LA Show 2010: Ford Displays Tuned 2012 Focus Hatchbacks

Three personalized Focus models will also be on display at Ford's 2010 Los Auto Show stand, giving visitors an idea of how they could improve their stock rides. The cars received a makeover consisting mostly of visual enhancements from Ford Vehicle Personalization, FSWerks and 3dCarbon.

Developed by Ford Vehicle Personalization, the first Focus showcases what can be done with Ford Custom Accessories. Boasting a tri-coat white paint, the hatch received an extensive body kit with modified front and rear bumpers, the latter with integrated diffuser, plus lowered side skirts and a roof spoiler. To achieve a striking contrast, designers applied Caribbean Blue accents to many body parts, such as the headlamps, mirrors, wheels and doors.

Inside, the color theme switches to a black and white contrast, used on the leather seats, steering wheel and center stack. Bespoke scuff plates and aqua accent lighting complete the composition.

Next up is the FSWerks 2012 Ford Focus. In this case, modifications also include performance parts, like the stainless steel exhaust, which is said to maximize engine output, though no figures have been released yet. Gone is the stock suspension, too, replaced with an H&R Springs coil-over kit, cutting ride-height by a whopping 3 inches (7.62 centimeters).

Other treats include an FSWerks cold air intake, engine cover and 19-inch DPE R16 wheels, wrapped around Continental ExtremeContact tires. There's also a 3dCarbon roof wing and, under the sheetmetal, a front stress bar.

Last but not least, we have 3dCarbon's take on the Focus. The California-based tuner envisioned a "sinister look" for the car, or so it says, achieved by applying 3M's Ventureshield Paint Protection film foil wrap on the black body panels, complemented with smoked-out windows.

The hood received a glossy black finish, while the car rides on 20-inch Series KM650-KMC wheels, accented with red pinstripes. The 3dCarbon Focus also gets H&R sport and a cat-back exhaust.

By Csaba Daradics

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LA Show 2010: Ford Focus Race Car Concept

Making its world premiere in LA today is the Focus Race Car Concept that will form the base for the Blue Oval's next global touring race car. Powered by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the new racing model will get its first shot on the tarmac at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.

For the creation of the Focus racer, Ford collaborated with various race teams from around the world in order to make sure that the new car meets rules governing circuit racing in the United States and beyond..

"This teamwork has resulted in a global racing platform using a common Focus body and a safety cage built to FIA regulations – a competitive platform that can be tailored for regional competition, based on different rules," said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development.

"By leveraging our collective experience and Ford technology worldwide, this approach parallels our global dedication to the Focus production car and specifically its exciting performance derivative, the new Focus ST, to deliver a competitive race car that can be campaigned around the world."

Based on the new Focus, the Race Car Concept has been upgraded with AST performance dampers, sport sway bars provided by Ford Racing and enormous, 320 mm front brakes, for extreme stopping power. Hoosier race tires wrap around the 18-inch Anthracite alloy wheels.

Inside, there's a roll cage and a Recaro racing seat with a six-point safety harness, alongside a fire suppression system. The AIM MXL Pista dashboard has a digital layout and features, among other data, a tachometer, rev counter and gear position indicator.

Ford is keen to benefit as much as possible from the teams' racing experience, so it's going to provide them full support, including data, advanced engineering tools and parts. The idea is that, in a few years time, new race-inspired technologies should make the transition to street models, as was the case with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

By Csaba Daradics

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2012 Ford Focus to get 160HP 2.0-liter with Direct-Injection and 40mpg

Ford today revealed new details on the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that will be offered on the North American market 2012 Focus when it arrives in U.S. showrooms next year. This newly designed powerplant marries direct injection technology with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and E85 flex fuel capability. The latter gives drivers the choice of using less-expensive E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

The 2.0L engine's output rated is at 160-horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. torque, which represents a gain of 20HP and 10 lb-ft respectively over the four-cylinder unit found in the current generation 2011 Focus.

According to the Dearborn-based automaker, the 2012 Focus with the new 2.0-liter four-banger can achieve an estimated 40 mpg US on highway when paired to an automatic transmission. That's a significant improvement over the 140HP 2011 Focus with an auto box that returns 35mpg / highway.

"By combining direct injection and Ti-VCT, we've been able to make a quantum leap in fuel economy and performance," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "We're meeting the goals of our global powertrain strategy, and we now have another key engine in our lineup."

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