Smoother shifting Ford Focus

What is it?

Ford calls this Focus a Powershift model. It is not an alternative fuel model as its name might suggest, the Powershift name referring to its gearbox. You might think that it's just an automatic version of the huge-selling, massively familiar family car, and in some respects you'd be right, but it's no ordinary two pedal set up. The new Powershift is a twin-clutch system that promises smoother and faster shifting responses than a conventional torque converter automatic. More than that, it's a real case of Ford playing catch-up, Volkswagen having offered such a system on its price lists for years now.

Is it any good?

The engineering behind these twin-clutch transmissions is hugely impressive, the gearbox actually having the next gear engaged before it's required. Ford has developed its six-speeder with Getrag, the twin-clutch set up meaning there's no torque interruption when shifting gears. If that means nothing to you then think of the new Powershift as a smoother, faster automatic, where you don't feel any jerk when the next gear is selected. Like any automatic the Powershift in the Focus is a two-pedal set up; it may have two clutches but their work is completely controlled by the gearbox.

Currently only available on two 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engines, it's likely that Ford will eventually extend the availability of the Powershift system to petrol engines to better compete with Volkswagen's rival DSG transmission. Like the VW unit Ford's Powershift unit is super smooth, shifting very quickly indeed. You can change gears yourself, but really the system does such a good job of it there's no need to; Ford doesn't even offer wheel-mounted paddles as it claims customers don't want - or need - them. With the Powershift transmission both the 108bhp and 134bhp 2.0-litre TDCi return 48.6mpg and CO₂ emissions of 154g/km. That's slightly down on the manual cars, though not by anything like the amount it would be with a conventional automatic. Unlike its VW rival there is a slight performance disadvantage with the Powershift too, though if you're able to detect the 0.3 second difference (0-62mph) between a standard manual equipped car and the Powershift one then you should be working for Ford as a development engineer. Like any other Focus the Powershift cars ride and handle beautifully.

Should I call the bank manager?

If you are calling the bank you'll need to ask for an additional £1,200 for the Powershift equipped Focus. That's pretty much in line with any auto system over their manual alternatives. It's a shame that Ford didn't spend some more time designing the gearshift surround, the big gear selector and the surrounding trim looking very plastic and cheap.

Summary

If you're after an automatic Ford Focus then the Powershift cars are the ones to go for. What is surprising is how long it has taken Ford to offer such a transmission on the Focus, as it has been offered on the Volkswagen Golf and many other VW group models for years now. The new transmission will permeate the Ford group of companies in time too, including the Volvo range.

Kyle Fortune