WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW FORD FOCUS

[Steve]

WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW FORD FOCUS

* New Focus family unveiled together for the first time

* Dynamic refined shape and distinctive profile

* Broad powertrain range with the introduction of new twin variable camshaft technology

* Introducing new, affordable technologies and in-car systems

* Enhanced space for passengers and luggage

* Comprehensive active and passive safety features

* Precise, rewarding and agile, Focus extends its driving authority

BRENTWOOD, 1 September, 2004 – The all-new Ford Focus will make its world debut at the 2004 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on 23 September.

Lewis Booth, Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe will unveil the entire Focus line up to the world's media at a 10:30 am press conference. On sale in January 2005, the new 3-door, 5-door and estate versions will be exclusively revealed alongside the Ford Focus C-MAX, completing the stylish new Focus family.

After six years and four million sales worldwide, the original Focus remains one of Europe’s top-selling cars, topping the sales charts in the UK for 50 months as Britain's best selling car. Focus has become a class benchmark for quality of driving and ownership experience. The next generation model aims to deliver more: involving and engaging its driver, while providing improvements for all occupants in terms of quality, craftsmanship, packaging and refinement.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW FORD FOCUS RANGE

EXTERIOR DESIGN: A DISTINCTIVE PROFILE

1. Sleek and sculpted lines flow across the new Focus range guaranteeing that, regardless of bodystyle, all models share a common design DNA.

2. The new model is unmistakably a Focus, retaining the original spirit of individuality from the rest of its segment – with a fast, coupe-like profile.

"Our target was to build a coherent and distinctive family of derivatives that would be successful designs in their own right," said Chris Bird, Director of Design, Ford of Europe.

1. A more muscular stance – highlighted by flared wheel arches that are more prominent and yet more integrated into the overall design.

2. The bold lines of Ford’s ‘family’ radiator grille, headlights and air dam – shared with Focus C-MAX – give the new Focus a purposeful personality.

3. Low ‘family’ nose is steeply raked. From it the key lines of the body structures sweep up towards the rear – creating a hunched and athletic profile.

4. Power bulge arches back from the radiator grille to the A-pillars, set off with prominent ‘cheekbones’ that are shared by all Focus models.

Visually the most dramatic and obvious difference between Focus and its competitors is at the rear.

5. Fast profile allows 3-door model to look believable as a _oupe as well as being a full-value 5-seater – a silhouette which is shared elegantly by the 5-door model.

6. The estate embodies the sporting sculpture, bringing a new elegance and purposeful stance to an extremely functional and space efficient design.

7. Sharp and sporting lines of the front and rear pillars give the new Focus its bold personality, every bit as dynamic as its predecessor but in a more refined and integrated manner.

8. Cockpit feel of the driving environment is nurtured, while still increasing the real world space available to driver and passengers.

"It is an entirely new way of looking at Focus but it remains clearly a Focus nonetheless, balancing that sportiness with functionality and practical daily living," said Chris Bird.

INTERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP: PREMIUM ENVIRONMENT

"Delivering a premium quality driving environment was of prime importance," said Adrian Whittle, Ford Focus Chief Programme Engineer. "Inside the car this is borne out by the ‘cockpit’ driving position, the ‘flow-through’ instrument panel and console design and the use of carefully selected high quality materials.

ADVANCED FEATURES: AFFORDABLE, RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES

Focus introduces several new technologies to the Ford range that are developed with an emphasis on relevance and affordability for customers, including:

* KeyFree System

* – interacting directly with the car to unlock it without fumbling. Solar Reflect Windshield

* – blocking nearly five times the level of solar radiation as standard tinted glass, significantly improving the efficiency of air conditioning. Adaptive Front Lighting System

* – technology that guides headlight beams in line with the front wheels. Ford’s approach uses halogen rather than xenon lamps, making the option affordable for a broader range of customers. Blue Tooth™ Hands Free Phones

* – wireless technology that allows the connection of mobile telephones without compatibility issues. Voice Control

* – hands-free command of audio, telephone, climate control, in-car entertainment and navigation systems. In-Car Entertainment

* – premium sound systems by Sony, featuring either a 6-disc in-dash changer or an MP3-capable single disc CD player with four 20-watt premium Speakers that deliver a characteristic "Sony sound". Rear Seat Entertainment

– MP3-enabled independent audio system available, with high-mounted screen for DVD or games consoles provided in the estate.

DRIVING QUALITY: BUILDING ON SUCCESS

1. Engineered to build on the dynamic capabilities of the original – providing an ultra-stiff body Shell, enhanced Control Blade rear suspension and new front chassis subframe – while making strides in comfort and refinement, including reduced noise and enhanced sound quality in a spacious cabin environment.

2. Longer wheelbase (by 25mm) and wider track (by 40mm) than its predecessor give the new Focus a sure-footed stance and an improved interior package. Knee room and shoulder room are improved, rear-seat headroom remains generous and luggage capacity has expanded by 10 per cent.

FOCUS SAFETY: NO COMPROMISE

1. Throughout the range, the new Focus has a structure that was designed to protect its occupants within a lightweight and highly efficient survival cell.

2. Rigorously tested in virtual and physical form, verified by the most powerful computers in the industry and tested in the Volvo Safety Centre in Sweden.

3. Optimised crash load paths through the body structure for maximum energy absorption outside the passenger environment, both in straight frontal impacts against a rigid barrier and in offset crashes.

4. Equipped with standard front air bags and optional thorax-protecting side air bags and inflatable side curtains, which deploy between the A and C pillars to provide protection in the event of a side impact.

POWERTRAINS: A WEALTH OF CHOICE

1. The new Focus pioneers Ford’s new 115PS, 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT engine – with twin independent variable camshaft technology – as part of a comprehensive powertrain line-up.

Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) improves airflow through the engine and delivers more torque while reducing average fuel consumption by up to five per cent. The petrol engine range also includes: 1.4 litres (80PS), 1.6 litres (100PS) and 2.0 litres (145PS). Focus also offers advanced, Duratorq TDCi high-pressure common-rail diesel engines. The range features 1.6-litre (109PS) and 2.0-litre (136PS) Duratorq TDCi choices, which made their debut in the Focus C-MAX.

These lightweight, low-friction engines offer an optimal balance between strong torque at low engine speeds for smooth responsive driving fun and low fuel consumption – the 2.0-litre unit benefiting from Ford’s six-speed manual transmission. To meet and surpass emissions requirements both diesel engines will be available with a Diesel Particulate Filter.

Ford’s new Durashift CVT Continuously Variable Transmission is available on models powered by the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. Developed by Ford with ZF Transmissions, the Durashift CVT can switch between fully automatic and seven-speed manual selection. It cuts fuel consumption by up to eight per cent over traditional four- or five-speed automatics. Focus also offers Durashift 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions and the Durashift 4-speed automatic.

MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM FORD AT PARIS:

Flanking La Collection Focus during the second press day and all public days of the 2004 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris will be fresh products from Ford’s other car lines. Among the highlights are:

EXCITING FIESTA ST PREVIEWED

The new Ford Fiesta ST, an exciting new arrival to Ford’s stable of affordable performance cars, appears at Paris prior to its introduction at the end of 2004.

AFFORDABLE NEW FIESTA SPORT

The Fiesta range gains another sporting derivative with the announcement of the new Fiesta Zetec S, baby brother to Fiesta ST. Engines available at launch, late 2004 include: 1.6L Duratec, (100PS) and the new 1.6 litre TDCi, (90PS) turbo-diesel.

NEW 1.6 LITRE TDCi ENGINE COMES TO FIESTA AND FUSION

A new 16-valve intercooled and turbocharged diesel power unit will be added to the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion models this autumn. The new 1.6-litre TDCi (90PS) gives Fiesta an entrant into what is a fast expanding small car diesel class.

MORE MONDEO CHOICE WITH NEW ENGINES AND TITANIUM SERIES

Designed to enhance Ford's penetration at the premium end of the segment, Mondeo's new 2.2-litre 155PS Duratorq TDCi engine boasts the highest power and torque outputs (360-400 Nm) for a four-cylinder diesel in its class. Petrol engine choice is also extended with a new 204PS version of Ford's Duratec V6 engine.

MORE POWERFUL TRANSIT DIESELS

Two new engines and a new, slick-shifting, six-speed gearbox are now available on the Transit range, including the new, range topping 137PS, 2.4-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. The most powerful Transit diesel engine ever. Also new is a 2.4-litre Duratorq TDdi engine (115PS)