2023 Ford Focus Facelift Unveiled With Sportier Looks In China

The facelifted Ford Focus is officially out in China, showing its mild styling differences compared to the European model that debuted last year. The model is available in both sedan and hatchback form, coming with a single non-electrified four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet.

The Chinese 2022 Ford Focus leaked last February but the new press photos give us a better look into the updates, with every bit of information available on the official website. Styling-wise, the facelifted model is closer to its European counterpart than before. However, in the Chinese Focus the grille merges with the headlights for a more aggressive look inspired by fighter jets, while the LED graphics are also different. Also, the black trim on the grille and the intakes is contrasting with the body-colored wings on the front bumper.

See Also: This Is The Facelifted 2023 Ford Explorer SUV For China

The profile remains unchanged while the rear end gains a slightly sportier diffuser with dual exhaust pipes. In terms of length, the hatchback measures 4,401 mm (173.3 inches) and the sedan measures 4,664 mm (183.6 inches) while retaining the same 2,705 mm (106.5 inches) wheelbase. Chinese buyers do not get the Active crossover-style variant but they get the sporty ST-Line and the new S Edition inspired by the discontinued Focus RS. The ST-Line is fitted with 18-inch charcoal grey alloy wheels with red brake callipers, while the S Edition comes with high-gloss black wheels alongside a black rear spoiler and a set of racing decals.

Inside the cabin, we find an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen incorporating the SYNC + Zhi Mo infotainment that is developed by Ford and Baidu (different from the SYNC 4). Equipment includes a B&O audio system, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 ADAS suite offering Level 2 autonomous driving. Depending on the model, we find black and blue upholstery, carbon-fibre style and suede-like trim, blue seatbelts and a perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching.

Unlike the EU-spec Focus which is available with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, the Chinese model gets a more powerful non-electrified 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost unit producing 178 hp (132 kW / 180 PS) and up to 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque in Overboost mode. The mill is exclusively mated to a sporty six-speed automatic gearbox that is different from the European seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and comes with three driving modes – standard, economy and sport. Power is sent to the front axle allowing a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 7.9 seconds.

Ford says it has retuned the suspension and steering in the facelifted model, while the ST-Line and S Edition variants get a sportier chassis setup sitting 10 mm (0.4 inches) closer to the ground. Brakes are also upgraded with 308 mm (12.1 inches) front discs and 302 mm (11.9 inches) rear discs.

The updated Focus will be produced by the Changan Ford joint venture in Chongqing, China. Note that this is the second facelift for the fourth-generation Focus in China, following the debut of the original in 2018 and the first facelift in 2020.