On the Road
Engines are a 1.6 100PS Mazda-derived chain-cam four, Ford's 145PS 2.0 litre chain-cam four, both with five speed manuals, or the Ford/PSA 2.0 litre diesel with a six speed manual. It can tow up to 1,350 kg with the 2.0 litre petrol engine and 1,450kg with the 2.0 litre diesel. No autos yet, and 90% of sales are expected to be 2.0 litre petrol models.
So that's what we drove.
This isn't a punchy engine and makes the Focus CC more of a relaxed cruiser than a sportscar. There's no sacrifice in handling, though. It feels rock-solid through the corners and over uneven surfaces. With the windbreak in place and the windows up there is little buffeting, so, though snow was forecast, it was still feasible to drive top-down.
At the launch, Ford also had a 1961 Consul 375 convertible. A lovely old thing: 1,703cc, three-on-the-tree and bench seats for six. It served as a useful reminder that Ford convertibles used to be considered posher than Ford saloons. In the 60's, if you were rich enough, you could happily run a Consul, Zephyr or Zodiac convertible alongside a Bentley or Roller.
And that's still the case. The Focus CC is a much classier car than a Focus hatchback, and one you could happily park on the quayside at Puerto Banus instead of in the multi-storey.
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