Test drive Ford Focus 4 doors 2005 - 2007 sedan

Exclusive for Russia

Ford Focus 1.8 made at the request of workers
 
And this is a fact: only in Russia you can purchase a second-generation Focus with a 125-horsepower engine of 1.8 liters. In all other countries, consumers are still completely dispensed with such a modification, being content with already wide, in fairness, gamut of gasoline and diesel power units. However, in the appearance of Focus 1.8 in the Russian market, of course, there is a reason. Firstly, this was the wish of customers. Secondly, diesel cars have not yet been in special demand in our country, and with the help of a gasoline engine, which, by the way, is also installed on the C-MAX model, the manufacturer successfully filled the gap between the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter versions of the machine .
 
Briefly - about pleasant
 
And the most pleasant thing for buyers is that Focus 1.8 prices begin at the same mark of $ 14,070, as for a 115-horsepower version with a 1.6-liter engine. Of course, the difference is in trim levels.
 
The fact and the fact of a fairly quick reaction of the company to specific requests of the Russian consumer. In general, according to my estimates, at present, no one except Ford offers such a wide selection of cars and commercial cars in our market. And after all, the presented lineup is very successful, consists mainly of the latest products. It also contains Fiesta’s baby, and we have a Focus in many variations, and C-Max, and S-Max, and an extremely successful Mondeo, which is very soon waiting for a generational change, and a wide range of SUVs, and sports, and diesel vehicles- In total, do not list. This is what a serious attitude to the market means not in words, but in deed. It is hoped that the customs conflict, which is described at the beginning of this newspaper number, will not cool the working ardor of Fordovites.
 
Nature must be protected
 
What does ecology have to do with it? - the reader may ask. - If you are about the conformity of Ford engines to Euro-4 standards, then everyone knows this. Excellent! And if I tell you that the idea of \u200b\u200bprotecting the environment and the struggle for the purity of the air that we breathe should be imbued with - and then it will be easier to understand and accept the character of Focus 1.8? In Western countries, by the way, specific economic incentives have been developed that prompt car owners to buy environmentally less harmful vehicles - preferential taxes, for example. We only have talks about this so far, empty for the most part. Anyway.
 
Pay attention to the characteristics of the engine: the maximum power values \u200b\u200band torque are available at sufficiently high speeds. And this means that the motor, as they say, is damped to the limit. This was done, it is clear, just to meet the required environmental parameters for the content of harmful substances in exhaust gases. This is not only Ford, but almost all manufacturers. The system of changes in the phases of gas distribution and the geometry of the intake path is now not talking. All these and similar latest technologies ultimately lead to the rise in the cost of cars, and the Russian market, like no other, is very a bit to the price factor.
 
However, what has been said does not mean at all that Focus with a 1.8 engine is boring like Egyptian cinema. You just have to get used to handling him.
 
Ecology on the road
 
In general, the engine provides the driver with great opportunities. A calm person at the wheel most likely will not even feel a special difference between him and a 1.6-liter engine. Because on the bottoms of this power unit weighed, like an overeating boaver. In this mode, he, of course, provides the machine with acceleration, but it is only suitable for defiling along the resort embankment. But - sprinkle it, make the tachometer arrow does not fall below 3500 revolutions per minute, and you will feel its true character. Aggressive notes will be heard in the cabin, and you will suddenly catch yourself thinking that you can make any maneuvers. In general - press on the gas, release the pedal only for a short moment, and enjoy.
 
The settings of all other mechanisms help to work with full return. To a certain extent, they level the strangle of the engine. The clutch pedal does not tire with resistance, but at the same time it is quite informative, and the moment of picking is well tracked. The 5-speed manual gearbox pleases with the clarity of switching, which has long been a branded feature of the Ford manual transmission. The steering is moderately acute, feedback on the steering wheel is always present, so you will not be mistaken with the angle of turn. Yes, and the brake system is designed more for an aggressive ride, and that is right. It is not difficult to besiege the car from any speed. Slow down, by the way, is effectively promoted by the engine itself.
 
As for the suspensions, they are no different in this version from those known in other tricks - they are moderately comfortable, moderately sports. A good compromise, I want to notice. Especially if you choose the right rubber.
 
In conclusion - a few words about the market prospects of this version of Focus. They, without a doubt, are good. Focus 1.8 hardly interruption in the sales of Focus 1.6, but the fact that it will reach the second place in a number of these cars is likely.
 
Machines of a similar class with engines of the same volume, even more powerful, are represented by other manufacturers on the Russian market. Here, as they say, a matter of taste. However, also prices. I admit, I did not conduct a separate study on this subject, but Ford offers the best conditions for the clip, given all the factors - the price, power, the level of configuration, the brand image, finally.
 
On the test in the editorial office, a car in the GHIA configuration. It, of course, costs more than fourteen thousand dollars. But - he is worth it
 
Text: Oleg Osipov
  
   
Brief technical characteristics of Ford Focus 1.8
    
Engine volume, cubic meter. See 1798
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Power, l. With. at about./min. 125/6000
Max. Torque, NM at about./Min. 166/4000
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p. 10.8
Maximum speed, km/h 193
The average fuel consumption l./100 km. 7.1
The volume of the fuel tank, l. 55
Car mass, kg. 1230
Dimensions, mm. 4362x1840x1497
 

A source: "Automobile Izvestia"