Ford and its local distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) today officially launched the new Focus in Malaysia. Stylish, packed with an array of smart technologies and powered by an exhilarating 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, it is the most powerful small car in Malaysia.
The new Focus is priced from RM118,888 on the road without insurance in Peninsular Malaysia and RM123,388 in East Malaysia for the Trend variant, and is available in six exciting colours: Frozen White, Panther Black, Ingot Silver, Candy Red, Magnetic and Winning Blue.
“The new Ford Focus combines smart and safe technologies with the unmatched performance and fuel efficiency of our 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, which delivers an exhilarating fun-to-drive experience,” said David Westerman, managing director, Malaysia and Asia Pacific Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.
The new Focus 1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is the most powerful in its class -pumping out an impressive 180PS of power and 240Nm of torque. Helping drivers harness this power is a new, lightweight and efficient six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the ultimate sporty drive.
Equipped with up to six airbags, the new Focus gives drivers extra confidence with the latest driver assist technologies like Enhanced Transitional Stability, which can predict a skid and step in early to potentially prevent a loss of control and enhanced Active City Stop. It is also Malaysia’s only small car to feature an enhanced Active Park Assist system, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert.
“The new Focus has evolved in nearly in every aspect – design, smart technology, driving dynamics, powertrain and refinement. We’re confident this will further strengthen its appeal with Malaysian customers,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, managing director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion.
Cutting edge technology
The new Focus features a host of cutting-edge technologies to help drivers stay connected and in control.
Chief among these is SYNC™ 2, the latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity system that boasts an eight-inch colour touchscreen to operate phone, entertainment and climate control using a simple voice command system.
The new Focus is available with a smart, hands-free parking system called Enhanced Active Park Assist, which builds on Ford’s popular Parallel Park Assist with the addition of Perpendicular Park Assist. Once activated, the system scans for available parking spaces alongside other cars. When it finds one, the system takes control of the car’s steering to guide the vehicle into the space while the driver controls the shifting, braking and acceleration.
Perpendicular Park Assist uses two new ultrasonic sensors on the rear of the car, which also enables Park-Out Assist. Park-Out Assist takes the stress out of exiting a parallel parking space by taking control of the steering while the driver operates the brake and accelerator.
When reversing from a perpendicular parking space, Cross Traffic Alert uses three distinct warnings to alert drivers if the system detects a vehicle approaching either from the left or the right side, up to a range of 40 metres.
The new Focus helps drivers to maintain awareness of their surroundings with Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). Using radar technology, BLIS alerts the driver when another motorist is in the driver’s blind spot by illuminating warning LEDs in the external mirrors.
In urban driving up to 50 km/h, an enhanced Active City Stop system can help to mitigate low-speed collisions. Using a windshield-mounted sensor to detect braking, slower-moving or stationary vehicles in front, the system pre-charges the brakes if the car is approaching a vehicle in front too quickly. If the driver fails to take action, the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of a collision.
The new Focus even allows owners to encourage safe driving when they are not behind the wheel, with Ford MyKey. Owners can programme a spare key to reduce the maximum speed of the vehicle, give an earlier low-fuel warning, limit the volume of the in-car entertainment or even disable it completely if the seatbelt is not fastened. The technology can provide reassurance to owners when lending their car to less experienced drivers.
Efficient, powerful and fun-to-drive
The Focus 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine is paired to a new modern, lightweight and efficient six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, delivering refinement together with excellent performance and fuel economy. Paddle shift controls enable drivers to change gears without taking their hands from the steering wheel for an enhanced feeling of performance.
The engine uses the core EcoBoost technologies of turbocharging, high-pressure direct fuel-injection and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing to ensure optimum performance.
On the go, the new Focus takes the nameplate’s class-leading driving dynamics and fun-to-drive DNA to a new level with enhanced handling thanks to carefully tuned suspension and shock absorbers that make the vehicle more solid and responsive.
A more refined Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system further improves the driving experience with more precise steering and lower effort, while reducing unwanted damping and providing excellent feedback to the driver.
Sophisticated design
The stylish new exterior design displays a new level of sophistication, and is complemented by a modern new interior. Paying particular attention to customer feedback on the current generation Focus, Ford designers created a simpler, more intuitive interior that allows drivers to effortlessly control the vehicle’s features.
The simplified interior offers more space with a variety of new convenient storage options for a more comfortable driving experience. An adjustable console fits a variety of bottles and cups, and can simultaneously hold a 1-litre water bottle and a 400 ml cup.
The new Focus also offers impressive levels of cabin quietness, with sound deadening materials – including sound-insulating windshield glass, thicker side-window glass, thicker carpets, increased insulation in the door trims, and improved engine insulation – for increased refinement.
Pricing for the new Focus, on the road without insurance, is:
- Focus Trend (5 door): RM118,888 in Peninsular Malaysia / RM123,388 in East Malaysia
- Focus Titanium+ (4 door) and Sport+ (5 door): RM139,888 in Peninsular Malaysia / 144,588 in East Malaysia
Additionally, all current Ford owners can enjoy a cash rebate of RM3,000 when purchasing the new Ford Focus from now until 30 April 2016.
