Introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model in North America, the Ford Focus was the car to replace both the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer as the new compact performance vehicle designed more towards the European style of performance compacts. Not only was the Focus known for performance, but a vehicle that could deliver respectable performance and horsepower and still provide conservative fuel management at a very reasonable price.
Originally offered in both a three (3) and five (5) door hatchback, the ZX3 and ZX5. Or you could purchase a four (4) door sedan, the SE, LX, and ZTS. It would later be changed to the ZX4 in 2005. These Focus models were available from 2000 to 2007 along with another five (5) door Focus station wagon called the ZXW released in 2002 and the performance SVT in 2001. Since 2008, the Focus has dropped the station wagon and hatchback versions from production entirely leaving your options of either a 2 door coupe or a 4 door sedan.
After releasing the Focus SVT model in 2001 as a 2002 model, performance for the Focus was at an all time high. Equipped with a reworked performance version of the 2.0L Zetec, 16 valve, DOHC engine increasing performance in the Focus from an already astonishing 130hp to a very impressive 170hp while still achieving low emissions and very decent fuel mileage. The Focus SVT was offered in a four (4) door and later in a three (3) door and five (5) door hatchback for both 2003 and 2004. Unfortunately, production of the Focus SVT was put to a halt in 2004. Focus SVT’s are still very sought after vehicles today due to their performance, fuel consumption and maintainability.
Low gas consumption and great performance weren’t the only reason the Ford Focus was given the “Best Buy Rating” award from Consumers Digest. This award is based upon several factors including, but not limited to, reliability, fuel economy, performance, recall history, cost and other characteristics to help provide the consumer with an overall grand picture of the best vehicle to spend their money on. The Focus did better in all categories as a total than all other compact performance cars in its class. The Focus has also won over sixty (60) awards including thirteen (13) “Car of the Year” awards. “Car and Driver” put the Focus on their “Ten Best” list for five (5) consecutive years from 2000 – 2004.
The Focus also offered a performance 2.3L Duratec engine producing up to 151 horsepower. Focus also came with a variety of transmissions including a 4-speed 4F27E automatic, a 5-speed MTX-75 manual, and a high performance 6-speed Getrag manual. Thanks to the performance Focus is known for, many performance parts, upgrades and accessories have been manufactured for the Focus. Everyday, new products are popping up such as racing style brakes and tires, suspension parts, and performance exhausts, headers, mufflers, turbos and superchargers. Flash tuners and ECU chips are both very popular with the Focus enthusiasts.
