Our cars: Ford Focus Estate
4 January 2012: Focus: The innovations continue
My Focus is packed with kit, much of which would have been science fiction just a few years ago. It will park itself, there are voice-activated controls, automatic main beam and a safety system.
But the innovation doesn't stop there. Despite being on sale for less than a year there are a couple of new features on the horizon that are not only worth a mention, but could become attractive
The most significant of these is the addition of an incredible UK-developed 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine to the line-up from February. I know you're probably thinking that this sounds like an entry-level weakling, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's related to the 1.6-litre Ecoboost engine in my car, using turbocharging technology to punch well above its weight. And the comparison doesn't end there as this 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine offers more power than the Focus's current naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre (125PS against 115PS).
The benefits of this engine - the footprint of which can fit on a sheet of A4 paper - are clear. In the five-door Focus at 125PS it delivers a combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km - you won't find a similar car with a similar power output with a lower figure. The lower-power 100PS version goes one better, coming in at 58.9mpg and 109g/km, taking it into diesel-rivalling territory.
Company car drivers will see attractive benefit-in-kind rates of only 13 per cent in 2012/2013 equating to savings on a Focus Zetec of up to £32 per month at the 40 per cent tax level versus the current 1.6-litre 105 and 125PS engines.
Less technically advanced, but no less practical is the introduction of Ford's 'Door Edge Protector', also on available on Focus early this year. It's designed to prevent dents and scratches as a result of opening a car door in a confined space. The system – designed by Ford engineers in Cologne, Germany – works automatically when the door is opened. A protective flap concealed in the door moves into position in a fraction of a second as the door opens providing a buffer that prevents damage to paint and body work. In just 60 milliseconds, it will retract to allow the doors to be slammed shut and includes a clutch mechanism that prevents damage if the flap is obstructed when returning. A special rubber compound is used that can withstand thousands of usage cycles and creates a minimum of noise as it springs into position. The protective flap is quickly and easily replaced by heavy users, with the unit simply clipping into place.
It's another one of those simple, but incredibly effective ideas that you'll really appreciate every day. Much like EasyFuel, that I've spoken about here.
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