When we first got acquainted with the engine in the Ford Fiesta, we were thoroughly impressed by its spirited nature, and its ability to still maintain a semblance of agreeable fuel economy.
Now, the award-winning engine makes its way to the ever-popular Ford Focus Hatchback. Since it was first launched in 1998, the Ford Focus has proved to be extremely popular around the globe.
The third generation model was launched in 2010, and was the best-selling car in the world in 2012. 2016 sees the popular hatchback receive a range of styling and interior updates.
Up close and Personal
The most distinct styling change to the exterior is the reworked front end, part of the brand's 'One Ford' global design language that is becoming increasingly familiar across its range. The large trapezoidal grille - also featured on the new Grand C-Max as well as the Mondeo - gives the car a more muscular and sporty look, and cuts an aggressive figure on the road.
The rear end is also slightly more raked than before, giving the new Focus more angular and tapered lines. Sharper taillights also add to the car's more grown up disposition.
Now, the award-winning engine makes its way to the ever-popular Ford Focus Hatchback. Since it was first launched in 1998, the Ford Focus has proved to be extremely popular around the globe.
The third generation model was launched in 2010, and was the best-selling car in the world in 2012. 2016 sees the popular hatchback receive a range of styling and interior updates.
Up close and Personal
The most distinct styling change to the exterior is the reworked front end, part of the brand's 'One Ford' global design language that is becoming increasingly familiar across its range. The large trapezoidal grille - also featured on the new Grand C-Max as well as the Mondeo - gives the car a more muscular and sporty look, and cuts an aggressive figure on the road.
The rear end is also slightly more raked than before, giving the new Focus more angular and tapered lines. Sharper taillights also add to the car's more grown up disposition.
The interior is comfortable and plush, and the driver's seat does a good job of hugging your torso. The rest of the utilitarian cabin is largely trimmed in hard plastics.
To offset the largely monochromatic interior, the Focus is fitted with ambient lighting that can be toggled between multiple colours and hues. Blue seems to work best, as it matches the futuristic Tron-like blue dial needles.
It is a pity that the test unit comes in red, which does not really match the interior colour scheme - we'd definitely opt for white, or perhaps blue like the new Focus RS.
One gripe we do have is with the touchscreen infotainment system. It isn't particularly responsive and can be rather unintuitive to operate.
To offset the largely monochromatic interior, the Focus is fitted with ambient lighting that can be toggled between multiple colours and hues. Blue seems to work best, as it matches the futuristic Tron-like blue dial needles.
It is a pity that the test unit comes in red, which does not really match the interior colour scheme - we'd definitely opt for white, or perhaps blue like the new Focus RS.
One gripe we do have is with the touchscreen infotainment system. It isn't particularly responsive and can be rather unintuitive to operate.
The Drive
Ford has always had a reputation for building cars that handle well, and the new Ford Focus is no different. Handling is tight and assured, with the steering wheel offering a good amount of feedback, making the car easy to place on the road. The chassis also feels taut, especially when throwing the car around corners. And when you do need to quickly shed speed, the brakes feel solid and bite well.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine produces 123bhp and 170Nm, and it is a relatively strong and punchy engine, more than capable on our roads. Acceleration is brisk, and once you work past the initial turbo lag, you get a big swell of torque that will propel you forward.
Unfortunately, the Ford Focus is encumbered by its sluggish six-speed automatic SelectShift gearbox. When driving normally in fully automatic mode, it's relatively fine, shifting through the gears with little drama.
However, when you decide to push the car (and the car sure invites you to), the gearbox will hold you back. Gear changes with the rocker buttons on the side of the gear lever are rather lacklustre, and impedes the otherwise eager and perky engine.
Ford has always had a reputation for building cars that handle well, and the new Ford Focus is no different. Handling is tight and assured, with the steering wheel offering a good amount of feedback, making the car easy to place on the road. The chassis also feels taut, especially when throwing the car around corners. And when you do need to quickly shed speed, the brakes feel solid and bite well.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine produces 123bhp and 170Nm, and it is a relatively strong and punchy engine, more than capable on our roads. Acceleration is brisk, and once you work past the initial turbo lag, you get a big swell of torque that will propel you forward.
Unfortunately, the Ford Focus is encumbered by its sluggish six-speed automatic SelectShift gearbox. When driving normally in fully automatic mode, it's relatively fine, shifting through the gears with little drama.
However, when you decide to push the car (and the car sure invites you to), the gearbox will hold you back. Gear changes with the rocker buttons on the side of the gear lever are rather lacklustre, and impedes the otherwise eager and perky engine.
The 'EcoBoost' badging prominently displayed at the rear of the car speaks to its focus on fuel efficiency, and in this respect, we can report that we managed around 13km/L during our time with it.
While this falls some way short of the car's listed 18.2km/L figure, it's respectable considering we did spend more time driving in start/stop traffic than on highways. Also, the longer gear ratios mean the car is more willing to rev, but suffers in terms of its fuel economy as well.
Conclusion
We were worried that the downsized engine would mean downsized fun, but we were proven distinctly wrong. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost lump proved to be a perky and willing partner to our slightly over-zealous driving habits. And in its class, it's hard to think of another car that handles as well as the Focus.
Stepping away from the Ford Focus, it feels like a car that is teasing us with its true potential. While it may not be a full on hot hatch, the ingredients for a fun driver's hatch are all there.
It is a slight pity that the underwhelming gearbox stops us from being able to fully exploit the rest of what is a great, fun-to-drive car.
While this falls some way short of the car's listed 18.2km/L figure, it's respectable considering we did spend more time driving in start/stop traffic than on highways. Also, the longer gear ratios mean the car is more willing to rev, but suffers in terms of its fuel economy as well.
Conclusion
We were worried that the downsized engine would mean downsized fun, but we were proven distinctly wrong. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost lump proved to be a perky and willing partner to our slightly over-zealous driving habits. And in its class, it's hard to think of another car that handles as well as the Focus.
Stepping away from the Ford Focus, it feels like a car that is teasing us with its true potential. While it may not be a full on hot hatch, the ingredients for a fun driver's hatch are all there.
It is a slight pity that the underwhelming gearbox stops us from being able to fully exploit the rest of what is a great, fun-to-drive car.
