Ford sharpens its Focus

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The new 1.8-litre petrol-engine models replace the previous 1.6-litre entry level cars and are available in both four-door Ambiente and five-door Ambiente versions.

The new 1.8-litre engine produces 92kW and 166Nm and is linked to a five-speed manual transmission. It is more powerful but at the same time also more petrol- and emissions frugal than the smaller-engined models it replaces.

But the main attraction in the new Focus line-up is without a doubt the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel model armed with a greased lightning six-speed PowerShift transmission.

The engine is basically the same as the existing 2.0-litre diesel, but what a difference the auto shift makes. It's so quick and so efficient that even an experienced fast driver will find it virtually impossible to be quicker through the gears when tap-tapping it a la manual mode.

I drove both the new 1.8-litre manual petrol model and the 2.0-litre diesel with PowerShift in the picturesque Lowveld during the media launch and was blown away by the auto-diesel combination.

Diesel engines can be noisy. This one is not. In fact, the exact opposite... it whispers gently and even when you beat the daylights out of it, it never raises its voice above a healthy growl.

Turbo lag? What turbo lag? It squirts off the mark and the auto box seems almost able to “feel” what the driver's intentions are. The cog-swopping process is so refined it makes the dip-and-surge automatic transmissions on some other cars look ridiculously outdated.

Acceleration is effortless and overtaking is safe, quick and easy.

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We stretched the zippy-shift oil-burner's legs through a number of fast, sweeping passes around the Nelspruit, HazyView, White River, Pilgrim's Rest area and it was pure pleasure.

The Focus has always been steady on its feet and the new range runs true to form. Comfortable and at ease, even over the humps and bumps (and the treacherous pot-holes the area is renowned for), both models behaved like thoroughbreds.

One had to feel sorry for the newcomer 1.8 petrol model. Performance-wise it really pales by comparison and it felt decidedly sluggish compared to the punch and glide of the diesel.

In fact, during a fag break en route a group of motoring journalists ragged the Ford hierarchy by asking them why they even bothered to produce a petrol engine when the auto diesel does the job so stylishly.

Unfortunately, pleasure usually comes at a price and with the latest round of new car prices which came into effect on 1 April the two PowerShift Focus diesel models weigh in at a rather hefty R269,750.

To put it into perspective: the 2.0-litre diesel with manual shift cost about R15,000 less than the PowerShift and the 2.0-litre petrol with standard automatic a whole R24,000 less.

The two entry-level 1.8 Ambiente petrol models (four-door and five-door) are on the showroom floor for R185,590.

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But just briefly back to the Poweshift diesel again. The reason it works so well is because of its double-clutch technology which is a zillion times more efficient than a conventional torque converter automatic transmission.

(No more technical bla-bla here. If you want to know the finer details I am sure your nearest Ford dealership will be only too happy to oblige).

But what the new-fangled auto box does do is to smooth the diesel along so well that Ford says it will sip a mere 5.81 litres every 100 kilometres - and that's in the combined cycle.

So what you get from PowerShift is convenient and comfortable open road driving, smooth progress in congested urban driving and some real excitement if you stomp the pleasure pedal to the floor.

Visually the Focus has also undergone major surgery and all the models across the range now brag with new “Kinetic Design Elements” such as a large trapezoidal opening below the bumper line, newly shaped bonnet and upper grille with a more prominent Ford badge, new bumper shapes, new front and back lights, alloy wheels, a wider track and a roof spoiler.

All of which makes it look classier, a little more athletic and overall more pleasant on the eye than the outgoing range.

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The living quarters have also been upgraded in terms of looks and comfort with add-ons such as a “soft-touch” dash (either in black or grey), a tan roof lining, bigger dials set into individual binnacles, an LCD display screen with several menu options, repositioned controls for aircon and a classy extra - at night the centre stack controls are illuminated in soft red light.

Other fittings on the higher specced models include USB connectivity and Blue Tooth capability.

Safety features have always been a strong point of Focus (it is, after all, part of the “Safety First” Volvo family!) and the new range is equipped with a rigid, reinforced passenger cell, a clever automatic hazard warning light activation system that warns following drivers when you hit the brakes hard, ABS brakes, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control (TCS) (PowerShift variants only), driver and passenger front and side airbags and inflatable side curtain airbags for front and rear-seat occupants on all higher grade Si derivatives.

Overall, the new Focus handles better, goes faster and looks better than the current model.

As Ben Pillay, Ford marketing manager, says: “For 2009 we have upped the stakes and we are confident that the new Focus will be a highly competitive player in the medium car market.”

And no doubt it will be, even though it is in a tough fight with brands that have been around the block a few times, including Toyota Corolla and Auris, Honda Civic, Opel Astra, fellow family member Mazda3, and the VW duo of Golf and Jetta.

But not for nothing has Focus collected a display cabinet full of awards (about 75 at the last count), including 13 Car of the Year awards.

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The Blue Oval badge has had its ups and downs over the years, but it has always retained a solid, loyal customer base. No doubt its presence will be further strengthened by the new Focus.

All Focus models have a price-inclusive four-year/120,000km fully comprehensive manufacturer warranty and only need to be serviced every 20,000km.

Footnote: At the same time as the rejuvenated Focus launch, Ford also unwrapped its popular work-and-play range of 12 spruced up Bantam bakkies ranging from the entry-level 1.3i at R101,950 to the classy (but expensive!) 1.4 TDCi XLT at R171,750.