Ford Focus was a true, love-it or hate-it car, due to its controversial look and the new-edge styling promoted by American brand with other vehicles such as Puma or Cougar.
Introduced at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, the Focus was replacing the Escort on the European market or Laser in other parts of the world. It was a new concept that brought the car into attention with its revolutionary design and engineering solutions. Moreover, apart from a convertible version, it covered all other body versions.

The triangular-shaped, with curved lines, emerged into sharp angles at the front, were part of the new-edge-design philosophy. A particular feature of the car, which many hated, was the behind-the-badge hood’s unlocking mechanism. It couldn’t be opened from inside the car like in any other vehicle. Designers installed the third row of windows behind the rear doors to diminish the blind spots and enhance the rear seat passengers’ interior luminosity.

Inside, the new-edge-design language was continued on the dashboard. The upper lines of the instrument cluster emerged in sharp angles with the rest of the panel. Its rear seats offered good legroom and headroom. Due to the rear independent suspension, the trunk was not the biggest in its class, but that layout was needed to increase comfort.

Ford installed a wide choice of diesel and gasoline engines, which was paired as standard with a 5-speed manual gearbox. A 4-speed automatic was on the options list for specific engines. Due to its independent suspension in all corners, the Focus was a benchmark in its car-segment for the cornering speed.