First Look: 2011 Ford Focus

As a 2011 model, the third-generation Focus, whether in four-door sedan or five-door hatchback form, will be nearly identical in all markets. Ford's European small and medium vehicle center in Germany led development. Powertrain engineering occurred in Ford's technical center in England. Ford put its European driving dynamics specialists in charge of ride and handling. This is as European as it gets.

But there's better news: Ford says it's using identical chassis and suspension architecture in all markets, except for minor regional tuning differences. That means the torque vectoring Dynamic Cornering Control system -- added by those special driving dynamics folk -- is coming our way. It transfers power between the drive wheels to reduce understeer, and improve traction and turn-in.

(...) While global powertrain options include an EcoBoost four-cylinder and a line of common-rail diesel engines, an all-aluminum 2.0L I-4 leads the way in the U.S., producing 155 horsepower and 145 ft.-lb. of torque. The E85-capable engine features direct injection, allowing a 12:1 compression ratio, and variable cam timing on the intake and exhaust valves -- Ford calls it Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT. While designing the engine, Ford engineers sought minimize friction to improve efficiency, adding an electric power assist steering system and an overriding alternator decoupler, which allows the alternator and water pump to operate at a lower tension.