Ford Focus Titanium 1.6

Nov 6 2008 Bill McCarthy

FORD'S pocket masterpiece, the Focus, is a car for all tastes and all pockets.

Recently awarded the accolade of the best used car in Britain by a leading auto magazine, the latest incarnation of the Focus will have a lot to do to emulate its predecessors, which have sold five million across the world since launch.

But that should be no problem. Every time the Focus is revamped, there is a huge step forward in terms of quality and technology.

The latest version is no exception. Ford's small family car has been a best seller since it was introduced in 1998 thanks largely to its keen pricing, superb handling and practicality.

It wasn't always the best looking, the original version particularly suffering at the rear end.

Ford has gradually tweaked that over the years and the latest offering is now one of the best looking on the market. It now has a desirability not often seen with mass market leaders.

The rear features a new tailgate and glass area with new LED rear lamps and overall sports Ford's so-called kinetic design first seen on the S-Max people mover.

The company has also now simplified the trim line-up with Style, Studio, Zetec and Titaniumin replacing LX and Ghia tags.

It has an athletic, feline look that is mirrored in the way the car drives and handles.

The car's dynamic suspension flattens out the roughest surfaces giving a comfortable ride and it remains stable even when thrown into corners, where standard stability control corrects over-enthusiastic driving.

Sharp responsive steering gives the driver plenty of feedback while the precise gearbox is one of the best in the business.

The interior is the best yet and has a quality feel. All the seats are firm and supportive with good quality upholstery available.

On higher-spec models there is a new centre console with movable armrest, a four-litre capacity storage compartment, plus two open cup holders with rubber mat, a coin holder and a card holder. The rear face of the console provides additional storage area for rear-seat passengers.

Otherwise space is good and folding rear seats add to the boot space.

The Focus features a range of petrol and diesel engines and the 1.6-litre petrol unit in the test car is a lively customer.

Generating 100bhp, it delivers decent accleration, excellent fuel economy of a claimed 42mpg and competitive carbon emission figures of 159g/km.

Other power units include two turbocharged diesels, a 1.6 and a two-litre, while the petrol line-up includes a 1.8 petrol and and entry-level 1.4-litre.

There is also the super-green ECOnetic which boasts the lowest CO2 emissions in its class.

Standard features on the test car include rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights, quickclear windscreen, privacy glass, remote central locking, 16-inch alloy wheels, Sony MP3/CD player and air conditioning.

Safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme with traction control on all models, driver, passenger and side airbags, plus front seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Another useful innovation is the Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling system with prevents drivers making the expensive mistake of misfuelling.

One car in 20 sold in the UK is a Focus, that perhaps, says it all.

FAST FACTS

Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 5dr

Price : £16,895

Mechanical : 100ps, 1,596cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 112mph

0-62mph : 11.9 secs

Combined mpg : 42.2

Insurance group : 7

CO2 emissions : 159g/km

BiK rating : 18%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust