New Focus on sale this month

Ford's new generation Focus goes on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €24,900, writes Trish Whelan.

Initially available in four grades — Zetec, ST-Line, Titanium and Vignale — it will be joined by the Active variant in early 2019.

Engines for the new car, which represents the fourth generation of a nameplate first launched 20 years ago, include 1.0 and 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engines and a 1.5 diesel. A new 8-speed automatic gearbox will be available.

Connectivity includes the FordPass Connect system which among other features allows the car to be a mobile WiFi 'hotspot' for up the ten devices at a time. Other options include the FordPass mobile app with which drivers can easily locate their car in sprawling shopping mall car parks, check fuel levels, remotely lock and unlock their car, and even start it remotely (where permitted by law).

There will only be hatchback and wagon formats as Ford has decided to stop building sedan versions of the Focus for Europe — they will continue to be sold in other markets, including China.

The trend towards petrol engines is also clear with the new Focus, as Ford Ireland has ordered a 50:50 ratio for the car's launch here, against the 20pc petrol/80pc diesel sales of the outgoing vehicle.

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