FOCUS WITH A BOOST (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Much is expected from this fourth generation Ford Focus. Designed from a clean sheet of paper, it looks set to give its rivals plenty to think about. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the base 125PS manual version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 88

The improved version of the fourth generation Ford Focus has put its maker right back into contention in the family hatchback segment, with smarter looks, much improved interior quality and extra technology. Under the bonnet, much emphasis with the base 1.0-litre petrol engine is put on the mild hybrid version of the 125PS unit, but you have to have that with pricier auto transmission, so there's still a strong reason to consider the more conventional version of that EcoBoost powerplant - which is what we look at here.

Backgroundword count: 118

It's very difficult to over-state the importance of the Focus family hatch to Ford's European business. And with today's fourth generation model, here usefully improved, it's very difficult to over-state the importance of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. Almost all Focus customers choose this three cylinder unit - and many of them continue to want it in the conventional form we look at here, available as usual in hatch and estate body styles. The alternative mild hybrid version of this powertrain has to be had in 125PS form with auto transmission. But rivals are getting better and better. Have the changes Ford's made here to this car's looks, cabin and technology been enough. It'll be interesting to see.

Driving Experienceword count: 297

Almost all Focus customers want a 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125PS engine. It's offered with this revised model in two forms. First is the conventional engine / manual gearbox package - which is what we look at here. The alternative is to get the mild hybrid mHEV version of that 125PS unit, but that costs quite a lot more because you can only have it with 7-speed Powershift automatic transmission. We'd be tempted to stick with the conventional engine / manual gearbox combo. It returns the same 10.2s 0-62mph sprint time as the mild hybrid model and a slightly higher top speed. And the stick shift is acceptably slick. There's one thing you always know about a Focus: which is that'll usually be a great steer. And of course nothing's changed in that regard with this updated model. As before, the ride isn't overly firm, but body control through the bends is still exemplary, allowing you at the wheel to make the most of the stiff C2 platform, the feelsome power steering and the torque vectoring control system that helps you get the power down through the bends. It all combines to create a car that really can still reward at the wheel, even in its most affordable forms: there's still nothing else in this segment that feels quite the same. Yet it still does the sensible stuff well too, being decently refined, with confident braking and a lovely tactile gearshift. One change we'd like to have seen relates to suspension. A little disappointingly, Ford continues to equip these lower-powered 1.0-litre petrol Hatch variants with a cruder twist-beam damping set-up. If you want the more sophisticated independent rear double wishbone suspension system that improves ride comfort with this 1.0-litre engine, you'll need an estate or the 'Active' crossover version.

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