It may not be the last thing we hear from Ford New Zealand this year, but the launch of the critically-acclaimed Focus and the reimagined Endura is big enough news to keep the Blue Oval at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
The Focus line-up is not yet complete, with the Active model yet to arrive, but the bulk of the range is in stores now, comprising the Trend, ST-Line and Titanium hatch and the fleet friendly Trend wagon. Across the range Focus runs a 1.5 litre EcoBoost petrol engine in every case barring the Trend wagon, which runs the two-litre EcoBlue Diesel.
The EcoBoost petrol versions are threecylinder engines with a combined port fuel injection and direct fuel injection system in addition a turbocharger. The total power output is 134kW with a tarmac tearing 240Nm of torque from 1600rpm and all feature cylinder deactivation, which in certain situations, shuts down one cylinder for fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
As for the diesel, this is a 110kw, 370Nm engine with a high-pressure fuel injection system and a low inertia turbocharger with a raft of new engine design features designed to maximise performance and efficiency.
Both engines run an eight-speed transmission which, in itself is impressive, but knowing that this transmission uses adaptive shift scheduling which tailors the shift patterns to an individual driver’s style and incorporates adaptive shift quality control for consistently smooth shifts. Oh, and in case we forget to mention it, fuel figures from Ford suggest the diesel returns 4.4 litres per 100km the 1.5 EcoBoost petrol in Trend and ST grades returns 5.9 litres per 100km and the Titanium 6.1 litres per 100 by virtue of its top end specification level.
The Titanium specification level showcases the best of the technology available in the Focus range, including the new Stop&Go feature (can bring the car to a halt and resume forward motion without input in certain circumstances), evasive steer assist (adjusts steering weight in response to driver input), active park assist 2 (which can – at the driver’s request – conduct all stages of the parking manoeuvre and pre and post collision braking (this to reduce the impact of a potential secondary collision after an initial collision incident).
Naturally, the 2019 Focus comes with the anticipated features of cruise control, eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and AppLink, Voice control/recognition and features like dynamic stability control, multiple airbags, 180-degree reversing camera and the usual accoutrements we have come to expect. ST-Line model Focus gets cosmetic upgrades a sports suspension package and a 10mm lower ride height somewhat offset by the 17- inch alloys over the 16’s on the Trend model. Titanium grade takes 18’s.
Pricing for the new Focus stars at $31,990 for the Trend hatch, $37,990 for the diesel Trend wagon, $36,990 for the ST-Line and $41,990 for the Titanium. The Active (a more overtly sporty version) is projected to cost $36,900 when it arrives. A rotary gear selector is standard across the range as is the new five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The warranty and rotary gear selector also apply to the new generation Endura SUV, launched at the same time as the 2019 Focus.
With the four-model line-up, Endura also adopts eight-speed transmission mated to a 140kw, 400Nm turbodiesel for the Trend (FWD and AWD), ST-Line (AWD) and Titanium (AWD) which delivers 6.7 litres per 100km fuel economy. Endura is a five seat SUV boasting 800 litres of luggage space with all seats up. It can pull 2000kgs on a braked trailer and not surprisingly, incorporates trailer sway control as part of its onboard electronic sophistication. And speaking of electronic sophistication, like the Focus, the Endura sports post collision braking, evasive steer assist, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and torque vectoring control. Endura also features traffic sign recognition and pull-drift compensation.
“With the addition of the new Endura, Ford is offering a complete, no-compromise range of SUVs to fit the New Zealand lifestyle,” said Simon Rutherford, MD of Ford NZ. “The new Endura is squarely aimed at customers wanting something a bit more special, a bit more than the usual, yet still retain the pragmatic element.”
The new Endura starts at $53,490 for the Trend FWD model, $56,460 for the Trend AWD, $64,990 for the ST-Line AWD (our pick) and $69,990 for the Titanium AWD.
