Voice commands such as calling up songs by artist or title just don’t work in this Focus, despite them clearly appearing in the on-screen list of available commands; all I’m getting is a stubborn “not a valid command” answer. Maybe I should switch over to the dude voice instead of the woman voice. Pardon the bad joke.
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| The 160-horsepower engine is great; the 6-speed automated transmission isn’t. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Stout engine, perfectible transmission
The Focus’ 16-valve, 2.0-litre engine produces 160 hp and 146 lb.-ft of torque, figures above average in the compact-car segment. Zero to 100 km/h takes 8.6 seconds, while the quarter-mile rolls by in 16.1 seconds at 142 km/h, which isn’t bad at all. And the car noticeably benefits from very strong brakes.
In addition, the Focus is a brilliant machine to handle, which is one of the main reasons why we were waiting anxiously for this new version. The car boasts sharp reflexes and is quite fun to drive.
Unfortunately, as is the case with the Fiesta subcompact, the 6-speed, dual-clutch automated transmission is a bit of a letdown. Mash the throttle and it bangs through gears enthusiastically, just as we expect of such a gearbox. However, under normal driving, it spits out the occasional harsh shift and makes the car somewhat jerky.
We don’t think it’s a deal-breaker, but a conventional 6-speed would be better suited to the car’s true mission; the Powershift gearbox does, however, allow the engine to spin at only 1,750 rpm on the highway at 100 km/h, and helps obtain an overall average of 8.2 L/100km. Oh, and we prefer paddle shifters instead of the shift lever-mounted rocker switch.
Wide turning radius
In addition to the transmission, two other things spoil the driving experience. First, the hatchback’s C- and D-pillar area and slanted rear window reduce outward visibility, and the rear-seat headrests are in the way of what’s left of the view out back.
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| Zero to 100 km/h is yours in 8.6 seconds. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
