Ford Focus 2002 Review

Twenty one years ago a car called the Ford Laser replaced an Australian icon - the Ford Escort. Today it's the Laser's turn to be retired, and the European built Ford Focus is tasked with regaining Ford's share of the small car market.

The Focus has been a long time coming for Ford Australia, and the subject of heavy speculation since early 2001. It's a multi award winning vehicle, the trophy cabinet includes the 1999 European Car of the Year award. Australians will get to sample the European Focus starting October, 2002.

There's no doubt its looks are distinctive, and guaranteed to attract buyers looking for something attractive and stand-out. The design, interestingly enough, is based around the same Ford 'Edge Design' philosophy that dumped the Falcon deep in the do-do. Obviously Edge Design translates better to small cars than it does big cars, however it's also clear that hatches wear it better than sedans, because the Focus sedan ain't no oil painting in our book.

Whether you like the look of the Focus or not, you're gonna love the way it drives. A super stiff chassis and bodyshell gave Focus engineers a great platform to get the best out of the suspension - with Colin McRae's WRC aspirations in mind no doubt. It's another example of motorsport improving the breed.

Ford claims the Focus's independent struts up front and the same Control Blade multi-link rear as the BA Falcon allowed the engineers to independently tune the ride and handling characteristics of the Focus. There's no doubt in our mind that the Focus manages to combine class-leading handling with an undeniably smooth, comfortable ride - though there is a degree of cornering bodyroll in the chassis, ironed out to some extent on the more stiffly suspended Zetec model.

The steering, which is power assisted, feels a little rubbery and takes some getting used to. Ford managed the compromise between low speed assistance and higher speed feel quite well, and there's very little kickback on rougher roads.

Australians will get a choice of three body styles - 3-dr and 5-dr hatch, and 4-dr sedan - and two basic engines - 1.8 and 2.0 litre fours - initially, a third engine arriving in the high performance ST170 in March 2003. The range is a bit confusing, so we'll break it down, engines and transmissions first.

The basic 1.8-litre four cylinder engine produces 85kiloWatts of power and 156Newton-metres of torque, and is available only with a 5-speed manual transmission. This is standard fitment on the basic CL and midrange LX, both in sedan and 5-dr hatch bodies.

Buyers who opt for the 4-speed automatic transmission get a slightly bigger 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, but with no extra power and only 6 Nm more torque. This configuration is available on the base CL (5-dr and 4-dr), midspec LX (5-dr and 4-dr) and luxury Ghia (5-dr only) models.

The slightly more powerful Zetec 2.0-litre, four cylinder engine will be available in hatchback bodies only, both 3- and 5-dr, hooked to both the 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission. It produces 96kW and 178Nm.

We drove all three engines on the launch, and were somewhat disappointed with their performance. Peak power is below the class leading Corolla, which offers 100kW with every model, and the Focus is also heavier, so performance isn't in the same league.

All three engines showed a distinct lack of torque across the rev range, manifesting itself as an unwillingness to pull uphill. The engines also get a bit breathless towards their 6800rpm cutout, but given the focus of each Focus model, this is only an issue on the sporty Zetecs. The 2.0-litre manual was the pick of the three, offering better power delivery and an extra gear ratio over the automatic.

The top-spec 2.0-litre four offered with the ST170 hot hatch - due to arrive in March - produces 127kW and 196 Nm hooked to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It'll need to rev a lot cleaner than the basic models, because peak power is developed at a high 7000rpm, peak torque isn't on stream until 5500rpm - very high indeed. If this high-revving engine delivers, we can expect performance to match Renault's acclaimed Clio RS and the Honda Integra Type R.

Now for the specification breakdown, but don't expect prices. Ford won't release them until the Focus goes on sale in October. We've heard the range will start around $21,000 for the basic CL, stretching to the early to mid-$30,000s for ST170.

FORD FOCUS CL -
Buyers of the entry level Focus CL have a choice of 5-dr hatch or 4-dr sedan. Basic equipment includes remote central locking, CD player and fully adjustable steering column. The windows are the old wind-your-own variety, and the mirrors are manual adjust. There's also no driver's seat height adjust across the entire Focus range. Standard safety features include driver's airbag and front seatbelt pretensioners.

FORD FOCUS LX -
Again in 5-dr hatch and sedan, the LX adds air conditioning, power front windows and mirrors, and 15 inch alloy wheels. A passenger airbag is added, along with four-wheel disc brakes fitted with anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution.

FORD FOCUS ZETEC -
No sedan, just 3-dr and 5-dr hatch, with the higher output 2.0-litre engine (96kW/178Nm) - though you'll be filling up at the more expensive premium unleaded pump. Equipment levels are based on the LX model with sportier suspension tune, bigger 16in wheels and tyres, and a chrome exhaust tip. Bigger 17in wheels are optional, as is VDC Advance trac (which combines anti-lock brakes and traction control to curb any over-exuberance on the driver's part).

FORD FOCUS GHIA -
No hatches, sedan only, and only with 2.0-litre engine and automatic transmission. The Ghia tops the range luxury-wise, adding cruise control, climate control, six-stack CD player, power rear windows and side airbags to the LX. The interior is distinguished by plush velour trim and woodgrain and chrome highlights.

Some of the Focus's specifications look dated and there's a good reason for this. Australia is joining the Focus fray late in the piece - it's been around in Europe since 1998. A totally new, more modern Focus is scheduled for release overseas late in 2003, and Ford Australia expects to have it on sale early in 2004. Until then you could do a lot worse than take the European car that killed the Mazda-sourced Ford Laser for a test drive if you're shopping for a small hatch or sedan.