Focus Estate makes intelligent use of space
2000
IT’S been all of a year and a half since I last got my backside into the driving seat of the outstanding Focus, so I welcomed Ford’s call offering me the 1.6 estate and 2.0 Zetec 3dr, the latter fitted with ESP – but more about that next week – to further satisfy my appetite for fine and fun motoring.
The fresh and boldly designed Focus, an aerodynamic delight with no awkward angles and lots of eyecatching, functional features, notably those angular headlights and stylish wheel arches, is as way ahead of its time today as it was when it was launched two years ago. There still isn’t car in its class to come near.
The hatch led the way ...a brilliant success down to every nut and bolt. Such a car, in fact, that it took the European Car of the Year honours with the highest number of points in the history of the award. And just recently it was adjudged by this country’s top motoring scribes Best Small Family Car in the enormously influential Irish Car magazine. Not bad for a car that saw the millionth roll off the production line in June.
Not only that it boasts a versatile range with four distinct body styles that should suit all tastes – a five-door hatch, the classic four-door saloon and, as appraised here, the estate and coupe-like, sporty three-door. All incorporate the Ford Focus’s class-leading chassis, one of the strongest powertrains in Ford’s history. And Focus features an ultra rigid safety cell and crumpe zones, driver, passenger and new head and chest airbags, advanced seatbelt system and child protection.
The estate uses the same drivetrain, running gear and cabin and is as spacious as the hatch for occupants. However, it offers less load space than the old Escort estate (remember it?) – 14.7 and 44.7 cu.ft respectively as compared to the Escort’s 16.2 and 50.7. But it makes intelligent use of space with a good square boot and a rear seat that folds completely flat - it also splits 60/40 - unimpeding the cargo area. The loading height, too, is nice and low down.
The futuristically laid out dash is straight from the hatch. Everything is where it should be and the design and ease of use of switches and controls cannot be faulted. Large door bins, centrally-mounted cup holders, stylish vents, big, simple, buttons on the audio system and comfortable seating all add to the appeal. A neat thought is the remote tailgate release, which is located hight on the dash. The bright and airy cabin oozes quality and style.
Standard features include driver and passenger’s airbags, PATS Safeguard immobiliser, high security anti-burst locks, anti-submarine sets, key operated rear door childproof locks, front and rear adjustable head restraints, front electric windows, central locking, body coloured bumpers and mirrors, radio/stereo with remote controls on the steering column, remote tailgate release, height and reach adjustable steering wheel and height adustable driver’s seat.
A further feature is the Focus’s fully independent ‘control blade’ multi-link rear suspension system which provides further improvements in ride, handling, stablility and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The Focus stays so composed on cornering.
POWER: Lots of it on tap from Ford’s highly acclaimed 1.6 litre Zetec 16v engine, which is as lively as it is refined. It revs sweetly, performs keenly, is frugal and so quiet. It does well beneath the bonnet of the estate, pumping out 99bhp at 6000rpm together with 105lb ft of toque at 4000rpm for a 0 to 60mph in 10.9 and a top speed of 110mph. I averaged 38mpg.
It’s a joy behind the wheel of this well thought out car. The seating is high and comfortable, the driving position with good adjustment ideal, and there’s big expanses of glass all round. And the clean and crisp gearchanging adds to the delight.
And it soaks up the bumps, laden or not.
The fresh and boldly designed Focus, an aerodynamic delight with no awkward angles and lots of eyecatching, functional features, notably those angular headlights and stylish wheel arches, is as way ahead of its time today as it was when it was launched two years ago. There still isn’t car in its class to come near.
The hatch led the way ...a brilliant success down to every nut and bolt. Such a car, in fact, that it took the European Car of the Year honours with the highest number of points in the history of the award. And just recently it was adjudged by this country’s top motoring scribes Best Small Family Car in the enormously influential Irish Car magazine. Not bad for a car that saw the millionth roll off the production line in June.
Not only that it boasts a versatile range with four distinct body styles that should suit all tastes – a five-door hatch, the classic four-door saloon and, as appraised here, the estate and coupe-like, sporty three-door. All incorporate the Ford Focus’s class-leading chassis, one of the strongest powertrains in Ford’s history. And Focus features an ultra rigid safety cell and crumpe zones, driver, passenger and new head and chest airbags, advanced seatbelt system and child protection.
The estate uses the same drivetrain, running gear and cabin and is as spacious as the hatch for occupants. However, it offers less load space than the old Escort estate (remember it?) – 14.7 and 44.7 cu.ft respectively as compared to the Escort’s 16.2 and 50.7. But it makes intelligent use of space with a good square boot and a rear seat that folds completely flat - it also splits 60/40 - unimpeding the cargo area. The loading height, too, is nice and low down.
The futuristically laid out dash is straight from the hatch. Everything is where it should be and the design and ease of use of switches and controls cannot be faulted. Large door bins, centrally-mounted cup holders, stylish vents, big, simple, buttons on the audio system and comfortable seating all add to the appeal. A neat thought is the remote tailgate release, which is located hight on the dash. The bright and airy cabin oozes quality and style.
Standard features include driver and passenger’s airbags, PATS Safeguard immobiliser, high security anti-burst locks, anti-submarine sets, key operated rear door childproof locks, front and rear adjustable head restraints, front electric windows, central locking, body coloured bumpers and mirrors, radio/stereo with remote controls on the steering column, remote tailgate release, height and reach adjustable steering wheel and height adustable driver’s seat.
A further feature is the Focus’s fully independent ‘control blade’ multi-link rear suspension system which provides further improvements in ride, handling, stablility and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The Focus stays so composed on cornering.
POWER: Lots of it on tap from Ford’s highly acclaimed 1.6 litre Zetec 16v engine, which is as lively as it is refined. It revs sweetly, performs keenly, is frugal and so quiet. It does well beneath the bonnet of the estate, pumping out 99bhp at 6000rpm together with 105lb ft of toque at 4000rpm for a 0 to 60mph in 10.9 and a top speed of 110mph. I averaged 38mpg.
It’s a joy behind the wheel of this well thought out car. The seating is high and comfortable, the driving position with good adjustment ideal, and there’s big expanses of glass all round. And the clean and crisp gearchanging adds to the delight.
And it soaks up the bumps, laden or not.
