Bangkok, 11 November 2008 – Ford Thailand brings new excitement to the market with the “New Ford Focus TDCi”. This new diesel version of the award-winning Ford Focus comes with a more contemporary and sporty look enhanced by “kinetic design” elements plus the first-in-segment six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission and electronic stability programme (ESP). With these improvements, drivers can expect more impressive performance, responsiveness and road handling. Capable of running on B5 biodiesel fuel, the New Ford Focus TDCi continues to live up to the green heritage of the Ford Focus range.

“The new Ford Focus TDCi is destined to be a new milestone in the Thai automotive market,” said Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, senior vice-president of Ford Thailand. “It is ready to set a new benchmark and impress urban drivers with a remarkable package of the combined benefits provided by the six-speed PowerShift transmission system and the Duratoq turbo diesel commonrail (TDCi) engine. Drivers will definitely enjoy the ease and convenience of automatic transmission, performance of a manual transmission, and shift smoothness as well as unmatched power and torque and best-in-class fuel efficiency. This innovative transmission system – PowerShift – that is generally found in luxury or supercars is now installed in the new Focus TDCi.”

Ford had invited World Rally Championship (WRC) star driver Mikko Hirvonen to the launch. The 28-year-old Finnish driver staged a demo drive to demonstrate the New Ford Focus TDCi’s performance to a group of Thai media. Some Thai media and celebrities had an opportunity to sit in the car while Hirvonen drove around, allowing the media and celebrities to enjoy a hot lap in the New Ford Focus TDCi. Hirvonen has just finished the Pioneer Carrozzeria Rally Japan, the 14 round in the WRC 2008, with his third victory of this season.

“In the WRC, I drive a modified version of the Ford Focus. After trying the New Ford Focus TDCi with PowerShift transmission today, I’m impressed with its responsiveness, great performance and especially by the uninterrupted torque during gear shifts, which provides an outstanding comfortable driveability that drivers can truly enjoy. Try it and I’m sure you’ll love it too,” said Hirvonen.

The New Ford Focus TDCi will be available in four-door sedan Ghia and five-door hatch Sport. Both models are powered by Ford’s renowned Duratoq TDCi 2.0-litre with PowerShift automatic transmission. The 2.0-litre DuraTorq turbodiesel engine produces 100kW and maximum torque of 320Nm at low rev of only 1,800rpm (cab be boosted up to 340Nm for a short period if necessary). It also offers an impressive fuel economy (combined urban and extra urban) of just 5.8L/100km. Both Ghia and Sport models are able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds. Being B5-capable, the New Ford Focus TDCi is also environmentally friendly.

Both the 4-door Ghia and the 5-door hatch Sport model are available at a special launch price of only THB1,099,000,-.

Source: Fleet-asia.com’s correspondent in Thailand.