Cruise Control becomes Standard on Ford Focus Ambiente

[russellw]

MELBOURNE, 10 September, 2013 – Ford has upgraded the features in the Focus hatch and sedan, adding Cruise Control as standard to its popular Focus Ambiente model.
Focus Ambiente and Trend models also benefit from optional driver’s and front passenger’s lumbar support control.
“We’ve responded to our customers’ desires to have cruise control in Focus Ambiente,” according to Ford General Marketing Manager, David Katic. “The Focus range is already well equipped but cruise control and lumbar support add even more value into the range for customers.”
Focus Ambiente has a comprehensive standard equipment list that includes:

1.6-litre Sigma Ti-VCT petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission
Torque Vectoring Control
Ford SYNC™ with advanced voice control system
Bluetooth®1 Hands-Free Phone
Control Blade independent rear suspension
5-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control (TC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Power adjustable side mirrors with side indicators
Power central locking
Power front and rear windows
Air-conditioning

Katic says both Cruise Control and lumbar support are available from September-build Focuses.
Apart from the high level of standard features, myFord Capped Price Servicing is available for up to 7 years or 105,000km (whichever comes first) on all Focus models from Ambiente, Trend, Sport, Titanium and including the performance ST hatch.
$50Customers can check out in full myFord Capped Price Servicing terms and conditions at www.ford.com.au/myfordcps

The website provides customers with the maximum price they will pay for a standard A or B logbook service for an eligible vehicle at a participating authorised Ford dealer.

The Focus Ambiente has a Manufacturer’s List Price2 (MLP) of $20,290 for the hatch and sedan.


Options:
Lumbar Support (Ambiente and Trend) $50

[jpd80]

“We’ve responded to our customers’ desires to have cruise control in Focus Ambiente,” according to Ford General Marketing Manager, David Katic. “The Focus range is already well equipped but cruise control and lumbar support add even more value into the range for customers.”

This was a glaring deficiency with Ambiente when trying to compete with Mazda 3 Neo
which comes standard with Alloy wheels, 2.0 litre engine and 6-speed manual transmission.

[XR Martin]

What I find ironic is that Lumbar adjustment seems to come and go on cars.

EL and AUs got dual adjustable lumbars on both driver's and passenger seats. BA onwards only got single on the driver's seat.
Previous Camry got electric adjustment across the range. Current base model Camry has no adjustment.
Most small cars have no adjustment either (Corolla, I30, Cerato).

But as long as they have bluetooth then thats ok...

[jpd80]

I think it's more a sign that the seat backs are not designed quite right, people using the adjustment for comfort.

[csv8]

Cruise Control good addition, too many Constable Kodaks around. Ford needs to look at the price of servicing, its on the high side compared to other makes.