Features
22 Sep 18

First Drive Ford Focus: something for everyone

Does the new Ford Focus have what it takes to stay one of the most loved models in European fleets? Fleet Europe travelled to the French Provence region to find out.

With 700,000 cars sold in Europe in the first half of 2018, Ford of Europe has realised its best sales result since 2009.  Today the Blue Oval presents the fourth generation of the Focus, a model that has been sold no less than 16 million times since the launch of the first generation in 1998, of which almost 7 million in Europe. Assembled in Saarlouis, Germany, the new Focus is the first Ford to be produced on the C2-platform.

With four trim levels, which Ford calls ‘environments’, the new Focus offers a choice for all tastes and needs. As a first for Ford, a Focus Active cross-over version will be available for those looking for a more rugged look, alongside the known Vignale (luxury), ST-Line (sportiness) or the traditional Trend and Titanium versions. Of course, customers can opt for a five door or a wagon model, regardless of the trim level.  

Spacious and practical

The exterior dimensions remained largely unchanged but the wheelbase has been stretched by 5 cm. This allowed the designers to push the dash forward and lower the centre console, which improves the sense of space. Indeed, figures confirm that the new Focus offers more shoulder (+6 cm) and knee room (+5 cm).

The design of the dashboard is modern but rather sober and the materials in our Vignale test car were of high quality and flawlessly assembled. The central 8-inch touchscreen on top of the dash is easy to use. The boot of the break can hold 608 litres, and is particularly practical, with a cargo floor that can be put upright to put luggage in place, a very easy to remove, store and reposition luggage cover and –of course- a 60/40 foldable backrest. For the five-door, 375 litres of boot space are provided with the backrests upright.

Ford-worthy dynamics

One of the main characteristics of the Focus has always been its ‘fun to drive’-aspect, with a well-balanced handling and precise steering. In order to keep up to expectations, Ford shaved off all unnecessary weight resulting in the new iteration of it’s C-segment compact being 88 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.. The ride comfort is very good for a C-segment car and we can confirm Ford’s youngest displays a remarkable balance and precise steering. Without a doubt, it is still the reference in the C-segment.

The Focus is launched with EcoBoost petrol- and Ecoblue diesel engines, but no electric or full hybrid versions as of yet. The much acclaimed one-litre EcoBoost petrol engine (85, 100 or 125 PS) is accompanied by an new 1.5  three-cylinder unit that produces either 150 or 182 PS. Both engines feature cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy. On the diesel side, the Ecoblue family proposes a 1.5 four cylinder with power outputs of 95 and 120 PS (300 Nm), and a two-litre unit delivering 150 PS (370 Nm).

Alongside the six-speed manual gearbox that is standard, an eight-speed automatic transmission adds to the driving comfort. It is available on the 125 PS 1.0 and 150 PSs 1.5 EcoBoost engine and the 120 and 150 PS diesels. It does no longer feature a gear lever but a rotating dial on the centre console – in JLR style – and shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Technologically up to date

As the first Ford model in Europe, the new Focus features a clear head-up display on top of the dashboard. With FordPass Connect, Ford customers in Europe can transform their Focus into a mobile wifi hotspot thanks the integrated modem, offering connectivity to up to ten devices. The system includes Live Traffic-updates, entertainment streaming, vehicle location and vehicle status control, locking and unlocking through a smartphone application and even remote start.

Under the air conditioning commands, the centre console offers a 12 volt- and a USB-entry (a second USB-entry is to be found under the armrest), and a wireless charging dock for compatible mobile phones. Of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated in the infotainment system that can be upgraded to real hi-fi quality when ticking the B&O Play-sound system box in the options list.

Safety and ease of use

Standard or at a premium, the new Focus provides Fords CoPilot 360 driving aids offering SAE Level 2 driving automation. In practice that means h Adaptive Cruise Control including Stop & Go, Lane Centring Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Wrong Way Alert, Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Alert and Speed Sign Recognition. More than recognising the speed signs, the new Focus also adapts the cruise control to the allowed speed.

Combined with the automatic gearbox , Fords Active Park Assist 2-system parks the car in a fully autonomous manner. All you have to do is keep your finger on the park button – the car does all the braking, steering and accelerating while selecting the forward or reverse gears through its ‘shift by wire’-functionality. It works fine but needs 55 cm of free space in front and behind the car in order to work properly, so we believe that it will often be quicker and easier to park the car yourself.

Cost control

With NEDC 2.0 CO2 values varying from 91 to 138 g/km, the Focus will remain quite competitive in fleets from a fiscal point of view. The attractive pricing and wide choice of engines and versions will certainly allow any fleet customer to find a model that meets his needs. Residual values should be good, given the up to date specs and build quality. In countries where diesel engines have fallen from grace, the EcoBoost one-litre is a good alternative. If diesel is not struck from the car policy, we can recommend the 120-PS Ecoblue with the six-speed manual.

With 8 engine and power choices, 4 ‘environments’ and two body types, everybody can find their perfect Focus. Unless you are looking for a hybrid, which Ford does not offer yet. The new Focus raises the bar in the competitive C-segment and promises to be a tough competitor for  the usual suspects - Golf, Megane and 308 - adding a modern and tasteful look to its known driving qualities and interesting TCO.

Authored by Stijn Blanckaert