The next-generation Ford Focus will be a true world car, with a single-vehicle architecture and design language for all markets. The car will be built on Ford's highly flexible C346 architecture, which may also underpin a production version of the Lincoln Concept C. The styling will be an evolution of Ford of Europe design chief Martin Smith's "kinetic design," as previewed on the Iosis concept at the Geneva show last March.
The next-generation Focus will be designed as a family of vehicles that includes five- and three-door hatchbacks, a four-door sedan, and a taller minivan-style wagon, but not every body variant will be sold in every market around the world. Same with its powertrain options, which will range from small diesels to direct-injection gas engines and eventually EcoBoost turbos. Transmissions will include a six-speed dual-clutch manual being developed by Borg-Warner.
Best-seller in the U.S. likely will be the four-door sedan, though Alan Mulally's "One Ford" strategy means there's a chance American enthusiasts might also get to buy the next-generation high-performance three-door Focus RS and ST models, too. Overall vehicle size will be similar to that of the current European Focus. Having missed out on this version, U.S. customers will note a huge improvement in comfort and refinement over the current Focus.
Bottom Line: Ford finally cracks the world car, and America wins
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