2011 Australian International Motor Show: All-New Ford Focus and Ranger Lead the Charge at AIMS

July 18, 2011 - PRLog -- •   Bold, powerful and confident, the all-new Ranger Wildtrak makes its debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne
•   The show also sees one of the most comprehensively refreshed Ford line ups in Ford's history with the arrival of the Fiesta sedan, Focus, Mondeo, Ranger, Falcon EcoLPi and SZ Territory
•   The All-New Focus Theatre experience brings the outside inside for showgoers and highlights new features and technologies never before seen on Focus
•   Mad Max Interceptor concepts showcase the company's highly technical design and modelling skills

MELBOURNE, Australia, 01 July, 2011
In one of the most comprehensively refreshed lineups in its history, the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne will see the arrival of the Fiesta sedan, along with Focus, Mondeo, Ranger, Falcon LPi and SZ Territory.

"2011 is a signature year for Ford Australia," says Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano.  "We're aiming to refresh and update 85 per cent of our range and the Australian International Motor Show allows us the opportunity to share that story with our customers and the wider audience."

The headline acts are the all-new Focus sedan and hatch, as well as Ranger Wildtrak. It will be the first time Australian customers have been able to see and touch the all-new Focus sedan and hatch. After its successful worldwide premiere in Sydney last year, Ford will follow up with the unveiling of the all-new Ranger Wildtrak at Melbourne.

The new Ranger is the latest in a range of global Ford products that are driven by the company's One Ford strategy. The Ranger was designed and engineered at Ford's Campbellfield product development and Geelong proving ground facilities and will be sold in more than 180 markets worldwide.

Ford's highly interactive stand is one of the biggest at the show, and aims to provide enjoyment for the whole family.

From children to their parents, there's something for the whole family – from the All-New Focus Theatre – which brings the outside inside for showgoers and highlights new features and technologies never before seen on Focus, as well as two urban-cool Mad Max Interceptor concepts that have been painstakingly crafted over the past six months.

The two Mad Max Interceptors – by designers Simon Brook and Nima Nourian – showcase the company's highly technical design and modelling skills.
Bold, powerful and confident, the all-new Ranger Wildtrak makes its Melbourne show debut.

The Chilli Orange Ranger Wiltrak stands out from the crowd with its sporty looks, dark accented colours on the side mirrors, door handles and side air vents, which give the vehicle a dynamic look.

"Wildtrak's aggressive look and bold new graphics are a perfect fit for those who appreciate a sporty and more expressive image. It will look fantastic transporting the latest quad bike or jet ski for weekend getaways," said Craig Metros, chief designer of the all-new Ranger.

Joining the Chilli Orange Wildtrak 3.2-litre diesel at Melbourne will be an Aurora Blue Ranger XLT Double Cab 3.2-litre.

Sitting high on 18-in alloy wheels, the Wildtrak gets a roof rack and a sports hoop which enhance its profile. Wildtrak badging and graphics help to set it apart from other lifestyle vehicles, while the cabin gains a smart combination of leather and woven cloth upholstery.

The purposeful interior of the Wildtrak echoes the sporty look of the outside. A special hydrographic finish on the centre console around the audio is reminiscent of strong but lightweight materials like carbon fibre.

Also poised to be a leader in innovation, Ranger Wildtrak is one of the most high-tech pickups with smart technologies such as Bluetooth®1 Voice Control and Rear View Camera system. Voice Control is available over the radio, CD, iPod, USB, air-conditioning and phone. It also offers a five-inch colour screen with satellite navigation.

One of the most high-tech vehicles in the segment, select Ranger models will boast the segment's first Rear View Camera System where the camera image is displayed in the rear view mirror, as well as Rear Park Assist.

Frugal Fiesta ECOnetic and sedan
With volatile fuel prices at the forefront of consumer thoughts, Ford's impressive five-door Fiesta ECOnetic continues as Australia's most fuel-efficient car (3.7-litres per 100km, combined cycle ADR81/02).

This year Ford has also expanded the Fiesta diesel lineup with a new highly efficient 1.6-litre 66kW diesel engine, which will be showcased in the LX sedan. This is the first time Australian Fiesta buyers have had the choice of either a sedan or hatch in the Fiesta lineup.

The WT Fiesta sedan captures the "energy in motion" design DNA of the model range, while delivering flexibility and practicality for small-car buyers. The Fiesta sedan boasts an impressive 430 litres of cargo space, combining all of Fiesta's great features with exceptional carrying capacity.

The torque-rich diesel in the Fiesta LX sedan develops 200Nm and is impressively fuel efficient, consuming only 4.4-litres per 100km (combined cycle, ADR81/02).

The all-new Focus
The all-new Ford Focus lifts the small car game with its dynamic new style, expressive exterior and interior packaging culminating in Ford's acclaimed kinetic design language.

Two bodystyles are available – sedan and hatch – both distinctive, highly desirable and destined to provide customers with a rewarding ownership experience.
Drivers will appreciate the cockpit-style driving environment and superior craftsmanship, yet the cabin has lost none of the comfort and practicality that is a key characteristic of the Focus brand.

"We set out to make the all-new Focus great to sit in and great to drive, and its distinctive and dynamic design sends a clear message about the vehicle's undoubted driver appeal, said Martin Smith, Executive Design Director, Ford of Europe.

"With its sleek exterior and stylish, sporting interior, the new Ford Focus is a vehicle that customers will be proud to have on their driveway."

The Focus range includes four variants – Ambiente, Trend, Sport and the range-topping Titanium. Petrol buyers have the choice of a 1.6-litre or new 2.0-litre GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) Ti-VCT engine, while a frugal 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel is also available.

Masterful Mondeo EcoBoost
The arrival of EcoBoost technology in the Mondeo Zetec and Titanium adds another level of sophistication to the Mondeo lineup.

The 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine in the Mondeo delivers high-performance yet fuel-saving engine technology that uses direct injection and turbocharging to deliver more power and performance from a lower displacement engine, while still delivering impressive fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

As well as the Mondeo EcoBoost, the upgraded fuel efficient Mondeo TDCi delivers substantially better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, as well as stronger performance.

The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine uses up to 19 per cent less fuel than its predecessor, while producing an impressive 120 kW of power and 340 Nm of torque.

What a Gas - Falcon EcoLPi
The FG Falcon's next-generation EcoLPi liquid injection LPG system provides customers with the most advanced LPG technology on the market.

The new EcoLPi in-line six-cylinder engine is a state-of-the-art, liquid phase injection, dedicated LPG powerplant that delivers impressive fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, as well as no compromise engine performance compared to Falcon's existing petrol I6 engine.

"The introduction of EcoLPi is the next step in Ford Australia's comprehensive new product offensive," Bob Graziano, President & CEO, Ford Australia said.

"It also represents another key pillar in Ford's plan to bring a range of sustainability initiatives to market, following the launch of Australia's first locally-produced diesel vehicle in the new SZ Territory, as well as the introduction of Ford's patented EcoBoost engine technology in Mondeo."