Super TestCar reviews - Ford - Focus - rangeFord modelsOverviewFord's more luxurious new Focus is still the sharpest in its class4 Aug 2011 AFTER the successful launch of the current-generation Fiesta in early 2009, Ford is hoping that lightning will strike twice – this time upon its hapless Focus small car contender. As complete a redesign as you are ever likely to see, Ford’s LW is the third-generation model to wear the name that – over the years – has garnered a reputation as the best driver’s car in its class. But in the pursuit of style, safety, economy, convenience, technology and refinement, has the latest Focus lost its dynamic edge? After a stint behind the wheel of several variants, we can say that if this Ford doesn’t sell up a storm Australian small car buyers will need to have their heads checked. The new Focus is thunderingly great. Model release date: 1 August 2011 to 1 August 2015 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelTHE third iteration of Ford's MkII Focus after the 2005 LS and 2007 LT, the LV involved a subtle makeover of the nose and tail to bring the ageing small car in line with Ford’s new Kinetic design language espoused by the Mk3 Mondeo. , Interestingly, as they were sourced from Germany, the XR5 Turbo and limited-run RS hot hatches of 2010 also brandished different side sheetmetal to the earlier Mk2s, containing a more pronounced crease along the flanks – meaning that (unlike all other LV Focuses sold elsewhere) the South African-built CL, LX, TDCi, Zetec and Ghia five-door hatch and four-door sedans lacked the new distinguishing feature line., As before, the core engine was the 107kW/185Nm 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder petrol unit driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The TDCi continued with the 100kW/320Nm turbo-diesel, but introduced Ford’s first dual-clutch gearbox in the shape of the six-speed Powershift item, as an option to the continuing six-speed manual transmission., The XR5 Turbo - the only three-door Mk2 Focus sold in Australia - carried over the Volvo-sourced 166kW/320Nm 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol mill, while the RS packed quite a punch with a 224kW/440Nm version of the Swedish powerplant., Although the LV sold reasonably well, it never reached Ford’s sales expectations, and supplies to Australia suffered as a result of ongoing industrial disputes in South Africa. |
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