Ford has tweaked its hot hatch with new looks and more gear.

THE German-built Focus XR5 Turbo is the first model in the small car line-up to feature Ford's kinetic design philosophy which has been adopted on the FG Falcon and the Mondeo.

Ford Australia marketing and sales vice-president Mark Winslow said the implementation of the theme delivered an opportunity for the design team to create an almost entirely all-new body appearance while a raft of new interior enhancements have also been introduced.

"The Focus XR5 Turbo has established itself as a firm favourite among Australian performance motoring enthusiasts and changes introduced with the new model will further strengthen its position as a performance and dynamics leader," he said.

The new XR5 Turbo has a new front bumper and a larger lower inverted trapezoidal grille flanked by distinctive re-styled foglamps.

Both upper and lower grilles feature a graphite mesh with a honeycomb pattern. The leading edge of the bonnet features a body-coloured appliqu while the new front lamps incorporate unique black housings that give the headlights a quartz effect during daylight hours.

From the side, the extended side rocker panels emphasise the lowered chassis and the bold wheel arches, which contain newly designed 18in alloy wheels.

There are body coloured exterior handles, door mirrors, side skirts and a spoiler.

At the rear, there is new bumper with an integrated lower diffuser framing two exhaust pipes, LED tail lamps and a large upper spoiler. Enhanced in-car entertainment features and systems include a premium centre console, Bluetooth with voice control, an Easyfuel capless refuelling system with misfuelling inhibitor and a new 'Ford Power' start button.

The centre console features a movable armrest with 80mm of travel, a four-litre capacity storage compartment, two open cup holders with a rubber mat, a coin holder and a card holder.

The new centre console also houses the 'Ford Power' button. There are alloy sports pedals, a unique handbrake cover and leather gear knob, complemented by a new carbon-effect finish on the centre of the instrument panel, centre console and switch bezels. Door-sill scuff plates and a unique leather three-spoke steering wheel complete the special style. Soft touch finishes have been applied to the instrument panel and stowage compartments. Stylish Recaro-branded front seats are standard.

The XR5 Turbo features a high-quality woven black headliner and black A-pillars, which further enhances the sporty cockpit feel of the interior. A mini overhead console in the headliner of the car houses a map and courtesy light.

Powering the Focus XR5 Turbo is the renowned turbocharged 2.5-litre 166 kW Duratec five-cylinder engine with 320 Nm of torque (1600-4000 rpm).

Among the passive safety systems are six airbags, pyrotechnic safety belt pre-tensioners and neck injury protection systems on the front seats.

To enhance the overall active safety package, the new model retains standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and its rigid, reinforced passenger cell while adding an emergency hazard warning light activation system.

The Focus XR5 Turbo is equipped with the largest diameter front brake discs of the Focus range to assist in providing impressive braking performance.

In addition to the signature Electric Orange metallic hero colour, a palate of six other colours is available including new Frozen White, Panther Black, Moondust Silver, Sea Grey, Colorado Red and Performance Blue.

Optional Ford 'GT-style' overhead body stripes are also available on select colours in the range, as is an optional sunroof. The recommended retail price of the new Focus XR5 Turbo is $36,990. Options include overhead stripes ($350) and power tilt/slide sunroof ($1900) and Recaro sports leather seats ($2000).

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