Ford Focus CC...

[XJ-S]

New Focus CC

Auto Express magazine has the first pictures of the Focus Coupé Cabriolet, set to take on Peugeot's 307 CC, the production version of Volkswagen's Concept C and the Vauxhall Astra CC in 2006.

It's clear from the mag's exclusive shots that the drop-top Focus will retain the standard version's all-new front-end design, but feature many bespoke panels at the rear. As with the hatch, the nose takes inspiration from the Mondeo family car and C-MAX MPV - as well as the Mazda 3, which shares the new Focus's platform.

Using a similar roof mechanism to its folding hard-top rivals, the new car will offer the versatility of a coupé along with the sun-seeking fun of a convertible. The Ford system is to be operated electrically with no manual catches. But the unique selling point will be the generous space available when the roof panels are stowed.

Maintaining a practical boot space is set to give this model the edge over rivals. The next-generation Focus is longer than the current version, so designers have the space they need to fit the extra roof mechanicals without significantly compromising rear storage.

Inside, the Focus CC is to be a strict four-seater, unlike the standard hatchback, which will seat five. However, the angle of the rear window should provide plenty of headroom for all, while the C-MAX-style dash, again carried over from the hatch, will provide a high-quality feel.

Under the bonnet, blue oval bosses have plenty of options. The new three and five-door Focus models are to come with a petrol line-up ranging from a 79bhp 1.4-litre powerplant to a 129bhp 2.0-litre engine from launch.

The CC is likely to use a selection of these units mated to either manual or automatic gearboxes, while a hot ST version, using the 160bhp 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine from the Mazda 6, is also in the pipeline. And there's likely to be diesel power, too, as long as the engineers can achieve acceptable levels of roof-down refinement.

Hatchback variants will have a choice of 90bhp or 110bhp 1.6-litre oil-burners, as well as the 136bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit from the C-MAX. Either of these engines would easily slot under the bonnet of the CC.

As with any convertible, however, the Ford will pose many engineering challenges which have to be overcome in order to maintain the structural rigidity of the car on which it's based. With the forthcoming hatchback expected to offer class-leading handling, it's crucial that the CC is equally good fun to drive - and just as dynamically capable. As a result, expect an exhaustive development programme to get underway soon after the introduction of the standard version.

Safety is also a vital concern, and because there's no fixed rollover bar, the windscreen surround will have to be reinforced so that it can cope with the entire weight of the car in the event of an accident. The front-wheel-drive CC will also be fitted with all of Ford's latest hi-tech active and passive safety equipment, including a comprehensive stability control system and a full complement of airbags.

The Focus's launch schedule will begin on 1 January 2005, when the three and five-door hatchbacks go on sale in the UK. These will be followed in the spring by saloon and estate versions. The coupé cabriolet variant will arrive under 18 months later.

(Fonte:AutoExpress)

[XJ-S]

[Paco]

ma perchè la fiat non ci pensa pure, la stilo 3p CC non sarebbe affatto male e attirerebbe di più l'attenzione sul modello

[eleonor]

ma perchè la fiat non ci pensa pure, la stilo 3p CC non sarebbe affatto male e attirerebbe di più l'attenzione sul modello

Quoto, magari se non la Stilo qualcosa di originale... 8)

[Autodelta85]

già fa schifo la nuova Focus rispetto all'attuale modello,però la versione cabrio potrebbe essere una mossa azzeccata

[126/131]

ma perchè la fiat non ci pensa pure, la stilo 3p CC non sarebbe affatto male e attirerebbe di più l'attenzione sul modello

Quoto, magari se non la Stilo qualcosa di originale... 8)

infatti...magari sarebbe la sostituta della 3 porte,mentre anche la 3 porte nuova potrebbe essere identica alla 3 porte,lunga come la 5 porte e con lo stesso spazio e con i sedili regolabili

[maxsona]

La Stilo in Fiat non vedono l'ora di sostituirla vi pare che facciano pure la cabrio ?

[126/131]

La Stilo in Fiat non vedono l'ora di sostituirla vi pare che facciano pure la cabrio ?