Future CarsFord's Focus was the focal point for some serious customizing fun at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show held recently in Las Vegas. Although many aftermarket companies displayed all manner of lowered, big-tired, brightly painted Foci, we were most impressed with three customs by various entities within Ford Motor Company itself.
One is called the "Made in Detroit" Focus, based on the two-door hatchback ZX3. Ford offers this funky little co-branded panel wagon as an edgy, urban vehicle for young industrial-strength buyers. Detroit Motor Company is the producer of Made in Detroit brand clothing, aimed at young buyers interested in techno/hip-hop/hybrid rock music and industrial culture. This intriguing mini-panel concept features 18-in. wheels, aggressive rubber, a more upright rear hatch, a flat top, and clever interior storage options. Ford officials claim the exhaust from the 2.0L four was tuned to sound more "industrious"-whatever that sounds like.
Based on the European-markets-only four-door hatchback body style, the Focus Flexus features a handy roof rack that safely carries bicycles, skis, or snowboards and a foldable ramp that's integrated into the rear tailgate to facilitate cargo loading. Interior goodies include voice-recognition-type Internet access hardware, a CD/CD-ROM unit, and a DVD screen integrated into the overhead console. Wireless headphones conveniently transport sound to the Flexus' back-seat riders. The front-passenger bucket and the rear seats fold down to the floor to provide more cargo-hauling space, if needed. Insiders say the handsome, practical Flexus is headed for America.
Ford Racing Technology calls the 304-hp FR200 "the ultimate compact performance-parts car." Okay, Ford, prove it: Where are the keys? "Not just yet," says Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing, though he promises us a drive soon and assures that the Focusmonster handles quite well. In order to accommodate its more-than-double the factory horsepower rating without spinning like a berserk top, the track has been widened by 4 in. front and rear, with a requisite 5-in. increase in the body width. Other important suspension mods include a bolt-on short- and long-arm front suspension and the addition of three-way adjustable coil-over shocks at all four corners. Power flows through a five-speed manual transmission and out through a 3.82:1 final-drive gear.
The FR200's look, dominated by its giant deck spoiler, is inspired by the Focus WRC rallye car. The hood, front fascia, and fenders, rear quarters, and rocker panels are all made of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber; a large intercooler for the turbocharging system is integrated into the hood. Davis says his group will be closely watching the reaction to this wild child to determine how much or how little of its componentry will be added to the Ford Racing parts catalog.
Mitsubishi's Eclipse, VW's Golf, and, of course, the all-conquering Honda Civic have dominated the youth-oriented, sport-compact tuner market since its inception in the early '90s. But these three concept cars from Ford deliver a clear message: "Focus this, dudes!