2011 Focus out in August.

[Turbodiesel]

This country is becoming more like America with all the automatics.

What a shame.

[Martyvan]

didnt get a chance to have a look today, but, did see tonight on the way home that they had 2 in the driveway, so will be call in tomorrow

[kiwijohn42]

Had a look at the Ambiente & Trend hatch yesterday. Very nice, but the Ambiente does look a bit plain inside. Lots of black plastic. The Trend is a bit nicer, but the Sport hatch would be the pick.
I'd rule out the sedans & Titanium because of no manual version.

[csv8]

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

[ptwhite2003]

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

I don't really agree with that. A competent manual driver knows what gear he/she is in pretty much all of the time.

[In Focus]

Saw a couple today. Not too bad, though I did walk past them at first in the car yard, because the headlights are shaped enough like the rest of the family.

I think they've neutered the styling a little bit to appeal to everyone. In other words, it's a safe option to offend nobody. The latest Fiesta is a funky styled vehicle clearly designed to appeal to a younger driver, whereas the new Focus is meant to offend no-one. Of course, this means most people will like the styling a bit, with nobody absolutely loving (or hating) it.

This is probably a sensible move, however, since bland/safe styling doesn't seem to stop the masses who buy Toyota Corollas, Hyundai i30s and VW Golfs.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

Surely not serious?

[Benjamin Smith]

Seen one at Ford Toowoomba, just the base modal, my mum is looking into getting a titanium asap

[kiwijohn42]

I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

This country is becoming more like America with all the automatics.

What a shame.

Been happening for a long time.

Originally Posted by csv8

Auto's are safer in city driving..just have to concentrate on driving and braking, not what gear you are in..you can keep an eye out for revenue cameras and other road idiots...

That's scary if you believe that.

[In Focus]

<<I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.>>

I must be an idiot.

Then again, if I was I wouldn't know it.

[Russ]

Auto's are probably the most sensible option for day to day bumper to bumper driving but I still think manufacturers are going backwards not offering the option of a manual transmission. Manual cars generally get better mpg figures than auto's as well, so it would make more sense to offer both.

[In Focus]

True enough, but I think it's a dying art, to be honest. The latest Focus auto is already rated at least equal to its manual brother in fuel economy terms. In some cars, the auto is the more economical.

Obviously, most manual enthusiasts will take that option for the "sporty" character, but Lamborghini has already decided that human involvement detracts from its transmission, and I'd imagine other marques will follow. Ultimately, it will filter down to the "lesser" brands.

Then again, by then cars will drive themselves, and legislation will prevent humans changing the car or even turning the wheel. A lot of cars already park themselves.

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by In Focus

The latest Focus auto is already rated at least equal to its manual brother in fuel economy terms. In some cars, the auto is the more economical.

Powershifts are in most circumstances......

[Russ]

Originally Posted by In Focus

Then again, by then cars will drive themselves, and legislation will prevent humans changing the car or even turning the wheel. A lot of cars already park themselves.

The way the worlds going humans won't even exist in the future and machines will take over the planet.

[RXII]

My lease runs out in Sept for my current LV TDCi so I went down to my local dealer in Geelong and put a deposit down on the Sport Hatch TDCi on the showroom floor! The salesman said he couldn't guarantee what was arriving in the next delivery. Can't wait to pick it on the 24th August!

Cheers,
RXII

[Martyvan]

congrats RXII... this may well be the first delivered on the forums!

[RXII]

Yeah maybe, released on the 11th and they already have a bit of stock it seems. If I had the cash ready they probably would of let me take it away now!!

[Benjamin Smith]

My mum just put in her order for a petrol Sport Hatch will be here in 3-4 weeks

[DJM83]

Had a look at one today, whilst the interior is very nice (After smashing my knee on the A/C vent) i dont really like the exterior. Prefer my older LV at this stage (Not that ill buy a newer Focus anyway) for many reason's.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Had a look at one today, whilst the interior is very nice (After smashing my knee on the A/C vent) i dont really like the exterior. Prefer my older LV at this stage (Not that ill buy a newer Focus anyway) for many reason's.

You'd be crazy to offload the XR5 anyway, they will be well sought after down the track.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

You'd be crazy to offload the XR5 anyway, they will be well sought after down the track.

Yeah no chance of the 5 going anywhere, not even for a new ST

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by kiwijohn42

I think most idiots are driving autos.
They don't need to know how to drive a proper car, & can't even concentrate on looking where they're going while pressing stop & go.
Give me a manual any day where I'm more involved in what the car is doing.

Yeah, I've lost count the number of times I've seen idiots driving manuals stall their car at the lights. Totally incompetant. No idea how to drive. To involved with their ability to push a pedal and move a stick.

[Turbodiesel]

I had a look at a 'Sport' yesterday, they're not bad looking besides the lines on the rear passenger doors. Nice interior as well.

Finally the Focus has a chrome exhaust tip as standard!

The 215/50 R17s look at tad like offroad tyres though, still rides pretty high but we're used to that.

[vztrt]

New Ford Focus in short supply

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2578DF001901AC

Vital new Ford small car trickles in from Germany until Thailand ramps up in 2012

2 August 2011

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

FORD’S third-generation Focus has arrived in local showrooms six months after it went on sale in Europe and the US, but Australians could have been forced to wait another year for the Blue Oval’s vital new small car.

Ford has admitted that supplies of its all-new Focus hatch and sedan range from Germany will remain tight until production for Australia switches to Thailand later next year, but says it chose to launch the European-built Focus this week rather than wait until the third quarter of 2012 for Thai-made models.

As a result, monthly sales of the MkIII Focus will be limited to hundreds rather than the thousands Ford needs to satisfy demand and challenge the top-selling Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Holden’s Adelaide-built Cruze in Australia’s dominant small car market.

Ironically, Ford Australia would have had limitless supplies of the new Focus had the Ford Motor Company not backflipped on its 2007 decision to build 40,000 examples of the new model annually in Broadmeadows for Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and “significant additional export markets” from this year.

Instead, among the casualties will be a delay of the potentially hot-selling Ambiente Powershift dual-clutch automatic until at least November, while buyers of pricier versions that could account for more than half of all local Focus sales will also have to be patient.

Nevertheless, although Ford will not divulge its sales targets, it expects the newcomer to generate “double-digit” sales growth over the outgoing Focus once it receives freer supplies of all four models – $21,990 Ambiente, $24,490 Trend, $27,390 Sport and the flagship $32,590 Titanium – before Thai sourcing eliminates supply issues from Europe in the second half of next year.

Fanning Ford’s hopes for the all-new LW-series Focus is contemporary design inside and out, significant increases in technology, quality, and refinement, greater drivetrain efficiencies (partly due to the availability of Powershift), improved driveability, better safety, more comfort, and the choice of diesel and petrol models.

Speaking to GoAuto at the national launch of the German Focus in Melbourne this week, marketing manager David Katic admitted that – despite supply constraints - Ford Australia was desperate to replace its ageing LV Focus with the company’s redesigned small car in a cut-throat class that currently accounts for almost a quarter of all new-vehicle transactions.

“Our choice was wait another year for Thailand or go with Germany right now and live with the frustrations of not being able to meet demand. But at least that’s better than not launching with this car,” he said.

Mirroring the experience Ford had from January 2009 with the German-made WS Fiesta, which was replaced here by Thai-built WT cars from late 2010, initial LW Focus orders are already heavily swayed towards Sport and Titanium variants.

Spurring interest from early-adopters, the latter in particular brings rare or new-to-segment features like Active Park Assist, Torque Vectoring Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Voice Control, bi-Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, and rain-sensing wipers.

“Absolutely, global demand will constrain supply for the new Focus,” Mr Katic said. “But with what we experienced with Fiesta, buyers want style and technology, and that’s what the new Focus has.

“It’s going to replicate what happened with the Fiesta. With the old (2004-2008 WP/WQ Fiesta) we were doing 350-400 per month, and we were able to get around 800 per month out of Europe (with the WS)… but we knew there was a whole lot more volume in it.”

Earlier this year the WT Fiesta broke Australian sales records by exceeded 1400 per month, before the Japanese earthquake and tsunami curtailed production capacity.

“Like Fiesta, with Focus we have to wait until we source from Thailand before we can go the next (volume) step,” Mr Katic added. “And the high series will account for about half of all sales – initially at least anyway.

“With the previous-generation (WP/WQ) Fiesta the up-spec Zetec did only about three per cent of sales, and we thought we were being bold forecasting 20 per cent for the WS, but that’s come in at 50 per cent.

“So what we learned is that if you have an appealingly styled vehicle with high technology for the segment, people will buy them… so we’re very convinced and certainly early sales suggest there is a very strong market for that high series small car segment.

“There’s no archetypal small car buyers these days… buyers might be downsizing but many customers still want the works. While the Mazda3 is our main target, we’re also looking at volume vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf, especially as the new Focus’ package is very similar... so that’s another market that we can tap into.”

Nevertheless, Ford does not believe the entry-level Ambiente will suffer in the marketplace because of its relatively small naturally aspirated petrol engine offering.

“We think the other 50 per cent of Focus sales will be split evenly between Ambiente and Trend,” said Mr Katic.

“And the base car will benefit from being a 1.6-litre. We deliberately specified it with that engine because when you look at the diversity of the small car segment, there are customers with outstanding fuel economy as their priority… and outstanding fuel economy is what our Ambiente offers.

“We targeted these buyers because it is a significant part of the small car market. If you look at competitors like the Hyundai i30 SX 1.6 and Holden Cruze 1.8 they have lower-displacement engines in their C-segment cars, and if you stack up our car’s performance you will find ours is more than competitive.

“The small car segment is truly diverse so that’s what we have tried to manufacture into our Focus range. And if you want even better fuel economy then we can deliver that too with the diesel.”

While Ford’s prediction of the diesel accounting for 30 per cent of all LW Focus sales is not surprising, its high hopes for the new sedan is.

“At the moment we do poorly with the LV Focus sedan, and we think we are going to start off roughly at a 30/70 per cent sedan/hatch sales split with the new model.

“But we are very confident that, as we move forward, the sedan/hatch mix will get to 50/50 because all of the customer feedback suggests the sedan’s styling and dimensions are a big surprise, with many hatch buyers taking interest.”

Right now the Focus wagon and turbocharged 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine remain “under study” for Australia and, although it is unlikely either derivative will be imported before the middle of 2012, expect the 2.0-litre EcoBoosted Focus XR5 replacement to eventually top the fresh Focus range here.

Also on hold for now are new high-tech driver assistance features available on the range-topping Titanium X in some markets - such as lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, blind spot warning and satellite-navigation – partly due to the resources that regional implementation of most of these devices require.

“You can’t do everything at once,” said Mr Katic. “This year we’ve already launched the Territory facelift and diesel, Mondeo EcoBoost, Falcon EcoLPi and now the new Focus, while the T6 Ranger and Falcon EcoBoost have yet to arrive, so we are extremely busy.

“And we need to establish what we have with the new Focus first before we think about what’s next.”

As we’ve reported, for the time being Australia’s LW Focus range will comprise four distinct models across two body styles with choice of three engines.

A 1596cc 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve Ti-VCT petrol engine powers the CL-replacing Ambiente, producing 92kW of power at 6300rpm and 159Nm of torque at 4000rpm and connected to a five-speed manual transmission (hatch only) or – from November - a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift automatic transmission.

The manual returns fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres and emits 144 grams of CO2 per kilometre when running on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, as opposed to 6.6L/100km and 154g/km respectively for the 1.6 Powershift.

Trend replaces LX and brings with it an all-new 1999cc 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve GDi direct-injection petrol engine that produces 125kW at 6600rpm and 202Nm at 4450rpm, and which Ford claims is “the most powerful and fuel-efficient normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine in the small car class”.

Interestingly, the 2.0-litre petrol engine – which is also standard in the Sport and Titanium – matches the 1.6 Powershift’s 6.6L/100km and 154g/km ratings in five-speed manual form, and ups the ante by just 0.1L/100km and 2g/km when paired to the dual-clutch gearbox.

More torque and economy are for the taking in the 1997cc 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve turbo-diesel, dubbed TDCi and delivering 120kW at 3750rpm and 350Nm at 2000-3250rpm.

Available as an automatic-only option from launch on all Focus Sport and Titanium variants, the oil-burning powerplant returns 5.5L/100km and pumps out 144g/km of CO2. The diesel arrives in Trend trim level from October.

Representing a clean-sheet redesign espousing Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design theme, styling for the LW Focus commenced in 2007 in the UK, and was then refined in Germany. Attention to better aerodynamic flow both above and below the car has resulted in a competitive 0.297Cd figure on some versions.

A five-star Euro NCAP crash-test performer, the Focus features a bodyshell that is 30 per cent more rigid than before, with 55 per cent of it made from high-strength steel. Additionally, 26 per cent of the vehicle is made from ultra-high-strength steel, including Boron. The upshot is a vastly quieter car – helping address one of the previous models’ biggest failings.

Overall length, width, height and wheelbase measurements are 4358/1823/1484/2648mm (with the sedan being 176mm longer) respectively, while increases of about 50kg sees kerb weights range from 1311kg (1.6 Ambiente hatch) to 1543kg (Titanium TDCi sedan).

Cargo capacity is rated from 277 to 1101 litres (hatch, with all seats folded and a mini-spare) and 372 to 421 litres (sedan with a mini-spare).

As before, front suspension consists of MacPherson struts and coil springs, while the Focus is famous for pioneering a multi-link rear suspension arrangement in the small car class. Nowadays the latter is attached via a separate subframe to decrease noise/vibration/harshness.

In the name of improved economy, lower emissions and lower cost, and with the exception of the Ambiente 1.6 Powershift model, Ford switched from a conventional hydraulic power steering system to an electric power-assisted (EPAS) rack-and-pinion steering system for the third-generation car.

The base Focus includes remote central locking, power windows, trip computer, air-conditioning, adjustable steering, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, six-speaker audio, six airbags – including side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers – ABS brakes, electronic stability control and hill-start assist.

Stepping up to the Trend gains buyers 16-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, rear parking sensors, body-coloured door-handles, cruise control, a leather gearshift knob and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat.

An option pack includes automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and ‘follow-me-home’ lighting.

These features are standard equipment on the Focus Sport, which also gains 17-inch alloys, a rear spoiler on the hatch, heated power-adjustable side mirrors with indicator lamps, LED tail-lights on the hatch, an upgraded Sony audio system with nine speakers and colour screen, dual-zone climate-control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, Eco Mode driver information system, sports seats, ambient cabin lighting, leather-clad steering wheel, centre console with armrest, illuminated vanity mirrors, a folding centre rear armrest and front scuff plates.

The Titanium in Powershift-only format boasts 18-inch alloys, active park assist that can park the car in 24 seconds using front and rear radar sensors, keyless entry and starting, partial leather seats, trip computer, four-way power driver’s seat adjustment and heated front seats.

An optional Sports Pack includes adaptive cruise control, bi-Xenon headlights with cornering lamps, LED running lights and a powered sunroof.

With a 5.5 per cent market share in the first six months of 2011, the outgoing Focus has enjoyed a 28.4 per cent improvement over last year’s disappointing sales results, but the LV still trails the leading Mazda3, Cruze, Corolla, i30, Lancer and Golf to sit at an underachieving seventh place.

Ford Australia vice-president for sales, marketing and service, Beth Donovan, is confident the LW has what it takes to thrust Ford back to small-car segment leadership – a position it has not enjoyed since the Laser’s halcyon days of 1981 to 1990.

“We should be able to do what the Mazda3 has done in this space,” she said.

Since 1998 some 10 million Focus cars have been sold worldwide, with Australian sales commencing relatively late in the lifecycle of the Mk1 ‘LR’ series in September 2002. The Mk2 Focus (LS, LT, LV) was introduced here in June 2005.

2011 Ford Focus pricing:

Hatch
Ambiente 1.6 $21,990
Ambiente 1.6 (a) $24,290
Trend 2.0 GDi $24,490
Trend 2.0 GDi (a) $26,790
Trend TDCi (a) $30,500
Sport 2.0 GDi $27,390
Sport 2.0 GDi (a) $29,690
Sport 2.0 TDCi (a) $33,190
Titanium 2.0 GDi (a) $32,590
Titanium 2.0 TDCi (a) $36,090

Sedan
Ambiente 1.6 (a) $24,290
Trend 2.0 GDi (a) $26,790
Trend 2.0 TDCi (a) $30,500
Sport 2.0 GDi (a) $29,690
Sport 2.0 TDCi (a) $33,190
Titanium 2.0 GDi (a) $32,590
Titanium 2.0 TDCi (a) $36,090

[vztrt]

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...804-1icc6.html

First Drive: New Ford Focus
Jez Spinks
August 4, 2011 - 9:00AM

Ford’s matured small car aims to give Golf a run for its money.

They’re not building it, but Ford Australia is hoping they’ll still come. Buyers, that is.

The latest version of the blue oval’s small car, the Focus, has arrived - but after rolling off a ship from Germany rather than out of the doors of Melbourne’s Broadmeadows plant as once planned.

Ford’s local executives may not want to peer at sales for the rival Holden Cruze, though. Its figures are already increasing since it sewed on a Made-in-Adelaide label earlier this year. And that’s before the hatchback version hits showrooms.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The Focus is immediately available in both hatch and sedan forms, though the irony – Ford would have built 40,000 Focuses locally from 2011 – is that supply will be constrained until the car’s production source switches from Europe to Thailand in mid 2012.

That brings a free-trade agreement into play, but don’t necessarily expect pricing to drop from today’s starting price of $21,990.

Ford is trying to pitch the new Focus as a more grown-up small car to rival Volkswagen’s Golf, and that seems to include pricing – which goes up to $36,090.

Unlike similarly priced Cruze and Golf models, though, there’s no clever downsized engine employing a turbocharger. Instead, the Ambiente (there’s even a more flamboyant range of trim names to replace the rather dull CL, LX, etc of the old model) comes with a relatively humble 1.6-litre normally aspirated engine.

There’s little wrong with its refinement, but the 92kW four-cylinder asks for plenty of effort from the ball of your right foot and the manual gearbox desperately needs a sixth ratio for more relaxed freeway progress.

From $24,490, buyers can step up to a petrol engine with two litres of capacity that brings more power and torque, though it’s a similar case of gaining momentum smoothly and gradually rather than rapidly.

A 1.6-litre turbo ‘Ecoboost’ engine available in Europe sounds promising – more torque, even better fuel economy, and quicker performance – though Ford Australia has decided not to raid that particularly cupboard.

That leaves a 2.0-litre diesel, available from $30,500, as the only turbocharged engine on offer, and the pick of the bunch.

Mated to Ford’s smooth-shifting ‘Powershift’ transmission as standard where the dual-clutch auto is optional on the five-speed-manual petrols, it’s pleasantly quiet at idle and the usual loud clatter associated with small-cylinder diesels never materials as speeds rise.

The diesel’s refinement is reflected in other myriad improvements for all models. Tyre and wind noise is noticeably reduced, and the Focus’s ride, while a supple affair previously, now absorbs bumps with even less fuss after engineers tweaked the carry-over suspension.

And the Focus’s class-leading dynamics? Well, still there, though we didn’t unearth them in full guise until we hit winding roads in the base model.

The diesel versions have a front end that is less eager to turn into corners than its petrol counterparts, penalised by an engine that puts an extra 80kg over the nose, and the Titanium’s big, 18-inch tyres do a great job of sticking the Focus to the road without leaving room for much playfulness.

The base model doesn’t get the slightly firmer sports suspension of either the Sport or Titanium trims, though it does get the same torque vectoring system that helps to pull it around corners by constantly altering the amount of power being distributed to each front wheel.

Yet the lesser grip from its smaller, 16-inch tyres conversely shows the Focus’s beautifully balanced handling in its best light.

The steering, a Focus highlight in previous models, is now electric, though while it doesn’t feel as fluid as before it is highly accurate.

The driving position is also excellent, complemented by supremely comfortable seats and good vision. The rear bench is also one that gives the impression the designers also cared about rear seat comfort, while a tall passenger can fit behind a tall driver even if it’s on the snug side.

Interior design hasn’t been the Focus’s strongest suit since it debuted in 1998, but the third generation makes great strides here to add to the model’s greater maturity. It doesn’t look as classy as the Golf’s cabin but it’s also less conservative, with Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design language making a welcome transition from (the improved) exterior to the interior.

Combine the cabin comfort and the loping ride, and the Focus is now a car you’d happily travel in for hundreds of kilometres without fear of fatigue.

If you can afford the range-topping Titanium model that starts at $32,590, you also get a system that will automatically steer you into a parallel parking spot.

Regardless of where it’s produced, the Focus is better made than ever.

PICS

[vztrt]

First Oz drive: Focus sets new small-car standard

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2578E100819412

Ford's MkIII Focus arrives with the same pin-sharp handling, but more refinement

4 August 2011

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

FORD has struggled to find success in Australia's soaring small car segment, despite stellar Focus sales in Europe.

Though lauded abroad, the first Focus of 2002 could not emulate the boom Laser years of the 1980s, while the second-generation model released here in mid-2005 came closer but still couldn’t crack it despite rave reviews locally.

Enter Focus MkIII – a clean-sheet redesign if ever there was one, with only seven per cent carryover componentry underneath (including, not disappointingly, the pioneering multi-link rear suspension system) and a whole new look inside and out.

Clearly, Ford hopes that the change is as good as a holiday for buyers who would otherwise choose the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer, Volkswagen Golf, Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic, or one of more than 30 other small-car protagonists. The stakes are high, but then so are the potential sales.

Lucky then that the fresh styling works, for the LW series is a handsome and well-proportioned piece of work, possessing undeniable road presence, courtesy of the Kinetic design kick Ford is currently on.

Whether it is the five-door hatch or four-door sedan, this is like no Focus that has come before, although somehow it still says ‘Ford’ with a hefty Euro accent. Perhaps it’s the Fiesta-esque themes at play.

A stylish wagon may join the fray later on but only if enough of you ask for one, but higher-performance Focus ST and more efficient Econetic derivatives are definitely in the pipeline.

Inside, three things immediately hit you: the ultra-modern layout, ample occupant space and high-quality ambience. Entry is easy, vision out is good thanks to that glassy turret, and inviting – even intriguing – surfaces abound.

At last the driving position has changed so very tall drivers can now lower the seat base right down; the four-spoke steering wheel feels as good as it looks; there are scores of storage choices; and absolutely no squeaks or rattles were detected in the German-made examples we drove.

Colour and co-ordination abound, with contrasting metallic trim and enough switches and buttons to make even the lowlier versions – the aptly titled Ambiente and mid-level Trend that Ford believes will find the biggest share of customers – seem more upmarket than it really is.

Existing Focus owners will be astonished!

Move up to the, err, the sporty Sport and flagship Titanium variants and the climate-control air-conditioning controls, black dash finish and iDrive-style upper-console menu controller (on the latter only) turn these into proper premium propositions.

Option up with new driver-assist technologies like radar-controlled cruise and automatic self-parking and you could safely call the Titanium a proper little luxury runabout. Too bad an integrated satellite-navigation system isn’t available, however.

Familiarisation is necessary for the dashboard’s presentation is busy – again, in the fashion of the existing Fiesta. Some will miss the lack of a digital speed readout. Rear-seat passengers will notice the AWOL air-vents – they’re coming when production switches to Thailand later in 2012. And there are annoying upper-dash reflections in the windscreen.

Nevertheless, somebody at Ford Germany obviously took a long, hard look at the Golf and thought: “Das is classy and good to touch but boring to behold, so our Focus vill be like zis but also more fascinating even!” Indeed.

Better still, the Focus’ march upmarket isn’t just visual.

What was once a boom box of road noise in the earlier LR to LV versions is now an eerily hushed environment, especially on the smallest (16-inch with Continental) tyres. Again, owners of the old model won’t believe their ears, although the larger the rim the louder it all becomes.

Speaking of wheels, Ford now offers bigger items – extending to 18s on Titanium – so cargo capacity varies according to size. Having a smaller space-saver tyre obviously equals more luggage room while the opposite applies when the floor is set higher to accommodate a bulkier alloy unit.

That is to be expected. But the sedan’s primitive gooseneck hinges represent a retrograde step. There’s no pull-down handle either, so prepare to get dirty fingers. A strap solution is also coming, apparently.

Still, it is the way things operate at the other end that makes the Focus something quite special.

Let’s begin with one of the most controversial – the switch from hydraulic to electric power steering for the rack-and-pinion system on all models except the as-yet-unavailable Ambiente 1.6-litre Powershift model (due here by year’s end), due to right-hand drive engine packaging issues.

Some overseas drive reports have lamented the lack of interactivity and sharpness compared to Focus II, but if this is true we couldn’t tell. Not on inner-urban Melbourne streets. Not on faster suburban arterials. And certainly not in the winding and at-times demanding roads beyond Healesville and surrounding rural areas, including inconsistently-surfaced mountainous paths.

What we did find is beautifully weighted and informative steering that gives the driver confidence and control to charge up a twisty road without raising a sweat. Exceptional grip, coupled with a foursquare stance, has enhanced this car’s already rock-solid reputation for smooth and responsive handling.

Furthermore, the suspension is tied-down enough to feel unshakable, yet the accompanying ride pliancy and discipline should be a lesson to all other car-makers.

Yes, the 18-inch wheeled Titanium does have a palpably firmer edge to the way it soaks up the ridges, pot-holes and surface irregularities – and transmits a bit more tyre noise doing it – but even then the Ford is rooted firmly in comfort and possessed of poise.

What a blessed relief. We were expecting a dumbed-down Focus, but this European-tuned version (as opposed to the softer US versions we tried back in January) has it all sorted. So perhaps it was softer suspension that made the steering in the American versions we drove feel less sharp than before.

Surprise number two concerned the base petrol engine and five-speed manual gearbox pairing in the entry-level $21,990 Ambiente.

Even the weight of two adults and their luggage, with the air-con on, could not dampen the enthusiasm of this sweet-natured 92kW/159Nm 1.6-litre trier.

Be willing to row that slick shifter and the 1311kg hatch will never feel underpowered or strained, for it draws upon a broad band of torque as well as that responsive chassis to help it nip between gaps and zip through traffic.

We suspect the launch petrol cars were running on more expensive 98 RON premium unleaded, which does help, but the liveliness of the smallest engine came as a very pleasant surprise. The fact it has the lightest mass over the front wheels probably enhances its first-class dynamic behaviour as well.

All the Focus you could ever need is right there in the base package. On our initial acquaintance this clean little unit seems far more appealing than the lacklustre 1.8s found in the Corolla and Cruze.

After the brilliant Ambiente experience, we found the 125kW/202Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection GDi petrol four-pot engine in the Titanium hatch smooth, swift, and strong – while also displaying a keenness to visit the redline in five-speed manual guise (why no six-speeder, Ford?) – yet not truly outstanding in any one area.

Toweringly competent this may be, particularly when paired to the six-speed dual-clutch Powershift, but we are mystified by the latter’s awkward thumb-operated manual-shift toggle switch on the transmission knob. Why no paddles? As it stands the angle is just wrong for us.

And after the quiet and composed plushness of the Ambiente’s ride, the sexy 18-inch alloys ushered in a noisier, slightly harder attitude. Don’t get us wrong – the naturally aspirated 2.0 GDi is a fine engine with either gearbox – but we wonder whether the 1.6-litre Ecoboost turbo-petrol four available elsewhere (with six speeds for the manual, by the way) might be more apt for a thoroughly modern Euro like this.

No such qualms can be said of the diesel version, though.

Powered by a 120kW/340Nm 2.0 TDCi/Powershift drivetrain combo, the latest Focus gelled for us all over again, but this time as an uncannily quiet and super-smooth luxury grand tourer with a sizeable performance output to balance out the economy on offer.

We know it’s a cliché but there was no way we could tell there was a diesel belting out all that torque – and barely so standing outside an idling car.

The Focus diesel is all about creamy, punchy acceleration over a wide range of driving conditions, while the chassis has no trouble containing all that thrust, even on tight hairpin turns, and despite the hefty 1520kg and 1537kg kerb weights of the Sport sedan and Titanium hatch models respectively.

We cannot wait to drive the TDCi against the Golf 2.0 TDI to see which is the finer diesel application, for it will be very close indeed. In fact, the all-new BMW 1 Series and Mercedes B-class will both have to pull something special out of their hats to edge ahead of the latest Focus.

So on first acquaintances on Australian roads, it’s clear the new Focus has been radically overhauled inside and out, and now features an inviting, quiet interior and an interesting array of engines, but with the brand’s long-held dynamic superiority still firmly intact.

Unbelievable value for money is the Ambiente’s calling card – and we sure didn’t see that coming – while the Titanium TDCi Powershift is the very essence of the contemporary Euro compact GT.

So the third try’s a charm then. From our first outing in most of the range, the new LW series appears to have what it takes for the Focus to finally be king of the small-car class.

[warrenmendes]

I have been driving the 2.0L Diesel for 5 weeks now in a Ford review competition. Happy to answer any questions on the car - in return for a vote or two

I dont have a car so could really help - especially such a nice car. Check here:

http://www.carsales.com.au/ehub/ford...px?BloggerID=9

[dannyhilton]

Going to test drive one on Sunday, after looking at Bianca's (one of the contestants who's doing the Ultimate Test Drive Competition) TDCi Titanium Sedan. CAN NOT WAIT!

[Smoke Pursuit]

Where can you test drive one on sunday??