Test drive Ford Focus 4 doors 2001 - 2005 sedan

Focusr from Russia

The dream of motorists of all countries of the former Soviet Union came true - in Russia they finally began to assemble standing cars: high -quality, modern, high -speed.

In one of the past numbers, in the heading of local news, our newspaper talked about an unusual situation that has developed in the local automobile market: we again had a shortage - some cars! And one of these cars was the Ford Focus of the Russian assembly. The demand for the model is so high that buyers are forced to line up. But there is good news: most recently, the company of Yukol, the Ford dealer, received the first batch of tricks, under the hood of which there is a sign with the inscription Made in Russia - cars assembled at the factory in Vsevolozhsk.

Acclimatization

In order to adequately represent the Ford brand in Russia and the countries neighboring with it, Focus has undergone some acclimatization. Firstly, all versions that are produced in Vsevolozhsk can work on gasoline with an octane number of at least 92. And this means that even in the Russian outback, somewhere around the Urals, the driver of the Russian Focus will not puzzle, where to get the 95th gasoline The locals did not see in the eyes of the local residents. Secondly, the model is adapted to our difficult climatic and road conditions. She has an enlarged road clearance, which makes up the impressive 170 mm - almost like some SUVs. An increased capacity battery has been installed, which, in combination with other measures, should provide a confident launch of the engine at a temperature of up to -35 degrees of frost. They also worked seriously on the anti -corrosion protection of the body, now even the place of labeling of the body is covered with an anticorus.

Residence

Let's start with the main one: Ford Focus of the Russian assembly neither outside nor from the inside is different from the same car manufactured at a German or any other factory. The only thing: the Russian has a noticeably larger road clearance. And the rest of the cars are the same. That is, unlike licensed production, when the plant redeems a license for the production of a certain model from the manufacturer, a modern car is assembled in Russia, also produced in the main plants. True, so far to call this focus a Russian car is at least incorrect: it is assembled from imported details, Russian details in it once, and have been expected. So far, from Russian to Ford Focus there are only salon rugs, side glasses, pillows and tissue ups of seats, mudguards. That's all. Ford is constantly working with suppliers, but so far it can still meet its strict requirements.

Internal architecture

The most scandalous rumor regarding the Russian focus - South African production engines are installed on the car! Yes, this is true, such a motor for the model is proposed - 1.6 -liter Duratec. The Duratec series engine with a working volume of 1.6 liters installed on our Focus was not known in the European market, instead of it was offered a 16-valve 1.6-liter zetec engine with a capacity of 101 hp. This motor develops exactly 100 horses, has two valves per cylinder and can calmly digest domestic gasoline. It was for this reason that he migrated to the hood of the Russian focus. That 1.6-liter Zetec, which to this day is proposed for European markets, categorically refused to do this: our mutter did not like it. But grief due to the loss of a 1.6-liter engine of the Zetec series is not worth it. Let's say secretly, by running qualities he was not so hot. You can even say that it was a weak link in the range of power units proposed for this model. There were problems with accelerated dynamics, and with elasticity, and with efficiency. Ford knew about this feature and even literally a year and a half ahead, I decided to change the electronic engine control unit in order to spur it a little. It was not possible-Focus 1.6 was still inferior to 1.6-liter competitors in all of the above indicators. That is why you are not worth a regret on replacing the Zetec series of the Zetec series with a 1.6-liter Duratec producing in South Africa, the latter is even a little better! Firstly, it is more powerful, and the torque curve demonstrates good traction on the bottoms and medium-speeds. And secondly, the motor, despite the possibility of working on 92nd gasoline, meets EVRO-2 standards. That's it!

The next power of the motor also belongs to the Zetec series-this is a 16-valve 115-horsepower 1.8-liter. He turned out to be less picking up the quality of the fuel and his octan number than his 1.6-liter fellow, therefore, was preserved in the range. This version is rightfully considered the best in the range: vigorous acceleration, good elasticity. With him, the focus becomes the most dynamic: a hundred from a place in just 10.4 seconds! And although in the range there is an even more powerful motor - a 2.0 -liter, the Focus 1.8 version is considered optimal. As for the 2.0 liter motor, it is not only the most expensive, but also the most European one. Also Zetekovsky, this 131-horsepower engine eats only 95th gasoline. For him, they decided to make an exception: it is unlikely that expensive versions will be bought in the outback. The top version of Focus 2.0 is proposed only with an automatic four -speed checkpoint, while other modifications - only with five -speed mechanics. A 1.4 -liter motor, familiar to us by German cars, is not offered for a Russian at all. As for the mechanics, with the exception of the points of adaptation, Focus did not undergo any constructive changes. The plastic protection of the crankcase has become compulsory equipment, as well as muddy spraying. (Although there were no mudguards on the tested car in front or behind.) Gamma of Russian -made cars consists of three types: a five -door hatchback, a sedan and a spacious five -door station wagon. Thus, it turns out that we did not count only a three -door hatchback - not a big loss.

Pleasant surprises

Driving on a new car is always nice, especially if it is beautiful and high -speed, and Ford Focus was no exception. Lada, stylish, swift - Focus even five years after the debut looks very good! True, I personally like the version of the hatchback body more than the sedan. The hatchback seems more harmonious, completed. But according to sales statistics, including according to the statistics of orders of Russian machines, our buyers prefer sedans - they account for more than 60% of applications.

Inside, Focus surprises no less than outside. He has a very interesting interior. Spit lines, which are the main theme of the interior, make it both fashionable and strict. Sitting is very convenient, the review is good, while driving is free even in winter clothes. The lack of pockets on the inner upholstery of the front doors was a little surprised - they simply ask there, especially since there are more than enough space there. The version of the comfort provided for the test did not hit the abundance of adjustments: only the steering column can swim horizontally and vertical. And only the top version of the GIA has adjustment of the driver’s seat in height - for everyone else, this option is simply not offered even for surcharge. The steering wheel is excellent, although for complete happiness it could be sheathed with skin.

The start of movement will not cause problems even in an inexperienced driver. Thanks for this, the 1.6-liter Duratec: he just has a scrap craving at low speeds. The gas pedal at first can not be touched at all, and the first, second and third programs can be turned on at idle, and the machine at the same time without problems quietly gaining move. And if more active? It turns out very cool more actively: on summer rubber Focus, even along slightly sprinkled snow, the asphalt rides with a run. And in the fourth gear! For this, again, it is worth saying thanks to the painful motor: he breaks off as expected. True, it makes no sense to drive a tachometer to the very top. After about 4500 rpm, the motor loses combat enthusiasm, and sensible acceleration is not possible there. Such a torment is doubly ineffective because there is no red zone on the tachometer. First, I even rested a couple of times a couple of times, forcing the car to stumble on the overclocking. But if you turn, it is very good to ride very well: Focus was clearly dragged under active driving. And even the adaptation, expressed in additional centimeters of the road clearance, could not kill his excellent running qualities. In a turn, you can easily keep a speed of 20-30 km/h above the main flow: the machine allows. True, at the end of the turn, you need to be prepared for the fact that an independent rear suspension with a steering effect will necessarily show its hole: in response to the discharge of gas, it slightly shies the rear axle into the turn. Or, if the speed was very high, it provokes a small drift.

In the city of Focus 1.6, he showed himself a well done - an excellent city car. Firstly, her dimensions, as well as visibility from the driver's seat, allow you to ride very actively, without afraid to lose someone in the dead zone of rear-view mirrors. And secondly, it is impossible to get enough, enjoying the excellent traction of the motor at low speeds. You can go all the way in the fourth gear: the machine is accelerated from the bottom even more willingly than from high or medium -speeds! Accordingly, you do not need to switch every time the flow rate has fallen, since you can continue to move in the same gear.

And Ford Focus 1.6 also has a very specific sound of a working motor: the exhaust noise resembles one of Remus civilian models. A little hoarse, low -frequency, but at the same time a slightly howling sound - listening to it is really nice. Especially when you fly. Then this quiet cry not only emphasizes the process of driving itself, but even provokes a little: I want to gasp once again to listen to it again. But in the usual rhythm, the same sound seemed tedious: well, I don’t want to listen to on the highway when driving at a constant speed of 90-100 km/h how the motor sings! However, the noise level is not critical. Working in position 2, the heater fan almost completely drowses it. So, if you install an audio system, it is quite possible that there will be no problems with sound accompaniment, the motor will be heard only when it wants it.

Potential bestseller

Having risked building a plant in Russia, Ford, of course, previously checked everything and calculated. Moreover, more than once: such serious investments, especially after unsuccessful experience with production in our crap, require painstaking preliminary work. And it seems that economists, analysts and marketer Ford were not mistaken when they decided to come to Russia with their own production: it went! The plant, contrary to the forecasts of pessimists, is built and launched, production is increased, there is a demand for products. Yes, what demand: the matter is that already in the summer the account paid by customers Ford Focus will go for tens of thousands of pieces! And at such a scale of release and the rate of increase in demand, the day when Focus will become a folk car in Russia. Our situation is similar: the base model Ford Focus 1.6 with a body of hatchback on a CIF Minsk body costs even a little less than in Russia - $ 9660. And given the fact that customs clearance is not required for it, Focus may well become one of the most popular models in Belarus.

* * *

Ford Focus is a long -liver, the oldest model to date in the range of the European branch of the Ford Corporation (except for the low -command one). Focus debut took place in 1998, and since then the model remains a bestseller in almost all European markets. During these five years, the model is not at all outdated, and even moreover, due to magnificent running qualities, one of the best drivers of golf classes is still considered one of the best drivers! Independent multi-leaf, steering rear suspension, for the first time in this class, installed precisely on Focus, is still inaccessible to most competitors (they still have a back half-dependent suspension). True, there was no sufficiently powerful modification on which it would be possible to fully evaluate all the advantages of the perfect focus chassis, until recently: the power threshold was limited to 131 horses of a two -liter version. But now hot versions have appeared, and two at once. One, 173 -horsepower Focus ST170, may even be delivered to our market - from a German, of course, plant. It is equipped with a well-known 2.0-liter engine, only due to the increase in power to the above limit, the version of the ST170 can dial a hundred from a place in just 8.2 seconds and develop a maximum speed of 216 km/h. The second, sports version, modestly called RS, is even more interesting in terms of characteristics: 215 horses! Light, only 1215 kilograms, and a dynamic car differs from its civilian brothers primarily with an aggressive body kit: forged wheeled arches in which 18-inch wheels are hidden, and a huge front spoiler, behind which a radiator of the Garret supercharger is installed. This, with permission to say, the gun can move along the highway at a speed of 232 km/h and at the same time gain the first hundred in just 6.7 seconds!

* * *

Comparing Focus with younger competitors is incorrect: they were created by a slightly different principle. Nevertheless, for his class, he went well, the degree of protection was recognized as high enough. Today, four stars are considered not the highest rating, and then no car had more points. True, it is worth considering that Ford Focus was beaten almost immediately after the debut, in 1999, and then the rules for conducting crash tests were much softer than now. Therefore, it is not known how he would behave and what assessment would eventually receive a focus if he had been hit on a deformable barrier at a speed of 64 km/h.

However, the presence of airbags in the list of standard equipment of the basic version of Focus is a good sign. The front seat belts - with inertial coils and have tension limiters, which reduces the risk of chest injury. In addition, Ford Focus has a special inertial fuel supply interruption that triggers when hit. Also, in the event of an accident, a system for disconnecting the brake pedal unit is triggered, which reduces the likelihood of leg injury. It is only a pity that the rest of the active safety tools, whether it is ABS or airbag for the front passenger, are the standard only for the TOP version of the GIA. This version, the cost of which starts at $ 13.740 for a five-door hatchback with a 1.8-liter engine, has even side airbags! For all other versions, except for the basic ambient, for which ABS and the airbag for the passenger are not offered at all, the above options are installed only in the kit, which is estimated at $ 570. Side pillows are not offered even for surcharge.

Opinion Ag:

Ford Focus is still one of the best cars in its class. And now also one of the most affordable.

+ High degree of adaptation to our road conditions
+ The ability to operate the engine on 92th gasoline
+ Unlocked design

- A noisy motor
- Inconcantous castle of opening the hood

A source: Auto -Gazeta / N 10 (402) dated 19.03.03