Ford has sharpened up its fleet-favourite Focus with a new look for 2014, and a selection of engines with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions for lower Benefit-In-Kind rates.
Efficient new engines
Although Ford’s engineers have delivered improved fuel economy and lower CO2 figures across the 2014 Focus range, the big news is that there are now a variety of powertrain options for low BIK-seeking company car drivers.
The existing 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol will be available in 99g/km form, improving on the existing version’s 115g/km figure. This equates to a 12 percent BIK rate in 2014/15.
New to the line-up are 1.5-litre capacity petrol and diesel units, but it’s the latter that shine in terms of low emissions.
In 94bhp guise, the 1.5-litre TDCi also achieves a 99g/km figure (15 percent BIK for 2014/15) while the ECOnetic version of the new engine lowers this to 88g/km (14 percent BIK in 2014/15).
It’s worth noting that when the three percent diesel surcharge ends at the end of the 2014/15 tax year, the diesels’ BIK rate will drop to 12 and 11 percent respectively.
Although it’s only ever going to be a fringe player, the zero emission Focus Electric will continue to be available.
Upmarket new styling
Ford has brought the styling of the 2014 Ford Focus into line with the current Fiesta and the all-new Mondeo due towards the end of the year.
Up front the wings are carried over but the bonnet is all new, as are slimmer headlamps, with LED day running lights, which make the car appear wider. A smoother front bumper also houses the large chrome grille giving the Focus a more upmarket appearance.
At the back there’s a new bumper and LED tail lights, while the hatchback also has a new tailgate design to freshen the styling further.
Climb aboard and the softer, higher quality plastics are immediately apparent, as are the new dials, dashboard buttons and the eight-inch touchscreen for the infotainment package.
Latest technology
Ford’s latest Focus is the first European models to be offered with the company’s ‘SYNC2’ package.
With touchscreen functionality and smartphone integration, the system promises to be more intuitive, with clearer graphics including split screens for sat-nav junctions.
Developments to the self-parking and active safety systems should help reduce the potential for bodywork damage, including increasing the Active City Stop’s effective range up to 31mph.
When can you buy one?
Parkers will have detailed road tests of the 2014 Ford Focus before it goes on sale in the second half of the year.
