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.