The Focus Coupé-Cabriolet marks Ford's return to the open-topped cars segment. The launch of the new Focus C+C was anticipated by Ford's Vignale Concept, which was displayed at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

Design

"We were delighted with the reaction to the Focus Vignale Concept and were determined to progress it to volume production," said Gunnar Herrmann, Vehicle Line Director for the Ford Focus. "We also wanted to keep the production model as true to the beautiful concept car as we could, while making it convenient and affordable for everyday use."

"The initial design intent of the Vignale Concept remained almost untouched during its transition to the production Focus Coupé-Cabriolet," said Chris Bird, Director Design, Ford of Europe. "The new Focus also provided us with a great starting point from which the design team could create a really distinctive dual-personality vehicle."

In the preview model the interior is trimmed with a two-tone interior, with the upper instrument panel coloured in dark- and contrasting to the trim and the leather seats in light 'Camel'.

The car utilises a two-piece folding electric hardtop to go from snug family motoring to wind-in-the-hair excitement. It is a full four-seater, and will offer a substantial luggage compartment with more than 500 litres of useable space.

Developed for production in partnership with Pinifarina in less than two years, Focus Coupé-Cabriolet will be built at Pininfarina's plant and will go on sale in mid-2006.

"We are proud to be working again with Ford of Europe on the new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet, as it represents for us a significant investment, not just in terms of our design and engineering expertise, but also in our ongoing relationship with Ford of Europe, and the deployment of our high quality manufacturing facility in Italy," said Andrea Pininfarina, Chief Executive Officer of Pininfarina S.p.A.

The new Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet will be offered with a choice of three powertrains: two petrol engines, the 100 PS 1.6-litre Duratec and the 145 PS 2.0-litre Duratec, and the latest generation 136 PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel.

Full details and detailed specifications will be revealed closer to market launch.

(Source: Ford)