Ford Focus (2005 - To Date) : FORDS FAMILY SUPERCAR

Thursday October 16

Models Covered: 3 and 5dr hatch, 4dr saloon, 5dr estate: 1.4, 1.6, 2.0, 2.

5 petrol, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 turbo diesel [Studio, LX, Style, Sport, Zetec, Zetec Climate, Titanium, Ghia, ST, ST2, ST3])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Fords 2005 Focus had one of the toughest tasks faced by any family car. It had to reprise the success of its ground-breaking predecessor. Not only that, but it was faced with a whole host of rivals who had taken the previous generation Focus apart, copied its technology, employed its development engineers and done all they could to try to one-up Ford. While its true that the 2005 model year Focus no longer enjoys the huge gulf in capability over its rivals that its predecessor could indulge in, its still one of the very finest family hatches around and, from a drivers perspective, is still the one to have.

The styling may have become a little lower key but the Focus has, in most of the key areas that count, become a markedly better car. Used examples are now appearing in meaningful numbers and make very decent buys.

The latest Focus, offered in three or five-door hatch form or as either a saloon or an estate, has remained affordable, capable and desirable. Taking its cue from the C-MAX mini-MPV, the Focus interior looks reassuringly expensive. The branded Sony stereo, the metallic detailing on the centre console, instruments and chunky-rimmed steering wheel, the soft-touch fascia and the silicon-damped hinges all smack of executive class investment. Developers have worked to ensure that the feel of the switches a push button in the door, for example should have the same sound, feel and travel as a push button in the centre console or the sunroof control and that rotary switches retain the same feel whether they marshal mechanical or electrical applications.

The riot of crazily intersecting hard plastics that was the first generation Focus interior has been replaced by something far more assured, more mature a word Ford repeat frequently in their release literature. Ford were the first of the major manufacturers to realise that people were growing in size both out and up and designed the original Focus to suit drivers of all sizes with wider opening doors and more headroom than the class norm. The latest Focus expands on this theme, offering an optional electrically adjustable pedal set. The multi-adjustable steering column helps in ensuring a comfortable driving position and Ford have integrated a number of practical aspects from the C-MAX mini-MPV including a glove box big enough to house a 1.

5-litre bottle, a sunglasses holder, a dash-top cubby and class-leading luggage space. Although it seems hard to believe given that almost coupe-like silhouette, the MK2 Focus design actually improves the rear seat accommodation and luggage space. This is partly due to Ford increasing the length of the rear overhang slightly to give a hefty 385-litre carrying capacity. The compact control-blade rear suspension helps here, as the load bay is completely flat and unencumbered by suspension intrusion.

Although prices are settling fast, £5,400 is currently the kick off point for a second generation Focus, that sum buying you a 1.4-litre Studio hatch. If youre looking for something with a little more engine (and it is recommended), the 1.6-litre Zetec three-door is just dipping under £6,000 for average mile examples.

The 2.0-litre petrol engines have proven surprisingly sought after and a five-door example in Titanium trim starts at £7,300. The Focus ST is still a very rare bird indeed as a used buy although initial sales volumes suggest that this is unlikely to remain so for too long. The diesel models are big hits and £6,850 will buy a five-door 1.

6TDCi LX with the first of the 1.8 TDCi Estates in Ghia trim going for around £7,480. The 2.0-litre diesels are perhaps the pick of the entire range and these start at £8,450 for a Zetec five-door hatch.

Fords engines are, on the whole, reliable, so give the car the usual once-over looking for signs of wear and indications of hard fleet, company or rental car use. Worn carpets, and scuffed trim are the usual clues. The 1.4-litre engine is a little underpowered for such a substantial car, so avoid high mileage ex-fleeters with this powerplant.

Check that all the electrical items work properly, ensure that the air conditioner delivers chilled air soon after the engine is started and remember that a full service history always helps when selling on, too. If youre looking at ST model, make sure the tyres still have some tread on them, and that the car hasnt been thrashed or crashed. Focuses are tough but some will inevitably have been abused.

(approx based on a Focus 1.6) This being Ford, parts are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. A clutch assembly will be around £100 and an alternator should be close to £140. Brake pads are around £25 a front set with rear shoes around £45, a replacement headlamp is close to £80 and a manual door mirror should be in the region of £50.

A full exhaust is about £200 and a catalyst is about £240. Dampers are around £40 each and a radiator about £100.

There's the usual wide choice of engines - five petrol units plus three TDCi turbo diesels. The big news was Fords launch of a variable valve timing system for its big selling 1.6-litre variant. As well as a conventional 1.

6 thats good for 98bhp, Fords 1.6-litre Ti-VCT unit produces a peak power of 113bhp and allowed the company to go head to head with the best engines in the class units produced in this instance by Volkswagen and Renault. The other engine options are a budget 78bhp 1.4-litre, a 143bhp 2.

0-litre petrol and the 220bhp 2.5-litre unit found in the ST models, plus the three Duratorq TDCi units originally seen in the C-MAX. The first of these is the 108bhp 1.6-litre TDCi powerplant sitting below a 115bhp 1.

8-litre unit: the pick of the Focus range is the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDCi. The Focus suspension system remains the best in class and although the second generations steering doesnt feel quite as communicative as the helm of early cars, its reassuring at speed and pinpoint accurate. Real driving fans will love the ST.

Despite offering a broadly similar turbocharged power output to the original Focus RS and having drive directed to the front wheels like the Focus RS, Ford insiders claim the latest ST will demolish the RSs time around the Nurburgring by a full twelve seconds, courtesy of its superior cornering ability and improved torque. The sprint to 60mph takes just over six seconds and a top speed in the region of 150mph is more than adequate

Youre not exactly going out on a limb when buying a used Ford Focus, but playing it safe in this instance will net you a very good car. Avoid the gutless 1.4-litre petrol models and you should be very happy indeed with your purchase.