New Ford Focus Review
An all new version of Britains favourite hatchback is coming soon. What's more, it's a global car, designed to sell in barely changed form all over the world and much of Ford's hopes for the continuing recovery of the company rests on its shoulders.
This version is especially interesting because it's Ford's first entry into the high powered diesel end of the class, allowing it to take on established rivals like the VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra, of which are available with similarly powerful engines under the bonnet.
In many parts it's outstanding. Think what you like about the exterior, inside the new Focus is a world removed from the old. The next surprise comes when you turn the key or, more accurately, push the engine start button. This Focus is extremely quiet, extraordinarily so for one powered by a high output, four cylinder diesel engine.
Performance is good too: impressively, the weight of this Focus is almost identical to the outgoing model and while the engine's performance band is a little narrow, with peak power coming in low at 3750rpm, the six closely stacked ratios in the clean shifting box means you'll never have trouble keeping it on the boil.
Ford has retained its game-changing 'control blade' independent rear suspension architecture but has retuned it to provide what appears to be class-leading ride quality, setting a standard that would worry many an allegedly far more luxurious car. Nor has this been achieved by softening the springs and dampers and sacrificing body control as a result. Even on the most difficult roads, the Focus stays poised and supple.
For most people most of the time the Focus should prove an excellent choice. Though we'd love to spend our time driving over mountain passes, real life is about traffic, motorways, potholes and service stations and there's no doubt the new Focus is brilliantly adapted to the cut and thrust of daily life. More comfortable, quiet and classy than ever, it will provide capable transport for many millions of owners the world over.
