13 Sep 04
There are some cars that hit the spot so sweetly it's an uphill task to replace them. Think of the last BMW 5-Series, the current Mercedes S-Class - and the Ford Focus. They all bowled us over when they were launched, and they all kept completely competitive right to the end of their lives. And the mixed reception of the new 5-Series shows just how hard it can be when a carmaker tries to move on radically from such a success.
So Ford has elected not to be radical. The old Focus was brilliant in some areas: the handling and dynamics, the interior space, the sheer convenience of using the thing. The aim with the new one is to edge those areas forward still more, while at the same time addressing weaknesses. Which meant the oddball and slightly low-rent interior and the want of refinement and ride comfort.
Amazingly, Ford has picked off a series of bullseyes.
Truly, the drive is even better. The class-leading agility is moved on a little: you can now swing into sharp bends and the car puts up even less resistance to turning. The harder you push it, the more it livens up, balancing itself to your inputs of steering and throttle with true clarity. The way it takes on a roll angle for a corner, the way it controls body pitch and heave over dipping roads, is first-class. Besides, the sheer progression of all the controls - steering, brakes, accelerator - really boosts your confidence, too.
