Ford Focus 2005 Review

OVERVIEW
Focus launched globally in 1998, and arrived in Australia three years later. Its tale of success in Europe -- more than four million were sold in six years -- was not mirrored locally, for a number of reasons.

Launch examples contained a glitch in the engine management code, which unfairly handicapped its performance on local fuels. Though that was quickly rectified, Focus continued to sell below Ford's targets. Ford Australia believes it launched the Focus at the wrong time -- a time when it also launched the crucial BA Falcon -- and so Focus lost much of its marketing focus and, indeed, its public voice to the bigger, more important Falcon.

Ford Oz won't be making the same mistake with the second generation Focus -- it also won't be making Australians wait three years, because the new model arrives in April 2005, just six months after its global launch. Four- and five-door models will carry the fight to main rivals Holden Astra and Toyota Corolla while a sporty three-door will provide the flair and passion.

Whispers abound of a high performance model riding the crest of the range. Think of a turbocharger and all-wheel drive (from the Volvo S40), a six-speed gearbox and sub-seven seconds performance and you won't be far wrong. But don't hold your breath, Ford hasn't officially confirmed that any such vehicle exists.

FEATURES
The second generation Focus is Australia's first chance to see how Ford interprets its Global Shared Technologies strategy. Confused? You shouldn't be: Essentially Ford and two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries -- Mazda and Volvo -- got together to develop a small car for each brand based around the same fundamentals.

It's like the 21st century version of badge technology, though one Ford senior executive blanched at our over-simplification. What it means is that Ford, Mazda and Volvo's small cars share those parts which all cars need, but don't contain any of its unique character. Like the battery, some structural components, suspension mounting points, fuel tank, etc.

Those components that give the car its character, like the engine, suspension tune, gearboxes, body panels and interiors, are all unique to each brand. For front-drive Focus this means a longer wheelbase, wider track, and therefore a bigger, roomier body.

Most obvious change is the styling, which some say is a backwards step to conservatism. Where the previous model dared to be different with its 'New Edge' styling, the new model seems almost hesitant to step into the spotlight. Styling is an extremely personal and subjective element, though it can also make or break a car, as Ford Australia knows all too well.

Under the bonnet resides an entirely new range of engines; some based on those in the Mazda 3 but with Ford-specific heads. The Focus range overseas includes three petrol engines and two diesel engine at launch in October 2004, but Australia will get one engine: the 2.0-litre, dual-cam four-cylinder with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.

COMFORT
Focus' internal styling has taken a mighty leap forward. No longer is it the drab, lifeless greys and blacks of the coal mine. Now the cabin is a warm, inviting living space that says a lot about this car's inherent qualities.

Delicate touches of brushed chrome lend a classy feel, while brighter tones on lower surfaces deliver a friendlier atmosphere. The overall feeling of the cabin is one of immense quality. Gaps are tight, fit and finish is excellent and the all-touch points impart thoughtfulness both in their surfaces and actions. This is a cabin that wouldn't look out of place on a luxury vehicle.

Seats are sculpted to better hold a human body, and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes to provide near-perfect driving position. Some Focus models also include power adjustable pedals, as seen on Falcon and Territory. The second row of seats is a two adult affair, or maybe three smaller kids, and some taller bodies may question the headroom (it's actually 3mm less than previous model). Legroom is good, as is under-seat footroom, but as in all cars this size it depends on concessions from the front.

Ford of Europe has upped the ante with equipment levels, adding keyless go, adaptive front lighting, bluetooth integration and voice control to the Focus. Don't expect all of this on anything but the luxury spec, and even then it may cost extra. Regardless, all Focuses come with electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, CD stereo and trip computer. Air conditioning may be optional on some Australian models.

SAFETY
Big strides in this department -- especially when it shares components with a Volvo S40. Ford of Europe expects five star EuroNCAP crash rating, and we see no reason to doubt this. Dual front airbags are on all models, and there's also front side airbags and curtain airbags available. Front seatbelts feature pretensioners, and the steering wheel and pedals collapse away from the driver in a frontal collision.

Active safety features start with Focus's very responsive chassis and near-perfect steering feel. Tyres offer good grip, though the Pirelli P7s we tested in Europe were the pick of the two alternatives. The 2.0-litre engine we tested isn't a screamer but it does have good feel and response to throttle inputs.

Brakes are discs all 'round and fitted with ABS anti-lock -- though some European models come with cheaper drum brakes on the rear. A mechanically-operated brake assist feature detects an emergency stop and aids the driver with full retardation.

MECHANICAL
MkII Focus is longer (+190mm), wider (+140mm) and taller (+17mm) than the car it replaces, which not only improves interior space but also enhances Focus' on-road abilities through a bigger road footprint. The Focus' wheelbase is up 25mm and track has increased 40mm, pushing the wheels further into the corners of the car.

Not one body panel is shared between the old car and the new, and neither is a single body panel shared with siblings Mazda 3 and Volvo S40.

All-independent suspension helps, and Ford has further refined the Focus' rear control-blade suspension for better tyre control throughout its vertical range. Major changes to the front suspension include a new subframe, revised springs, totally new dampers and a bigger anti-roll bar.

Optional sports suspension is available, which tightens up the handling by reducing the ride height 10mm and fitting unique anti-roll bars, shocks and springs.

Ford Australia would not confirm the exact makeup of its range, except to say it would resemble the current line-up. Which means only one of the five European engines interest us: the 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder. The larger 2.0-litre model produces 107kW of power and 185Nm of torque, making it near best in class, and a marked improvement on the old car's 85kW/162Nm.

It drives the front wheels through either a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic with tiptronic-style shifter. Fifteen-inch wheels and tyres are fitted to all corners, with the option of 16s or 17s and sports suspension.

All this extra room, performance and safety doesn't come free, and Focus is 96kg heavier than before at 1356kg for the 2.0-litre five-door. This 8 per cent increase in weight delivers an 8 per cent increase in fuel consumption around town (9.8l/100km compared to 9.0l/100km), though extra-urban driving is more economical than before (5.4 v 6.0).

COMPETITORS
One of the hottest and hardest fights around; at last count Focus has 17 competitors in the small car market. Ford hopes new Focus will improve on the original model's steady 7-8 per cent market share, especially since the top three in class sell double that number.

Major rivals for market leadership include the Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra and Focus' stablemate Mazda 3. Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Pulsar and Mitsubishi Lancer all challenge the Focus for tier-two market share.

Then come the also-rans, but in a market segment that accounts for one in four vehicles sold in Australia, being a minor player can still be very lucrative. Stand-outs in this field include Subaru Impreza, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, Peugeot 307, Volkswagen Golf and Renault Megane.

ON THE ROAD
We'd always liked the way the first generation Focus drove, and hoped that the new model's conservative styling didn't hide a more conservative dynamic package. We need not have worried; the new Focus is sharper and more fun than ever.

Ford's global launch took in hundreds of kilometres in Italy's popular Tuscany region, where the B-roads twist tightly and often. It's Mazda MX-5 country, or Renault Sport Clio -- front or rear drive doesn't matter but any sub-standard chassis is going to fall flat on its face.

Focus doesn't feel all that aggressive under acceleration, especially off the line. The engine's best work is done between 3000 and 4500rpm, and the manual's five gears are well spaced to let you stay there. For the record 0-10km/h is claimed to be 9.2 seconds.

The first Focus built a solid reputation on a lively and very enjoyable chassis that didn't mind the odd corner. Seems it didn't hurt to have a close relationship with Ford's world rally effort. The new model continues that trend, and in fact steps up a notch from before, but it wasn't easy.

Ford looked at full electric-steering for Focus, but stayed with the tried and true mechanical rack and pinion with electro-hydraulic assist on 2.0-litre petrol models. The steering sharpens up considerably just off centre as a result, allowing the driver a degree of finesse the first model couldn't match.

Standard suspension is good for everyday driving, and does a fair job of ironing out road flaws. It reacts harshly to sharp road joins, but handles mid-corner bumps without deviation from the chosen course.

Road noise in Europe is practically non-existent, but that's more because of the smooth roads than the car or tyres. Ford's engineers reckon they have taken steps forward in this area, but we'll have to wait for a drive on coarser Aussie roads to see the difference. One thing this 'tyre-drone' vacuum does allow is a fuller appreciation of the engine's athletic tone and a real reduction in wind noise over the previous.