First Drive: Ford Focus South Africa 2015

Ford Focus South Africa 2015

What is it?

The Ford Focus is the world’s top-selling nameplate with a wide footprint covering 140 different markets and a new Ford Focus leaving the production line every 90 seconds. Launched in South Africa in 2000, this is the third generation model and builds on a well-established reputation of sedan and hatch products. As far as facelifts go this is pretty major one with revisions to styling, interior, drivetrain and chassis rigidity. This is also the first time the entire Ford Focus range comes powered by an EcoBoost engine and the general theme that defines the new model is more technology and better efficiency for less money than the old one. That last point is a rather sore spot.

What’s it like?

Better, in every measurable way. New exterior is simpler and less polarizing – internal research has shown that aggressive styling divides opinion – and the new model should appeal to young and old. Inside the pared-back approach addresses our on-going criticism by reducing the clutter. We still think it has some way to go before we’d deem it benchmark but the transition away from QWERTY instantly modernizes the cabin. Commonly used features are more logical and better positioned but that small dot-matrix screen is incapable of doing more than– on selected models – providing feed for the reverse camera. The steering wheel design also has some oddly placed buttons and could be a fraction smaller while flimsy clips around the gearlever pouch meant it was prone to coming loose.

But I digress because aside from these niggles the Ford Focus is a wonderfully insulated place to be with (for the most part) solid build quality. Admittedly I had a head cold and hearing was severely impaired but my co-driver confirmed that noise and vibration barely factored into the cabin. Suspension workings are quiet and slick and the EcoBoost purrs up front no matter the gear or rpm.

On the agenda was to make the Ford Focus more of an exciting car to drive and despite its soothing qualities and modest engine offerings the Ford Focus is blessed with an undeniably fun chassis underfoot. Steering turn-in is precise from lock to lock and uprated bushings and increased body rigidity extract the best from an eager engine and gearbox combination. This is also the first Ford Focus to come equipped with Torque Vectoring which ostensibly provides better cornering grip.

Two trim models are available and the higher Trend is worth considering due to features like cruise control, dual USB and perhaps most importantly, alloy wheels but buying the cheaper Ambiente and then loading it with options is another viable route.

Ford have clarified the available options and packaged them into two groups. Not only does this make life for the customers that much easier but it should keep resale value strong and help Ford manage their demand and supply curves. The styling pack costs R14 810 while the Driver Assistance Package costs R11 940.

The Driver Assistance Package fitted to the Ford Focus falls heavily on safety. Active City Stop, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Cross Traffic come directly from the bigger Fusion model. Park Assist, although not entirely new to segment, now has the ability to perform ally docking and parallel maneuvers. Disappointingly there is no option of Keyless Entry.

Mitigating the need for a diesel is the 1.0-litre EcoBoost followed by the 1.5-litre EcoBoost. Only the latter is available with an automatic gearbox although we were promised that it will become available on the smaller engine. While on paper the 1.5-litre packs an additional 40kW and 70Nm, out on the road the difference was much less – the 1.0T certainly felt more capable than the claimed 11.1s, 0-100km/h time.

Should I Buy One?

Ford has managed a miracle with the pricing which is roughly R40 000 less than the nearest rival. It’s so good that Ford have put themselves in the difficult position of re-pricing the smaller Fiesta (expect more news on that in the upcoming week) which up until now would cost you the same. While we’d waste no time in buying one before inevitable price increases, it would mean missing out on the 1.0-litre Turbo with automatic gearbox and that we suspect will be the pick of the range.

 Pricing: Ford Focus South Africa

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