The facelifted Ford Focus has been officially launched in Ireland with a starting price of €20,295. Buyers have a choice three different body styles comprising of a five-door hatchback, four-door saloon or five-door estate - there will no longer be a three-door hatchback version. Ford is also offering four different specification levels: the entry-level Focus, Style, Zetec and the range-topping Titanium trim.
All models will feature ESP stability control with Hill-Launch Assist, MyKey, body colour bumpers, electric front windows, tyre pressure monitoring system and electric door mirrors as standard equipment along with Ford's capless refuelling system.
Ford will offer a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines. Its 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine, which is expected to be the most popular choice, will be offered in both 95- and 115hp outputs and a larger, more powerful 150hp 2.0-litre diesel engine will be available to order in all bar the entry-level Focus models.
Two versions of Ford's impressive 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will be available, in 100- and 125hp forms. Despite the small engine capacity, the power outputs offered should be enough to cope with the daily demands of many urban users, whilst the CO2 emissions of just 109- and 110g/km respectively place the engines into the same road tax banding as their diesel-powered counterparts.
Commenting at the official launch event, Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland, said: "With sales in excess of 115,000 units since it arrived here in 1999, the Ford Focus has been Ireland's favourite car and I am sure that this new model with its up to the minute technology and highly efficient engines will again find favour with Ireland's value-conscious motorists".
You can read our first drive of the new model Ford Focus here.
Anything else?
Following the launch late last year of the new Mondeo, Ford has gotten off to a good start to this year's new car registrations. Shortly Ford will introduce the performance orientated Focus ST to Irish showrooms, but we will have to wait until early 2016 before we get to see the blistering 320hp Ford Focus RS take to Irish roads.