Ford Focus (2011) review
by Tom Stewart (1 February 2011)
2011 is a particularly significant year for Ford for two main reasons. Firstly, on 8 March 1911, just three years after the Model T was unveiled in Britain, Ford Motor Company (England) Limited was incorporated. Those of you with a modicum of arithmetical talent will appreciate that this year therefore marks Ford of Britain's centenary.
Secondly, the all-new Focus will be in UK showrooms from March. As you may know, the Focus has frequently topped the UK sales charts since it was first introduced in 1998, and this new, third-generation model is Ford's first ever truly global car, going as it will to over 110 markets worldwide.
So, no pressure, then, for the company to deliver another winner in the hugely competitive C sector. Time will tell of course, but on the basis of one decent drive in just two of the 34 initial model variants, I can confidently state that the latest Focus is an excellent car and no mistake.
But before we delve into the detail, let's stand back and take a look at it. As a five-door hatchback it certainly has an attractive profile and stance. As is often the case these days, there's perhaps an element of over-fussiness – the plethora of front air intakes (two of which are blanked off) is one example, as are the exaggerated wraparound rear lamp lenses – but for the most part it's a handsome machine.
It's pleasant on the inside too. Not ground-breaking or revolutionary, but the design, layout, finishes and materials are very contemporary in appearance as well being well up to scratch in terms of perceived quality. Soft-touch materials are used in some places that you're never likely to touch, while hard-touch plastics can be found in places that you do make contact with, not least the centre console/front passenger knee area, but customer demands aren't always a lesson in logic. The cabin isn't startlingly capacious, but it's roomy enough, and I found both driving position and seat comfort to be beyond reproach.
Two bodystyles will be available in the UK initially; the five-door hatch as driven and as seen here, plus an estate. No sign of a three-door, or a cabrio, but there is a not-for-UK four-door saloon version (primarily for the US and China), and the others will doubtless follow in time. The lead-in model is the Focus Edge, with equipment levels becoming increasingly opulent in the Zetec, Titanium and top-level Titanium X variants.
Somewhat harder to grasp is the Focus's extensive range of engines, power outputs and transmissions. Diesel offerings for the UK market start with a 94bhp 1.6-litre TDCi with a six-speed manual. There's also a 113bhp version of same with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift transmission, plus 2.0 TDCis with either 138bhp or 161bhp, both the latter with the same choice of transmissions. Petrol engines offered from launch are a 104bhp or 123bhp 1.6 TiVCT with a five-speed manual, or a six-speed 148bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost motor. Auto Start-Stop comes as standard with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost and TDCi engines.
Recent experience with the new C-MAX indicated that the lower-power petrol engines aren't stellar performers, and that the 113bhp TDCi motor is no rocketship either, so it's not unreasonable to assume that the same will apply in new Focus guise.
Two engines were available to drive on the recent Focus press launch in Spain: the top spec 161bhp diesel TDCi (with six-speed PowerShift in my case) and a top-of-the-petrol range 180bhp EcoBoost not yet destined for the UK market. Coincidentally the latter has very similar torque characteristics (with the same 199lb/ft peak output) to the 148bhp version that is coming to the UK and so I can report that, despite a 9mph lower top speed of 130mph and a quoted 8.6sec 0-62mph time (0.6 seconds slower), the 148bhp EcoBoost engine is likely to have all the urge and oomph you're likely to need - as will the top-of-the-range diesel, which, with some 251lb/ft of grunt, pulls like an ox on steroids from low rpm and keeps on pulling strongly as speed rapidly increases.
I did hear talk on the launch of the Powershift transmission sometimes not quite keeping up with events when in auto and being driven hard on challenging roads, but, like me, most owners probably won't find it wanting. And if they do then there's always the manual mode with gears smoothly shifted, rather unusually, via a small, thumb-operated rocker button on the gearknob.
The assembled press were however unanimous in their verdict that the new Focus rides and handles sublimely. Most Spanish roads these days, even minor ones, completely shame what passes for roads here in the UK, but even on the occasional shoddy stretch the Focus rides brilliantly and has excellent body control and refinement. The car's electric power steering is also effectively beyond criticism (almost – read on . . .), while grip is very impressive. Should the tyres so much as chirp on a cool day then you're almost certainly driving like a madman, at least on the public road.
Although none of the press launch cars boasted any kind of optional satellite navigation, they were all brimming with optional active safety technologies. I'll start with the new Lane Keeping Aid which, via a forward-looking camera, monitors the road ahead and if activated nudges the wheel to help you back on course. It could be argued that if you need this then you probably shouldn't be driving, but I should also mention that you'll want it de-activated on a curvy road as it can occasionally do disconcerting things to the steering while driving enthusiastically.
Drawing information from either a camera, radar or infra-red laser systems there's also (take a deep breath): Lane Departure Warning, Forward Alert with Brake Support, Low Speed Safety System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Alert, Active Park Assist, Auto High Beam Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Speed Limiter System, Emergency Brake Light and a Blind Spot Info System. Standard equipment includes a decent-sounding (and fine-looking) Sony DAB entertainment system with voice control, plus Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a good trip computer.
It's sometimes said that the best presents are those one gives to oneself. With prices starting at £15,995 I'll stick my neck out and say that the new Focus is the best car in its class, and as such it's the very best present that Ford could give to itself. However, were I about to buy a new five-door, C-sector hatchback I'd probably still plump for an Alfa Romeo Giulietta - purely on a heart-overruling-the-head basis, you understand.
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