Second time a charm – that’s Ford NZ’s hope for the Focus, having radically revised and slimmed the line up.

TWO trim levels, an engine and a body shape have been axed while two remaining mainstream models have been enhanced yet also rendered more expensive.

That’s the sum total of a sweeping change just announced for the Ford Focus as it represents in New Zealand, the brand acknowledging that it has revised a line-up launched just two years ago – and literally lifted a year ago, when adding the Active – to better attune to what has so far been disturbingly indifferent customer taste.

“These are the cars that are most popular with customers – we’re taking out the complexity,” is how Ford communications spokesman Tom Clancy describes the rationale driving the new lineup, which hits in August.

From now on, there will be just three Focus models, all hatchbacks with eight-speed automatic transmissions, one in the elevated Active format that arrived last October and delivers a crossover look but in a lightweight manner – so, front rather than four-wheel-drive.

The new Active, at $37,990, will cost $1000 more than its predecessor. The ST-Line, which had been the same price as Active was, is now outfitted more richly, to an ‘X’ specification. But the price has gone up accordingly, by a whopping $6000.

Above them is the new ST performance model that is a $59,990 proposition. Introduced just weeks ago, it has remarkably also been improved by the latest round of revisions.

So what’s gone? That’ll be the Trend and Titanium hatches, which ran with the 134kW and 240Nm three-cylinder 1.5 petrol that continues on in Active and ST Line X, and the Trend wagon, which ran with a 110kW/370Nm 2.0-turbodiesel.

Ford NZ aspiration to wean off reliance on the Ranger utility – by far and away its biggest monthly seller for the past three years - has been pinned on its passenger, crossover and sports utility models but that strategy has yet to realise positively.

The Focus has at times hardly figured in sales results – ironically a particularly poor period was the end of last year, when it won a newspaper group’s competition.

Clancy says there is high confidence, nonetheless, that the car will deliver better performance now that it is presented in what Ford NZ describes as “three clearly defined choices.”

Local managing director Simon Rutherford, has expressed particular confidence in the ST-Line X, saying it even better represents the Focus’s driver-oriented feel than its predecessor. 

The update delivers a technology spruce-up, with introduction of FordPass Connect, an embedded modem which Ford says brings even greater accessibility, convenience and capability, so long as an owner’s cellphone is compatible. Features include ability to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle plus ability to check fuel level, tyre pressures, oil life and check recent service history, owners’ manual. It also enables contact with a ‘Ford Guide’, who can assist – by phone or email – with any queries about connected services and hooks into services including access to roadside assistance.

The Focus ST-Line X and the Focus ST will be upgraded to the 12.3-inch fully-configurable digital instrument cluster allowing the driver to personalise and prioritise display of information including driver assistance technology and sat-nav notifications.   

All models have Ford’s SYNC 3 system, which includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility, with wireless smartphone charging.

The mainstream editions take LED headlights and have different Daytime Running Lights to present a distinct identity.

What is being called the ‘2020.75’ range also adopts revised rear suspension, the benefits coming in sharper handling and more comfortable, quieter ride.

And the ST doesn’t miss out. The 2020.75 model picks up a 10-speaker B&O audio system and 12.3-inch full TFT/LCD colour instrument cluster screen.