Test drive Ford Focus 4 doors 2008 - 2010 sedan
Getting into Focus
It was the case: by 1998, Ford was saddening the average age of owners of cars of this brand over 55 years, the consumer attitude to the brand became wary. The same Ford Escort, despite all its popularity, was clearly inferior to the leaders of the segment, and the share of the concern in many markets was steadily declining. Cardinal measures were required. And they were accepted: in 1998, a Focus model appeared, which in just a few years turned over the idea of \u200b\u200bFord cars. One example: already by 2004 of the time, when the first Focus left the arena, 51.7% of its owners were people aged 40 to 55 years, and 27.6% and even younger, from 30 to 40 years. But that was only the beginning. By 2008, it turned out that already 21% of Focus owners people aged 40 to 44 years, 19% thirty-year-olds (from 30 to 34). And one of the most important indicators of the success of the company's loyalty to the client Brenda took off to heaven: 52.8% of the current Focus owners said that their next car would also be Ford. In other words, in just ten years of its existence, Focus was able to radically change the image of the brand. Now the models are important to stay at the top. Therefore, the updated Focus II appeared in the interior of official dealers, which I met near St. Petersburg.
Kinetic appearance Let's start with the exterior, since it was he who has undergone the greatest changes. Now Focus flaunts a kinetic design with a new proprietary style that has already been marked by other Ford models. The elegant false radiator grille under a chrome bar, a huge air intake in the form of an inverted trapezoid, the headlights and fog of the vehicle floating on the wings give the front part of the car. The new hood form emphasizes the swiftness of Focus.
Of course, the appearance remained recognizable, although only the roof remained from the previous Focus II all the other body details of the new. For example, the back of the body, when it comes to the hatchback, visually looks wider, and the new LED lights and a different form only enhance this impression. It is only a pity that the food of the sedan remained practically unchanged, which, however, does not make him less athletic or elegant.
Looking at the body in the profile, you pay attention to the new rib, which stretches from the front to the stern. The size of the wheeled arches has grown and the size of which 17 or even 18-inch wheels can now be installed.
In a word, the updated Focus began to look even more attractive, and, if I may say so younger.
More steel It was worth climbing inside, it became clear that the designers did not limit themselves to appearance, but tried to bring sports notes to the interior. Before my eyes, a new instrument shield. Two wells of speedometers and steel tachometers are tuned in a very definite way. Between them, an elegant insert of the same color and decent sizes, the monitor it shines aggressive red. Above it are two indicators of the fuel level and the temperature of the power unit, the arrows of which are now looking down, as in real sportsmen. As you know, no problems arise with informativeness, it is easy to read the readings in any light.
Turning my gaze from the instrument panel, which, honestly, I don’t want to do it, I see a new central console. She became definitely more attractive, if you are not driving the GHIA version. In this case, the console is finished with plastic under a tree, which, in my opinion, does not look too beautiful. Neither the texture of the material, nor execution is somehow consistent with the general style of the interior. A completely different version of Titanium, in which aluminum is both on the console and on the tunnel between the driver and the passenger. Even in budget executions, when it comes to simple plastic, everything looks quite decent. By the way, now for the modifications of the Special Edition, which are supplied from Europe, an access system is provided to the salon and launching an engine without a key. And in the central tunnel there is a Ford Power button.
I can’t help but note that after the restyling of the Focus restyling, in my opinion, the driver's seat pillow straightened up, that is, it is now not littered with one lack of seat, which created, personally, tangible inconveniences for me personally. And the chair itself seemed to be more convenient and softer. It is still endowed with all the necessary adjustments, although their number depends on the selected configuration. But the steering wheel in all versions is regulated both in height and by departure.
Another pleasant trifle: the rear window became more than 14 cm. This was in the best way affected visibility.
Reliable as before From a technical point of view, the updated Focus remained the same. The range of power units has not changed, as well as the settings of pendants. Which, however, does not bother to briefly recall that it was the running qualities of the car that became one of the most important bails of the success of Ford Focus on the market.
I happened to try out two versions with a 1.8-liter 125-horsepower gasoline engine, and the most powerful (not counting the charged ST) with a 2.0-liter power unit. In both cases, cars were equipped with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox.
First I get driving a 5-door hatchback with a 1.8 engine. The accelerated dynamics, honestly, does not conquer. However, the engine demonstrates enviable elasticity and perfectly pulls from almost idle revolutions. A small, but still tangible pickup is felt around 4000 rpm, and a clear course of the IAA lever allows you to maintain the desired rhythm. True, the clutch pedal is not too informative and has a considerable stroke. Although you quickly get used to it.
But what was not pleased, it was worth driving to the KAD (the ring road around St. Petersburg), it was the noise of the tires. Frankly, I began to think that some kind of something with noise insulation. But then, already behind the wheel of a 2.0-liter sedan, I realized the whole thing in tires. It was just a hatchback was equipped with Russian Michelin Energy tires with noisy to perfect indecent. But the sedan was shoeing in Continental, which were ten times quieter than Michelin.
In general, you feel much more confident at the wheel of a 2.0-liter version. The 145 forces that this engine develops are quite enough for quick overtaking on the countryside, and for a confident and quick start from the place. At the same time, the engine pulls well on the bottoms, and after 4000 rpm, it seems to open a second wind and it provides good pickup. It is not at all difficult to support it on a high -costing ration, as has already been noted by the selectivity of the IAA lever at a height.
In full accordance with the dynamic potential, the brakes are configured. With slowdown, none of the tested versions had problems, even if you had to quickly upset the car at a speed of 140-160 km/h, and on a not too flat road under Peter. In addition, the system of distribution of brake forces and the ABS, which are included in the standard equipment of all Focus modifications, insure on slippery coating and retain handling in a critical situation. By the way, now the ESP electronic stabilization system is installed on all versions of the model, but it is disconnected not just by pressing the button, but through the on -board computer menu.
The pendants remained unchanged, which is why Focus is still quite a cheerful, and most importantly predicted car. Even at high speed, he holds well by the roadway, and in turns, at the request of the driver, he can also scoop the tail, demonstrating sports habits. Feedback is always clearly traced on the steering wheel, in addition, the level of effort on the steering wheel can be changed through a special menu of the on -board computer. Best-Seller
Ford Focus is still the most popular foreign car in Russia. And I understand why. The car is well cut, convenient, and most importantly, it is not expensive both when buying and in subsequent maintenance. For example, the frequency of visits to a hundred every 20 thousand km of run. Throughout Russia there are unified service prices. Therefore, I have little doubts that the updated Focus will consolidate the success of the brand only in the first few months of this year more than 24 thousand people expressed a desire, or have already become the owners of this model.
In total, this year at the enterprise in Vsevolozhsk, by the way, the only one in the world where all types of bodies are collected a little more than 75 thousand cars will be produced. Another 20 thousand will be exported from Europe (versions of Special Edition). Prices start from a mark of 346,000 rubles.
Andrey Osipov
Saint Petersburg - Moscow
Photo Ford
