Whereas some car companies have managed to escalate their most popular models into near-iconic status, Ford has never lost sight of its need to meet volume demands. The first-generation Focus, which lifted the European Car of the Year award in 1999, was an external riot of conflicting curves and lines that were carried into an avant-garde interior. It sold like hotcakes.
The more conservative second generation continued a repute for fine handling and composure. Again, it sold in its millions. It was followed a few years later by the Mark Three version, itself revised comprehensively in 2014. However, entirely new for 2018 is the Mark Four Focus, which not only addresses consumer issues directed at the three previous generations but also whisks the model ahead of its main rivals in the important compact family car class.
Tactility is the creative focus for the new model range. Ford calls it a ‘human-centric’ strategy that is based on creating memorable moments from the first pull on a door handle, to the operation of the clasp securing the glovebox lid, or the movement of a column stalk and the noise it emits. In all instances, the design team was tasked with ensuring that high-end quality would always be the priority. By extending the wheelbase of the car (+53mm), a pertinent visual ‘trick’ is carried off that makes the new car appear more compact and contained than the outgoing version.
With pronounced sculpting of the car’s flanks, the overall impression is of lithe agility, perpetrated by the ingenious use of flat, light-reflecting surfaces that are both taut and athletic. Overall, the new Focus appears to be lower, wider and more poised, a style statement that is supported by both a more extreme front grille treatment and more pronounced shoulders at the rear. The current Fiesta model benefited from a similar round of improvements last year, although it was not the clean sheet approach presented by the new Focus.
While regular model designations remain, the ST-Line and Vignale (luxury) trimmed models are supplemented by a new Active variant that features crossover-type raised ride height, body-cladding and skid-guards fore and aft. It is a most important addition to a strong range. However, all models benefit from the use of higher-grade trim details and cleaner lines inside the car, with most components integrated smoothly within a more wrap-around cockpit feel.
Ford was aware that it was falling behind its rivals in technology terms but it now leads the market with a raft of safety addenda that includes autonomous braking, lane-centring discipline, 360-degree circumference view and tiredness monitoring. Ingeniously, using sensors and sat-nav input, the new model’s headlights work adaptively, illuminating bends and other obstacles on approach, including road signs. The LED-based system also removes a major bugbear of glare that afflicts on-coming drivers. Available on some models is a Head-Up Display that motors-up from above the main instrument binnacle to provide the broadest and most defined readings of any HUD system.
Although steering assist is not new technology, the Evasive Steering employed in the new car uses both radar and camera to detect slower moving and stationary vehicles ahead. If an avoidance manoeuvre is deemed necessary, it helps the driver to take action safely and controllably. Naturally, blind-spot recognition, cross-traffic alerts and a near-180 degrees rear-view camera supplement a technology package that is now at the head of the field.
Of course, all of the safety add-ons in the world cannot defeat the laws of physics and, just as the original Focus established fresh dynamic standards that made the car one of the best-handling in the world, the new one builds on that premise, with the its replacement platform. Clever re-engineering of the suspension system minimises the impact of road surface imperfections, while retaining the exceptional balance for which Focus is renowned…plus a bit. The optional, automatically adjustable, electronic damping ensures that stability and control are maintained at a high level. The injection of expanding foam into cross-members has the effect of increasing structural rigidity of the body, which ensures that the suspension can work more efficiently and quietly. The new Focus is every bit as much fun to drive as it has ever been.
The petrol engine choice is wide, including 82, 97 and 122bhp versions of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost unit developing either 147, or 179bhp. Intriguingly, these units also feature cylinder deactivation, when cruising on a light throttle, or when full-power is unnecessary. High torque figures and low CO2 emissions are quoted for all engines. As a world car, Ford continues to offer diesel options and the 1.5-litre TDi is available in both 92 and 117bhp guises, although a more traditional 2.0-litre unit delivers 147bhp. The models drive through a slick 6-speed manual transmission, with the option of an 8-speed automatic.
Investing in new steel rolling facilities at its European plant along with careful revisions in the panel press shops has resulted in vital weight reductions for the entire Focus line-up, allied to extensive aerodynamic work to enable the car to cut through the air with less turbulence, aspects that also increase the cars’ overall fuel economy expectations. Connectivity is at a new peak in the range, complete with embedded WiFi and the potential to link up to ten devices to it. Although it is not standard, an optional B&O, 675W stereo system ensures that the new Focus offers music quality previously unheard of in a car of this class. A wireless charging pad in the centre console and ‘pinch and swipe’ operation of the 8.0-inch colour touchscreen are pertinent features.
