Ford's Focus Sporty lives up to its name

Ford's Focus Sporty lives up to its name

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Rain all day long last Saturday did not deter some 40 journalists
from trying out the new five-door Ford Focus Sporty hatchback at
the National Monument (Monas) IRTI parking lot.

Part of the area was transformed into a small circuit, thereby
allowing us to test the car's performance and handling.

The test drive marked the launch of the hatchback variant of
the popular Ford Focus. Earlier in July, PT Ford Motor Indonesia
(FMI) introduced the four-door Focus sedan at the Gaikindo Auto
Expo.

Previously in August, I had an opportunity to test the Ford
Focus at the Bira Circuit, just outside Thailand's famous coastal
resort, Pattaya.

At that time, journalists from Indonesia, Vietnam and the
Philippines as well as local Thais tried the sedan's performance
at the circuit.

The hatchback was given the less impressive task of the brake
test, where drivers were asked to accelerate before hitting the
brake pedal hard to ascertain the braking distance.

That was why I was quite enthusiastic to test-drive the
hatchback this time around.

The journalists were divided into groups of four. I had to
drive because all the hatchbacks used four-speed automatic
transmission with sequential sport shift (SSS). All my teammates
were reluctant to drive automatic cars.

"Let's just wait at the venue. I'm not comfortable using
automatic transmission," each said.

The convoy did not go directly to the IRTI parking lot but
made a detour, encircling Monas first, giving all of us a chance
to feel how the cars drove.

We found the car spacious, despite the fact that three members
were tall and large. I was quite surprised because my navigator
and I could extend the seats backward without causing discomfort
to those sitting in the back.

"I still have plenty of legroom," said Thomas who was seated
in back.

Despite the automatic transmission, I did not notice any
reduction in the car's acceleration. Perhaps this is due to the
use of a four-cylinder, inline 2,000cc HE Duratec engine with 16
valves and double overhead camshaft (DOHC).

Ford claims the engine to be fuel-efficient, yet responsive
and powerful, adopting sequential multipoint electronic fuel
injection and drive-by-wire technology with a variable intake
system and electronic throttle control.

Handling test

The engine yields maximum power of 145 horsepower (hp) at
6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and maximum torque of 185
Newtonmeters (Nm) at 4,500 rpm.

This is much more powerful than the sedan version, which has a
1,800cc Duratec power plant with top power of 125 hp at 6,000 rpm
and maximum torque of 165 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

In the global market, there are also options of five-speed
manual transmission and a 1,600cc power train for both the sedan
and hatchback.

Once we arrived at the venue, all teams were divided into two,
accompanied by an instructor who sat in the front passenger seat.
We all were given the circuit layout and notes where we should
accelerate and brake, U-turn, zigzag, etc.

"OK, hit the accelerator," the instructor told me.

I hit the pedal hard while trying to visualize the layout.
"OK, turn left, U-Turn," he said. And then I saw an arrow
pointing right when the instructor said "Turn left. Er.....
Right ... right!"

Oh, well, I had to made a counter movement in a split second
causing the car to swerve, but fortunately, I still managed to
control the hatchback. Well, please keep in mind that it was
still drizzling. Should I also mention the wet, loose asphalt?

Each driver had laps on the makeshift circuit, but my teammate
Asep said he preferred sitting in the rear seat.

So I used Asep's two laps to try and "master" the circuit.

"It's fine in the back," quipped Asep, commending the car's
stability.

The Ford Focus Sporty is equipped with independent control
blade multilinks for the rear wheels and independent MacPherson
struts on the front wheels. This, coupled with new, electric-
hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS) could be the reason for
its stability.

The entourage then formed another convoy, encircling Sudirman
Central Business District (SCBD) then crisscrossing Senayan
before heading to eX Plaza.

Ford has used an intelligent protection system (IPS) to
provide better safety. Shock sensors at the front of the car send
a signal to the advance restraints module (ARM) when safety
features should be activated.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake-force
distribution (EBD) are standard active safety features on the
Ford Focus Sporty.

For passive safety, the car comes with a crumple zone in the
engine area, absorbing the shock effect in case of collision to
minimize damage in the cabin.

Currently the Ford Focus Sporty is being offered at a
promotional price of Rp 242.5 million. The car is available in
jeans blue, magnetic silver, panther black and techno silver
color schemes.

Already in the premium market are the Audi A3 Sportsback at Rp
428 million and BMW 120i at Rp 435 million, both imported
directly from Germany.