Small Ford focuses on fun Why would I buy it?
The all-new Ford Focus is here, bringing with it razor-sharp handling and a brilliant threecylinder engine, writes Damien O’Carroll.
In a sea of competitive small hatches, the Ford Focus has become increasingly easy to overlook as it aged, particularly as SUVs took their toll on this once thriving segment as well. But now there is an allnew Focus that comes loaded with tech, a new frugal engine and even a pretend SUV version (although that isn’t here just yet).
Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?
Ford has kept the local Focus lineup nice and simple, with just three hatches and a single wagon to choose from for the time being.
The hatch comes in Trend, ST-Line and Titanium trims, while the wagon is an entry-level Trend only. While all three hatches are powered by a brilliantly eager 134kW/240Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo engine (derived from the equally brilliant 1.0-litre triple that powers the Fiesta and has won numerous Engine of the Year awards), the wagon only comes with a 110kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four. Both engines drive the front wheels through an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission.
All models come standard with a 180-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, pre-collision assist and post-collision braking that stops the car from rolling into further impacts in the event of an accident.
The high-riding Active crossover will arrive later this year, and the hot ST is also slated for a local release when available.
Where did you drive it?
The roads around Waimauku, north of Auckland, were the setting for the launch and they were the perfect surfaces for a lithe and responsive small hatch to be enjoyed on.
Hills quickly proved to be no obstacle to the little triple’s power, with plenty of grunt available across the entire rev range. The transmission is superbly slick and fast, with a dual clutch like crispness to its shifts.
The transmission shares some of its technology with the Mustang’s excellent 10-speed unit, so is capable of skipping gears on the downshift, making it incredibly responsive and possessing of the remarkable ability to almost always be in the right gear.
What’s the pick of the range?
While the top-spec Titanium has the most fruit, the mid-level STLine strikes the best balance between equipment, price and just plain fun.
That said, all the hatches (we didn’t get a chance to sample the wagon) share the same eager, responsive handling and impressively refined ride, while the 1.5-litre engine is thoroughly fantastic, with a muted threecylinder growl and plenty of eager and flexible power across its rev range.
The steering is delightfully accurate and nicely weighted, pairing perfectly with that wonderfully agile chassis. You want a small hatch and you actually enjoy driving, because the Focus carries on the tradition of small European Fords being brilliantly sharp, immensely fun things and is easily one of the best handling things in its segment this side of a full-on hot hatch.
Why wouldn’t I buy it?
It doesn’t exactly move any goalposts, particularly the interior which while of a wildly higher quality than the previous car, is a bit old-fashioned looking.
Also, you will think twice if, like me, you can’t stand ridiculous rotary dial gear selectors, which the Focus is unfortunately blighted with now.
Much like similarly silly systems in Range Rovers and Jaguars, doing a three-point turn with one is a slow, fumbly exercise in frustration . . .