The first-generation Ford Focus debuted on the 1998 Geneva Motor Show and shortly turned one of many firm’s most essential fashions. While the way forward for the nameplate seems very uncertain, towards the tail finish of the Nineteen Nineties, it set the stage for a brand new period in compact automotive manufacturing with its distinctive design and superior options. Ford’s UK and German groups labored collectively to create a automotive that was the envy of the world.
Welcome to Timeless European Treasures, our weekly look again at automobiles from the European market that outlined a motoring era.
Why Do We Love It?
Good query. The Ford Focus has earned a particular place within the hearts of automotive lovers and on a regular basis drivers for a lot of causes. Its attraction is multifaceted, beginning with its groundbreaking design. The unique Focus departed from conventional compact automotive aesthetics, embracing the New Edge styling philosophy launched within the late Nineteen Nineties. The outcome was a polarizing but fascinating exterior that caught the attention and set the mannequin aside from its opponents.
One of the important thing causes for the Focus’s widespread admiration is its engineering prowess. The introduction of the Control Blade rear suspension system, for instance, marked a leap ahead in dealing with and journey consolation for a compact automotive. The engineers, led by Richard Parry-Jones, crafted a class-leading, space-saving unbiased multi-link rear suspension that delivered distinctive elasto-kinematic efficiency. This innovation contributed to the Focus’s sharp steering, superior physique management, and clean journey over numerous terrains.
Of course, Ford lovers will at all times bear in mind the first-gen Focus for its efficiency variations. From the extra delicate US-market SVT fashions to the Focus RS with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, the compact automotive delivered an honest efficiency for rookie and semi-pro drivers. And after all, the Focus RS WRC was a profitable rally automotive with plenty of prestigious triumphs within the World Rally Championship.