Today we would like to present to your attention an updated Ford Focus 3 station wagon, in maximum configuration. Let's consider all the pros and cons and answer main question– is it worth buying or not? The car received many interesting functions under its control: enhanced sound insulation, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, etc. Let's get to know him a little closer.

Video review

Ford Focus 3 station wagon

Perhaps we should start with the most important thing - price. Considering the unrest in the foreign exchange market, the cost of a car in this configuration is unlikely to please anyone, 1,300,000 and a few kopecks, which is exactly how much money you will have to pay for this miracle. Of course, you can remove some options and the price will drop to one million, but still, we cannot say that the new Ford Focus 3 is worth the money. The price is the main disadvantage of this car, but it is unlikely to scare away true connoisseurs of Ford cars, because there are only more of them on the roads.

Indeed, one must agree that last years Ford has made a strong leap forward. Armed with advanced technology, superior design and excellent adaptation to Russian conditions, Ford managed to create the Focus 3 station wagon. Now let's talk about the car's appearance.

Exterior

Externally, the side of the car has not received any special changes and is similar to its predecessor. However, changes affected sound insulation. The updated Ford Focus 3 has additional sound-absorbing panels installed in the doors and the sound insulation of the floor panels has been enhanced, but more on that later.

The rear of the car also remained virtually unchanged. Slightly different headlights, in top-end configuration a large spoiler appeared, plus a chrome insert in the exhaust system.

Generally speaking, the third Focus has become very pleasant in appearance and due to the increased ground clearance, it can almost be added to the list of station wagons off-road, but for this it remains only to add four-wheel drive and ideally raise the car a little more.

Interior

There is enough space for rear passengers, but only if there are two of them. Three adult men are unlikely to fit there, but children will fit there comfortably. Here I would still like to see climate control, but unfortunately this is not here, although given the price, they could have been installed. With a height of 1.80 m, the passenger will feel more than comfortable, high ceilings, knees do not rest against the front seat.

The front panel of the car is more than informative. Among the changes, noteworthy is the new SYNC multimedia system, which has also become completely different. If before we could see the same front panel in all models, then in the updated Focus 3 everything became a little different.

Rich and informative dashboard remained unchanged, everything is in bright colors, at night you feel like a Christmas tree. Ford has always loved to create a pleasant and at the same time rich atmosphere in the cabin.

A leather three-spoke multi-steering wheel, a soft front panel, a convenient climate control system and many other pleasant features, all this cannot but please.

It is also worth noting the middle dashboard of the car; under the automatic transmission lever there is a fairly large compartment for small things, which is closed with a stylish curtain. Plus, it should be noted that there is a secret compartment.

The presence of the armrest is very pleasing, it is adjustable according to the reach, plus it has a small space for various small items, there is also a 12V socket and a slot for a memory card (GPS).

In principle, there is nothing supernatural here; the only good news is that Ford still managed to transform the car’s interior when compared with its predecessors.

Engine

But everything has its drawbacks. The build quality is certainly depressing. It’s immediately obvious that our Russian “masters” assembled it using electrical tape, which they wound certainly not where it should have been. Some wires are not insulated at all, which means that over time, car owners will encounter wiring problems when they begin to rot.

The second problem that may arise is, of course, the engine life. Yes, the engine produces incredible high power, there is a turbine that gives additional power. However, the engine will be very strained, which is where various problems will begin over time, and as everyone knows, it’s not so easy to dig into anything in Ford cars. Most likely it's simple marketing ploy, because it is not profitable to create and sell cars that will last a long time. But we can only say one thing, the top-end engine is 1.5 liters 150 hp. provides incredibly fast acceleration. By comparison, our Focus 3 was only half a car behind the diesel BMV X3.

Fuel consumption

• Urban cycle - 8.5 liters per 100 km (AI-95)
• Highway – 7.2 liters per 100 km (AI-95)

Suspension

City

The restyled focus undoubtedly attracts attention, especially if you are the proud owner top model. The car is literally packed with many functions that help you in city traffic, I especially liked the blind spot sensors and the warning system when leaving the parking lot. Well, we should not forget that the car has an automatic parking function, which we have already talked about more than once.

Generally speaking, the car is literally created for active city residents who move not only on asphalt, but also on rural areas and often go out onto the highway. Plus, to all this you should add an automatic braking system, which can save you from an accident. But more on these functions a little later.

Route

Countryside

Technologies

Let's start, perhaps, with the Sync multimedia system, which received a very interesting performance. Of course, when purchasing this system, do not forget to buy a memory card with a GPS system, which shows itself quite well if we consider it from the information side, but in terms of route planning, everything is sad. It takes a long time to enter the address of your destination, the sensor reacts very hard, you have to press hard on the screen. From here you can adjust the climate in the cabin, make calls, and do this using voice commands.

The car is equipped with a rear view camera, which, in unclear weather, is of no use, because it is constantly covered in dirt. In this connection, if there is such an opportunity, it is better to refuse it; there will be enough parking sensors. Plus, to all this you should add an automatic parking function. The beauty is that now the car can independently park not only parallel, but also perpendicularly; it seems that this solution is perfect for the fair half of humanity.

As we have already said, the car is equipped with a blind spot monitoring system. The alert is located on the side mirrors, where the orange lights come on. A very convenient and practical function that allows you not to be afraid to change lanes in city traffic.

In addition, the updated Focus 3 received Cross Traffic Allert technology, that is, a warning system when leaving a parking lot. This function allows you to monitor all the cars that you might not notice with a limited view of the road. A very convenient solution, especially when you are reversing.

An equally nice feature is the adaptive bi-xenon headlights, which adapt to the current driving situation. The headlights turn independently when you change your trajectory. In other words, a very useful solution that any car owner will like.

Ford has installed this car an automatic braking system called Active City Stop. This is a very useful feature, especially if you are not yet an experienced driver. The point of its operation is that the brakes are automatically activated if there is an obstacle in front of the car. But it is necessary to take into account that your speed should not exceed 50 km/h. That is, for reckless drivers, this technology is simply meaningless.

It will probably be quite strange, but this moment We just couldn’t ignore it – it’s a socket in the center of the top panel near the glass. Something, but we definitely haven’t seen anything like this, the Ford company made sure that you route the wires through the interior trim and don’t spoil anything there. At first, you start to think that this is some kind of button for ejecting or enabling some function, but it turns out that everything is much simpler. We have to thank Ford for their ingenuity.

Results

“Behind the Wheel.RF” and “Buy a Car” have already written about the car, but none of the 1.6-liter versions were shown during tests in Spain. Well, let's see...

It seems that it could be easier than to grab the steering wheel Focus III with zero on the odometer, press the accelerator and start counting the kilometers. But the momentary impulse is stopped by intuition, also reinforced by the whisper of mechanic Petrovich in the back: “There are big doubts about how it will go with this engine...”. An interesting scenario emerges. With such a charismatic face in the maximum Titanium configuration, and even with extras (I’ll tell you about all these joys a little later), the Focus III is obliged not only to drive well, but also to start with the art of a venerable entertainer: “It’s time to the stage will come out...” After all, a 5-speed manual transmission and a 125-horsepower engine are a fighting tandem, but only today the engine capacity has decreased from 1.8 liters to 1.6 liters.

Russian versions of the Focus III have not yet received turbocharged engines. The only feature is a variable valve timing system. Let me make a reservation that I am holding in my hands a variant from a series assembled in Germany for Russian showrooms. True, it is identical to what will be produced in Vsevolozhsk and sold here.

The first kilometers in Moscow show that the behavior of a small-displacement engine of the Euro 5 standard is quite expected - it is “dull” at the bottom, especially with climate control turned on, and consumes 12 liters per hundred in traffic jams. But I hope it will run in. By the way, the new one behaved in approximately the same way. Opel Astra with a 115-horsepower engine. By the way, jeans made from real denim fit only after washing!

Seven miles is not a detour, and therefore I took the risk of heading to Yekaterinburg through Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Kirov, and Perm. Of course, it is possible through Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Chelyabinsk, but well-maintained, by our standards, federal highways pass through them, and they are also incredibly busy. But the northern path is wild, unpredictable in its surface, and... not much longer than the well-trodden southern one.

Morning smooth Yaroslavka is almost pleasing complete freedom towards the area. The hastily driven Focus III, barely rustling with the 16-inch Bridgestone, gets used to the “Do as you tell” driving style, and I, accordingly, to its feedback on commands. Without being bothered by overtaking on a multi-lane highway, I learn the intricacies of the interaction between the engine and manual transmission. Gradually the car comes to life, the engine gains power.

The elastic pedal engages the clutch almost in the center of its stroke, the first one stuck in as expected, easily and clearly, but without slight biting, as was the case in the Focus II. If on it the car starts to accelerate decently from two thousand, then on the second one you need to add gas for the desired effect. On the speedometer 40, 60, 80, finally, 100 km/h and 6400 rpm on the tachometer! This has been stretched: where can we get the dynamics in the bottom... The third, by the way, is also longer than it was in the Focus II, and is still effective from about 3500 rpm, and at four thousand it feels like all 125 horses wake up.

In the same range, fourth is also good - the “fast” overtaking of a truck near Pereslavl-Zalessky went “with a bang,” and then, until the turn to Kostroma, fifth gear dominates. Naturally, in the middle speed range it can accelerate only very smoothly, but this is enough to vary the speed between 100 and 120 km/h - more is not required yet, taking into account the vigilant traffic cops. But in the car it’s like in a rest home: the silence is such that even on the phone I talk in a low voice. Oh yes, and the average consumption became 7.8 liters per hundred - progress!

Back five hundred, forward five hundred...

Soundproofing really came out great. Focus II has always been distinguished by increased tones, and this one whispers at any speed and at almost any engine speed. Listening to his insinuating voice, I don’t hear a hint of singing windshield, I don’t distinguish a fierce squabble between the front and rear wheels with asphalt. But before, Focus, to be honest, couldn’t stand it, but brought noise into the hut. A couple of Kostroma guys who stopped us out of curiosity were interested in the Shumka. “Eh, we’ll definitely save money on it,” one complained. - “But I’ll definitely buy a Focus III for myself - it’s beautiful!” Can you show me the trunk?” - Mr. Inspector got excited.

His face took on a sour look from what he saw. Almost the entire space of the 277-liter hold was occupied by the second spare tire, taken for every fireman, near which the backpack perched. “Then a sedan!” - the guard summed up.

Russia, alas, has countless troubles. People stumble upon some, their cars on others, and someone makes money from it. The road beyond Kostroma towards Kirov is indeed akin to a direction. No, it looks like asphalt, but it’s a hundred years old, just like the rickety little houses abandoned along this sad road. The road is riddled with small but deep potholes. It seems that goodbye to the pendant... I deliberately did not talk about what it was like, so as not to jinx it.

On a level road, by our standards, the Focus III walked smoothly, with a slight rollover characteristic of large and imposing cars. It easily leveled out the rough profile of the asphalt and was even completely insensitive to the ruts that were packed here and there. The released leather steering wheel with flattened ridges under the fingers remained at the zero point: the car did not try to yaw. But now, having slowed down to 40 km/h, I am convinced that it is better to go faster. Tack, even despite accurate and quite tough steering with an electric booster, it’s almost impossible - there’s a pit on a pit into which you somehow fly. The impacts on the wheels are jaw-dropping, and it seems that the tires, wheels and shock absorbers, despite the absence of punctures, have very little time left to live. But also the front levers are made of aluminum, and, as you understand, I don’t have spare ones with me...

So, at 70 km/h, pushing off from intact asphalt, the Focus seemed to be flying low, flying over almost all the holes. After several kilometers of nightmare, it’s time to light a candle. Only to whom and what kind - that is the question. At first impressions - not for me. And also - thanks to the chair. It's very convenient medium hard and with massive grabs. It holds up great, and dampens shaking quite well. It’s a pity that the pillow is not adjustable in angle of inclination: with a height of 185 and a straight seat, the hips are slightly suspended, but with my legs slightly apart, I found a quite comfortable position.

And yet, the main merit in the passed test is the energy-intensive suspension. It was retuned a little, in comparison with Focus II - in it it is stiffer, but what an effect on gullies! A couple of years ago on my own second Focus After a couple of hours of driving along a similar road, I was left without two front struts. Today, rocking the car by the wings, I make sure that the shock absorbers are intact. On a broken road, “crickets” quickly appear in the cabin. But this does not seem to apply to the Focus III. All the time I was tensely waiting for something to creak? Imagine, nothing.

Almost 600 miles of the road have already been covered, another 350 to Kirov, where an overnight stay awaits. The road is far from ideal - it is covered in asphalt and patches, but the obstacle course seems to be over. Focus III no longer irritates with slowness, quite willingly obeying the selected gear shift algorithm when selecting speeds almost to the maximum: from 3rd to 5th or from 2nd to 4th. So it goes faster, despite the low torque of 159 Nm. Fortunately, it’s summer outside and the long-awaited Kirov, which I reached in 12 hours.

Focus III evokes a lot of admiring glances, but they fade away as soon as the conversation turns to price. Even 500 thousand rubles for a basic package is huge money by local standards, affordable only to a few residents.

It's much warmer to the east. The morning road to the Urals is the same two narrow lanes, minimal traffic and almost complete desertion. I deliberately fill up with 95 at unknown pumps, but the engine does not show the slightest dissatisfaction. Of the large settlements, only Omutninsk, on one of the potholes of which the suspension “broke”, and I finally heard the sound of the bump stop, and Glazov, which passed by.

Perm greets with tropical downpour. Streams of water paralyze traffic on the multi-lane bridge across the Kama, but we are still moving. The daytime LED light automatically changed to xenon low beam - great! The windshield wiper blades, working in counter motion to each other, cope well with water, and 10 km/h on the speedometer is already happiness. But the instantly fogged windshield required intervention air conditioning system. Its power, I must say, is incredible: a few seconds - and no condensation.

The first 130 km after Perm are another test for the suspension. Why turn to the anomalous zone “Molebka”, where the sign leads? All the anomalies are here, under your feet, and it’s not the aliens’ fault... True, here and there there are mobile teams of road workers. The last kilometers to the capital of the Urals, the Focus III was in full swing. He rolled up to Russian roads, I go to him. I almost stopped noticing the acceleration, its acceleration of 11.0 s to a hundred now seems to be true, and every now and then I slow down. Well, everything seems to have arrived.

Ask the doctor

I wait with trembling for the Ekaterinburg specialists to drag the car onto the lift. The imagination pictures a stone-beaten bottom, shriveled rubber-metal bushings and bruised levers. However, in fact, everything is as good as new. Even the original crankcase protection, which is made soft, looks quite decent. The oil in the engine is light, the brake fluid has not faded, the muffler is shiny, and the right CV joint oil seal has only slightly sweated. Nothing critical. But, indeed, the Ford people made a beautiful car! To tell the truth, at first she appearance, and the interior, interested me insofar as. If the car does not drive, then all this is secondary and hardly important. But now, stroking its warm body, I get sincere pleasure and worry about every chip.

“Oh, the radiator was badly cut by stones... And behind the slotted air intake, a fine mesh is clearly asking for it. Little things will be improved, but the fact that Focus III will take root not only in polished megacities is, consider it, a proven fact.”

The road home is already familiar, and with the enthusiasm of a youth I will try all the tricks and gadgets that the Focus has been equipped with. Of course, there are almost none in the basic version, but no one takes the car as a base. For example, in Yekaterinburg, most buyers order “Titanium” - the same one I have.

The Sony audio system caresses the ear with the jazz of Felix Slovachek, read from a USB flash drive, through all the cool 9 speakers, only periodically interrupted by incoming calls. In less than a minute I crossed the mobile phone with the system speakerphone via Bluetooth and answer by pressing a button under the right spoke of the steering wheel. Under the left are a few more: a speed limiter, which I turn on in populated areas, and cruise control with smooth adjustment by kilometers. It seems that on a manual transmission this feature is overkill, but when you know the road and it is clear, why not give yourself a rest? By the way, it was in this mode that instantaneous fuel consumption approached the rated 4.8 per hundred. But as soon as the road went uphill, the numbers on the display on-board computer grew instantly.

By the way, it’s really cool, just like the extra one on the massive center console trimmed with gray plastic to imitate metal. In blue tones, matching the speedometer and tachometer needles, and, most importantly, with the simultaneous display of the main traffic indicators. Instantaneous gasoline consumption, average, mileage on remaining fuel and odometer.

Exit to the additional menu using the cursor keys on the left of the steering wheel. The keys on the right spoke are responsible for music. More precisely, for the transition between receiver bands or wandering through CD or MP3 tracks. There are no icons on the buttons, and I had to figure out the purpose at random. But those that scroll through stations and adjust the sound - with traditional, understandable symbols. Comfort is felt in everything, from soft, profiled door panels with fabric inserts to the inter-seat armrest. It is, although without adjustment in the longitudinal direction, but with a deep box inside. There is also good depth in the glove box, in which a bunch of small things traveled with me. In general, the Focus III did not skimp on amenities.

Will the third be the first?
Test drive for Ford Focus 3

text by Pavel Veselovski
photo by Anthony Burton

It's hard to be a leader. Especially in such a rapidly developing market as the Russian one. However, he managed. For 12 years, starting back in 1999, I almost always maintained the maximum sales level. Was the standard in its class. They looked up to him, they stood in line behind him. And now it's time for an update. Absolutely new FORD FOCUS III hits the stage, exciting traditional fans and causing prickly glances from competitors. And believe me, the fight for first place will be serious!

The new FOCUS hasremarkable property - it is beautiful in any color

P Sales of the new generation will begin in September, but the test car came to us back in June. Juicy red color, on elegant 16-inch wheels with many spokes, playing with stars of glare from the blinding June sun, new FOCUS was good. Even in the parking lot, he looked dynamic, like a cast of frozen red energy, ready to burst. I think it's called kinetic design. Another buzzword for press releases, behind which there is actually hard work by aerodynamicists, artists, layout specialists. Make it so that standing car already evoked a feeling of movement - this is great art. And the new “FOCUS” has a remarkable property - it is beautiful in any color. In red he is expressive and optimistic, in silver he is solid and elegant, black makes him mysterious and a little dangerous. Honestly, I would find it difficult to give preference to one specific color. As they say, choose according to your taste, there are no bad combinations.

The aerodynamic opening grille is now divided into parts by the force lines of the vertical ribs

Two former generation FOCUS More than half a million copies were distributed throughout Russia - an impressive figure. The newcomer clearly claims to continue the tradition, even outwardly preserving hereditary features (at the same time maintaining corporate decorum, echoing modern MONDEO and FIESTA). We see that the cut and outline of the headlights remained similar, and the large air intake in the front bumper was also preserved. However, the optics have become subtly more elegant, and the aerodynamic opening grille is now divided into parts by power lines of vertical ribs. These lines visually continue the relief contours of the stampings on the hood and add strong-willed notes to the appearance of the car. The solid radiator grille was replaced by a chrome-plated horizontal strip, the foglight openings were rounded, and there were more clear edges on the surface of the wings and doors. Following the irreversible trend towards strong aerodynamic rounding of the body, new model simultaneously demonstrates more rigid and crystallinebathrooms sculptural forms. The rear optics of the hatchback breathe expression, attacking the wings with sharp angles. And, of course, a crystal scattering of LEDs is right there. The new FOCUS has become brighter, a little more provocative, visually larger and higher class. Compared to its predecessor, FORD FOCUS III added 21 mm in length (4358 mm), but at the same time became 16 mm lower (1484 mm) and decreased in width by the same amount (1823 mm). The wheelbase has grown by an additional 8 mm, which is unlikely to negatively affect the maneuverability of the car. In general, these dry numbers tell us that the dimensions of the car have changed slightly. Another news concerns such a relatively rare FOCUS variant as a three-door hatchback. He won't be there anymore. Why? The answer from FORD marketers is diplomatic: new

The oval ventilation deflectors, which many people were tired of, and the rounded visor of the instrument scale have disappeared from the dashboard.

The five-door hatchback turned out to be so successful that there was no need for a three-door hatchback. The company seems to be hinting to us that even the five-door version has more than enough enthusiasm and dynamics - so why bother further? Although our humble opinion is that in reality the three-door FOCUS simply competes with the similar FOCUS variant. One way or another, a sedan, 5-door hatchback and station wagon are really enough for most buyers. The interior of the previous FOCUS was designed in a rather strict classical style. A poet could characterize the salon of the current contender for leadership in the C class segment as follows: “Since childhood, I have not liked the oval; since childhood, I have drawn a corner.” And indeed, the boring oval ventilation deflectors, the rounded visor of the instrument scale, and the simple proportions of the center console disappeared from the dashboard. Now their place is taken by the broken surfaces of the dashboard, moderate high-tech instrument wells and a space interface in the center, bringing us closer to the lunar transformers that are so relevant in this

The interior of the new FOCUS takes a step towards youth, it is not so obvious, and is definitely more modern

year. In a sense, the interior of the new FOCUS has taken a step towards the youth, it is not as obvious as before and is definitely more modern. The handbrake handle was bent into the now fashionable letter “G”, and the steering wheel now had one more spoke. The updated FOCUS remains comfortable to sit in. The instruments are perfectly legible, all controls are within easy reach. Perhaps the audio system unit looks a little overloaded; you need to get used to the variety of buttons; The climate control unit, on the contrary, is obvious and functional. The sound and cruise control keys on the steering wheel are duplicated in a convex relief. I liked the irregularly shaped but very comfortable ventilation verniers. Even the podochnik follows the chopped space style - commendable attention to detail. Information about the car’s secondary functions is displayed on two color displays with a Russian-language menu and excellent animation. The screens themselves, although not large, remain readable in any lighting.

Service

Service period - 15,000 km. Costing from motor oil Ford - from 6590 to 7790 rubles, with Castrol engine oil - from 7090 to 8490 rubles.

IN better side The quality of finishing materials has changed - they have become softer and more pleasant to the touch. The front seats received more pronounced lateral support. The comfort of the rear passengers is still at a good level; the increase in the base made it possible to add a little space in the leg area. But the space behind the fifth door has decreased significantly - the luggage compartment volume is 372 liters for the sedan and 277 liters for the hatchback. The full-size spare wheel provided for all Russian versions ate up part of the trunk volume. In addition, now when folding rear seats a small step is formed. Perhaps these are the only tangible disadvantages that we noticed in the new hatchback.

FOCUS would not be itself if it could not boast of good dynamic characteristics and a deeply thought-out suspension. The present generation strictly adheres to this glorious tradition and can give the driver a lot.

FORD FOCUS III built on a new global platform, the same for cars produced on all continents. The universal C1 platform is an upgrade of the second generation platform, with partially isolated rear and front subframes, as well as modified rear elements multi-link suspension Control Blade. In practice this means that rear suspension has a steering effect and allows you to confidently take even the most intricate turns with minimal adjustments to the steering wheel. The ESP system is configured to intervene in vehicle control only in emergency situations.

FORD FOCUS III is equipped with a cornering traction control (TVC) system, which analyzes information from sensors

Even within the city, we were able to verify the effectiveness of Ford’s “multi-link” - it was a sin to violate speed mode, we let the car take long and awkward turns without slowing down (fortunately, traffic on Sundays is minimal). At speeds from 80 to 120, the new FOCUS prescribed the trajectory as if on rails, without the slightest hint of the danger of skidding or unpleasant rolls. I also really liked the steering response - the electric amplifier is configured very competently.

FORD FOCUS III is equipped with a cornering traction control (TVC) system, which analyzes information from sensors at a frequency of 100 times per second. The electronics maintain an optimal balance of torque distribution between the front wheels. This technology improves road grip and allows the driver to operate the gas pedal more freely without fear of slipping (installed only with ESP). The other side of the coin of this advanced system is more correct behavior of the car on slippery surfaces.

We were not too lazy to go into relatively off-road conditions. In the outskirts of some half-abandoned flour mill, they found a fairly mutilated area, full of pebbles, broken asphalt and treacherous hummocks. We drove the car along these waves, almost without touching the brake pedal (but actively working the steering wheel). When the clouds of dust cleared, it turned out that the suspension of the FORD FOCUS III is very capacious, and it is quite difficult to break through it. The car handles adequately on rough roads, and the grip on the surface is exemplary. In addition, I was pleased with the excellent level of noise insulation - probably one of the best in its class. Actually, on Idling The engine is not audible at all, and up to 3,000 rpm it reminds itself of itself only with a faint hum. Of course, the pebbles drum on the fender liners noticeably, but for this price category it is quite acceptable. Overall rating sound insulation - four with a big plus.

As the base power unit, the European FORD FOCUS III received a completely new 4-cylinder 1.6-liter petrol turbo engine of the EcoBoost family, available in two versions - 150 and 182 hp. With. Transmission options include 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission, which will replace the traditional automatic. Alas, Russian buyers new petrol EcoBoost will not be available. In our market, FOCUS III is equipped with 1.6-liter gasoline engines with a capacity of 105 and 124 hp, as well as a more powerful two-liter power unit 150 hp, borrowed from the American version of FOCUS. Two two-liter diesel engines with a capacity of 140 and 150 hp will also be available. With. There will also be no six-speed manual transmission; 1.6 engines will be limited to five gears. The good news is that the previous ultra-budget 1.4 liter engine has finally been retired. Let's also not forget about the future possibility of the top-end EcoBoost SCTi ST with 2.0 l/250 hp. for the FORD FOCUS ST model (for those temperamental people for whom a car is neither a luxury nor a means of transportation, but a way of life). Unfortunately, we were dealing with an untested engine, which was still quite “fresh”. Its potential has not yet been fully revealed, we can only say that the 1.6 engine is well balanced - it pulls confidently at low speeds and does not force you to change gears often. A couple of times I missed the lever and engaged fifth gear instead of third - the car took such mockery quite calmly. Resume: 125 Horse power They drive the car confidently, but you shouldn’t expect any sporting feats from them. To do this, it makes sense to pay extra for a 150-horsepower “kopeck piece”.

FORD FOCUS III has become predictably safer than its predecessors. Due to the use of high-strength steel grades, the rigidity of the body has been increased by 25%.

Safety

Overall rating - 5 stars (maximum score) Passenger protection - 92% out of 100 possible, protection of child seats - 82%, pedestrian safety - 72%, passive safety - 71%.

Results of the FORD FOCUS III crash test using the EuroNCAP method

Elements that deform during a collision have been improved, which has a positive impact on active safety

va for torsion. Elements that deform during a collision have been improved, which has a positive impact on active safety. In addition, the new model has acquired many electronic assistants, among them a driver monitoring system (“sleep detector”), lane keeping, automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition, automatic parking, blind spot indicator, distance and speed keeping and fashionable
now a system for preventing collisions with the car in front at low speeds. All these options are available only in rich trim levels and significantly increase the price of the car.

Thus, the most affordable FORD FOCUS - a 5-door hatchback in the basic configuration with a 1.6-liter engine, 105 hp - will cost buyers 499 thousand rubles (Ambiente). In this case, the client will receive ABS, two front airbags, central locking, electric front windows and mirrors. The additional payment for automatic transmission will be 37 thousand rubles - relatively cheap, by the way.

Due to the use of high-strength steel grades, the torsional rigidity of the body has been increased by 25%.

The maximum package for the 1.6 engine, Titanium, starts from 685,500 rubles, this includes the ESP stability control system, front and side airbags, separate climate control, rain and light sensors, 16-inch alloy wheels, a built-in anti-theft system and sports front seats. The number of additional options seems limitless: bi-xenon and cornering headlights, LED lights interior, a radio with nine speakers and voice control, and an automatic parking system raise the cost of a hatchback with a 1.6 engine and a manual transmission to 799,000 rubles.

The “fast” PowerShift transmission, unavailable only for the base engine (1.6 l, 105 hp), will add another 32,000 rubles to the cost. So, by going to the official website and using the configurator, I created myself a virtual FOCUS III with a 2.0 engine, automatic transmission with two clutches and a maximum range of options (except for the smoker’s package, I don’t need that). The result was impressive - the car pulled

Ford Focus III 1.6

specifications

Collect several dozen Fords on the Black Sea coast Focus III and twice as many journalists, the task is not an easy one. Especially at the end of October. But the organizers dealt with it; right in the parking lot of the airport in the city of Gelendzhik, as many as five ranks of “third” Focuses of all stripes were waiting for the press - already with their engines running.

Since we had already tested a Focus in a hatchback body, our eyes immediately fell on the sedan. Moreover, the organized event, in general, is timed to coincide with the start of production of this type of body in Russia. Although, to be honest, I was hoping to see a station wagon, but the premiere of the “car”, and at the same time the “charged” version of the ST, will take place in Russia only next year.

Externally, the three-volume Focus III is like a smaller Mondeo. The “Matryoshka” design concept for models from the premium segment is slowly making its way to mass brands. Although the designers managed to preserve the sportiness of the five-door version in the appearance of the more solid body: the lean rear with a small spoiler molded on the trunk lid makes the sedan more rapid.

Opening the trunk lid of the Focus sedan, I immediately understand that by taking a flat travel bag instead of a travel suitcase on a three-day trip, I made right choice. As in the case of the hatchback, practicality has become a victim of the stylish design: the cargo compartment opening is narrow, and the trunk volume, under the pressure of a full-size spare tire, has been reduced from 467 liters in the previous generation to 372 liters in the current one. The difference of almost 100 liters is clearly not in favor of summer residents!

This was confirmed by Ford's top managers at an evening press conference organized in the concert hall of the Kempinski Hotel. The new style of the third generation Ford Focus is designed to attract a younger audience to the bestseller, which, in most cases, does not care about pragmatic values. It is true that with such an approach new Focus may scare target audience of the previous, practical-conservative generation, not a word was said.

The very next morning, looking at the performance plates on the windshields of parked Focuses, I came across the coveted number 2.0 in the “Engine” section. And the inscription “ manual transmission“finally decides on a bright red hatchback.

This choice was not made by chance. Firstly, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, I’m tired of automatic transmissions: over the past six months, of all the cars we’ve tested, I can remember, at best, two with a manual transmission. Exercising your idle right arm and left leg certainly won't hurt. Secondly, in a passenger car weighing 1310 kg, the combination of a manual transmission with a two-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine producing 150 horsepower promised a lot of positive emotions, especially after the frankly “vegetable” 125-horsepower Ford Focus III with a 1.6 engine.

However, the first kilometers traveled in the Focus III 2.0 GDI along the sun-drenched cozy streets of the resort Gelendzhik left a double impression. It seems that the Focus accelerates well, and it seems to pull well, but one got the impression that the signal from pressing the gas pedal wandered for a long time in the depths of the engine compartment before being found throttle valve. The car reacted painfully smoothly to the fuel supply, and even with a second delay. Maybe on the highway a two-liter engine will reveal its potential, breathing in clean mountain air?

Having got out of the town into the serpentine expanses of the Markotkh ridge, I could not deny myself the pleasure of testing the Ford Focus III to the fullest. Fortunately, I still have pleasant memories of the perfectly tuned chassis and steering of the “third” Focus, which we tested in July of this year.

We went through the first ten turns in what is called a warm-up mode. Brought here from Moscow, the fiery red hatchback greedily devoured the twists and turns of the mountain road, as if realizing that the next time it would not get to such a track soon, and, most likely, never.

The increase in speed does not affect Ford’s behavior: the Focus, stuck to the road, clearly follows the given trajectory, passing through a series of mountain turns in one breath, without the slightest hint of roll. The electric amplifier settings can be considered one of the best in the class. The steering wheel, filled with elastic heaviness and with a clear zero, made it possible to control the angle of rotation of the wheels up to a degree when entering the next bend.

Only outright provocation could throw the third generation of the bestseller off course: I really wanted to find the limits of the chassis’ capabilities. Under “open” throttle, I enter another gentle turn, which behind the rock turns... into a 180-degree turn. Without releasing the gas, I sharply turn the steering wheel to the right. Under the squeal of rubber and the whine of ESP, which instantly dropped the engine speed, the Focus, managing to hit the front left mudguard on the asphalt, is screwed into the turn, only slightly leaving the lane. Bravo!

But the two-liter gasoline engine did not deserve our praise. Resisting with all four cylinders every press on the gas pedal, the engine roared powerfully and beautifully, throwing the tachometer needle into the red zone, but refused to drive at its 150 horsepower. Even a manual transmission and mountain air could not turn the Ford Focus III 2.0 GDI into a “lighter”. All hopes remained for another Focus, also a two-liter one, only running on heavy fuel. And he did not disappoint!

Dark gray Ford Focus III with diesel engine 2.0 TDCi of the Duratorq family with a power of 140 horsepower, we had to literally beg from our colleagues. They didn't want to part with the car. And after driving about two hundred kilometers in the opposite direction, we understood why.

While losing 10 horsepower to its gasoline opponent, the two-liter diesel engine was almost one and a half times superior in torque. And the environmental “noose” on a diesel engine is not so felt. Even mated to a PowerShift preselective transmission with a pair of dry clutches, the engine responded almost instantly to orders from the right foot. Although formally the Ford Focus III 2.0 TDCi speed up to 100 km/h is inferior to a car with a two-liter gasoline engine, in the zone of average speeds and revs the diesel Focus can compete only with Ford gasoline engines EcoBoost family.

Moreover, the diesel Focus was most pleasing because of the technological unity in which all components of the car worked: engine, gearbox, chassis and steering. Each of these elements made an equal contribution, closing in a single chain of driving pleasure. Unfortunately, there was a weak link, which expectedly came from the financial department: the price of the diesel Focus quickly made all desire to prevail over such a talented car evaporate, even despite the number of newfangled electronic systems available for order.

For example, I have both hands on the electronic “eye” that monitors “dead” zones. The main thing is to have time to pay attention to the small flashing light in the outside rear view mirrors. I also like the wonderful animation and information content of the two displays of auxiliary systems, which we noted before.

Fans of electronic bells and whistles will definitely like the automatic parking system. True, we managed to pull into a conditional place between two other Focuses the seventh time, when the parking space would have been more than enough for Ford Mondeo, and any driver with a good sense of dimensions would park in half the time.

The apogee of Ford computerized automotive technology will be interactive system Sync, capable of recognizing the driver’s voice commands and acting as a Wi-Fi router for communicating with the World Wide Web. Although English-language voice control is already available as an option, Focus Russian assembly a full-fledged Sync system should appear later, but immediately in Russified form.

But we will not have a system that monitors road markings, as well as an automatic braking system when the distance is reduced. They say that there is no guarantee that in our realities these miracles of technological thought will work properly. Markings on our roads are not found everywhere and not always, and a laser distance meter can go blind if it does not see a clear reflective surface in the form of clean license plates of the car driving in front.

Well, the reorientation to “advanced” youth was successful. The stylish, fashionable and computerized Ford Focus III, having turned into a gadget car, definitely keeps up with the times, meeting all the latest trends and introducing them to the masses. The main thing is that the Ford concern does not completely forget that a car is needed not only for accessing the Internet.