At the 2022 Chongqing Auto Show , the host Changan Ford released the new Focus, which was very popular; the core change is that all new models are equipped with four-cylinder engines , completely bidding farewell to the controversial three-cylinder engine .
To be honest, although everyone who has driven the 1.5T EcoBost three-cylinder engine + 8-speed automatic transmission said it was "good", consumers' "prejudice" against the three-cylinder still caused Focus to lose nearly 4 cars since 2018. Years of time.
Entering 2022, Changan Ford has obviously accelerated the speed of product updates and iterations, from the new generation of Mondeo that reshapes the price of B-class cars , to the new Focus with a four-cylinder engine, conveying Changan Ford's strong commitment to the outside world. The desire to catch up.
Focus is Changan Ford’s meritorious model.
Before the Focus, although Changan Ford's Fiesta and Mondeo had been launched on the market, they did not open up quickly. It was not until 2005 that the Focus was rolled off the production line, marking the beginning of Changan Ford's rapid development over the next ten years.
As a digression, I remember going to the Changan Ford 4S store in 2006. Customers looking at the Focus were crowded one after another, but the Civic in the Dongfeng Honda 4S store next door was empty.
In my impression, Focus, as a running A-class sedan, dominated the Chinese market from 2005 until 2017, when the ninth-generation Civic surpassed it in sales. In addition, with the subsequent installation of three-cylinder engines, the Focus has gradually faded from a sports sedan with excellent handling in the public eye.
Know your shame and then be brave. Changan Ford's "revised" new Focus has no shortcomings in product strength, and this has also created the possibility for Focus to return to the "track" - after all, in the minds of many people, Focus's Foucs have always been the one full of energy. Memories and thrilling "focus."
Why do you say that? We feel it is necessary to look back at the history of Fox’s fame.
For most people born in the 1980s, Focus represents their inner expectations and yearnings for sports. At the same time, it is precisely because of a model like Focus on the market that the restless youth of those born in the 1980s becomes full of joy. Changan Ford's brand slogan in the "Focus Era" was "Live a Wonderful Life", and the main color of the Focus advertising models at that time was "yellow", which was even more exciting.
Fox’s popularity is not unrelated to its “synchronization with foreign countries”. At that time, few foreign brands would put their newly released new cars into the Chinese market to achieve domestic production.
For example, the Golf introduced by FAW-Volkswagen at that time was the Golf 4 launched in 1997. When the Golf 4 was put into production domestically, the overseas Golf 5 had already been officially released. In the general environment at that time, Focus' simultaneous global debut did bring refreshing and more advanced products and technologies to the entire compact car market.
Due to the global synchronization of products and technology and excellent styling design, Focus is rare in the compact car market and has successfully created the product image of a sports car.
If Mazda 6 was a sports car that disrupted the mid-to-high-end market, then Focus was the "little steel cannon" that created the popular sports compact car segment. Moreover, the combination of sedan and hatchback allows Focus to expand and comprehensive its audience.
During that period, Changan Ford was also labeled as a sports car because of Focus. Including the subsequently launched Fiesta, S-MAX and Mondeo, they are all representatives of "fun and easy to drive" at all levels. Especially S-MAX, a family MPV that can cut corners, is still fresh in the memory of many people.
By 2012, Fox had developed into its third generation product.After eight years of iteration, in the fiercely competitive field of compact cars, the cycle seems to be a bit too long. But fortunately, the third-generation Focus still has a sportier image and is more restless than its previous-generation model, so it has quickly established a strong position in the market.
But what is puzzling is that after the third-generation model was launched, the Focus began to be sold as "two generations under the same roof" - the hatchback version of the Focus was sold as the Focus Classic until 2015 - two generations under the same roof. strategy has had a negative effect on Fox's brand image. However, from a market perspective, Focus is still successful, with sales exceeding 240,000 units in 2015.
In 2018, the fourth-generation Focus officially debuted. Of course, Fox has also been gradually forgotten from this generation. The entire series is equipped with three-cylinder engines, which has become the dream of Focus fans.
To be honest, Ecoboost power is pretty good, and its first 1.0T Ecoboost engine has won numerous awards. The design of its balance shaft greatly weakens the vibration of the three-cylinder power, and the unique exhaust stroke of the three-cylinder engine and the continuous exhaust demand required by the turbocharger are quite consistent. Therefore, it is understandable that the entire fourth-generation Focus series uses three-cylinder power.
However, the problem lies in the three-cylinder engine. The market is "repellent" to three-cylinder engines. Although the performance and running quality of Ford's three-cylinder engine are good, it goes against the mainstream perception of consumers. The end result was that the three-cylinder tanked the sales of the fourth-generation Focus.
At present, the four-cylinder engine of the new Focus is back again, which is Changan Ford's renewed respect for the market after learning from the pain.
As expected, the new Focus is still the main "sports brand". For example, the new Focus launches the S version for the first time, with an exclusive S logo to pay tribute to the classic performance model Focus RS, blue + black contrasting racing elements, black tail spoiler, 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 sports tires, and red calipers; At the same time, it will continue to bring classic ST-Line models.
The core 1.5T EcoBoost180 turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine has a maximum rated power of 130kW/6000rpm, a maximum torque of 243N·m/1750-4500rpm, and can accelerate from zero to zero in 7.9 seconds. In terms of control, the new Focus is precisely tuned from the four dimensions of accuracy, responsiveness, comfort and stability, and is matched with an iteratively optimized SLA long and short arm knife front and rear independent suspension system with an independent subframe , stability and comfort are further improved.
It is worth mentioning that the new Focus S version and ST-Line models provide exclusive performance chassis tuning, tailor-made springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars, and the chassis height is lowered by 10mm. At the same time, they are equipped with an 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4 sports tires provide better grip.
In general, combined with the product strength and the price of 119,800 yuan to 145,800 yuan, the new Focus's price/performance ratio is still very good. With good product strength and good cost performance, this is Fox’s best opportunity to return to the “main track”.
Note: The picture comes from the Internet
