Ford says new Focus designed will be top in efficiency, yet quick, responsive and quiet

Ford unveils 2012 Focus, designed as ‘world car’

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. on Monday unveiled the 2012 Focus, a small sedan that is the company’s first truly global car.

The new Focus, due in European and North American showrooms early next year, was designed and engineered to be sold worldwide using almost all the same parts, unlike past versions. It will also be sold in Asia. Ford expects to sell 2 million Focuses starting in 2012.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said global sales for Focus-sized cars are projected to grow by 25 percent by 2012. Currently, one out of every four vehicles sold worldwide is a small car, Mulally said.

“We believe this is the richest growth opportunity for us around the world,” he said.

Ford introduced the new four- and five-door Focuses at the Detroit auto show. The cars are equipped with a new two-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The company wouldn’t reveal gas mileage, but said it will be significantly better than the current North American Focus, which gets up to 35 mpg on the highway. An electric version of the Focus will go into production in 2012.

The aim of sharing parts globally is to keep costs down and make money on small cars, a segment that used to be a loser for carmakers. The Focus also shows that gas mileage is a prime motivator now for more frugal car buyers, and that small-car owners still want performance, quality and a lot of features such as MyFord Touch, which allows drivers to access their phone and music players through a touch screen. Pricing will be announced closer to the date it arrives in showrooms.

It also has the same electronic-controlled suspension as the European Focus, generally known for better handling than U.S. vehicles.

Jim Hughes, the Focus’ chief engineer, said new technology will allow it to handle well without compromising ride quality.

“It certainly has a lot more steering precision and agility,” he said. “The vehicle itself will still be very, very comfortable.”

The new Focus’ interior is slightly larger than the current version, and Ford says it will be quieter than all vehicles in its class and even the larger Honda Accord midsize car.

The Focus styling has smaller windows and lines that rise from front to back. Ford took steps to reduce wind drag, including a shutter-like grille that helps air flow better over the car.