No, it’s not an ST. Don’t be fooled by the ST-aping 17-inch wheels, skirts and spoiler. This is a stock-standard 2,0 GDi with the Trend option pack fitted (more of which later). I wish someone would’ve told the three hooligans who’ve tried to race me in my mere two weeks of Focus “ownership”, mistakenly thinking it’s the hot-hatch version…
Ford recently realigned the Focus range by adding a number of derivatives, adapting some of the controls in the cabin and offering the option pack. The big news, however, is the local debut of SYNC. After connecting your cellphone via Bluetooth or the USB port, the system is able to recognise 150-odd voice commands, allowing the driver to use a phone without removing his/her hands from the wheel. It’ll also read text messages.
I’ve yet to try the full suite of features, but SYNC did connect seamlessly to my iPhone 4S and played all my music through the six-speaker audio system. I’ll report back on whether it can distinguish an LOL from an OMG.
Back to the Trend option pack. As standard, Trend specification is fairly sparse, with items such as cloth seats and a plastic steering wheel and gearknob slightly diminishing the otherwise-excellent perceived quality of the cabin. For R17 000-odd, Ford adds auto lights, wipers and rear-view mirror, leather on the seats, steering wheel and gearknob, the styling kit, chrome trim on the grille and front foglamps, and the wheels.
The Focus has taken to my daily commute with aplomb. The light steering, clutch and gearchange make driving in cut-and-thrust traffic a doddle, while my misgivings about the larger wheels affecting the supple ride of Focuses on 16-inch wheels with cushier tyre sidewalls have proven false; few cars in this class remain as composed over pockmarked tar.
A longer trip east along the Garden Route revealed excellent noise suppression. This trip also highlighted the 125 kW/200 N.m engine’s dearth of torque at low revs; it refuses to pull fifth gear on all but the slightest inclines. I’m hoping it’ll loosen up as the miles accumulate.
And accumulate they will. If all my plans pan out, the Focus will visit a national park, see the sights in southern Namibia and complete a trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg and back. It’s going to be interesting year.
SO FAR
Mileage on arrival: 1 207 km
Mileage now: 2 711 km
Fuel consumption: 9,43 L/100 km
We like: supple ride, refined engine, SYNC
We don’t like: sheep-in-wolf’s-clothing styling additions
