Sheep in Wolf's clothing

The Focus is touted as a drivers car. It is indeed perfect for the city; light, manoeuvrable, and not too noisy inside with a good driving position and a direct feel to all controls. All-round visibility is slightly less than you might expect, with rear blind spots apparent when parking but overall it is a pleasure both on the move and in heavy traffic. On the open road, the car is pleasantly quiet and comfortable although you wouldn't want to fit three adults in the back for long journeys.

But the big fly in the Focus ointment goes back to those accountants who stuck with the older (presumably cheaper) engine when they upgraded the gearbox to dual clutch to improve consumption figures.

The engine makes adequate power, but puts out its best just 200rpm short of the rev limit of 6500rpm. Fine for standard auto, or for rev-happy manual operation. But the dual clutch auto needs to spin things up to get at the power. Then once going, it slips back down a gear giving a distinctly jerky feel to pulling away - unless you either boot it hard, or crawl away from the lights. Go for normal acceleration from standstill and you will feel significant lurches between gears.

All of which underlines that the Focus doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. If it was smaller, lighter with basic fittings and a simple gearbox it would be perfect round town. If it was better equipped, with a more torquey (and more modern, less thirsty) engine and more passenger and boot room, it would beat the pants off saloon rivals from Japan.

Unfortunately it doesn't have either role taped - which is a shame for a car that looks so promising as you walk up to it.

Credits: Story and Photos by Jeremy Torr