Test drive Ford Focus 5 doors since 2010 hatchback

two versus one

Not having time to exchange the first thousand kilometers, the editorial Ford Focus went to the training ground to justify the advances received in a martial art with rivals. They were the popular Mitsubishi-osseer, very close in price and configuration, and the exquisite Renault-Magan is noticeably more expensive, but also richer. Of course, all sedans are equipped with 1.6-liter engines and mechanical gearboxes.
Ford Focus II. The debutant favorably differs from rivals with novelty, but originality among the advantages does not include confidently identifying him, especially from behind, you can only close. In some places, shagrin is noticeable in the paint, the gas tank cover is now, like everyone else, is locked up by the central lock, but the hood is still with the key to whom the advantages of such a decision are known, please share.
Focus the owner of the highest and wide salon: three are placed without problems behind, but there are only two headrests. The seats are located above, and the landing is more direct than that of the rivals. The front panel made of soft pretty plastic creates a feeling of a solid expensive car, but forces its massiveness to move away to the front passenger. In a modest inner mirror, at the eye level of the driver, mainly an inclined back shelf is reflected, with which, when braking, everything rises into the seat. But only Ford offers an electric heating of windshield invaluable in a cold climate dignity, rare even in more prestigious machines.
The focus has good soundproofing, but a harsh roar of the motor in forced modes breaks through it. Its even character is good for a calm, measured driving, and a reserve of traction at small revolutions allows you to switch the gears less often. If necessary, of course, you can rotate the engine to seven thousand, but the expected emission of energy will not follow a smart gas pedal for the sake of economy and environmental friendliness is downstream and makes its own adjustments to the driver’s orders.
The steering is also quite peaceful, together with shocks, diligently extinguishes reverse reactions, although you can’t blame it for excessive lightness. A relatively soft suspension allows noticeable rolls in corners and rocking on irregularities. Because of this, the steaming rear suspension manifests itself best in ironed turns, and fidgets on the potholes.
However, these are nothing more than the nuances, but ineffective brakes and an extra dozen (!) Meters of the journey to stopping (see the measurements table), you risk feeling good at any time, if only on your own wallet. For half a day we ironed the training ground and turned to the company's specialists: we present the results of our study here. And we strongly recommend that when buying a focus, find $ 400 on ABS to compensate for its absence, even the most virtuoso braking.
Mitsubishi-Lenser. A memorable youth smile, large rear lights in combination with an already unmary low line of glazing and a holly stern make Lancer similar to an updated model of the last decade. Yes, and it is more compact below the doorways, and in width loses the focus of incredible 145 mm! Extremely, the transmission in front of the half -axis of the unequal length, while rivals use a more complex, but also an effective design with equal semi -sun and intermediate support. By the way, only Lancer has a motor compartment without protection, therefore, the largest clearance of 165 mm and the dirtiest motor.
The uncomplicated interior only enhances the impression: black tones of upholstery, a large thin steering wheel with adjustment only in height, sticks of steering wheel switches, flat short seats, a tight salon. And although the low chairs are spacious, their adjustments seem to be designed for low -rise driver 180 cm tall to lower the pillow to the stop and lift the steering wheel, otherwise it lies to his knees.
However, on the go, Lancer is a strong good. A quiet, painful motor and box with economical stretched gear do not provoke an aggressive ride, but do their job diligently and accurately, without delay, performing commands. The selectivity of the lever is simply excellent, the steering from 3.3 turns from the stop to the stops of the clear and extremely transparent position of the wheels you literally feel with your fingertips.
The elastic suspension has high energy intensity, moderately comfortable, but at the same time clearly monitors the profile of the road and works great in corners.
And even beyond the limit of opportunities, Lancer behaves with dignity, without frightening a sharp loss of control, begins to slide in all four wheels, leaving the opportunity to compensate for a slowly developing skid.
Renault-Magan. The business card of most French cars originality, the eternal search for new solutions. For example, a lid of the fuel tank combined with a hatch, turn off the process of refueling shorter for the operation. The L-shaped front head restraints with a pair of adjustments, additional boxes in the front doors are good.
However, the originality is not a synonym for expediency. P-shaped bracket instead of a conventional handbrake turns the brush. The boxes in the front in the legs are good, but is it so raised because of them the floor along with the seats? At the entrance you bend down so as not to hook the rack. And the landing is unusually high, the passenger’s lower legs rest on the lower edge of the torpedo, I want to lower the chair, but nowhere. However, there is a plus of asphalt only three meters in front of the hood.
Adjusting the height of the pillow and angle of the back with two identical (and constantly confusing) handles under the seat.
There are features in management. The ultra -light steering wheel with an electric power is convenient in the parking lot and in the city hustle and bustle, but with dynamic driving, its emptiness sometimes scares. Given the tendency of Megan to skidding, this can turn into a loss of control. The brake pedal is very light: I touched a little and has already hung on the belts, although the effectiveness of slowdown must be paid tribute. And the clutch pedal, on the contrary, is viscous and viscous.
In terms of comfort, the smoothness of the course of Megan, perhaps better than others. A 135 mm road clearance is not enough, but there is a strong steel protection.
The Frenchman motor is more resistant and more powerful, as many as 113 liters. p., but it does not even lose to realize the advantage of acceleration in acceleration, it even loses to both rivals, although only one tenth of a second. And for the maximum speed, this is not an obstacle and the highest 185 km/h of that evidence.

Focuses with brakes
Suddenly the low efficiency of the focus brakes (see the measurements table) threw the work. It cannot be that the modern foreign car stops with 100 km/h only after 54 m! And although formally the machine fits into liberal rules No. 13 of the UN EC (slowdown 7.1 m/s2 against the minimum allowable 5.8 m/s2), the usual result of cars 8.510.0 m/s2 and a stop distance of 4045 m.
Three dozen additional races, measurements at the stand clarified the situation. It turned out that the rear mechanisms practically do not operate the brake force on them only 60 kg600 kg on the front axle.
The fact is that the focus brakes are originally designed to work with ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution Distribution of the brake force between the axes), which are displayed in Russia for gasoline versions. And since the mechanical column-regulator is not provided here at all, valves are put in the brake lines of the rear wheels, which allow you to avoid dangerous blocking and inevitable drift.
Moreover, the valves with a margin are selected so that the wheels do not block at an empty car on a slippery coating and they slowly slow down. Suffice it to say that at the stand it was not possible to achieve blocking even with a heroic force on the pedal of 136 kg!
But the front wheels are already blocked at 17 kg on the pedals, and it is precisely about this value that the tester balances, trying to achieve the most effective slowdown.
Our conclusion: We recommend choosing cars equipped with ABS. They are spared the described problems.

Comment by CJSC FORD Motor Company. Ekaterina Kulinenko, PR manager. The car equipped with ABS when braking on dry asphalt slows down more efficiently. The difference in the brake path with a car without ABS can be significant. In this regard, we would recommend using cars with the same equipment with comparative test drives. Moreover, ABS is available as an option in all trim levels Focus II, and on cars with a diesel engine is mandatory.
To ensure efficient operation of the brake system, special regulators with a perception of pressure changes are installed in cars without ABS. They regulate the pressure in the rear circuit, preventing the full lock of the rear wheels, which can lead to controllability loss.
The results of the ZR test will be sent to the Ford of Europe engineering center for study.

BARGAIN
In the lower price range, Ford Focus has no competitors at the starting price for a three-door hatchback $ 11,720 is the most profitable offer in the class.
Opponents appear only in more expensive modifications to a test car for $ 15,440 confronts the bestseller of the domestic market Mitsubishi Lancer for $ 15,690: $ 15,490 for the Invite Plus Plus a simple tape recorder $ 200. The Japanese does not have a steering wheel adjusting the length of the column and electric heating of the windshield, but it is richer on one pillow of safety, rear electric windows, ABS and EBD.
Significantly more than Renault Megan, about the same $ 15,549 costs a 1.4 liter sedan in the initial configuration of Authentique. Close to the equipment of Expression 1.6 liters will cost $ 17,699, and the rich test Privilege is $ 19,899.

Focus in our park
The new Ford Focus is one of the potential leaders of the Russian market of foreign cars (judging by the successes of the predecessor). Therefore, as soon as the dealers have new cars from Vsevolozhsk, we hastened with a purchase, and a sedan with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 100 hp appeared on the editorial parking. and a mechanical gearbox. We assume that it is precisely such machines (in our inexpensive configuration) that will become the most purchased.
The machine is adapted to Russian conditions: plastic protection of the motor compartment, mudguards, more durable tires, a full -sized spare wheel, increased washer tank, the engine is adapted for starting before
-35s. Comfort equipment for $ 14 190 is reasonably sufficient: immobilizer, central lock, air conditioning, electric mirrors and front windows, one airbag.
In addition, there was already additional equipment on the machine we have chosen: a winter package ($ 400) of electric heating of windshield, external mirrors and front seats; Package Comfort ($ 540): remote control of the central lock, protection system with perimeter/volume sensors and something else, as well as the CD + AM/FM audio system with six speakers. More coloring metallic with a pretty name jeans ($ 275) and rubber rugs ($ 35) total $ 15,440. Our addition to additions was limited to Excellent Evolution 2 ($ 400).
The purchased car from the first batch, it is slightly different from later cars: black, not chrome radiator edging, black, and not in the color of the body, mirrors, there are no pockets on the backs of the seats.

SUMMARY
Ford Focus II The most modern car in this class at a very attractive price. He would have to cure brakes
General assessment 7.7
+ High elasticity of the motor, good suspension, spacious interior, adaptation to Russia, a variety of modifications.
- Ineffective brakes, dabble control, swing in corners, a noisy motor.

SUMMARY
Mitsubishi Lansr modest and discreet in appearance, shows its best qualities in motion.
General assessment 7.8
+ Dense, energy -intensive suspension, transparent control, high selectivity of the box lever, good sound insulation.
- Gloomy, rather poor salon, there is no adjustment of the steering column along the length, the lack of protection of the motor compartment, a small, uncomfortable trunk.

SUMMARY
Renault Megane is a spacious, comfortable, but expensive car. The container is original, although sometimes controversial solutions.
General assessment 7.9
+ Comfortable suspension, effective brakes, spacious in the rear of the salon, an abundance of containers in the cabin, a roomy trunk.
- a weak reactive effect on the steering wheel and the brake pedals, a tendency to skidding, large gaps between body panels, somewhat difficult to fit forward. at
Ford Focus II
Debuted in the fall of 2004. Since the end of the year, they have been produced in Europe, in May 2005 production began in Vsevolozhsk.
Engines: gasoline 1.4 2.0 liters (80145 l. P.), Turbodiesel 1.8 liters (115 l.).
Gearboxes: two options for 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic (only from 1.6 l, 100 l.).
Complete: Ambiente, Comfort, Trend, Ghia.
Price: $ 11 72017 110.
Mitsubishi Lansr
The ninth generation was represented in 2003. Sedan and station wagon are produced with bodies. There is also an all -wheel drive Evolution VIII with a 2.0 liter engine (265 l.
Engines: 1.32.0 l (82135 l.
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic (only from 1.6 l).
Complete: Invite, Instile, Intense.
Price: $ 14 49021 750.
Renault Megane
The second generation of megans appeared in 2002. Types of bodies: 3- or 5-door hatchback, sedan, station wagon, and a capricious coupe.
Engines: gasoline 1.4 2.0 liters (98135 l. Diesels are not supplied to Russia.
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Complete: Authentique, Expression, Privilege, Dynamic (only hatchback).
Price: $ 15 54921 799.

Yu. Nechetov: I myself recently began to ride on a new focus, and its low result in braking was not a surprise urgently, and in working modes the machine behaves quite adequately. We'll have to keep this in mind and keep a distance with a margin.

A. Karpenkov, Expert ZR: When I output ABS, the temptation is too great to save on it. But it is important for the consumer to understand that this loss is not compensated by any skill.
 

 


 
 

 



Yuri Nechetov
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"