Driving the new Ford Focus
The Sport model strikes a sporty stance. We get behind the wheel to see whether it stays in character.
THE latest Ford Focus comes fortified with many features that raise the benchmark for others to follow but it doesn’t take the fun out of driving.
As it were, the new Focus would hold its own very well through winding stretches against rivals and if more is desired, the Focus also comes prepared to take the act one step higher.
This is in the five-door hatchback Sport model, with the Sport Plus providing the added advantage of a Sport tuned suspension.
And the dynamic fun is provided without taking the ride comfort out of it for everyone on board, and we are talking about driving the Focus Sport Plus over the same bumpy roads that are part of our daily fare.
Apart from the expected jolts over deep ruts and potholes, the stiffer tuned suspension had the capacity to ride rough patches without the hard impacts that were expected.
The usually bruising bumps were nicely cushioned and we could relate to cars with suspensions designed for a comfortable ride.
It’s all the more credible considering that the Sport models runs on taller wheels and tyres against the Focus Titanium sedans – 17-inch alloys and 215/50 R17 against 16inch alloys and 205/60 R16 tyres.
Ford’s suspension tuners certainly got the balance right between sporty driving and ride comfort on this one.
The Focus Sport Plus will take to winding roads with equal aplomb. The torque vectoring control on the front wheels, which works like a limited slip differential, makes taking to corners dynamically more fun and quicker.
As it transfers torque to the wheel with grip, car control through corners is more positive and we could push the Focus Sport Plus through the bends that little bit faster.
The electric power-assisted steering is also nicely weighted to give feel and directional feedback to make the drive through corners enjoyable.
Theh Focus Sport Plus is not short on oomph. It may not be outrageously quick but hit the accelerator hard enough and you may ruffle some feathers
We have a few favourites through our regular winding ‘testbed’ and the Focus Sport Plus is now one of them.
As a 2.0-litre model, the Focus Sport Plus is not short on oomph. It may not be outrageously quick but hit the accelerator hard enough and you may ruffle some feathers.
The direct injection fuel feed and twin independent variable camshaft timing play their part in contributing to a power output of 170PS peaking at 6,500rpm and 202Nm torque at 4,450rpm.
The six-speed double clutch automatic works smoothly and instinctively, reacting to road speed and gradient by holding a lower gear when necessary.
You can select Sport mode in a sequential move by pulling the gearshift to the rearmost.
There are no steering paddles to change gears but a button on the side of the gearshift knob. Hit the plus button to upshift and the minus button to
downshift. It is more thumb work rather than handwork.
The Active Park Assist, activated by pushing a button on the centre console, comes in useful for parallel parking.
Our first attempt was along a tree-lined road and the system would parallel park over tree roots and all.
Our second attempt at a proper parking spot did the job just fine. All we did was work the accelerator and let the car’s steering do the rest by itself. On the highway, the Focus Sport Plus would hit 160kph easily enough. Body aerodynamics met our
expechardly tations with any air turbulence intruding into the passenger compartment.
The level of road roar in the Focus Sport Plus is a low drone that is tolerable.
If we have to nitpick, we found the location of the door lock and unlock button on the centre dash console unsuitable.
We believe this item should be on the driver’s door handle as it is the automatic choice.
The semi-leather upholstery is also a little wishy-washy and not quite as outgoing as one would expect in a Sport model.
Other than that, the Focus Sport Plus is quite hard to fault. Its high level of features and fittings put it heads above the rivals.
Its Bluetooth Connectivity and Voice Control system may only work fully with an Android phone system but you can still make and receive calls with an iPhone (it’s the SMS feature that you can’t use the voice control with).
At RM125,386.80 on the road with insurance, it’s priced exactly the same as the Focus Titanium Plus sedan. Whichever model you pick, the latest Focus should live up to expectations as a value buy for the buck.