Small compact cars seem to be the only vehicles moving off of dealers lots in this economic downturn. Sporty styling, a low base price and high mpg is the new catchword with automotive consumers in the last nine-months.
Taking advantage of the new direction in buyers is the all-new 2009 Ford Focus SES.
The Focus coupe is the little car that delivers in a big way for customers with 35mpg fuel economy, cool features including SYNC, a fun drive, strong quality, all at the right price.
The base price for the Focus SE coupe starts at $16,875.00 and the up-level SES model starts at just $17,570.00.
About 11,000 Millennials, or those people born between 1980 and 1995, reach driving age everyday in the US. With that in mind, the Focus team sculpted the coupe’s new front and rear fascias to provide a sportier appearance. The lower front fascia incorporates a large open area that bears a strong resemblance to the acclaimed design of the new global Ford Fiesta subcompact that will soon be available in the US. The fog lamps, now standard, are better integrated into the overall design of the front fascia, and the signature two-bar chrome front grille and chrome accents around the lamps have been darkened for added contrast. The new front fascia, 17in. sport wheels and fog lamps are a flashback to the Focus SVT models.
For differentiation, the high-end SES model features a standard high-mount spoiler that is incorporated into the design of the roof to increase rear down force. The design contributes to Focus’s overall muscular stance. A deck-lid spoiler remains part of the Focus SE exterior design. New, premium 17X7in. dark aluminum wheels, also standard on the SES, completes the coupe’s redesigned exterior.
The 2009 Focus SES coupe features more horsepower and a throatier sound thanks to a new sport-tuned exhaust with a 2in. chrome-tipped exhaust pipe. The SES coupe with a four-speed automatic transmission will have a new 4.2 final drive ratio designed to give quicker off-the-line acceleration for a faster 0-60mph time. A new option for 2009 is electronic stability control which uses sophisticated sensors and the ABS system to help correct skids that can lead to loss of control.
The 2009 Focus coupe is equipped with a 2.0 liter Duratec 20 DOHC, inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 143hp when combined with the slick-shifting 5-speed manual and 140hp when paired with 
the four-speed automatic. Also available is a super-clean, 130hp Duratec 20E engine that qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California.
Also setting the all-new Focus coupe apart from other small cars is Ford’s industry-exclusive SYNC technology, which is standard on the SES, and optional on the SE.
SYNC is a fully integrated in-vehicle, voice-activated communications and entertainment system allowing drivers to use their Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and digital media players.
SYNC was first introduced in the all-new 2008 Focus sedan and was an immediate hit with customers, helping to increase Focus’ share in the extremely competitive small-car market. SYNC was also a feature that helped motivate editors of Kelly Blue Book’s to name the 2008 Focus sedan as one of the ‘Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under $18,000.00.
Also making the Focus coupe more appealing against other compact coupes is the fun-to-drive ability of the car.
The unitized steel body is very strong and torsional giving you excellent ability to drive safely getting around slow city traffic and enabling you to quickly merge into fast moving freeway traffic.
The nimble suspension is fully independent with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar up front, and a control blade multilink setup with a standard stabilizer bar in the SES, optional stabilizer bar in the SE.
The power-assisted rack & pinion steering gives good feedback from the road with a good on-center control. The only setback is the torque-steer exhibited on this front-wheel-drive car during a hard launch.
Quickly and safely slowing the new Focus SES down from speed are 18.83in. vented discs up front and an 8in. drum in the rear. I would like to have seen four-wheel discs to better balance out the front and rear further increasing the stopping power.
The interior is the same as the Focus sedan with wide opening doors, comfortable and supportive front bucket seats, metallic trim on the dashboard, center stack and floor console with the stick shifter, dual cup-holders and storage bin with padded top.
The sporty-designed instrument cluster is easy to see and understand and includes a driver information and trip computer readout. All buttons, switches and dials are within easy reach.
Standard equipment in the Focus SES includes halogen headlamps, variable interval wipers, power heated side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, power windows/door locks, clothe bucket 
seats, AC, multi-color ambient lighting, auxiliary audio input jack, 2-12-volt power plugs, AM-FM stereo with a single CD/MP3 player and four-speakers, 60/40 split rear folding seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise-control and audio controls, floor carpeting, dual map lamps, chrome door handles and storage slots in each door.
Options include ABS brakes, electronic stability control, 6-CD/MP3 audiophile audio system with 5-speakers, power moonroof with shade, and leather/heated front bucket seats.
Standard safety features in the SES include Ford Personal Safety System drive and front passenger airbags, side airbags/curtains, occupant classification system, 3-point safety belts for 5-seats, remote keyless entry, front/rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, Securlock passive anti-theft system with horn, and remote keyless entry.
The all-new 2009 Ford Focus SES is a serious contender in the hotly contested sporty, 2-door compact coupe segment in the marketplace. It has a lot going for it to be a big player-sporty looks, adequate power to quickly move you along, a nimble suspension, 17in. sporty aluminum wheels, and an interior that is comfortable, state-of-the-art and safe.
COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ
Specifications
Price: MSRP $17,865
Type: Compact Coupe
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Compact Cars
Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 175 in. Width: 67.9 in.
Height: 58.6 in. Wheel Base: 102.9 in.
Curb Weight: 2588 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 39.2 in.
Front Hip Room: 50.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.5 in.
Rear Head Room: 38.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.7 in.
Rear Hip Room: 48.3 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.7 in.
Rear Leg Room: 36.1 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13.8 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Base Number of Cylinders: 4
Base Engine Size: 2 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4
Horsepower: 140 hp
Max Horsepower: 6000 rpm
Torque: 136 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4250 rpm
Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 34.2 ft.
0-60mph: 6.8 seconds
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Manual: 24 mpg / 35 mpg / 28 mpg
Automatic: 24 mpg / 33 mpg / 28 mpg
Range in Miles:
Manual: 324 mi. / 472.5 mi. / 378 mi.
Automatic: 324 mi. / 445.5 mi. / 378 mi.
