Test drive Ford Focus 4 doors 2005 - 2007 Sedan

Baptism

Ford Focus 2.0 passed tests with fierce frosts

Actually, the initial reason for the test of this three-door hatchback was not at all baptismal cold, but a desire to get acquainted with one of the powerful versions of Focus in the best configuration, and even in a special aerodynamic body kit from MS Design. But it so happened that the car was at my disposal almost all of January, until the first numbers of February. That is, we experienced extreme weather and roads unchanged ice, blizzards. And, admittedly, they experienced well. So the designer delights in this conversation about the features of the winter operation of Focus somehow went into the background by themselves.

Not creaking, the most cold

I will tell you, dear reader, I will tell you more: I didn’t see this stylish spoiler or a beautiful bumper when I approached a car that stood on an open area of \u200b\u200bat least twelve hours opened in all the winds. On the street, I ask you to notice that at this very time it was minus 35 Celsius, and the breeze was felt right away, and not with a body, but with bones. It was just a pity to look at Focus! But I also do not intend to turn into a penguin, so without unnecessary thoughts I sink, gritting my teeth, into a leather ice seat (you are not in a sheepskin coat, but in swimming trunks), I squeeze the clutch pedal plaintively, and turn the key in the ignition lock. One outraged crankshaft is wound up! This is already perceived as a miracle. It is obliged to report that for the entire time of the editorial tests, the engine, which ensured at this moment, has never failed a mileage of 8 thousand km. Moreover, this mileage discovered his best qualities, he, I can assure, became noticeably more fun than he was at the first kilometers of his existence. Which is quite natural.

It is unnaturally different to launch and force him to work in such a cold. To such violence, the motor, as if complaining, answers with metal notes in his voice. And I understand perfectly well that it is not great for him. But, such is his share, I will give him the opportunity to at least warm up a little before the start. Therefore, turning on the seat to maximum power, I get out of the car inside until it seems even colder than outside.

We must honestly admit: the car warms up very slowly. You can, starting the engine, walk around a good 10 minutes, wiping the side glasses and mirrors, and it will be as cold in the cabin as it was. Probably, the electronics bleed a peculiar compromise, showing at the same time the concern for the power unit, and as if giving it out the first heat, and about the person of a barely arrow of the temperature indicator will come off the first mark with the number 60, as warm air begins to come from the deflectors. It is funny to watch this arrow even after: in frosty weather, when below 20-25 degrees, it crawls along the scale in one direction, then maintaining temperature balance. But if the warm air went into the salon, then in the future, under any weather conditions and at any speed, the climate control system will ensure that the driver and passengers are extremely comfortable. For example, in the cold I did not drive in outerwear, this is absolutely useless, it only interferes with management. Along the way, I note the excellent, without exaggeration, heat and sound insulation of the salon. Moreover, I do not think that this is a feature of the GHIA configuration.

As for convenient seats, with good lateral support, they warm up, alas, not quickly and unevenly. The sidewalls remain cold, but for now the back is warming, you can boil from the temperature of the lower pillow. But in general, there can be no complaints about comfort inside. Yes, and a very successful conquest system of heating windshield, which I often used in snowy weather. It eliminates many supplementary troubles. In if the rubber janitors also warmed up!

On ice and snow, like a dish

This, of course, is an exaggeration, but I was sincerely pleased with the behavior of Focus on slippery coating, and there was no other, in honor, for the whole month in Moscow and the region. In general, the hatchback demonstrates, one might say, sports control. Excessive rotation, a clear desire to wag this, from my point of view, not a minus, but a plus for someone who understands a lot about the drive. If the driver desired, the car is capable of exploits. If there is no such desire, then you should not turn off the ESP stabilization system. And in general, this should not be done, especially in winter and on general routes. Not only is the system to protect an inexperienced driver from the consequences of his natural mistakes, she and a person with good skills provide additional opportunities. Because it works quickly and efficiently, but not too annoying (except for the struggle against the slippers of the front drives). Its main advantage is that ESP is absolutely predictable in your actions, which you are quite convinced of a day or two. In standard situations, it acts exactly as you are waiting.

For example, every day I pass a rather steep, stretched, but 180-degree turning at the Congress of the Moscow Ring Road. On the first day (as on all other days, the road was slippery) the speedometer arrow froze at the mark of 45. On the second day, the speed was already 55 km/h. On the third, with a disconnected stabilization system, a little more than sixty. But I achieved the best result of the seventy km/h when I learned to use ESP capabilities. I just go into a turn with a deliberately higher speed. Already knowing very well that the system will not strangle the engine, and at first it will slow down a little and immediately let go of one, then the other wheel, straightening the car into the turn. Then, in order to avoid slipping, I do not go to a reduced gear, but pull it out, clutching the accelerator pedal, a car of the outlined demolition of the entire body outward. In general, this car is able to give pleasure.

The motor is very good. He demonstrates excellent return after 3500 4000 rpm. The algorithm for the functioning of a mechanical 5-speed box does not cause objections, except that the 3rd gear is located a little further on the right than at first you expect, but this is a matter of habit. The lamb, which is nice, vividly responds to all teams. The only but soft pendants that this version of Focus is equipped with. Of course, I did not experience any particular difficulties, and comfort is on top. But for himself he would prefer more rigid springs and shock absorbers, which fully correspond to the potential of the motor. And they are in other trim levels. However, who prevents the Focus for themselves?

Two words about body kit

When this Focus appeared in the editorial office, the official Ford dealers also offered those who wanted to install an aerodynamic body kit MS Design. When returned they stopped offering. In one dealer center, they explained that a large number of elements were poorly adjusted, decent gaps arose between the body and overlays. Honestly, I did not notice anything like this on this particular tested car. And I liked his appearance, and the rear spoiler, as I managed to see, not only looks stylish, but also provides clamping power. But specialists know better.

Now, by the way, some dealers as an alternative offer a body kit from another Wolf tuning studio, which, according to them, is better suited for this model. By the way, the cost of any of the mentioned body kit $ 2800, plus a color of about $ 350.

Text: Oleg Osipov

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 3 (93), 2006]