CAR: Ford Focus 1.4-litre Range

2008 Ford Focus

With prices starting at ??10,995, this Focus certainly looks good value for money. The 78bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine is not going to set any land speed records but then purchasers of this entry level model have other priorities when selecting their cars. What they do get, however, is a class-leading family hatchback that drives with nearly all the refinement of any luxury saloon and certainly handles a lot better. Ford have also paid close attention to safety with the new Focus as it features their Intelligent Protection System.

This comprehensive package of safety measures includes front and side airbags for both driver and front passenger, front seat belt pyrotechnic pre-tensioners, front seat belt load-limiting retractors as well as a brake and clutch pedal intrusion prevention system. It is amazing how far we have come over recent years with regard to safety. It is not that long ago that a system like this would only have been offered on a top of the Range executive model whereas now it is standard equipment on an entry level family hatch.

Ford??™s tried and trusted 1.4-litre petrol unit will get the new Focus to 62mph in a leisurely 14.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 101mph. More importantly for this car though is the fuel consumption that returns a healthy 42mpg on the combined cycle and the reasonable emissions figure of 159g/km.This 1.4-litre model is only offered in three or five-door Hatch form with prices starting from ??10,995 for the Studio trim level 3-door model. This features electrically-operated front windows with one-touch lowering on the driver??™s side, Ford??™s Intelligent Protection system, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, an immobiliser and central locking. Another trim level available with the 1.4-litre unit is the LX which starts from ??12,545 and features, in addition to the Studio model, 16-inch steel wheels, remote-control central locking, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, a trip computer, body-coloured door handles, air-conditioning and steering column remote audio controls. There??™s also a Sport model with sporty features like 16" alloys, fog lights and a leather steering wheel in addition to the items found on the LX.

Taking its cue from the C-MAX mini-MPV, the Focus interior looks reassuringly expensive. The branded Sony stereo, the metallic detailing on the centre console, instruments and chunky-rimmed steering wheel, the soft-touch fascia and the silicon-damped hinges all smack of executive class investment. Developers have worked to ensure that the feel of the switches ??“ a push button in the door, for example ??“ should have the same sound, feel and travel as a push button in the centre console or the sunroof control and that rotary switches retain the same feel whether they marshal mechanical or electrical applications. The riot of crazily intersecting hard plastics that was the first generation Focus interior has been replaced by something far more assured and tasteful.

Ford were the first of the major manufacturers to realise that people were growing in size ??“ both out and up ??“ and designed the original Focus to suit drivers of all sizes with wider opening doors and more headroom than the class norm. This latest Focus expands on this theme, offering an optional electrically adjustable pedal set. The multi-adjustable steering column helps in ensuring a comfortable driving position and Ford have integrated a number of practical aspects from the C-MAX mini-MPV including a glove box big enough to house a 1.5-litre bottle, a sunglasses holder, a dash-top cubby and class-leading luggage space.

Although it seems hard to believe given that almost coupe-like silhouette, the MK2 Focus design actually improves the rear seat accommodation and luggage space. This is partly due to Ford increasing the length of the rear overhang slightly to give a hefty 385-litre carrying capacity. The compact control-blade rear suspension helps here, as the load bay is completely flat and unencumbered by suspension intrusion.

The lines look agreeably sporting, even in traditionally frumpier five-door guise. Some commentators could see something of the original SEAT Leon in the profile while others spotted Rover SD1 but all were agreed that it??™s a deft piece of penmanship. "The profile features two distinctive lines, "says Chris Bird, Director of Design for Ford of Europe. "First is the sharp crease that comes very tightly around the front wheel arch and actually runs the full length of the vehicle, which I believe expresses a ???milled out of solid metal??™ look. Secondly, the very sharp line from the centre of the nose back over the whole length of the vehicle that highlights the fast lines of the A-pillar and C-pillar." Although sharing the same length and wheelbase as the C-MAX, the Focus appears a far more compact, sleeker car. It also shares its chassis with the Mazda3 and the Volvo S40 and it??™s a tribute to Ford??™s designers that there??™s no overt commonality in the look and feel of the cars.

If the budget is tight and you are not looking for out and out performance, then this Focus makes very good sense. It is crammed with sensible safety devices should the unthinkable happen and Ford have packaged it sensibly with just enough creature comforts to ensure this model will find sufficient buyers.

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