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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Test drive+Close up: NEW Ford Focus

In this blog entry, I'm posting about the NEWLY LAUNCHED (2 days ago) FORD FOCUS.  It's launched  in 2 body styles and 4 variants.  Sedan Ghia Titanium, Sedan Titanium+, Hatchback Sport and Hatchback Sport+ (more on the trims later).

The NEW FOCUS's offered in 1 engine and gearbox combo only. In-line 4 cylinder, 2.0 Twin-Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (TI-VCT) GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine with a high compression ratio of 12.0:1.  mated with 6 speed Twin Clutch Transmission (TCT) with Sports mode.

 It generates Class leading 170ps@6500rpm and 202Nm of torque at 4550rpm.  Claimed top speed's 207km/h and a Local motoring magazine tested 0-100km/h in respectable 8.3 secs.  Combined Fuel consumption equally respectable 6.7l/100km.

Standard across the range were ABS+EBD+EBA+ESP+TCS+HLA (Hill Launch Assist), EPAS (Elec power assisted steering) and Torque Vectoring Control.  4 airbags, Immobilizer, ISOFIX Child Anchor, Front and rear fog lights, Keyless entry with push start, Electronic Dual Zone Climate Controls, Leather Wrapped gear lever and steering with audio controls,  4.2" Colour multifunction display.

Ford SYNC Audio system by Sony (Hardware) and Microsoft (Software) with Bluetooth connectivity and voice Control,  with over 10,000 voice commands SYNC will operate your ICE (In-car Entertainment), climate control and even phone - it reads and replies your SMS.  It's also a CD/MP3, tuner and Aux in USB and IPod connectivity topped with 9 premium speakers.

It also equipped with essential feature in my book, 60:40 split fold rear seatbacks with rear centre armrest.  Space saving spare tyre.  Lastly, Active Grille Shutter and ECOMODE.

Warranty wise, 3 years/60,000km free maintenance and 5 years/200,000km warranty.  Price: RM115,888 for Standard Hatchback and Sedan. 

Now back to the trims.  The body style difference standard stuff:
Ghia Titanium Sedan: FULL Leather trim, Power 4 way driver adjustable seats and 205/60R16 tyres (16" alloy rims). 
Hatchback Sport: Semi-leather seats, Manual 4 way passenger and driver seat adjustable and 215/50R17 tyres (17" alloy rims).

SPORT+ and Titanium+ gets the following additional 12 items for RM13,000 more.  Ie. RM128,888.
Active Park Assist, Active city stop, Automatic headlights, Auto dimming rear view mirror, Bi-Xenon HID Headlights with headlight washer, Cruise Control, Curtain Airbags (total from 4 to 6 airbags), Follow-me-home lighting, Power tilt/Slide Glass Sunroof (photos below),
 Above: View from the Majestic Elec Tilt/Slide glass sunroof.  Below: the Sunroof.

Rain sensing front wipers/variable intermittant and front parking sensor.

EXTERIOR:

The Both Sedan and Hatchback shared the front half of the car.  But the Hatchback's rear was Acquired taste, RADICAL's the word to describe it.

 Especially the rear tail-lights combo (Picture below).

 In a meantime, I LOVED the SEDAN Clean-cut design 360 degrees (ie. looks good from all angles).  It look best in Ingot Silver and Candy Red (picture below).

 In fact, my order of preference: WAGON (Europe only), Sedan and lastly Hatchback.  Yup, I'm a BIG FANS of Estate/Wagons.

DRIVE TIME and INTERIOR:

I went to Ford Showroom along Federal Highway with my dad.  We test driven the Sport+ Hatchback.  The suspension which were Independent with McPherson Strut at front and Ford's famous Control blade Independent Rear suspension, were slightly hard (Harder than the Sedan as claimed by the Sales Rep).   But this is a good thing as it Corners like rails and soaked up bumps decently.  One thing that amazed me was the Sound-proofing.  It was EXCELLENT.  Can't even hear Motorcycle passing (thank God for the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) which emits a "Short BEEP" to warn me of the motorcycle).

The car's well built too.  Dashboard quality's superb and gap's tight.  Acceleration's superb, slightly faster than my dad's 2008 Honda Civic FD2 2.0IVTEC 8.3 secs VS 9 secs.  It bettered the Previous Gen Civic in Most areas except Interior space and top speed.  The rear legroom and boot space's more CRAMP than the Spacious Civic (boot's 320litres for hatchback and 421litres (80 litres down from its predecessor, Focus MK2), sedan vs 458litres on Civic) while the Civic's 20km/h faster than the Focus at top end at 227km/h.  But then, you SELDOM get the chance to EXCEED 200km/h on Malaysian roads.

OVERALL: The KING OF C-segment car. Value for money (either specification and body styles).  Pawned the 9th generation Civic, Altis, Sylphy.  No wonder this is the best selling car in Europe.  I dared to say only the Mazda 3 matched this car in drivability and fun to drive factor .  Let down only by the Cramp Rear legroom and questionable After Sales Support/Service.  RATING: 9.5/10.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Let's proceed to Photo galleries:
 Above: Cramped Rear legroom (I am only 173cm) and decent rear headroom.











 Above: 421Litres Boot space.  IDENTICAL to NEW ELANTRA.  Below: Space saving spare tyre.











 Above: View from the Electric Glass tilt/slide sunroof.  Below: Location of the Subwoofer (9th speaker)








 Above: Door opening not wide enough VS Japanese counterparts.

 Above and below: Looks best in this Colour.  But Sedan Titanium+ Only.



That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  If you want to buy this car, look for this Friendly, sincere, Professional sales rep.  His name is Jefferson from Ford Ampang.  012-6852718.  Do mention you were referred by Jeff Lim for better deal.

For those who booked your car or took delivery, please post some feedback/experience or comments on your car.  An original Jeff Lim's production.  Not copied from anywhere.  Please give credit/links if you want to "Copy".  "Copy" like a MAN!  Don't Plagiarise. 

8 comments:

  1. Nice review bro...
    I never expect u did the review must sooner than all those motoring blogs.

    Btw... do u prefer normal new civic or lain dari lain focus? Tq

    ReplyDelete
  2. Like I mentioned in my review, apart from the Focus, I only recommend MAZDA 3 2.0 for equal fun to drive factor...

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  3. how's the rear legroom like as compared to Mazda 3? Although it's tight, do you feel uncomfortable throughout the journey?

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  4. No, it's NOT Uncomfortable but then my test drive's only 3km at back seat. Remaining 5km I took over (driving the car).

    It's EQUAL to Mazda 3 in rear legroom but headroom much better than Mazda 3.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your blog is well perform to sharing.


    ford focus

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  6. Glad to hear...u test drive sport plus, are u sure that sport variant hot BLIS..? Only Titanium plus got BLIS right..btw still waiting for my candy red sport plus..cheers.

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  7. u test drive sport plus...are u sure this variant got BLIS...BLIS is for titanium plus only right..? BTW..still waiting 4 my candy red sport plus.Cheers...

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  8. Amazing post, thanks for sharing such amazing article. I would recommend you that you should also tell your visitors that there are some Ford Repair Manuals available in the market that helps them to repair their own car without

    ReplyDelete