Ford is making updates available to its popular Focus courtesy of the Focus Trend Styling Pack as well as an improved Driver Assistance Pack. This pack is available for the five-door hatch and includes a new body styling kit and a factory-fitted sunroof, which adds a whole new dimension of visual appeal. Significantly, the updated Driver Assistance Pack includes Ford’s new SYNC 3 infotainment system with embedded navigation.
Fans of diesel performance and fuel economy will be delighted by the introduction of the latest-generation 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi engine in sedan and hatchback guise, as a replacement for the outgoing 1.6 TDCi engine. The Focus ST and range-topping Focus RS also benefit from equipment upgrades.
Trend Styling Pack
The expanded Styling Pack is available as an option on the Trend five-door models only. The pack incorporates an attractive new full colour-coded body styling kit, along with a racy rear spoiler, plus the added attraction of an electrically-operated tilt and slide sunroof.
Also on offer is multi-spoke 17″ wheels further enhance the athletic stance, while the lower profile tyres up the ante in the handling department.
The standard Focus headlights make way for top-end Bi-Xenon HID units derived from the Focus ST3. These incorporate dynamic cornering beam functionality as well as distinctive LED daytime running lights. This is complemented by heated and folding power mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear privacy glass.
Ford’s Driver Assistance Pack including SYNC 3 with Navigation
The Driver Assistance Pack, which is available on four and five-door Trend models, has proven a popular option on the Focus. It has now been upgraded significantly with the introduction Ford’s pioneering SYNC 3 infotainment system, which includes embedded navigation.
Fully integrated SYNC 3 with Navigation provides advanced turn-by-turn navigation with an elevated 3D map view, enhanced full colour graphics and points of interest (POI) that can be selected with voice commands. Destinations can be entered via the simple one-box search by typing the address, POI category, intersection, city, post code or GPS coordinates. The search function is predictive, with results appearing as the information is typed.
Customers will receive free annual map updates for a period of five years. Additionally, text and voice guidance are available in a multitude of languages, comprising Afrikaans, Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Zulu.
Compared to the previous-generation SYNC 2 system, SYNC 3 provides faster performance, a brighter capacitive eight-inch colour touch screen with clearer icons and convenient multi-touch gestures (such as swipe, slide, scroll and pinch-to-zoom), plus voice recognition that uses simple, real-world voice commands.
Aside from the addition of navigation, SYNC 3 also offers the benefits of smartphone integration provided through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which transforms the phone’s connectivity and functionality with the car. Licenses for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still being finalised for official release in the collective Middle East and Africa region, and will be introduced as they become available in market.
The enhanced Driver Assistance Pack also incorporates several other trend-setting features, comprising Advanced Active Park Assist for hands-free perpendicular and parallel parking, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Aid, as well as an integrated rearview camera.
Efficient performance from frugal 1.5 TDCi
Ford’s sophisticated new 1.5-litre TDCi turbodiesel engine makes its debut in the Focus to replace the outgoing 1.6 TDCi.
The 1.5 TDCi engine produces a peak power output of 88kW, allied to an impressive 270 Nm from 1 750 to 2 500 r/min. Linked to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, it guarantees superb drivability and all-round performance, combined with exceptional fuel consumption and low emissions – both in the city environment and on the open road.
Enhanced specification for ST and RS
The performance models in the Focus range benefit from enhanced equipment levels too, with rear parking sensors now standard fitment on the Focus ST1 and high-spec ST3 versions, and on the mighty Focus RS. A reverse camera is now included in the Focus ST3 spec as standard.
SYNC 3 with Navigation and a high-series 10-speaker sound system with built-in sub-woofer are available as options in the Focus ST3 and Focus RS.
Package costs
Trend Styling pack with Sunroof – R19 984
Trend Driver Assistance Pack with Navigation – R17 089
In other motoring related news, Volvo recently made its new V90 Cross Country available in South Africa.
