What they said when the Ford Focus was new… (Nov 16 2004)
I SUPPOSE it's dangerous to approach the launch of any new product with unrealistically high expectations.
But the Focus has been such a soaraway success for Ford that thousands of existing owners will be anticipating the appearance of the new model in January with more than a casual interest.
The promise, as at any launch, is of a model that's better in every respect than the existing version. But of course it's also a priority not to change the product so radically that you alienate owners who fell in love with the original.
In the case of the Focus, this is a particularly tall order. While it's by no means everyone's cup of tea, it's been a top seller for years, thanks in part to its innovative appearance and in part to its excellent driving dynamics.
In restyling the car for 2005, the emphasis has been on building on that success by trying to ensure this is one mainstream product that has a distinct "quality" feel.
That's not an attempt to change the car's place in the market or compete head-on with prestige models, just a recognition of the fact that customers' tastes are ever more sophisticated.
To achieve the renaissance, we're being given a slightly more athletic exterior and cabin components designed to look smarter and feel more solid.
But there could be a problem here, because a lot of Focus owners are actually very happy with the way the car looks now.
Having clocked up more than 30,000 miles behind the wheel of Focus models over the past few years, I've been impressed by the ergonomics, the sprightly performance of the 1.6-litre engine and the sharpness and precision of the handling.
Most of all, I've appreciated the attention to those small details that often get overlooked in mainstream models - the feel of the gearstick, door handle and steering wheel, the positioning and design of switches and gauges.
One major reservation about the new version is the extent to which the distinctive curves have been exchanged for chunkier but much more angular equipment.
True, there's a soft touch to the dashboard now and a much more solid feel to the door armrests. But while straight lines may help when it comes to ensuring more of a precision fit to cabin components, there may be many who will miss those warm and welcoming curves.
It's also a busier interior, especially with a more sophisticated sound system fitted, and not all the wood or metal inserts are an unqualified improvement.
The drive is still dynamic, handling is crisp and the interior relatively quiet. And the cabin also has more of a large-car feel than the existing Focus, although that might be a mixed blessing too.
But on the rolling open roads of the Scottish Highlands, the new Focus showed itself to be every bit as confident and sure-footed as we have come to expect.
When it's parked up, it looks slightly leaner and meaner than the original, with a steeper rake to the rear hatch and a sharper edge to the nose...but again, it's a more angular approach that not everyone will see as a step in the right direction.
The Focus may be ubiquitous, but it is still distinctive in a way which few mass-produced cars can claim.
Since its launch in 1998 it has won countless awards and more than four million have been sold in 80 countries around the world, establishing it as the benchmark car in its class.
The new incarnation marginally undercuts the existing model on price, yet claims to offer higher spec, more refined engines and a more sophisticated feel for your money.
But though business customers may welcome the new 1.6-litre TDCi engine, a diesel plant offering combined fuel economy of almost 59mpg, some Focus fans will be left unmoved by the new arrival.
When you've got a winner, you tamper with it at your peril - and all the changes have to stand up to close scrutiny to see if they are genuine improvements.
It was probably a good idea, for example, to offer a new upmarket Titanium trim level for younger drivers unimpressed by the wood-effect inserts in the traditional Ghia.
But though the metallic instrument rims work well, the large rectangular metallic surround for the audio and heating controls may seem a little brash for some tastes.
Similarly, the cluttered speedometer is, if anything, less clear than the original, the cupholders are located a little too far back for comfort and although the cabin feels airier and reassuringly solid, it's also perhaps a little more sedate and Mondeo-like than the original.
Yes, it's good value, sharper in many ways, a sophisticated package and a surefire success on the forecourt when it arrives in January. But that may not be enough to stop existing Focus owners from wanting to grab one of the current models while they still have the chance.
Prices start at £10,895 for the three-door 1.4-litre base model and range up to more than £18,000 for the flagship two-litre turbodiesel estate.
Predictably, it's an extensive line-up, with more than 100 trim, engine and body combinations to choose from.
Words: Andrew Knight
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