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Ford Updates Focus for '09

Ford's Focus may have gone on sale less than a year ago, but it's already receiving

New bumpers, wheels and a darker grille are a few of the updates made to enhance Ford's '09 Focus. (Photo: Ford)

updates. Ford's compact sales have been on the rise with the economical, gadget-infused model, and to keep the momentum up the Dearborn-based brand has listened carefully to consumers and tweaked the car accordingly for '09.

According to its research, Focus buyers wanted a sportier looking car, and so Ford has fitted brand new front and rear bumpers. The twin-bar grille has gone from bright chrome to a a darker bronze, and the headlamps are now outlined in chrome. One of the criticisms about the Focus' exterior directed at its faux extractor vents on the front fenders; for '09 they've disappeared completely. On SES-equipped cars, 17-inch multi-spoke rims have been added, with a dark finish similar to the grille, as well as a roof-mounted spoiler.

For the most part, the Focus is mechanically unchanged, though cars equipped with

Manual-equipped cars gain a few extra horsepower; automatic cars have a lower final drive ratio for better acceleration. (Photo: Ford)

manual transmissions receive a freer flowing exhaust that enables a horsepower gain of 3. Automatic cars don't get the update. Instead, they receive a 4.20 final drive ratio, which seeks to boost off-the-line acceleration. Perhaps more relevantly, the Focus will now be offered with stability control, making it one of the few compact cars available with this important safety feature.

Ford's updated Focus won't make its grand debut on the stands of an auto show, but rather on the next airing of American Idol. After all, it's the perfect opportunity for the company to showcase its affordable compact car to its target demographic - 11,000 of which turn the legal driving age in America every day.

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