted with the company's Active City Stop technology.

"Active City Stop is recognised as an advanced safety feature by Euro NCAP and we've worked hard to make it available for our customers," Katic said.

"Safety is a key pillar of the Ford brand and we are proud to bring this technology to Focus in a segment first."

Active City Stop is a collision-mitigation system that monitors the road ahead for stationary traffic and then brakes automatically if its sensors detect the vehicle in front has stopped unexpectedly.

At speeds up to 30km/h, Active City Stop scans the area ahead of the car for possible obstacles. If the car determines that a collision is likely, the brakes are pre-charged. If the driver remains inactive (no steering or braking input), the car applies the brakes automatically.

Ford SYNC
Ford SYNC is an advanced so¬ftware platform that provides hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity and is now standard across the Focus range. This award-winning system allows customers to connect a compatible mobile phone or digital media player to their Focus via Bluetooth or USB. Key SYNC features include:

Automatic phone book download: When connected to a compatible phone, SYNC automatically downloads the names and numbers stored in the phone making them available via voice commands, removing the need to create individual voice-tags for contacts.

Voice-control your phone: Use SYNC to answer a call with the push of a button and make a call with the sound of your voice. SYNC also includes the same features offered on most phones, including caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, caller log, contact list, a signal strength icon and a phone battery charge icon.

Voice activated music: Use SYNC voice commands to browse the music collection on a compatible digital media player, mobile phone or USB drive by song title, album, artist and genre using simple voice commands such as “play artist Michael Jackson”. If you are listening to something on your media player and cannot remember the name of the song or who it is by, just ask “What’s this?”

Listen to texts6: Use SYNC voice commands to read incoming text messages and even translate commonly used abbreviations and emotions such as LOL and :-). This feature is mobile handset dependant.

Katic said as well as voice commands, SYNC can also be operated via steering wheel-mounted controls, ensuring eyes are on the road and hands are on the wheel at all times.

"Our customers can now enjoy the added functionality, connectivity and safety SYNC offers in Focus," Katic said.

Launched in overseas markets as early as 2007, SYNC has enjoyed a huge uptake globally with more then three million Ford Motor Company vehicles running the system.

The enhanced Focus range
The Focus range continues as a four-tier model line-up:

entry-level Ambiente

mid-series Trend

dynamic Sport

high-tech luxury Titanium

Ambiente
A stylish introduction to the Focus range and now offers SYNC, active grille shutters, ECO mode, body coloured door handles and new 16-inch wheel covers.

Trend
In addition to the Ambiente level of spec, Trend gains a rear Trend badge and continues with its strong feature list including cruise control, front fog lights and alloy wheels.

An optional Convenience Pack is available on Trend with auto headlights, automatic rain sensing windscreen wipers, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror and 'follow me home' lighting. The recommended price of the Convenience Pack is $300.

Sport
Additional to the features available on Trend, Sport gains rear-view camera, new alloy wheel design, new Sports Styling Kit and rear Sport badge.

Key features that continue on the Focus Sport include sports suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual zone climate control and navigation.

Focus Sport includes all of the Trend's optional Convenience Pack features – auto headlights, automatic rain sensing windscreen wipers, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror and 'follow me home' lighting – as standard equipment.

Titanium
As the range topper, Titanium features the very latest innovative technology and contemporary luxury. New to the comprehensive standard equipment list is rear-view camera, leather trimmed seats, new Sports Styling Kit and rear Titanium badge.

Standard equipment on Focus Titanium includes Active Park Assist, Ford Smart Key keyless entry system and Ford Power start button, satellite navigation and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Buyers looking for some added luxury and the latest technology can specify the Sports Executive Pack, which is only available on Titanium and has a recommended price of $2,300. This includes:

Active City Stop

Adaptive Cruise Control

Bi-Xenon headlights with LED position lamps and static cornering lamps

Power tilt/slide sunroof.

A refreshed colour palette will also be available. Candy Red will now be available across the range while two new colours have been added - Winning Blue and Ingot Silver.

myFord Capped Price Servicing
As with all Ford vehicles built since 2007, Focus offers customers peace of mind with myFord Capped Price Servicing on all models. With MyFord Capped Price Servicing, Ford will publish the maximum price you will pay for a standard A or B service at a participating Authorised Ford Dealer.

For example, the maximum amount a customer who owns an LW Focus 1.6-litre petrol would pay at a participating Dealer for the first 15,000klm service is $310. The maximum cost of an LW Focus 2.0-litre diesel for the same service is $350. Every retail or small business vehicle serviced under MyFord Capped Price Servicing is covered by a 12 month renewal of MyFord Standard Roadside Assistance from the logbook service date (RRP $90).

Ambiente, Trend and Sport boosts value for customers with more standard equipment offered at the same competitive price. Titanium models with new high-value standard equipment including leather trimmed seats, reversing camera and Sports Styling Kit see a minor price increase of $750.

On sale in August, the enhanced Focus is a key element of the Ford product portfolio in Australia.