PRE FLIGHT BRIEFING FORD FOCUS

Why is it here?

The Focus conquered the Mercedes A-Class and Kia Ceed to become our reigning family hatch champ. Now there’s a new Golf and 1-series to give it a hard time, just as it was getting comfy on its throne. It’s the most a ordable car here by a handy margin.

Any clever stu ?

Much of the technology is on a par with the competition, including autonomous halt and pull-away in tra c, speed sign recognition and speed adjustment, and headlamp patterns that adjust to bends ahead for optimum vision. Like the BMW, this Focus uses a three-cylinder turbocharged engine, and it’s a gem: quiet, flexible and so much punchier than its size suggests.

Which version is this?

This is the sporty-looking ST Line trim, Ford’s equivalent to M Sport or R Line. The range kicks o with 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrols and torsion-beam rear suspension. This 1.5-litre EcoBoost gets multi-link rear suspension and the optional auto gearbox – which we’d avoid.