Armed with new engines (including a potent turbodiesel), handsome styling and high equipment levels, Ford’s smartly-priced Focus range takes a new stab at the cut-throat subcompact market.
Armed with new engines (including a potent turbodiesel), handsome styling and high equipment levels, Ford’s smartly-priced Focus range takes a new stab at the cut-throat subcompact market.
Squarely aimed at the market-leading Toyota Corolla/RunX, Honda Civic, Opel Astra, Volkswagen Jetta/Golf and Mazda 3, the new Focus’ line-up incorporates five four-door saloon and three five-door hatchback versions with three engine derivatives – 1,6- and 2,0-litre petrol engines and a 2,0-litre turbodiesel.
Whereas the first-generation Focus created quite a stir with its progressive styling, the new car, which shares its underpinnings with the Volvo S40, V50 and the Mazda 3, is still attractive, albeit more conservative and polished than its predecessor.
At the recent launch, CARtoday.com’s correspondent found the car’s dynamics to be excellent with the 100 kW turbodiesel arguably the pick of the bunch. It uses the same engine as was recently introduced in the Volvo S40, and he noted said the unit impressed with its quietness and lively performance.
To read more about the new Ford Focus and view the gallery click here.