Focus for keeps

EDITOR’S NOTE: Let it not be said that we don’t pay attention to your requests and suggestions. Over the past two months, we’ve been getting letters from quite a number of our readers. The amazing thing is that we don’t just get letters, we get articles! Yes, some of you have actually sent in articles in the hope of having them published within the Business Motoring pages. And most have actually been pretty good. Which is why we now have this, the newest sub-section of the Business Motoring section. We call it The Passenger’s Seat, and it’s your space to fill.

All you have to do in order to participate in this new venture is send in your articles and once a month, we’ll publish what we feel is the best of the lot (or at least among the best). If you feel like writing about cars, please do send in your photographs as well. We’ll give you your byline and photo credit to boot. Send in a little personal background as well so we can tell the folks out there what you actually do when you’re not moonlighting as aspiring motoring journalists. Our email address is [email protected]. We do pride ourselves in being the most interactive motoring section in the country. Here’s the next step in proving that now undeniable fact.

To kick off this new sub-section, we picked out an article written by Mr. Bong Figueroa, who is the creative director at one of our local advertising agencies. Mr. Figueroa is a car buff who follows the Business Motoring pages regularly. We found his story angle unique and quite catchy. Read on and see if you agree…

Recently, I had the opportunity to test-drive the Ford Focus Turbo Diesel. (My gratitude to the staff of Ford Global City.) It was the second time I had ever driven a Ford; the last time was decades ago. It was a hatch Laser owned by my childhood friend.

Going into the test drive, I was expecting the Focus to be far better than its predecessor, and lo and behold, my Focus experience certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Diesel looks the same as its Petrol sipping sibling except for a few cues, particularly a larger trapezoidal grill and a little badge at the back. Ford’s Cris Catarroja added that only the Diesels are colored ocean blue and tonic gray.

If I may describe how the design affects me, I’d say it’s like meeting a girl you wouldn’t get immediately attracted to at first, but then looking at her closely you begin to notice how achingly beautiful she is. It is the kind of beauty that grows on you. The Focus has a stance that is beautiful and confident. It has understated elegance. I’d say it’s a mature compact hatch in a spoiler brandishing, body kits bulging sea of commonality.

The doors felt solid and it opened and closed with the acoustic signature of a German car. Settling on the driver’s seat, the Focus is even more beautiful. Talk about beauty on the inside. The dashboard and console lines are simple and clean. The dials are elegantly arranged. Turning on the park lights while driving, (It was a damp and gloomy day) the controls glowed with gentle red pilot lamps.

The car felt like it is well put together. It has the comfort levels of a larger car. The steering wheel has a good feel. The grip is chunky. The stick travel is short, easy to engage and very tactile. Stepping on the accelerator, the car doesn’t give you a hint that it is a Diesel. It is sprightly, nimble and fast. The steering is light and precise. With a sudden stabbing of the accelerator pedal the car will lurch in any gear. I just thought I felt a hint of turbo lag. Altogether, the Focus is an absolute joy to drive. And by Jove it delivers, the power is instant, immediate, and accessible even at low revs. Just exactly what you need in actual driving when the need for quick, short bursts is required.

On cruising speed along the smoother parts of C5, it does feel like a bigger car. Driving over potholes and loose soil gave a feel that the car is indeed solidly built. The chassis was rigid and the suspension was excellent. Ford may have derived these from their WRC experience.

The drive over rough surfaces was also dampened by the seats, which was comfortable, and at the same time supportive. It felt like a Recaro that was crossbred with a LZ-boy. There is a temperature control on either side. Both driver and front passenger can enjoy different temperature levels. The backseat has enough legroom for two to three adults. The boot seems to have more than enough ample space for an out-of-town gear and luggage.

If I may summarize my thoughts on the Focus, I’d say it is aptly named. Its design and engineering keeps a focus on the needs of today’s drivers. The Focus has a focus on modern driving issues such as efficiency, design, technology, space, comfort, value, beauty, pride of ownership and for someone like me with racing illusions, an illustrious motor sporting pedigree.

If the Focus was a girl, it’s the car I would bring home to mom. And just like the lovely woman I brought home to mom, the Focus is for keeps.