New Ford Focus and Lexus RX

[ILLustRIOus]

Ford Focus:
Source: Shock new Focus shows its face | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

Info:
The heat is on in the compact hatch sector – Auto Express has learned that Ford is readying a dramatic new Focus to go head-to-head with Vauxhall’s forthcoming Astra.
Boasting a wild new look – dominated by an outrageous grille – it will be a real head-turner, and is set to polarise opinion like never before.
Power comes from the very latest EcoBoost range of turbocharged engines, while the cabin will feature an all-new BMW iDrive-style control system. As with the Mondeo, the Focus will head further upmarket with greater emphasis on quality – as well as a higher price tag than the current generation.
And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. According to our sister magazine in Germany, Auto Bild, the five-door model pictured here will be joined by a Focus-based coupé. This will have a bold three-door shape to rival the likes of the VW Scirocco and Renault’s new Mégane Coupé. It will help
differentiate the Focus range and appeal to younger buyers in the process.
However, it won’t be the Focus or even a new coupé that spearheads Ford’s attack on the compact family car class. While the third-generation model will be launched in late 2010, the blue oval will go into battle first in 2009, with a replacement for the C-MAX compact people carrier.
As we revealed in Issue 1,023, the new MPV will be available in both five and seven-seater form for the first time. Debuting a dramatic new face, it will preview the third-generation Focus and be based on Ford’s new compact family platform. And as you can see from this illustration, the new face is certainly daring. Designers have consigned the current car’s upper and lower air intakes to the history books in favour of a striking horseshoe-shaped radiator grille.
Other stand-out styling cues include the prominent bonnet, with lines that run from the base of the windscreen to form an overhanging focal point for the Ford badge. Then there are the huge headlights and further air intakes in the lower part of the front bumper, which house integrated foglights. Elsewhere, there’s a more evolutionary styling approach, with influences from the latest Fiesta in the angular C-pillars and chunky stance.
Inside, the cabin will employ even higher quality materials than the current version, but the big news from our German sources is that Ford is developing a dashboard control system similar to BMW’s iDrive and Mercedes’ COMAND set-ups. This will be one of the car’s highlights, as it will help to reduce clutter and improve the Focus’ ergonomics at the same time.
There are important new developments under the bonnet, too. Just as the Vauxhall Astra will boast a fresh line-up of small capacity turbocharged engines, the third-generation Focus will feature Ford’s new EcoBoost range (see panel right). Power for entry-level models will come from a 1.0-litre turbo four-cylinder unit with either 89bhp or 108bhp. The majority of sales will be taken by a new 1.6-litre turbo available in both 148bhp and 178bhp form. These new units will offer great performance
and low CO2 emissions, too.
Our sources have revealed that Ford also has two new oil-burners up its sleeve: a 1.6-litre TDCi with 89bhp, 108bhp or 128bhp, and a 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp. All engines get manual gearboxes as standard, although Ford will expand the use of its PowerShift twin-clutch transmission.
The Focus will go on sale in late 2010, with a three-door coupé arriving in the same year, plus an estate and CC coupé-cabrio appearing in 2011.

Lexus RX:
Source: Bigger?s better for Lexus RX | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express



Info:
The leaks keep on coming from Toyota. Hot on the heels of secret images of the next-generation Prius (Issue 1,035) come these brochure shots of the new RX SUV from the firm’s luxury arm, Lexus.
It’s set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show later this month. And these pictures reveal that the all-new BMW X5 rival clearly evolves the look of the current generation, but has a more prominent grille and sleeker lines.
The interior is full of dramatic shapes, with a bold triangular centre console clad in silver trim mounted below a large screen that displays sat-nav information. The RX is expected to grow slightly, so there will be more passenger space available. For the first time, buyers will get the option of a seven-seater version, too. As the new RX will be heavier than its predecessor, Lexus is expected to offer even more powerful engines.
The entry-level 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit for the RX350 is likely to be bumped up to around 280bhp, and while there are no plans to introduce a diesel, Lexus will increase the power on the hybrid version, called the RX450h. It’s likely to get the same 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric unit as the GS450h saloon, and will deliver around 340bhp. There are rumours that
the 4.6-litre V8 from the LS460 will appear in the RX, too.
A new six-speed automatic gearbox is also expected. First to arrive will be the RX350 late next year, with other variants hitting showrooms in 2010 at the earliest.
As ever, an incredible array of gadgets is set to be included as standard, with even entry-level models getting a reversing camera, heated leather seats and Bluetooth phone connection. More details of the new model will be revealed at the Los Angeles show, which opens on 21 November.

[fr0stygen1us]

damn the focus looks sesky !!!