| Ford has done things a little differently with the | | | | latest auto boxes have intelligent adaptive |
| new Focus, especially the four-door sedan model. | | | | programmes that 'learn' driving patterns, negating |
| It launched the Focus range at the Paris Motor | | | | the need for the driver to choose between |
| Show in late September last year, but the | | | | 'economy' or 'power' modes. That being said, no |
| prototype Focus Concept, a thinly disguised Focus | | | | matter how clever a transmission is, it doesn't |
| sedan, was actually revealed three months earlier | | | | read minds, and can only react to, and not predict |
| in June at the Beijing Motor Show. | | | | situations. Ford has partially solved this problem by |
| Why would Ford showcase its best-selling | | | | allowing the driver to select from three |
| European model in Asia before its world premier in | | | | programmed modes: adaptive, sport or economy. |
| Europe? Perhaps it is because, unlike the previous | | | | True to their titles, the transmission behaves |
| Focus, the new one - especially this saloon version | | | | differently in each mode, with 'economy' making |
| - is targeted at the Asian markets. | | | | the car feel under powered because it changes up |
| The first thing one notice about the sedan is that | | | | at the earliest opportunity and is reluctant to |
| it looks well-proportioned and neat, unlike the last | | | | change down when the accelerator is floored. |
| model, which looked like it had its boot grafted on | | | | Instead of buttons next to the transmission gate, |
| as an afterthought. What has also helped is that | | | | switching transmission modes is performed |
| the new Focus has leaner and more elegant lines | | | | through the left stalk on the steering column. This |
| and these lend themselves better to a four-door | | | | stalk also manipulates the trip computer and there |
| sedan than the aggressively bold styling of the | | | | is even a thumb wheel to scroll through the |
| previous model. From the rear three quarters, the | | | | different readouts on the instrument binnacle. |
| Focus sedan comes across as crisp and discreet, | | | | While it is impressive that so much information is |
| with triangular rear lamps that make it look like a | | | | handled through a single input device, it does take |
| scaled-down Mondeo, an important point in | | | | some time to fully comprehend and use this |
| status-conscious Asian markets. | | | | one-stalk computer mouse. |
| The last Focus set a benchmark in its class, and | | | | In fact, this multi-functional stalk best sums up the |
| the new sedan has been developed to expand | | | | new Focus. As with the previous model, it is |
| the Focus' reach even beyond its better-known | | | | well-engineered and entertaining to drive, but the |
| three-and five-door siblings, even if the cabin | | | | new model comes fully-loaded with the latest |
| space is the same as offered by the five-door | | | | technical equipment to once again raise the bar in |
| hatchback, boot aside. It's also interesting to note | | | | the family car segment. On the other hand, most |
| that apart from the Renault Megane sedan, the | | | | of these goodies are largely invisible, and while |
| Focus is the only other European engineered and | | | | they are tangible, they are also unseen. In 'Trend' |
| built 1.6-litre car in the market. | | | | trim, this is particularly obvious, as being the |
| One thing that remains unchanged is that Ford has | | | | price-leader, it appears well-built but quite spartan, |
| not forgotten to give the new Focus an | | | | and does not have the bells and whistles that |
| impressive list of technical features. Even on the | | | | come with the Ghia trim. At the moment, only |
| entry-level 'Trend' spec, four-wheel disc brakes | | | | the five-door hatchback is offered in Ghia trim, |
| with a sophisticated Electronic Stability Programme | | | | with the sedan version only available later in the |
| (ESP) are standard equipment. More commonly | | | | year. |
| found on large, high-performance cars, an ESP | | | | This means the Focus' success in Asia is still not |
| system acts like a co-pilot, monitoring the traction | | | | the fait accompli as Ford had planned, crisp styling |
| at each wheel, either braking or cutting power to | | | | notwithstanding. The sedan looks better than it |
| should the vehicle begin to lose composure or grip. | | | | ever did, but in Trend trim, it does not feel |
| While the Focus' chassis set-up is inherently | | | | luxurious nor as well-appointed as some of its |
| impressive and allows the car to handle beautifully, | | | | rivals. |
| it is reassuring to know that the car is actually | | | | Get behind the wheel though, and one will be |
| intelligent enough to Intervene should its road | | | | impressed with the Focus' engine, chassis and |
| holding limit* be reached. On the other hand, 11 | | | | overall ability. The problem is, there is already a |
| rivers who want to pretend to be Mr Colin | | | | good looking, 1.6-litre family sedan that drives and |
| McRae, slipping and sliding on loose gravel, there is | | | | handles well, replete with the Focus' impressive |
| the option of switching the ESP off. | | | | chassis and suspension set-up - it's the Mazda 3. |
| The other high-tech feature on the new Focus is | | | | How ironic that the car that probably poses the |
| the three-mode automatic gearbox. On the face | | | | greatest challenge to the Focus sedan is from |
| of it, this might seem outmoded - after all, the | | | | Mazda, a company that Ford also owns. |