AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)06/25 Report--

On June 25, at the 2022 Chongqing Auto Show, the medium-term modified Changan Ford brand-new focus was officially launched, with a total of four models, with a vehicle price range of 119800-145800 yuan. As a medium-term revamped model, new car owners have to upgrade in appearance, interior and power, of which the biggest bright spot is mainly reflected in power. The new car cancels the 1.5L and 1.5T three-cylinder engine installed in all the old models, and is replaced with a 1.5T four-cylinder engine, and the 8AT gearbox carried in the old model is also replaced by a 6AT gearbox.

According to past reports, the new car offers four options: hatchback version, hatchback version and corresponding ST Line version and S Edition version. Among them, the hatchback version will be launched as the regular version, S EDITION and ST-LINE version, while the hatchback version is divided into the ordinary version and the ST-LINE version. However, from the appearance, the hatchback version is different except for the body size. The detailed design is basically the same as the hatchback version, while the ST-LINE version is more athletic. Specifically, the new car adopts a new design style, with a large black intake grille on the front face, a new style of headlights, a through design around the front, and a more athletic shape of the heat dissipation openings on both sides. Compared with the old model, the overall shape of the new car is more radical.

On the side of the body, the change of the new car is not big, and the overall shape is very simple. The new car uses a standard three-car body structure as a whole. In details, the new car also uses 18-inch petal-shaped black rims and a black pull pattern under the door. In terms of body size, the length, width and height of hatchback and hatchback models are 4672/1842/1460mm and 4404/1824/1453mm respectively, and the wheelbase of both models is 2705mm. Compared with the model, the new car has improved in other dimensions except that the wheelbase remains the same. In terms of body color, the new car provides a total of six body color options: star-skimming blue, blazing orange, machine armour ash, hard core ash, scorching red, titanium blank.

The rear part of the new car, the hatchback version and hatchback version of the taillights are smoked black design, the tail standard LOGO is also painted in black, and the rear is surrounded by a unilateral exhaust layout.

In the interior part, the design of the new car is basically the same as that of the old model, equipped with 8-inch full LCD dashboard and 12.3-inch suspended touch screen, and provides Baguo audio, Ford Co-Pilot360 driving assistance system, SYNC+ infotainment system, automatic air conditioning, Ford Ford Pass remote interconnection and other configurations.

In terms of power, the new car is equipped with a 1.5T four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the maximum power is 130kW, and the peak torque is 243N ·m. In terms of transmission system, the six-speed automatic transmission matches the engine, and the 0-100km/h acceleration time of the vehicle is 7.9s. For reference, the old focus is equipped with 1.5L and 1.5T three-cylinder engines with a maximum power of 122 horsepower, and the transmission system matches a six-speed manual / automatic transmission. The 1.5T three-cylinder engine has a maximum power of 174 horsepower, and the transmission system matches the 8-speed automatic / manual integrated gearbox.

In terms of market competition, considering the positioning and price of the new car, it is expected that the hatchback version will compete with models such as Golf (12.98-229800 yuan) and Nissan Panda (9.99-135900 yuan). The hatchback version will compete with Toyota Corolla (10.98-159800 yuan) and Honda Civic (11.99-169900 yuan).

Focus, as a classic model of Ford, was first introduced into China by Changan Ford in 2005. At present, Fox has experienced four generations of models, and this new car can be regarded as the fourth generation mid-term modified model. Reviewing the development history of Fox models, the earliest can be traced back to 1998. In 1998, the first generation of Ford focus was officially launched with 1.4L, 1.8L and 2.0L engines, while the second generation Ford focus was launched in 2004 with 1.4L, 1.6L, 1.8L and 2.0L engines. It is the best-selling compact car owned by Ford. As a Ford joint venture in China, Changan Ford introduced the European Ford focus into domestic production in 2005, and launched the hatchback and hatchback versions of the Ford focus, equipped with 1.8L and 2.0L engines. March 2012, the third generation of Changan Ford focus officially launched, this generation of models created the peak of Fox, has won the annual car sales crown in 2012-2014, beating Xuanyi, Lang Yi, Carola and other popular cars.

In November 2018, the fourth generation Ford focus was launched, and the new generation Ford focus has changed greatly compared with previous generations. The car is equipped with 1.5L, 1.0T and 1.5T, and the three engines are all in the form of three cylinders. The maximum power is 122 horsepower, 127 horsepower and 184 horsepower, and the maximum torque is 153N m, 173N m and 243N m, respectively. But the upgrade did not make Ford focus's sales better, but also fell out of the top of the sales list.

According to FIFA retail data, Fox sold only 22500 vehicles in 2021 and 6514 from January to May in 2022, of which 985 were sold in May, ranking 57th in compact cars. Judging from the performance of Fox's market sales, Fox's performance in the compact car market is relatively poor. The automobile industry is concerned that the reason for the great decline in Fox model sales has a lot to do with the fact that only three-cylinder engines are provided in the whole department. With the medium-term retrofit of Changan Ford's new focus with four-cylinder power on the market, its sales are expected to pick up. But in the end, it will take more time and market verification to know whether it can be recognized by consumers.

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