Geneva Motor Show Preview: 2012 Ford Focus Station Wagon

By John Voelcker

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2012 Ford Focus station wagon, launched at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

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The 2012 Ford Focus four-door sedan and five-door hatchback were probably the most important cars unveiled at January's Detroit Auto Show.

And Ford has many more compact vehicles to come, one of which is this striking Ford Focus station wagon, which will be shown at this week's Geneva Motor Show.

2012 Ford Focus station wagon, launched at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

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2012 Ford Focus station wagon, launched at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

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Ford Four-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine

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Angular Rear Exterior View - 2007 Ford Focus 4-door Wagon SES *Ltd Avail*

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U.S. shuns station wagons

While we've always been big fans of small wagons, the bulk of American car buyers aren't. That's why Ford killed off the Focus wagon when it restyled the compact Focus sedan for the 2008 model year. It also killed off the hatchback, but that model will return for 2012.

But our wagon aversion means that U.S. buyers probably won't get the chance to check out this smartly styled, obviously spacious compact wagon. Instead, we'll do our load-hauling in something taller and more SUV-like, even if it's a crossover built on a car platform.

That's where the 2012 Ford Kuga comes in. It's going to be built in Louisville, Kentucky, Tennessee, and will replace the aging Ford Escape crossover that's been with us since 1999. (Though whether it's called Kuga or Escape may still be up for debate.)

The Kuga sits on the same underpinnings as the Focus and, for that matter, as the new Focus station wagon.

2012 Focus specs

In Europe, the 2012 Ford Focus station wagon will come with a range of diesel and gasoline engines. In the U.S., the 2012 Ford Focus sedan and hatchback will have a 2.0-liter direct-injected, dual overhead-cam four-cylinder with variable valve timing. It develops an estimated 155 horsepower and 145 ft-lbs of torque.

U.S. Focus models will also have Ford's  new "PowerShift" six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a first in the class and a technology more often seen in pricey sports cars. It will deliver better gas mileage than the six-speed manual gearbox also offered.

Third EcoBoost engine

Ford has been widely expected to offer an "EcoBoost" turbocharged four for the Focus. While that engine didn't appear in Detroit, it's definitely on for Geneva. Its 1.6 liters produce either 148 or 177 horsepower, depending on model, and it's offered in the station wagon.

It's Ford's third EcoBoost engine in less than two years. The first was the 3.5-liter V-6 used in the 2010 Lincoln MKS and MKT, and 2010 Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, and the second, a 230-hp, 2.0-liter four, was announced last fall and launched in the 2011 Ford Edge.

In  your dreams

Meanwhile, look at the photos and dream about a smart, stylish, small station wagon from Ford in your driveway.

Because unless something changes--or you travel to Europe--that's where it'll stay: in your dreams.

Pity.

[Automobile]