Ford's European star-performer reinforces popularity in the Middle East

First launched in 1998 as a 1999 model, the Ford Focus was crowned European Car of the Year 1999 before going on to earn more than 50 major European awards. Making its debut in the US in 2000, it was the first car to receive consecutive European and North American Car of the Year titles. More recently, the Ford Focus was awarded with the Best Fleet Car award during UK's 2004 Fleet World Honours, not to mention Autocar's coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Focus, Ford's best-selling C-segment car, is available at Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships around the region and is clearly demonstrating that Ford's compact and efficient small-size car is indeed surpassing customer expectations.

"The Focus has certainly surpassed everything our customers have come to expect from a car its size," said Hussein Murad, Sales & Marketing director, Middle East. "It is engineered with responsive steering, a European tuned suspension, solid chassis, great brakes and a durable powertrain to deliver a smooth ride, nimble handling and capable acceleration."

"For 2004, the Focus builds on the class-leading strengths of the original model with further enhancements in quality, safety, comfort and style," he added.

The Ford Focus is available around the Middle East in the entry-level Ambiente and sportier Trend and the higher trim Ghia, and features the 1.6-litre Sigma engine with either manual or automatic transmission. Four body styles are available: three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and station wagon.

All Focus models feature class-leading interior space and extensive active and passive safety features. The Focus boasts the longest wheelbase in its class and a high roofline, maximising interior space and comfort.

Focus continues the development of Ford's adventurous design policy that began with the Ford Ka and continued with the Ford Puma and Ford Cougar. The exterior is defined by sharp edges, large front and rear lights, and a low hood line which also makes for excellent aerodynamic performance and class-leading fuel economy.

Fun to drive, the 2004 Ford Focus is designed to deliver smooth responsiveness and enhanced safety. It has been designed around an all-new platform, ensuring a stiffer body structure than much of the competition.

Control Blade multi-link rear suspension provides for superior ride quality, less noise, and improved stability in extreme cornering and braking situations; ABS is standard. Crush zones, dual-stage air bag for the driver as standard, safety belt pre-tensioners, and child safety seat mountings are additional class-leading safety features. Unsurprisingly, the Focus has earned the maximum four-star rating for passenger safety in independent Euro NCAP safety tests.