Description
Ford launched the second generation of its compact-sized vehicle Focus for the European market in 2004 as a hatchback and station wagon, while the four-door version joined the lineup in 2005.
The second generation of the Focus was the main attraction in Ford’s booth at the 2004 Paris International Motor Show, thanks to the popularity of this nameplate. Moreover, the automaker already knew that the compact-sized vehicle was more popular in the hatchback and the Estate versions than in the sedan. As a result, it chose to launch the four-door version of the car in the following year. The car still had the same New Edge design language, although with less radical lines, but still with enough features to make it a desirable vehicle for many.
Ford’s design team created a less radical look for the car’s front fascia. While it still had triangular-shaped headlights with a rounded upper edge, they were wider and not as swept back as on the previous model. In addition, the grille between resembled the one placed on the Mondeo and was available with a chromed rim. On the lower side of the plastic bumper, the 2005 Ford Focus Sedan featured a trapezoidal-shaped air intake flanked by a pair of scoops that housed the fog lamps.
From its profile, the 2005 Ford Focus Sedan didn’t look as bold as its predecessor, but it appeared to be an upscale vehicle. Its front and rear fenders were still enlarged but had smaller flared areas that didn’t pass onto the doors, like on the MK1 Focus. However, the automaker understood the need for upscale details, so it added them to the car. As a result, the door handles and mirrors were body-colored, and the plastic molding line from the doors was color-keyed. In addition, Ford offered a wider choice of wheels and tires that promised excellent road-holding among its main competitors, which were the Astra from Opel, the Megane from Renault, and the Golf from Volkswagen. At the back, the redesigned taillights were corner mounted, resembling those from the second generation of the Mondeo. They were corner-mounted and flanked the large opening of the trunk’s lid.
Ford smoothened out the New Edge design language for the interior of the 2005 Ford Focus Sedan. The driver fronted a new instrument cluster that was more compact. It was filled with the large dials of the speedometer and the tachometer, while between them was an LCD that showed data gathered from the onboard computer. Above that display, the automaker placed the coolant temperature gauge and the fuel level. Like the previous generation of the car, customers enjoyed the high-bolstered front seats that kept their occupants firm in place during high-speed cornering situations. At the back, the sloped-down rear window was continued by a short deck. The corner-mounted triangular taillights flanked the wide opening of the trunk lid and resembled the ones that Ford placed on the Mondeo lineup.
The platform was an evolved version of the one used on the previous generation of the Focus. It still had the same McPherson struts at the front and an independent solution for the rear axle. However, the engine lineup was extended, and it included fresh engine options ranging between 80 PS (78 hp) and 145 PS (143 hp). In addition, those looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle were rewarded with a 1.6-liter turbodiesel developed by the French automaker Peugeot-Citroen (PSA). All versions were paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic was available for selected engine versions.
