“The Focus Active is a strong addition to the line-up and is a great match to the active lives of Australians,” said Kay Hart, President and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand. “The German-sourced Focus range now offers new variants including the ST-Line hatch, ST-Line wagon and Active hatch, all designed to offer greater versatility and adaptability.”
Sourced exclusively from Germany, the all-new Ford Focus is the first vehicle to be built on Ford’s clean-sheet C2 global platform, which has given the Focus a sophisticated new chassis and advanced driving technologies with the goal of providing an energetic, engaging and rewarding fun-to-drive experience with impressive cabin refinement.
Focus Active: Designed for adventure
The first-ever Focus Active comes to market with a host of technology, features, safety and style. The Focus Active combines rugged SUV-inspired styling and driving dynamics in a versatile five-door hatchback.
Instantly recognisable thanks to its elevated stance, Focus Active brings distinctive design, features and persona to the Focus line-up, which sees a clear differentiation between models lines that reflect the individuality of each.
Focus Active provides as much as 34mm additional ground clearance on its 17-inch alloy wheels to bring both an elevated driving position as well as greater versatility when tackling rough terrain.
Front and rear skid plates with inserts finished in contrasting silver further enhance the Focus Active’s visual identity, bolstered by a unique front bumper with LED adaptive cornering fog lamps, a honeycomb grille and LED Daytime Running Lights. In profile, a black beltline sees wheel-arch treatments adding to Focus Active’s rugged demeanor, while at the rear, twin chrome tail-pipes and an Active-specific bumper complete a strong visual theme. An optional Design Pack specific to Focus Active includes unique 18-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive LED headlighting with auto high-beam control, as well as privacy glass.
Focus Active: technology-laden for adventure and assurance
Focus Active comes with a comprehensive suite of Driver Assist Technologyi and safety features as standard. From its standard keyless entry and push-button start, Focus Active brings extensive airbag coverage including driver, front passenger, seat-mounted front as well as curtain airbags as standard. Seat-belt monitors front and rear cover all occupants, while child seats can be easily and confidently fitted using the standard ISOFIX mounting points.
Focus Active’s programmable MyKey™ allows owners to program a key for younger drivers that can inhibit incoming phone calls; restrict top speed; prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features; reduce audio system maximum volume, and disable the audio system altogether if occupants are not using seatbelts.
In addition, Focus Active’s standard SYNC 3™ system brings Emergency Assistance as standard. Emergency Assistance, when paired to a compatible smartphone and within range, can automatically dial emergency services in the event of a serious accidentii.
Also part of SYNC 3™’s extensive capabilities, Focus Active features a full colour 180-degree split-view reversing camera, which offers a 180 degree view to the rear of the vehicle for improved visibility when reversing from difficult parking spaces or driveways.
Focus Active comes with Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection as part of its suite of standard Driver Assist Technologyii. The Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection system includes Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support and Emergency Brake Light Flashing, which can detect people in or near the road ahead, or who may cross the vehicle’s path. The system is able to automatically apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision and the driver does not respond to warnings, while it can also detect cyclists.
Lane Keeping Aid with Land Departure Warning is also standard on Focus Active, as well as an adjustable Speed Limiter that enables the driver to limit vehicle speed to help ensure that the vehicle is being driven to the conditions.
Optional Driver Assist Technology for Focus Active includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, as well as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCA) and Active Braking. ACC with Stop & Go and Lane-Centring designed to help the vehicle maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, support an automated re-launch after the vehicle has stopped for a short time and help reduce stress during long road trips by helping keep the vehicle centred in its lane.
BLIS with RCA, which warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles detected that may soon be crossing behind them, can apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate the effects of collisions if drivers do not respond to warnings.
Interior design: Focus on innovation
Inside, the new Focus Active follows a fresh human-centric design philosophy, with greater passenger space and comfort than the previous Focus. A smart, decluttered dash layout sees a clean, well organised and space efficient console, while steering-wheel mounted shift paddles and voice-activated sat-nav on Focus Active ensure form and function for the most rugged Focus to date.
Also helping drivers stay connected on the move and wave goodbye to a tangle of cables in the centre console, a new wireless charging pad beneath the instrument panel enables occupants to easily charge compatible smartphones. The pad automatically detects compatible devices to initiate charging.
Devices can remain connected via Bluetooth to Ford’s SYNC 3™. communications and entertainment system while using wireless charging. Supported by an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen that can be operated using pinch and swipe gestures, and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™, SYNC 3™iii allows drivers to control audio, navigation and connected smartphones using simple voice commands.
The Focus Active’s standard seat trim includes unique embroidery and more rugged, versatile cloth trim to complement more textured cabin materials and surfaces. There’s Active scuff plates to welcome occupants, while additional detailing includes Nordic Blue seat stitching also used on the steering wheel, dashboard and doors.
Cabin comfort is enhanced with dual-zone climate control as standard on Focus Active, while a narrower centre console – enabled by relocating switches and controls to the touchscreen – features soft knee pads for more comfort.
Focus: Dynamic to look at. Dynamic to drive
The Focus Active is powered exclusively by a new-generation 1.5L EcoBoost powertrain, with a 134kW/240Nmiv and eight-speed paddleshift automatic as standard. A combined fuel economy figure of 6.4L/100kmv is achieved, with auto stop/start as a standard feature.
Focus Active also builds on the new 2019 Focus’ versatility with two additional, unique Drive Modes. In addition to the three standard modes offered in Focus – Normal, Eco and Sport – Active brings new Slippery and Trail Modes. Slippery Mode is designed to bring increased confidence on surfaces with reduced grip such as snow and icevi. Trail Mode is intended to help maintain momentum on soft, deformable surfaces like a sandy beach or powdery dirt roadvii.
Focus Active’s driving dynamics also benefit from the advances delivered by Focus’ all-new C2 architecture that – combined with an all-new body structure – enabled engineers to enhance stiffness for greater responsiveness. Torsional rigidity is improved by 20 per cent compared with the previous generation Focus, and the stiffness of individual suspension attachment points is increased by up to 50 per cent, reducing flex for better body control.
The Ford Focus Active goes on sale in Australia in 2019.
