It’s been 25 years since the Ford Focus entered the Ford world, and although it’s no longer in production, it’s definitely one of the models many people think about when they think about modern day Ford cars. When the Focus was available, it came in a range of body types including a hatchback and eventually a model of the Ford Focus became a racecar! Many different variations of the Ford Focus have come and gone over the years, yet they still have practicality and outstanding handling, and that was what made the Ford Focus such a big hit.
Launched in 1998, the Mk1 Ford Focus was an immediate hit, gaining notoriety and excitement from customers. Style-wise, the Ford Focus was a massive risk for Ford. They decided with the Focus that they were going to move away from the boxy appeal of the models at that time. The Ford Escort is the perfect example; they were trying something curvier and futuristic looking. The interior could have also been called a risk. It had swooping lines, curved edges, and different angles than the Ford cars before it.
Ford’s idea paid off and in 1999, a year after its premiere, it was the bestselling car in Britain and named European Car of the Year.
But in 2005, it was time for the Focus to get a refreshing new look. Restyled and with new technology, the second-generation Ford Focus was brought in with its up-to-date ideas to make sure it continued the amazing sales for Ford.
2011 saw the intro of the third-generation Ford Focus with a new Focus EcoBoost engine for better gas mileage. Combining its power with great fuel efficiency, it showed that the Focus was still relevant.
In 2012, a fully electric Ford Focus was released but it didn’t last too long.
In 2018, 20 years after its original launch, the Ford Focus was updated again to bring the last generation of the Ford Focus. The new changes to the Ford Focus offered updated technology and came with a Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system. Easy to use and very responsive, SYNC 3 puts a range of the car’s functions right in front of you. On top of all of that, a bunch of advanced driver safety features, like Lane Keep Assist and Active Braking, made sure that the Focus received a five-star NCAP rating. Keen to keep up with car and technology changes, Ford then introduced a new Focus ‘Active’ model.
To have such a variety of appeal to all customers, the Focus made a bold move to try to quench all needs of car buyers. They decided to offer something more and to make their mark in the hatch market, Ford did release several sporty RS and ST Focus models over the years.
Ford released a potent Focus RS in 2002 after seeing there was a demand for it. It was released as a limited production model. From the outside, it looked sporty thanks to sporty front and rear bumpers and OZ Racing alloy wheels. The inside had luxury Alcantara and blue leather on their seats. A second-generation RS came in 2008. It had a modified version of the five-cylinder turbo engine from the Focus ST. It had front-wheel-drive, a limited-slip differential, and RevoKnuckle front suspension. Talk about some fun! In 2010, Ford Focus RS was released and 2015 saw a Focus RS released with four-wheel-drive for the first time. It also featured a new ‘Drift Mode’, which used torque-vectoring to make slides on the racing track easier.
The Focus ST is seen as a calmed down version of the RS and was introduced in 2005. On the inside, the Focus ST had Recaro seats for more comfort and a sportier look. The exterior had a racy look, whether you wanted striking Electric Orange paint color, or a few of the other unique colors.
With the release of the MK 4 Ford Focus in 2018, there was an introduction of a new ST model in 2019. Ford decided to FOCUS (get it?) on SUVs after the pandemic and the last year of the Ford Focus was 2019. But, with a track record like the Ford Focus had, it will be more than likely that someday it will be back.
Have you ever owned a Focus? Then you know the fun that was in it. We regularly have Ford Focus cars on our lot, whether the sporty Ford RS or the regular everyday Focus. Check out our used inventory online at www.schmitbros.com or stop in today to see what we have on the lot!