What transmission does the new generation Focus use?

[VonPeyton]

The new generation Focus is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT). The new generation Focus comes with three different engines, which are: 1. A 1.5T three-cylinder engine with a maximum power output of 184 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. 2. A 1.5L three-cylinder engine with a maximum power output of 122 horsepower, paired with a manual transmission. 3. A 1.0T three-cylinder engine with a maximum power output of 127 horsepower, paired with an automatic transmission. Additional information: How transmissions work: 1. A manual transmission works by shifting the gear lever to switch the drive gears on the intermediate shaft, combining different gear sizes with the power output shaft to change the torque and speed of the drive wheels. 2. An automatic transmission uses planetary gear sets to change gears. It automatically shifts gears based on the degree of throttle pedal input and changes in vehicle speed, allowing the driver to control the speed simply by operating the accelerator pedal.

[SanZoe]

I've been driving the Focus for over two years now, equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth and seamless gear shifts, with quick response during acceleration and no noticeable jerking. Particularly, the 1.5T engine paired with this transmission makes driving in congested urban areas effortless, with crisp and decisive downshifts. Compared to the older 6AT, the new transmission optimizes gear ratios to maintain lower RPMs during highway cruising, resulting in excellent fuel efficiency—my real-world combined fuel consumption is around 7.2 liters per 100 kilometers. The paddle shifters are especially useful on winding mountain roads, as manual downshifting significantly improves cornering response. This powertrain combination has been trouble-free for three years, making it one of Ford's most reliable transmission configurations.

[KeeganRose]

The 8AT transmission in the Focus is a co-developed product by Ford and GM, with a focus on improving smoothness during low-speed conditions. During daily driving, you can feel its eager upshifting—it reaches 8th gear at just 80km/h, keeping the RPM below 1,500. The gearset features a compact layout, reducing weight by 3kg compared to the previous model. While downshifts during spirited driving aren’t as quick as a dual-clutch, Sport mode allows three consecutive downshifts under full throttle, delivering ample punch. Particularly in winding roads, the shift logic anticipates driving intent, proactively downshifting before corners to maintain torque. For cold starts, a 30-second warm-up is recommended to let the transmission fluid circulate fully, extending its lifespan.

[Connor]

Recently accompanied a friend to test drive the Focus, and what impressed me most was its 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. When starting off, just gently releasing the brake allows for smooth creeping without any jerking at traffic lights. During hard acceleration, the downshifting process is exceptionally smooth, with engine RPM and vehicle speed perfectly matched, eliminating the power interruption feeling of old 4AT transmissions. The salesperson mentioned this transmission features self-learning capability and can adapt to driving habits within two weeks. On highways, manually locking in 7th gear for overtaking feels very stable without worrying about frequent gear changes. Maintenance costs are similar to regular 6AT transmissions, and the 60,000 km oil change interval makes it quite worry-free.