Ford reveals future plans: As many as 5 launches expected

Kuala Lumpur: With a huge lineup planned ahead, Ford has got many surprises for you this year. It is planning three vehicle launches before the year ends and another two in the first quarter of 2016. You will be able to witness a facelifted Ford Ranger T6 in last quarter of this year along with the second-generation Everest SUV. The third-generation U375 would be made available in two versions, first one being a rear-wheel drive 2.2-litre engine (called the XLT) and the other one being a much higher specified 3.2-litre all-wheel drive variant. One can expect a 3% price hike for the facelifted Ranger and the new Everest. The 2.2-litre version of the Everest would cost you around RM180k while the 3.2-litre version would be priced in a range of RM230k-RM240k.

The second-generation S-MAX would be launched sometime in November along with the fifth-generation Mondeo as flagship offerings until the arrival of the S550 Mustang in January next year. The potential buyers can expect a 5% hike in the pricing of S-MAX. Talking about the third-generation Focus facelift, it would be launched in January 2016 along with a turbocharged engine and a change in powertrain and drivetrain selection. The engines of the revised C346 would be replaced by a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, the old ones being 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre 4 cylinder engines. In Europe, the 1.5-litre Ecoboost is available in two options of 150 PS and 180 PS. Though it is unclear that the Asian regions would feature both versions or not, but the 180 PS output should be a certainty. Talking about the transmission, a regular torque converter six-speed automatic transmission would replace the six-speed dry dual-clutch Getrag 6DCT250 gearbox.

One can also expect some diesel-powered passenger vehicles in near future, with second generation C344 C-Max being a possible candidate. The idea of Diesel Focus would aim at a more cost effective route rather than being cheap. Earlier, Ford was planning to introduce a revised 2.0-litre turbodiesel TDCi engine for the Focus facelift in the Australian market. If these plans are still being considered, then you can expect a TDCi to feature in Asian Ford Focus as well.