The first of the ugly-mobiles. (Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec 3dr)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec 3dr
Date:	25/11/01 (500 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good handling, Comfortable

Disadvantages: Plasticy, Ugly

When the Focus was announced as the replacement to the popular Ford Escort, I must admit, I had my doubts.
After years of 1980's domination where nearly every drive in the country had a Sierra, Escort or Fiesta on it, Ford were struggling to keep up with the cheaper and more reliable Japanese models that flooded the market in the 1990's.
Ford were losing shed loads of money to its competition in Europe and still is.
So was the Focus really the market saviour?

Well, no, I dont think it was or is.
In the mid 90's when it first hit the streets I just thought, "Oh my god, what is that ugly thing?"
Yet it seems to have spawned a whole host of ugly-mobiles from various manufacturers.
The straight orderly lines of 80's cars had been replaced by uneven and ugly curves that appeared to have come straight off the concept board.

Ok,it had been beaten to the medium-size car market by the even uglier and more wierd Fiat Brava and Bravo but this was the first major player to make a statement.

Looks.
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Looking at the car from the outside makes you think, "hang on, from the front it looks just like a Fiesta/Ka!"
Well it does with its sloping,pointy,angry looking headlights and oval grille.
Moving back along the doors, they seem to take up the majority of the side panels.
Its the rear of the car that really confuses me.
It is possibly the ugliest monstrosity to come out of the design house at Dunton, Essex.
No Boot, well it is a hatchback.
But it is all part of the rear of the car. I liken it to the equally confused looking Nissan Almera for stragest boot in the world prize.
It looks like it has had a rear end shunt and the lights have ended up somewhere at the top of the car. I dont like this.

Interior.
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Typical Ford plastic adorns the interior. All Fords smell the same. Plastic.
The dash is very arty with its White Dials that
are so common today.
The stereo takes up most of the centre console and looks a nightmare if you want to install an after market unit. Thankfully the people who supplied the stereo, Visteon, have done themselves proud by making a half decent effort at the sound system. This is something Ford's have lacked for sometime.

Handling.
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Suprisingly good. Traction control really helps out the wheelspin and ABS stops you when you ask. No skidding or slipping here.
The Semi Stiff shocks give you a nice level ride but can be a bit severe on your bad back if you hit the bumps. Still, a nice drive on the motorway.

Acceleration.
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After driving both the 1.6 and 1.8 models, you can notice a pulling difference between these cars. The 1.8 allows you to pull into the traffic when you want rather than wait for a gap big enough.
Its no neck breaker but ample for most people.
thats because it has its power supplied by one of the best engines in the market. The Zetec.

Safety.
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It held up well in crash test and does come with both Driver and Passenger air bags.

Overall.
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Id give this 7 out of 10. Handles good, drives nice but a bit ugly. Im afraid I dont think it was the saviour Ford wanted.

Information.
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Visit the website to check it out further.
www.ford.co.uk


Fer are some stats for you.
1.8 Zetec
0-60mph time = 8.8 seconds
Power output = 125 hp @ 6000 rpm
Fuel Consumption =41mpg on Motorway, 28 on Urban.

Summary: