DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --

    -- The 2009 Focus coupe is set to debut on "American Idol" on Fox on
       Wednesday.

    -- 2008 Sporty updates inspired by customer feedback, including new front
       and rear fascias, a new roof-line spoiler and standard 17-inch aluminum

       wheels on the SES series, enhance the car's profile and further
       differentiate the Focus coupe from the sedan.

    -- Performance improvements include increased horsepower on 5-speed manual

       versions and quicker acceleration, thanks to a new final drive ratio on

       models with four-speed automatic transmissions -- without any
       compromise to Focus' 35-miles-per-gallon fuel economy rating.

    -- Focus posted an 88 percent increase in retail sales in April versus a
       year ago.

The hot-selling Ford Focus (NYSE: F) debuts a new coupe version for the
2009 model year Wednesday on America's hottest television show -- "American
Idol." This marks the first time Ford has ever revealed a new product on
prime time television.

"Focus is the little car that delivers in a big way for customers, with 35
mpg fuel economy, cool features including SYNC, a fun drive, strong quality
and the right price," said John Felice, Ford Division group marketing manager.

"We've built on those strengths to deliver an even sportier coupe version for
2009 and thought the 'American Idol' debut would be a new way for customers to
see the upgrades for themselves."

The new Focus coupe can be seen for the first time during the Wednesday
broadcast of "American Idol" on FOX, which airs at 9 p.m. EDT.

The Focus coupe will be part of the "American Idol" Ford Video featuring
this season's remaining contestants. Episodes of American Idol typically draw
an audience of more than 20 million viewers. The 45-second music video also
will be featured on the "American Idol" Web site at www.americanidol.com under
the Ford Music Video page.

Sportier Design

Focus retail sales were up 88 percent in April versus the prior year, and
a growing number of younger customers have been buying the new Focus model
that was launched in late 2007.

"We've spent a lot of time talking with small-car customers and Focus
enthusiasts," said Sam De La Garza, Focus marketing manager. "Their
overwhelming feedback was that a sportier exterior design could attract even
more Millennials, or those people born between 1980 and 1995 -- 11,000 of whom
reach driving age every day in the U.S."

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 larger open area that bares a strong resemblance to the acclaimed design of
the new global Ford Fiesta subcompact. The fog lamps -- now standard -- are
better integrated into the overall design of the front fascia, and its
signature two-bar chrome front grille and chrome accents around the headlamps
have been darkened for added differentiation.

"The new coupe looks really sporty," said Thomas Tang, co-founder of
www.focusfanatics.com and Ford Focus owner. "It is great to see that Ford
values our feedback and is willing to make quick changes."

"The new front fascia, 17-inch sport wheels and fog lamps remind me of the
old Focus SVT models," Tang added.

For differentiation, the high-end Focus SES will feature a standard
high-mounted spoiler that is incorporated into the design of the roof. The
high-mounted design contributes to Focus' overall muscular stance. A decklid
spoiler will remain part of the Focus SE exterior design.

New premium-painted Dark Chrome 17-inch aluminum wheels, also standard on
SES, complete the coupe's redesigned exterior.

Sounds 'Bad' and Goes Faster -- With More Control

The 2009 Focus SES coupe features more horsepower and a throatier sound,
thanks to a new sport-tuned exhaust. The SES coupe with a four-speed
automatic transmission will have a new 4.2 final drive ratio to deliver
quicker off-the-line acceleration for a faster 0-60 mph time.

A new option for 2009 is electronic stability control (ESC), which uses
sophisticated sensors and the anti-lock braking system to help correct skids
that can lead to accidents.

Fuel-efficient Powertrains

The 2009 Focus Coupe is equipped with a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20
dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers 143
horsepower when mated to a five-speed manual transmission and 140 horsepower
when paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Also available is a super-clean, 130-horsepower Duratec 20E engine that
qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). The 20E's
tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles'. The
Duratec 20 and 20E in Focus Coupe are mated to a five-speed manual
transmission and achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg.

SYNC Standard on Focus SES

Also setting the Focus coupe apart from other small cars is Ford's
industry-exclusive SYNC technology, which will be standard equipment on the
SES series and optional on the SE. SYNC is a fully integrated in-vehicle,
voice-activated communications and entertainment system for customers to use
their Bluetooth cell phones and digital media players.

SYNC was first introduced on the 2008 Focus and was an immediate hit with
customers, helping to increase Focus' share in an extremely competitive
small-car market. Nearly 50 percent of the 2008 model year Focus units sold
during April included SYNC. SYNC-equipped vehicles sell nearly twice as fast
as those without.

SYNC also was a feature that helped motivate editors of Kelley Blue Book's
kbb.com to name the 2008 Ford Focus one of the "Top Ten Coolest New Cars Under
$18,000" in April.

The 2009 Focus Coupe, available later this summer, will have an MSRP that
starts at $15,920. All Focus models are built at the Wayne (Mich.) Assembly
Plant.

SOURCE Ford

http://www.ford.com

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