The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe made its debut on American Idol, the first time Ford has introduced a new model on primetime television. The cool Focus Coupe is the right car at the right time with its focus on driving fun and frugality with fuel. Now that’s a car Americans of all ages can idolize!

Ford says the 2009 Focus Coupe was strongly influenced by feedback from customers and, especially, young people. The overwhelming demand was for sportier styling and great fuel economy. From the looks of the new Focus Coupe and its 35 mpg EPA mileage estimate, Ford delivered.

To add a new sporty personality, the Focus team designed the coupe's shape to elicit emotion and excitement. They redesigned the face of Focus with the Ford signature two-bar chrome grille, fitted 17-inch sport wheels and added foglamps as standard equipment to complete the sporty front end. Ford added a high-mounted spoiler to the roof of the upscale Focus SES, and the designers placed a decklid spoiler on the Focus SE.

The new Focus Coupe features a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), inline four-cylinder engine. The Coupe's engine is capable of 143 hp through a five-speed manual transmission and 140 hp through an available four-speed automatic.

The 2009 Focus SES Coupe features more horsepower and a throatier sound, thanks to a new sport-tuned exhaust. The SES coupe with a four-speed automatic transmission will have a new 4.2 final drive ratio to deliver quicker off-the-line acceleration for a faster zero-to-60 mph time.

A new option for 2009 is electronic stability control (ESC), which uses sophisticated sensors and the antilock braking system to help correct skids that can lead to accidents.

Of course, styling and horsepower are just part of the fun car personality. That’s why the 2009 Focus Coupe will feature Ford's exciting SYNC system. Ford's voice-activated in-car entertainment and communications system seamlessly connects to Bluetooth capable cell phones and MP3 players.

The 2009 Focus comes as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan. Three trims - S, SE, and topline SES - are offered for each model. At 143 hp, the standard engine is now more powerful when it is equipped with the five-speed manual transmission. A 140 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic transmission is also available. The automatic transmission now has a final drive ratio that preserves the 35 mpg EPA mileage estimate for highway driving.

Inside the Focus Coupe, you’ll find a nicely designed dash and center stack with the controls illuminated in a cool blue. If you like that, you can also order optional custom-color LEDs to light up the cupholders and footwells. There's enough interior storage for cell phones and MP3 players, and the center console bin is quite deep. Fit and finish is excellent with large, comfy buckets up front and a roomy back bench.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, curtain side airbags and front side airbags. Other available features include leather upholstery, heated front seats and remote engine start. SES coupes will be available with 17-inch wheels. The 2009 Focus Coupe carries an MSRP of just $15,920.

Ford has been using a nifty tagline with the Focus: "Where MP3s meet MPGs." It’s a good way to describe the feeling you’ll get with the new Focus Coupe. This is a fun-loving car that will treat you right at the gas pump. Isn’t that all we ask for these days?