Ford's focus on success

The new Ford Focus is finally here. And this time, it’s personal. Gone are the days when Ford was just happy to be “present” in the compact segment. Gone, too, are the cutesy terms like “niche” and “Euro alternative” No, this time, Ford has its newly sculpted projector beams Focused squarely on the big three.

A lofty goal, perhaps, but just to show they mean business, Ford has come out of the blue corner swinging. The company has introduced some radical changes to the new line up and even more radical pricing. For P759, 000, or less than the price of a Honda Jazz, you can slip behind the wheel of a Focus Core, the four door sedan version which gives you a 1.8 liter engine, ABS, EBD and a driver’s side airbag.

Throw in an extra P20,000 for the Trend model, and you’ll get rear air-con vents, foldable rear seats, as well as fog lamps. Both cars come with a 5-speed manual transmission, and feature 1.8 liter Flex Fuel engines that are capable of digesting up to 20% ethanol.

If you’re sick of swapping cogs yourself, though, and prefer an electronically controlled 4-speed auto, you can step up to the 5-door hatch for just P849,000.

Or, for P989,000 you can climb behind the leather wrapped wheel of a 2.0 liter Ghia with all the bells and whistles. Aside from the larger, more powerful engine, the extra 140 grand gets you 16 inch rims, leather seats, dual zone electronic climate control, plus a full option audio system with an in dash six stacker CD/MP3 player.

Ford also offers a sport version for 999k, which features all of the Ghia options but with slightly sportier seats, all wrapped up in a very handsome five door hatch.

But for those who want to enjoy the Focus the way God intended it to be, you’ll need P1,149,000 for a front row seat of the absolutely awesome Focus TDCi powershift. It is the flagship of the nameplate, and has yet to receive a lukewarm reception from any market it has been introduced in. Take a spin in one and you’ll understand why this is what all compact cars want to be when they grow up.

I had a chance to throw the car around the race track a week ago and I could safely say that, pound for pound, this has got to be one of the best cars I have ever driven. I say this with the deepest respect for its competitors, but from a power-hungry driver’s point of view, you would struggle to find anything more rewarding.

Not that its competitors are lacking – far from it – but Ford just got the formula right; all the performance is available on tap right from the get go and nothing goes to waste. And with a whopping 340nm of tire shredding torque, it delivers instant gratification. No need to wring its neck; the thrills begin at 2,000 RPM. Plus there’s that legendary diesel economy.

It uses the same Duratorq engine but now gets a six speed, double clutch sequential manual gearbox that Ford haS dubbed Powershift. It is so seamless, so quick, and so direct, that it milks every last drop of precious power from the high compression common rail diesel engine, and makes sure that every single horse is accounted for.

Essentially, it uses two three-speed gearboxes. When one gear is engaged, the next gear is simply prepared in a separate chamber. No delay, no shift shock, just the facts, ma’am, just the facts.

Steering has been improved as well and still uses a combination of hydraulic and electronic assistance for better feel and accurate feedback. The interior has been freshened up, too, adding a new instrument cluster design and more modern looking touches. NVH has also stepped up a bit, but not enough to be the benchmark for its class. It is, however, incredibly smooth for a diesel.

Here’s a car that went from relative obscurity to the Philippine Touring Car Championship’s biggest threat in just a couple of years. It has spent its life in the shadows of the big names but is now willing to take them on in a straight fight. It may take more than just power and speed to lure the faithful, but Ford is confident they can pull it off. Built right here in Santa Rosa, Laguna, with national pride at stake, the Focus faces its toughest challenge yet.

It may be a bold step to try to go wheel to wheel with the heavyweights, but then again, so is Manny Pacquiao’s challenge against Oscar De La Hoya. I’d like to see you tell him he has no right to try. Let’s get ready to rumble!

THE GOOD

• Proudly Philippine made

• Exceptional transmission

• Unparalleled diesel power and economy

THE BAD

• Lacks a little rear leg room

• Residual values still not as strong as the top three

THE VERDICT

• Best in class for power and economy.