Ford Focus 1.8L GHIA test drive

[cyclonite]

Hey guys, I passed the roadshow at 1U new wing today and signed up for the test drive.
My opinion of the car, it's clearly a car build for fuel efficiency. Although it's a 1.8L but I think the fuel consumption is quite good. From the way the car accelerates, gear changes, etc.etc. you can tell the car is made for comfortable economy driving.

About driving:

The engine response sux. Nail the throttle to the floor and sleep while the lag takes place and the car doesn't even shoot forward.

Gear shift sux too, when you bump the gear up or down it takes almost 1 second to take effect. That means if you press the gear + the after about 1/2 second to 1 second then the gear will change from 3rd to 4th, etc.etc. After all it's still a planetary gearbox with torque converter.

Safety, dual airbags, ABS, EBD that's all I know.

What's good about the car is it's handling. Very little body roll for a sedan car like that, very predictable and sharp steering. Car remains well under control even when you brake hard in corners.

 

[Boink Boink]

Hey thanks for the brief write up. I was there too at about 11.30 I passed on the test drive, Did not have time to really get into one, and also I guess it was just not what I wanted to test drive.

Wanted to add, the car inside seems rather good. Things like inslation and seat materials and sound proofing seems to be in order. Boot space - wow. And overall comfort and sitting position is there.

I spoke to their sales people they emntioned a target release price of RM120k or so. i told the poor fella on his.her face, pelase dont price above the Altis. Its going to be a tough fight. I was thinking something below RM 115 or thereabout. btu not with your comments on the engine and transmission response. oh well maybe they can put what ever price they like.... its not going to make much difference.

 

[beatnik]

i was more interested with the brown haired leng lui i was lucky to get treated by her:tongue:

btw the car looks much better in real life.. esp the grey test drive car.. interior materials are good only let down by average fit and finish

 

[InitialD]

Wah! Cyclonite, u can start to become a car critic/tester already ever since u started with testing out the Golf GTi.

So this new ford also have the F1 style/Selespeed/Triptronic semi manual system ar?

 

[Dino@Casper]

Selespeed is different from triptronic.. as triptronic is semi-auto... i think there is a difference between semi-auto n semi-manual... correct me if i'm wrong... cause my friend's MRS is running on a semi-manual gearbox... and there is no auto option.. u must change gears urselfs...

 

[Boink Boink]

From what I have gathered best way to differentiate is
With CLUTCH - Semi Manual - Selespeeds, VW Golf DSG, that sort of thing
With Torque Converter - Tiptronic, Geartronic, whatever else that you can find really, CVTs included.