Ford-focus-2.0-tdci-powershift-review
8 July 2009, 11:18 GMT + 2
The addition of a boot does the
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI PowerShift no favours in the design department but spirited performance and sparkling dynamics make up for this in spades, writes
The Wheel Deal.
If you live overseas and like the idea of garaging a Ford sedan, then you’ll probably twist your bank manager’s arm to help you finance the latest Mondeo. And that’s because, with a body cut by the firm’s Kinetic Design ethos, it manages to mix a whole lot of good looks into a package that’s practical and surprisingly sweet to drive. After all, if 007 chooses it as his hire car of choice, then you know it’s definitely got the goods to deliver. But for those of us who reside in this country of crime and ever-crumbling infrastructure – where the Mondeo is yet to tread – motorists wanting something booted from the Blue Oval will have to settle for a 4-door Focus.
Fortunately, when viewed from the front, this doesn’t seem like an entirely poor proposition as the machine in question benefits from the same distinctive nose styling that’s made its hatch-backed sister such a hit. Sure, that sliver of chrome across the bonnet’s leading edge might be a little chav, but ultimately the fore section of the Focus sedan is something you’d be proud to plumb in the rear-view mirror of its nearest rival. However, like on all cars of this ilk, things kind of fall apart once your eyes swish across the shoulder-line, past those attractive alloy wheels and come to rest on that eyesore of a boot. Sitting sharp and tall this angular addition detracts from that usual Focus edginess and ultimately sees the car – just like on VW’s Golf-sourced Jetta – fall a good few notches down the Cool-o-Meter. Yet while this cut-and-paste exercise in practicality comes at the price of panache, those legendary Ford dynamics remain unaffected and the 4-door Focus 2.0 TDCI we tested proved to be an absolute cracker out on the road.
At the heart of this stellar performance thrums a capable two-litre diesel engine that, benefiting from direct injection and a turbocharger, whacks out a meaty helping of both power and Newton. Commendably quiet and smooth right on through its narrow rev-range, this honey of an oil-burner pulls keenly in every gear and launches the Focus towards the horizon line with the verve and enthusiasm of some much more expensive machinery. Whether pointing and squirting down empty inner-city streets or hustling along the highway at speed, you’ll find acceleration is immediate, seamless and immensely satisfying. Putting all this go down onto the tarmac is Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift transmission that snicks through the cogs without any iota of lag or delay. Brilliant in either manual or automatic mode, this slick shifting ‘box has to be one of the finest available on the market today and makes some of its competitor’s offerings look decidingly olde school. But the best thing about this Ford’s deceptively sporting personality has to be the way it stitches itself through corners. As precise as a surgeon’s needle thanks to quick, feelsome and accurate steering, the Focus is a joy to blast along challenging twists of bitumen and will please even the most discerning of driver’s with its handling prowess. And while a fairly firm suspension set-up helps to minimize the negative affects of body-roll, I found the ride to be fluid and complaint at all times with only the biggest of bumps managing to filter their way though into the confines of that plush, leather-stitched cabin. The same couldn’t be said for the level of road noise, however, as I soon discovered those 205/50 R17s kicked up quite a racket on lengthier trips.
So although it’s clumsy silhouette isn’t going to be featured in any future books on car design, the 4-door Focus 2.0 TDCI really knocked the wind from my superficial sails with its sparkling performance, real-world diesel economy and competitive pricing. I suppose, like other things in life, it proves that looks aren’t always everything. Perhaps that Mondeo can wait after all…
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI PowerShift Fast Facts:
Engine: 1999cc, four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power: 100kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 2000rpm (340Nm on overboost)
0-100km/h: 10.3 seconds (achieved)
Top Speed: 200km/h (claimed)
Fuel Consumption: 5.8l/100km (claimed combined)
Price: From R269 750
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI PowerShift Dynolicious Test Results:
Location: Hartebeespoort Drag Strip
Conditions: Overcast and cold
0-40 km/h: 3. 55 seconds
0-60 km/h: 5. 21 seconds
0-80 km/h: 7. 51 seconds
0-100 km/h: 10. 32 seconds
0-120 km/h: 14. 22 seconds
1/4 Mile Sprint: 17. 60 seconds @ 134. 2km/h
The addition of a boot does nothing for those edgy Focus lines but it does give the car a massive amount of luggage space.
The interior is plush and very well equipped for money – a USB port means you can sync your MP3 player through that brilliant Ford sound system. The driver’s seat could go lower though.
The 2.0 TDCI engine is great piece of oil-burning kit and delivers a splendid mix of power and torque. Makes the Focus feel quicker than it really is.
Ford’s answer to VW’s DSG, the dual-clutch PowerShift gearbox is quick, effortless and a joy to use in either manual or automatic mode. Why isn’t this an option on the ST?
Em đọc được bài này trên một trang web nước ngoài, mạn phép bác chủ thớt post lên đây để anh em cùng tham khảo và cho ý kiến. Tuy nhiên em không đủ trình để dịch ra tiếng việt, mong bác nào bỏ chút thời gian dịch ra để anh em cùng nghiên cứu, vẫn biết đây là bản Sedan chứ không phải hatchback như ở Vn nhưng em nghĩ động cơ diesel và gear box 6 cấp được đề cập cũng là những thông tin hữu ích.
Thanks các bác.