And how. Like my buddy and fellow row'em-yourself manual gearbox enthusiast Justin Pritchard, I'll just about always opt for the manual transmission when given the chance. Not so with the new Focus. Negotiating the steep two-lane blacktop roads required leaving the shifter in third whether going up or down. Geared with fuel economy in mind, the Focus' cogs are too long for real spirited driving.
Ford's dual dry-clutch automatic 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission is highly efficient and refined. In fact, when left in “S” or sport mode, the box held gears and downshifted when needed; quite impressive. In reality, most of us will never have to tackle such extreme inclines on a regular basis and so the 5-speed manual will do nicely for those who really want it.
Tailor made
The new Ford Focus draws its strength not only from its looks but from its content. From the most basic $15,999 S sedan, the Focus features 6 airbags, traction control, power door locks, mirrors and front windows, A/C, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and, as you expected, much more. Entry price for the SE hatchback is $19,899. To the base equipment, it further gets body-coloured bits, fog lamps, MyKey, a rear spoiler and a rear wiper.
The cabin of the Focus is more than just the sum of all its parts. Soft touch materials abound, fit and finish are well up to German standards and overall presentation is very upscale. The gauges and information displays look alive and are animated. As you move from S to SE trims and beyond, redundant controls also become available on the handsome 4-spoke steering wheel, as does a large 8" touch-screen display for MyFord Driver Connect Technology, which also includes a Sony 10-speaker sound system.
There are many more accessories that can be added to your Focus. Leather, a power moonroof and even an Active Park Assist system with front and rear sensors and rear camera can be had, if the price is right. And yes, the c-segment Focus, with this system, will park itself in under 25 seconds. True story.
Going through MyFord Driver Connect, MyFord Touch powered by SYNC and explaining how all of this can be personalized to your tastes and how it will read your text and email messages would require a whole other article. Let's just say that you could transform your Focus into a hub of virtual and physical activity.
Ford's dual dry-clutch automatic 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission is highly efficient and refined. In fact, when left in “S” or sport mode, the box held gears and downshifted when needed; quite impressive. In reality, most of us will never have to tackle such extreme inclines on a regular basis and so the 5-speed manual will do nicely for those who really want it.
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| Soft touch materials abound, fit and finish are well up to German standards and overall presentation is very upscale. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
Tailor made
The new Ford Focus draws its strength not only from its looks but from its content. From the most basic $15,999 S sedan, the Focus features 6 airbags, traction control, power door locks, mirrors and front windows, A/C, tilt and telescoping steering wheel and, as you expected, much more. Entry price for the SE hatchback is $19,899. To the base equipment, it further gets body-coloured bits, fog lamps, MyKey, a rear spoiler and a rear wiper.
The cabin of the Focus is more than just the sum of all its parts. Soft touch materials abound, fit and finish are well up to German standards and overall presentation is very upscale. The gauges and information displays look alive and are animated. As you move from S to SE trims and beyond, redundant controls also become available on the handsome 4-spoke steering wheel, as does a large 8" touch-screen display for MyFord Driver Connect Technology, which also includes a Sony 10-speaker sound system.
There are many more accessories that can be added to your Focus. Leather, a power moonroof and even an Active Park Assist system with front and rear sensors and rear camera can be had, if the price is right. And yes, the c-segment Focus, with this system, will park itself in under 25 seconds. True story.
Going through MyFord Driver Connect, MyFord Touch powered by SYNC and explaining how all of this can be personalized to your tastes and how it will read your text and email messages would require a whole other article. Let's just say that you could transform your Focus into a hub of virtual and physical activity.
 |
| Going through MyFord Driver Connect, MyFord Touch and explaining how all of this can be personalized to your tastes would require a whole other article. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |