MOTORNETNEWS  -  ROAD  TEST  -  MARCH  2008

FORD  FOCUS  CABRIO

The Focus Cabrio is the best-looking of all the current hardtop/convertible range - and it doesn't matter if the top is up or down. If y6ou want to be noticed but don't want to pay an arm and a leg, then this is the car that turns heads wherever you go. It is also a full four-seater, has a classy interior in leather and is very well equipped both for safety and convenience.  It even has room for some luggage when the top is stowed!

OUTSIDE:

The distinctive air intake below the chrome ringed grille is flanked by chromed driving lights and presents a pretty picture. The swept back projector-style headlights, the flared guards and the sculpted lines of the bonnet all add up to a very pretty car. 

Unlike many hardtop/convertibles, the Focus doesn't have the 'big bum' look although it does have the very sloping screen that comes almost over the front seat occupants' heads and acts as a roll bar. The ten spoke alloy wheels are very stylish and the rear end has large wraparound taillights and a neat chrome strip between them.

The front bumper incorporates the air intake and this could prove costly in a nose-to-tail traffic bingle. The chromed grille is also vulnerable in this case. The rear bumper is deep and offers excellent panel and lights protection. The extra long doors make it easy to access the back seats but care must be taken when opening the left one next to a high gutter.

The engine layout is particularly neat and has good access to maintenance points.

INSIDE:

The interior is quite luxurious with leather and soft plastics plus a classy dashboard with nice silver highlights that also extend to the doors, door handles and the 4-spoke, leather wrapped steering wheel. The whole interior reeks of quality and fit and finish of both the interior and exterior is very, very good.

The cruise controls are on the steering wheel and remote audio controls are on a separate steering column stalk. The driver has the information he/she needs displayed in the hooded binnacle ahead of the wheel. Large black dials with white lettering are easily read and well lit at night. In bright daylight there is sometimes quite a lot of reflection from the steering column shroud onto the instrument dials making then very hard to read. 

The air-conditioning controls are simple but the audio ones are unnecessarily complicated. Two covered  vanity mirrors are provided and they have lights as well. The cabin lacks storage spaces and a few more handy ones for a mobile phone or purse would be appreciated.  There is a centre armrest in the front but none in the back seat. 

All four seats are very comfortable and leather upholstered. The driver's seat had lumbar and tilt facilities. Leg room is a bit restricted in the rear but most adults would be OK as long as the front seats were not back as far as they could be set.  

All round vision is quite good with none of the claustrophobic feeling one sometimes feels in a hardtop model.

LUGGAGE AREA:

Most hardtop/convertibles lack sufficient luggage space when the top is stowed but the Focus does provide a fairly good area albeit it is a bit of a stretch to place and retrieve article if they are well forward in the boot. 

With the top up there is a very large and useable area for luggage or sporting equipment. Under the floor is a temporary spare wheel and tyre. The boot lid has interior recesses for ease of closing.

ON THE ROAD:

The performance of the 2-litre, 107kW. 4-cylinder engine is hampered a bit by the extra weight of the hardtop system and soon lets you know that this is a cruiser and not a sports car. It does a reasonable job and, for the majority of people who will buy one of these cars, it will be quite sufficient. Economy is not a top priority either with around 12-13 litres per 100km in urban driving. This does improve to just under 9 l/100km on the freeway.

The engine is quiet, the auto transmission is very smooth and the ride is very good. Handling and road grip are well above average for this class and there were no rattles or squeaks during the test.  Wind noise and buffeting were non-existent even at highway speeds with the top down. This is a convertible that you can drive at all speeds without a problem. With the top up there is a fair amount of road noise due mostly to the imported tyres that come with the car.

PRICE:            $47,490 plus on-road costs - 4-speed auto. $2,000 less for 5-speed manual.

STANDARD:   Dual front and side airbags; ABS brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution; air-conditioning; alarm system; 17" alloy wheels; cruise control; 6-stacker CD player; central remote locking; Dynamic Stability Control; fog/driving lights; electric top operation; engine immobiliser; heated front seats; leather upholstery; power mirrors, steering & windows; seat belt pre-tensioners; trip computer and Traction Control System.              

OPTIONS:        18" alloy wheels in lieu of 17".