2011 Ford Focus

Hi-tech hatchback

Tue 26 Apr 2011 // 12:00 UTC

An A-class C-Class?

The new 1.6L turbocharged direct injection EcoBoost engine is a very fine power plant. Available in two versions producing, respectively, 150PS (148HP) and 182PS (180HP). Generating, 240Nm of torque at just 1600rpm, the latter will get you from standstill to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and then to 138mph.

A very fine power plant

More relevant in everyday driving is the over-boost feature which increases the torque to 270Nm for 15 seconds under hard acceleration resulting in a fourth gear 31-62mph time of 7.7 seconds. For comparison, the 2.0L version of the old Focus took 11.9 seconds.

Despite those numbers, the 182PS motor still averages 47mpg and puffs out a only 139g/km of CO2, an 18 per cent reduction on the old 2.0L engine. It’s also a very refined motor that produces just the right amount of the right sort of noise. The slick and precise six-speed manual gearbox my test car came with complemented the engine perfectly.

The Focus has always handled well and the new model is no different. The multi-link independent rear suspension is neither cheap nor simple but it’s very competent and puts the Focus in a different league to the likes of the Honda Civic and Vauxhall Astra.

Verdict

In many ways, the new Focus is all the car many people will ever want or need. It’s spacious, refined, loaded to the gunwales with technology, enjoyable to drive and, with the 1.6 EcoBoost engine, not what you’d could call slow. With prices starting from £16,000 and climbing up to over £18,750 for the Titanium X model, it may not be the cheapest in its class, but it’s one of the best. ®