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Speaking of fast speeds, both the 4- and 5-doors are powered by Ford’s European-series Duratec HE engines. Though they’re not aurally satisfying (or powerful) as Honda’s VTEC engines, it pushes the Focus well enough. The 1.8-liter version makes 125 horses, with acceleration that's adequate more than stunning. More importantly in real life though is that the sedan can make short work of the 40-80 km/h overtaking speeds thanks to its well-matched gearing. The 2.0-liter behaves similarly, but with much better off-the-line power, thanks to a 20-horsepower and 20-Nm surplus. The only transmission, a 4-speed automatic, is well tuned to either engine, but improvements could be made to the shift quality (there’s a little shift shock at low speeds) and the sequential shift override (too slow). In addition, though the taller gearing may result in better overtaking capability and high-speed performance, the sacrifices come out at the pump: a dismal 7.79 km/L (combined city/highway) on the sedan and 9.32 km/L (mostly highway) on the hatchback. On a side note, potential owners should note that the Duratec HE engines take longer to get broken in. Off the assembly line, both engines feel lacking and restrained, but once the odometer hits around 2,000 km, they’ll open up quite nicely. This engine series is designed to be maintenance-free as well, with a self-adjusting timing chain, sealed radiator (with lifetime fluid) and a useful life of 240,000 kilometers. Wrapped around the class-leading chassis and powertrain is a “pleasing to the eye” shell. At a passing glance, the Focus doesn’t call attention to itself—it’s decisively more conservative, more “Round Edge” than “New Edge”, and as such will tick off the ricer-boy set. The sedan is designed to be more luxurious, more conservative and a bit plain, even with all the chrome embellishments. On the other hand, the hatchback is slightly more edgy and sportier with deletion of the chrome, a sharply raked roofline and a built-in rear spoiler. The design details seem to indicate that the Focus was designed as a hatch from the get-go; the flowing body lines and muscular wheel arches fit the 2.0-liter model better than they do the 1.8-liter. In addition, the 5-door gets the aerodynamic kit as standard, which is a P 30,000 option on the sedan After Ford nailed the crucial dynamics and comfort equations, they turned their attention to the Focus’s ergonomics and interior trim quality. It’s very Germanic, right down to the texture and smell. Like the exterior metal, the interior’s plain; but the left/right symmetrical design and easy to read layout provides a more mature feel. The sedan is the more welcoming of the duo with a beige/black interior with wood, leather and slivers of matte aluminum. The hatchback is more somber with a monotone black scheme, aluminum inserts replacing the wood and a fat, 3-spoke steering wheel. Both are nicely kitted: 6-disc audio unit with 6 speakers and an aux input in the glove box, a pair of lighted vanity mirrors, power adjustable driver’s seat, remote folding mirrors and a pair of air conditioning vents at the back. The 5-door version gets a power moon roof as well. |
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