8 February 2011
Road test review: Ford's little secret
Ford may have a new FG Falcon which has dominated motoring media of late, but amongst all the hype, Ford have also renewed their best kept secret, the Focus.
Because of all the attention on Ford's flagship, it's been easy to overlook the success of Focus, but it was New Zealand's second largest selling compact car in 2006 and 2007.
This is quite an achievement for a European-sourced vehicle, as they tend to be pricier - or are perceived to be pricier - than Kiwi's more favoured Japanese-built vehicles.
The latest iteration receives sharper aesthetics, akin to the Kinetic design of its bigger Mondeo brother, a choice of four possible engines and wagon, hatch - or in the case of the wild XR5 turbo - hot hatch configurations.
Predictably the new entry-level 1.6 litre targets fleet purchasers, but we believe there's still appeal for budget conscious family buyers here
With Ford's new transparent pricing strategy the compact-sized Focus 1.6 hatch starts at just $26,190, so could well prove an attractive alternative to super-mini vehicles.
The miserly fuel consumption is certainly comparable to smaller vehicles, with the manual hatch sipping just 6.7L/100km (automatic 7.7L/100km), but there's the added bonus of increased comfort and practicality. The interior has been dressed up slightly thanks to new grains over the dash surfaces; sports influenced instrument cluster, new red illuminated switchgear and new trim colours and treatments over the previous model Focus.
Despite this though, a sparseness about the entry-level models is apparent and you miss out on items like electric rear windows and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
To Ford's credit however, the penny pinching is only to provide an inexpensive car for the consumer and there has been no compromise in safety features. The European-sourced Focus's standard safety package is commendable for its price point. Front, side and curtain airbags are mandatory equipment as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and 3 point seatbelts in all positions.
This is not only a benefit over many Focus competitors, but it also makes Ford Australia's recent choice to offer curtain airbags as only a cost option on their flagship FG Falcon range, decidedly disappointing.
Despite only developing 74kW @ 6000rpm and 150Nm of torque, the little 1.6 is relatively willing when the driver can select the optimum ratio with the smooth five-speed gearbox. Performance is not surprisingly muted by the 4-speed automatic however, which is probably adequate for around-town running, but regular open road driving will not be this drivetrain's forte.
For the regular cross country driver we would recommend either the torquey 1.8 litre diesel, or 2.0 litre petrol as an alternative
The 85kw @ 3700 rpm diesel is only available in manual, stationwagon configuration only, which is a shame. A diesel powered hatch might've been our pick of the range, if one was available.
Focus wagonNevertheless it will prove a sales rep's dream with its hard to find blend of wagon practicality, strong performance and fuel economy of 5.3L/100km, all for a reasonable $30,390 price tag.
For the same money, the automatic only 2.0 litre hatch rounds out the "plain Jane" models.
Move up to the 2.0 litre petrol Zetec and you're rewarded with elegant 17" alloy wheels, a stylish body kit, heated side mirrors, fog lamps, satin chrome interior accents, a 6 disc CD stacker and more upmarket upholstery. An upgrade worthy of the additional $4100 asking price over the base 2.0 litre.
Regardless of the Focus variant it remains the handling benchmark for the category, none of the variants we trialled during the vehicle's launch put a foot wrong through Northland's meandering blacktop. The minimal body roll, superb turn-in and compliant ride makes the Focus perfect for our roads, dynamically it rarely feels out of its depth, even when driven with vigour.
The competency of Focus' chassis lends itself perfectly to a hot hatch application, a category which growing steadily in New Zealand over the last couple of years
The Focus XR5 employs a Volvo-derived 5 cylinder turbo charged engine. The 2.5 litre engine develops 166kW @ 6000rpm and 320Nm of torque from just 1600rpm so acceleration is rapid, but from inside the carbon lined interior, cosseted by the large leather Recaro seats, everything seems quite relaxed.
The six-speed manual gearing isn't so short you're required to snatch gears every two seconds, while the torque delivery is linear and smooth. Suspension and wheels are sportier than the conventional Focus, but the XR5's versatility really impresses. It's every bit a hot hatch, but also refreshingly refined day to day.
An XR5 Turbo variant of the new Mondeo is also available, along with the anticipated diesel variant.
It may not be the centre of attention right now, especially with the Falcon's FPV due for launch this month, but don't overlook the Focus. It's always been a fun drive, now the range benefits from a greater selection and affordable new price point.