New Focus Van

Ford’s leading position in the commercial market in Ireland is likely to be boosted with the introduction of the all-new Focus van. It replaces the successful Focus Mark I van, which was the best-seller in its segment last year.

Available in two variants of the acclaimed 1.6 TDCi common rail diesel engine, delivering 90PS and 110PS respectively, the new Focus van draws on the strengths which have made the passenger car Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2005.

The qualities of reliability, value, space and driveability that lie behind the success of Focus are transferred to this commercial version, comments Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. Add to this the improved safety features of the new model and you have an outstanding package.

The new Focus van boasts a net payload of 442kg, a 10% increase on the previous model. Loadspace length is up by 5% to 1529mm and load capacity rises to 1.247 cubic metres, while CO2 emissions have been reduced by over 12%.

Commercial operators can concentrate on the job at hand in the knowledge that they are behind the wheel of one of the safest vans on the road. Awarded a 5-star occupant protection rating in the EuroNCAP test, the Focus became the first and only model to receive a 100 per cent occupant safety rating for both offset frontal and side impact tests. The vans comes equipped with ABS and 6 airbags as part of Ford’s Intelligent Protection System (IPS).

The smart 9-spoke alloys and front fog lamps, available for just 500, give the Focus van a stylish appearance not instantly expected of a commercial vehicle. “Functionality aside, this is a van that drivers will be proud to be seen in”, adds Eddie Murphy, “ and that responsive TDCi engine will help take the strain out of a hard day on the road.”

The Focus Mark I van was the best-selling car-derived van in Ireland last year, with a total of 581 units registered. 1,300 units have been sold since its introduction in 2002.

The addition of the new Focus van completes a stellar line-up of Ford vehicles for the commercial customer, from Fiesta van to Transit Connect through to the ubiquitous Transit. Ford Ireland recorded its best-ever month for commercial sales in January.

The Focus van is available from £19,690 for the 1.6 TDCi 90PS unit and £20,890 for the 110PS version (prices include VAT, exclude delivery and related charges).