For a complete overview of all Focus models, see. Ford Focus (first generation) Overview Manufacturer Production August 1998–2005 (Europe) 1999–2007 (North America) Assembly,,, Germany,, Spain,, Russia (1995) & (1995) Body and chassis / () 3- and 5-door 4-door 5-door Chronology Predecessor (Europe/Latin America/South Africa) (North America) (Asia and ) (North America) Successor The Ford Focus (first generation) is a that was manufactured by in Europe from 1998 to 2004 and by Ford in North America from 1999 to 2007. Ford began sales of the Focus to Europe in July 1998 and in North America during 1999 for the 2000. Manufacturing in Argentina continued until 2008, and it was still on sale in Brasil in 2009.

In Europe and South Africa, the Focus replaced the various models sold in those markets. In Asia and Australasia, it replaced the. Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Europe (1998–2004) [ ] Europe Overview Production 1998–2004 2000–2008 (Argentina) Body and chassis 3-door hatchback 5-door 4-door 5-door Powertrain 1.4 L 1.6 L 1.8 L 1.8 L 1.8 L 2.0 L 4-speed 5-speed 6-speed manual (SVT) Dimensions 2,615 mm (103 in) Length: 4,175 mm (164 in): 4,380 mm (172 in): 4,455 mm (175 in) Width 1,700 mm (67 in) Height and: 1,440 mm (57 in): 1,460 mm (57 in) 1,150 kg (2,535 lb)-1,364 kg (3,007 lb) Design and engineering [ ]. Interior Codenamed C170 during its development, and briefly known to some Ford contractors as the Ford Fusion, [ ] the original Focus took its eventual name from a concept car which was shown at the in 1991. Certain elements of the design had been seen even earlier in prototypes used by Ford to demonstrate forthcoming safety features, such as the eye-level rear lighting clusters. As a continuation of Ford's styling philosophy, first seen in the in 1996, and in 1998, the Focus' styling had been often described as polarising.

The styling had been overseen by and executed by and Australian designer, John Doughty, concluding in January 1996 upon program approval. The decision to name the new car the Ford Focus was made in early 1998, as Ford's overheads had been planning to keep the 'Escort' nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. A last minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publishers, ordered Ford to avoid the name 'Focus' for the German market cars since the name was already taken by the publisher's magazine. This eleventh hour dispute was overcome, however, and the car was launched without a different 'German market' name. Rear suspension [ ]. Control Blade suspension Engineers for the Focus, including, developed a class-leading, space-saving independent, marketed as Control Blade suspension, combining the packaging of a, with the geometry of a. The system was developed from that used in the CDW27 estate, but with various modifications to make it simpler and cheaper to build and therefore economically viable on a mass-market vehicle. Plant Breeding And Genetics Books.

Where many competitors in the compact class, or small family car (European) class, used the less expensive non-independent twist beam suspension, Control Blade offered enhanced performance, i.e., strong body control, sharp and accurate steering regardless of the car's attitude, and an absorbent and quiet ride over bumps. Unlike conventional multi-link suspension, Control Blade features a wide, simple, uniform thickness, pressed steel trailing arm with hub carrier – taking the place of two longitudinal locating rods, eliminating an expensive cast knuckle, and offering the same level of body control – with a lower center of gravity, reduced road noise, and at lower production cost. The long rear lateral arm controls toe, a pair of shorter front lateral arms, vertically above each other, control the camber, and the Control Blade reacts to brake and traction loads. In testing the suspension in 2000, writer Jack Keebler noted 'The Focus' average speed of 62.6 mph through our slalom makes it faster around the cones than a $62,000 Jaguar XJ8L and a $300,000 Bentley Continental.