Ford Focus on luxury

2:23pm Monday 4th February 2008

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The Focus is one of the most familiar cars on the road, and with very good reason.

British drivers have been buying Ford's big-selling family car in huge numbers for ten years now, ever since the tired old Escort was replaced by the sharper Focus in 1998.

More than one in 20 cars sold in the UK now is a Focus and almost 1.2 million have been sold in the UK. Some five million have been sold in 80 countries around the world. Successful is an understatement.

Ford plan to stay ahead of the game but it is a difficult task. Rival cars are growing in numbers and quality. Not only does the Focus have to take on big-name manufacturers like Vauxhall, Renault and Volkswagen, but smaller marques like Kia and Hyundai can no longer be easily dismissed.

So, it's with some excitement that the new Focus is launched. At £11,945 for the entry-level model, it's still a competitively-priced motor for its class but Ford are keen to emphasise the quality of the design and extensive specifications of these models. Price, it seems, isn't everything these days, especially when the Focus is competing against some rather well kitted-out cars.

It is essentially, much better, fresher and more upmarket. In short, it seems to have received the same sort of treatment dished out to the new Mondeo.

And while it costs from just under £12,000, the test version is one of the premium versions badged as Titanium.

It represents, more than any other version, the leap forward which this Focus makes. It is so much more desirable than any other Focus (or Escort, for that matter).

The cabin, in particular, is splendid. Often weak in Ford models only a few years ago, it is now quite literally a class above. Perhaps not of BMW or Audi status, it could certainly give lesser premium brands like Volvo a run for their money.

Every Focus now comes with stability control, anti-lock brakes, powered windows, CD system, central locking and curtain airbags. The Titanium flagship adds automatic headlights, privacy glass, Sony CD sound system, powered rear windows, cooled glovebox, aluminium scuff plates and rain-sensing wipers.

It is well equipped but for me the most impressive feature is the ride and handling. It was already good enough in the old Focus, but the new model is a real driver's car. It is stunningly good and even in a modestly sensible 1.8 litre turbo-diesel, it has a sporty edge.

For those who want sporty or open-topped Focuses, the ST and coupe-cabriolet models will be launched shortly. For those who just want unabashed luxury in relatively compact dimensions, then this is definitely worth a go.

Ford Focus Titanium five-door 1.8I TDCi

PRICE: Range starts at £11,945, this model is £15,445

ENGINE: A 1.8 litre turbo-diesel unit generating 115PS

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 120mph, 0 to 60mph in 10.9 seconds

COSTS: urban 41.5mpg, extra-urban 64.1, combined 53.2mpg

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles