Verdict: Engaging to drive and good enough to stay at the top of its game.
Company Car Review of the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Estate
What is it?
The power wagon of the new Ford Focus range. This is the range-topping power unit in the Focus estate car, and it has been given a boost in power, torque and economy.
Sleek styling clothes a practical box in the tail, in a business-like package with excellent economy and low CO2.
The Focus’s class-leading dynamics have been upgraded, including a stiffer front end, revised suspension and dampers, together with electric power-assisted steering.
This car debuts Ford’s industry-first new safety kit, Enhanced Transitional Stability system.
There is a new 1.5 litre TDCi engine coming, but it was not available at the launch drive. This 2.0 TDCi engine has been upgraded with more power (up from 140 to 150 PS) and torque (up from 236 to 261 lbs ft). Fuel economy has been improved, and CO2 is at its lowest level yet, assisted by Auto-Stop-Start. It is down to 105 g/km in the 2.0 TDCi manual and 115 g/km with the six-speed PowerShift auto.
The new Focus also debuts SYNC2 connectivity system for the first time in Europe, with a colour touch screen and voice activation for quick access to the car’s audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phone connections.
If you hate parking in tight urban spaces, you may well relish this car’s hands-free Perpendicular Parking. Set the system, and the car reverses itself neatly into a parking bay side-to-side with other cars.
The Focus has always been admirable for its driving dynamics, and Ford has sharpened it a little more. The estate’s ride quality and handling characteristic are very well judged, it feels tautly sporty but with enough compliance to cushion over the bumps. Refinement is pretty good all round, although the engine note still sounds like a diesel.
The steering has a change in character, with electric power assistance that gives it a very pert feel, although with moments of a little more numb response into some of the bends.
Overall it is a very engaging car to drive, good enough to stay at the top of its game as the benchmark setter in the compact estate car segment of the car market.
