Saturday, June 30, 2018



Ford's new Focus is so good it should make the snobbiest of German car buyers look beyond brand grandeur

  • The new Ford Focus is on sale now with prices starting from £17,930 for the entry-spec family hatchback
  • Ray Massey drove the car for the first time at the international launch in the South of France
  • It feels more engaging than sports cars worth five times as much, and is a tour-de-force of technology, he says
  • Find out why it should make you reconsider buying an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Volkswagen equivalent
It’s only when you climb inside Ford’s new Focus hatchback and drive it that you realise what a cracking family car this really is. 
If you stuck a premium Audi badge on this then people would be raving about it.
But because it carries the familiar everyman blue oval Ford badge, the care and engineering attention to detail that has gone into the new Ford Focus can be easily overlooked.
In this respect, the new Focus five-seater family car is a bit of a Cinderella – but not only does it deserve to go to the ball, it’s a car in which you really can have a ball.
Cinderella car: Daily Mail motoring editor Ray Massey says the new Ford Focus not only deserves to go to the ball, it’s a car in which you really can have a ball
Cinderella car: Daily Mail motoring editor Ray Massey says the new Ford Focus not only deserves to go to the ball, it’s a car in which you really can have a ball
Ford’s Focus is punching hard in a very tough market that sees it up against established German rivals, such as Volkswagen’s Golf, and ambitious newcomers snapping at its heels, such as Korea’s Kia Ceed. 
So it’s keenly and aggressively priced, with some canny packages for families on a budget looking for lots of bang for their buck.
The entry-level Focus Style trim level starts from £17,930 on the road, £2,300 less than the current outgoing model. 
Zetec trim - accounting for around a quarter of sales in the UK - at £19,300 is £850 less (or £1,000 less with like-for-like equipment levels), while the ST-Line (from £21,570) and Titanium (£21,550) trim levels drop by £250. Cash in the back pocket already. 
For the bulk of my time behind the wheel at the official international launch this week, I was at the chunky steering wheel of the sporty Focus ST-Line variant, in a fetching shade called Desert Island Blue. 
It is powered by a lean three-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that develops a meaty 182 horsepower, linked to a pretty slick six-speed manual gearbox.
Within a matter of minutes at the controls I soon realised that this modest hatch is something a little special.
Ray took to the wheel of the £21,570 Ford Focus ST-Line car and was mightily impressed with the full package
Ray took to the wheel of the £21,570 Ford Focus ST-Line car and was mightily impressed with the full package
Flip the car into 'sport' mode and it feels more engaging to drive than sports cars worth five times as much
Flip the car into 'sport' mode and it feels more engaging to drive than sports cars worth five times as much
As well as being utterly brilliant to drive, the new Focus is pretty nice to look at. Built in Germany, the purposeful looks should make you reconsider the country's native brands
As well as being utterly brilliant to drive, the new Focus is pretty nice to look at. Built in Germany, the purposeful looks should make you reconsider the country's native brands
Popping it into ‘sport’ mode for a stint along the winding mountain roads in the South of France near Nice, it performed well beyond my expectations. 
In fact, in recent months I've driven a variety of sports cars worth five times as much that haven't come close to feeling as engaging as Ford's do-it-all family favourite.
Think of it as a vehicle for all endeavors: perfect for the school run, a shopping expedition, a family holiday or just having a bit of driving fun. 
There was an almost rally-car feel to the handling and a satisfying exhaust note as I revved up out of some tight hairpin bends and roared down long straight stretches of tarmac.
When it comes to negotiating corners, the sports-tuned suspension and 10mm lower ride height mean it’s all in sharp Focus, not soft Focus.
That's not to say it will rattle your bones out of their joints.
It provides a satisfyingly comfortably ride in the standard drive setting, while ‘eco’ helps save on fuel economy too.
That's because there’s a really clever twist to the lean and mean - and green - petrol engine.
The 2018 Ford Focus is on sale now in both hatch and estate variants. A jacked-up Active crossover is due in 2019
The 2018 Ford Focus is on sale now in both hatch and estate variants. A jacked-up
The Ford Focus has become a tour-de-force for technology. The new-for-2018 car even has a feature that scans the road ahead to prepare for potholes
The Ford Focus has become a tour-de-force for technology. The new-for-2018 car even has a feature that scans the road ahead to prepare for potholes
The 1.5-litre petrol engine is the first 3-cylinder motor to have an active cylinder shut-down feature. When you're cruising through two, the middle cylinder deactivates to save fuel and reduce the emissions from the double oval exhaust outlets
The 1.5-litre petrol engine is the first 3-cylinder motor to have an active cylinder shut-down feature. When you're cruising through two, the middle cylinder deactivates to save fuel and reduce the emissions from the double oval exhaust outlets
When you’re driving hard and mashing the throttle with your right foot, the full trio of cylinders are in play. But when you are cruising it will shut-down the middle cylinder to use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.
It’s the first cylinder de-activation system to be used on a three-cylinder car engine and it flicks back and forth seamlessly and smoothly in just 14 milliseconds – 20 times faster than the blink of an eye. 

2018 Ford Focus hatchback: Will it fit in my garage? 

Price: From £17,930 to £27,910
Doors: 5
On sale: now
First deliveries: August/September
Length: 4378mm Width: 1825 (without mirrors) Height: 1454mm
Gears: 6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic
Wheels: 16, 17 and 18 inch
Engines:
Petrol: 1.0 litre Ecoboost (from 107g/km) 1.5 litre EcoBoost (from 122g/km)
Diesel:
1.5 litre EcoBlue (from 92g/km)
2.0litre EcoBlue (from 112g/km)
Top speed (1.0 litre petrol): 124mph
0-62mph (1.0 litre petrol): 10 seconds
Average MPG (1.0 litre petrol): Up to 60.1mpg
Average MPG (1.5 litre diesel): Up to 80.7mpg
Other UK body-styles:
Now: Estate. From 2019: ‘Active’ crossover.
Shoulder room: Front: 1421mm
Rear: 1395mm
Second row knee clearance: 81mm
Luggage capacity: 1354mm 
So fast in fact is this little bit of automotive magic that you don’t even realise it’s happening. 
While you might not be able to feel it powering down on cylinders with your senses, you should be able to feel it in your bank balance.
Ford claims it could save you anywhere between three and 10 per cent of your fuel consumption, depending on how you drive it.  
My car was also fitted with automatic lane centring which uses sensors to read the white lines, and I could feel the steering wheel actively engaging to pull re-centre the Focus into the middle of the lane during multi-lane stints, and even worked when I tried it on some tight corners.
It’s part of a package that sees the Focus at level two – of five levels – of autonomous driving, though the driver remains in control. Take your hands of the wheel for a few seconds and you get a warning to put them back on.
What's even better is the new technology designed to cope with Britain’s increasingly potholed roads.
Using sensors mounted at the front of the car that sweep the tarmac ahead every two milliseconds, it hunts out craters in the road so it can automatically adjust the suspension, steering and braking to reduce the impact of pounding through crumbled cavities.
Come to think of it, this sub-£20,000 hatchback is something of a technology tour de force. 
It also has ‘evasive steering assist’ which automatically steers around other vehicles to avoid collisions, speed-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, stop-start and enhanced automated parking assistance.  
A mobile wi-fi hotspot has connectivity for up to 10 devices, a new Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system that plays your music via your smartphone, and a new app to help owners find their cars in sprawling car parks.
Mine also had Ford’s first head-up display, which is incredibly useful for keeping your eye on speed limits and sat-nav directions, without having to avert your eyes from the windscreen and the road ahead.
As for practicalities, there was plenty of boot space for luggage with a hands-free tailgate that can be opened by performing a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper. 
There’s more leg room, knee clearance and shoulder room thanks to more efficient use of space, and the seats themselves are comforting and supportive for long treks.
If you need more space and load-lugging capability, the standard five-door hatchback Focus is joined by an even more practical estate model that has room for a dog crate - both on sale now for delivery this autumn.
The expanded Focus line up also includes the first ever higher riding and rugged Focus Active crossover – available from next year - and an upmarket more luxurious Vignale version, which should appeal to those who might be thinking about placing a deposit on the latest Audi A3 or Mercedes A-Class.
A four-door saloon version won’t be sold in Britain. 

The 1.5-litre diesel engine provides fewer thrills... 

I also had a quick blast in a test car with the 1.5-litre diesel EcoBlue engine en route back to Nice airport.
This more humble motor produces just 120 horsepower but has plenty of bottom-end grunt.
It promises an average return of 65.7 miles per gallon - rising to 70.6mpg when cruising - and emits CO2 emissions of 113g/km. That puts it in VED-band G with a low first year road tax charge of £205.
After the delights of the sporty petrol I'd been enjoying previously on the launch, this was initially a little underwhelmed.
It felt comparatively noisy and lacked the bite of the other engine. But I soon forgave it when the return journey included a prolonged stint on the motorway.
This is where the diesel motor is in its element, with the smooth power delivery ideal for gulping arduous miles without a fuss.
This second test car also came equipped with the new eight-speed automatic transmission.
It's easy to set using the rotary button placed in the centre console and moves up and down the 'box so seamlessly that it gear changes will come and go completely undetected. The Ford Focus interior has been de-cluttered and fitted with a new 8-inch touchscreen and ‘sophisticated jewellery elements’ to make it feel upmarket
The Ford Focus interior has been de-cluttered and fitted with a new 8-inch touchscreen and ‘sophisticated jewellery elements’ to make it feel upmarket
While the boot isn't the biggest in class, it's big enough to fit a couple of suitcases
There's a hand's free opening system function too, which operates when you dangle your foot under the rear bumper
 SLIDE ME 
While the boot isn't the biggest in class, it's big enough to fit a couple of suitcases. There's a hands-free opening system function too, which operates when you dangle your foot under the rear bumper
If the hatchback isn't practical enough for you, the Ford Focus Estate might be a better option...
If the hatchback isn't practical enough for you, the Ford Focus Estate might be a better option...
However, we don't think it looks quite as good as the hatchback, with the elongated body creating a bulbous silhouette 
However, we don't think it looks quite as good as the hatchback, with the elongated body creating a bulbous silhouette 
Inside, the cabin has been decluttered and simplified to create a more calming and higher quality atmosphere with soft-touch materials, polished glass, brushed finishes, and ‘sophisticated jewellery elements’ designed to catch the eye and delight the senses.
In recent months I've driven sports cars worth five times as much that haven't come close to feeling as engaging as Ford's do-it-all family favourite

There's also an eight-inch dashboard colour touchscreen with can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures.
The choice of engines encompasses a 1.0-litre EcoBoost motor delivering CO2 emissions from 108 grams per kilometre with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost managing 120g/km.
Ford’s advanced new turbocharged 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel promises emissions from 94g/km, with the 2.0-litre 150 horse-power EcoBlue engine managing 110g/km.
The UK is Ford’s biggest market in Europe and last year sold 70,000 Focus cars – a third of the 210,000 European total. This makes it the UK’s third-best-selling car after the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Golf - the latter of which it will hope to - and, on first impressions, should - overtake. 


UK defence firm BAE wins contract worth £20billion for Australian warship fleet in major boost for Brexit Britain

  • UK defence giant BAE systems beat off competition from other European makers to supply the 9 warships 
  • Australian defence sources said the 'hunter killer' warships are the most lethal of any of their type on offer
  • The construction programme is the biggest of its kind to take place in Australia since Second World War
  • Theresa May hailed the deal as an illustration of the capabilities of Brexit Britain outside the European Union
Defence giant BAE systems has landed a £20billion project to build nine warships for Australia in a major boost for Brexit Britain.
The firm beat off fierce competition to get the contract to construct the 'hunter killer' anti submarine ships.
The new fleet will become the backbone of Australia's defence and is the biggest naval construction project the country has undertaken since World War Two.
Theresa May hailed today's news saying it is the 'perfect illustration' of the deals Brexit Britain will be striking.
She said: 'The sheer scale and nature of this contract puts the UK at the very forefront of maritime design and engineering and demonstrates what can be achieved by UK industry and Government working hand-in-hand.
'We have always been clear that as we leave the EU we have an opportunity to build on our close relationships with allies like Australia. This deal is a perfect illustration that the Government is doing exactly that.
'And while this is an enormous boost for the UK economy, it will also cement our strategic partnership with one of our oldest and closest friends for decades to come.'
BAE Systems won the contract ahead of competing bids by Italian firm Fincantieri and Spain's Navantia
BAE Systems won the contract ahead of competing bids by Italian firm Fincantieri and Spain's Navantia
Defence giant BAE systems has landed a £20billion project to build nine warships (an artist's impression of one is pictured)  for Australia in a major boost for Brexit Britain.
Defence giant BAE systems has landed a £20billion project to build nine warships (an artist's impression of one is pictured)  for Australia in a major boost for Brexit Britain.
The 'hunter killer' warships will replace the ageing Anzac-class frigates (pictured) which have been in circulation since 1996
The 'hunter killer' warships will replace the ageing Anzac-class frigates (pictured) which have been in circulation since 1996
PM: The Tories back business and will continue to back business
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The deal will create thousands of jobs in Australia and is a major boost to the defence industry in the UK.
The Hunter Class frigates will replace the country's eight aging Anzac-class frigates that began service in 1996.
Construction on the ships will kick off in 2020 and the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2027, according to a report in The Australian newspaper.
A Defence source said the BAE-designed ships will be the most capable vessel of its kind, telling the newspaper: 'They kill submarines.'
Australia is understood to have gone with the British bid in part because the two countries already have a close security partnership. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: 'The UK and Australia already enjoy a strong trading relationship worth more than £13 billion a year. 
'Today's announcement is a further boost to this relationship which will create significant opportunities for companies in both countries to deepen their trading ties.
'As an international economic department, we are excited for the opportunities this will bring to both our nations including increased data and information sharing, high-end technology transfer, and collaboration at the cutting-edge of maritime expertise.'  
Defence Minister Guto Bebb said: 'BAE Systems' winning bid highlights the best of British shipbuilding design and our world-leading anti-submarine warfare technology. 
'Australian forces have stood should-to-shoulder with our military for generations and this deal will build on our strength as allies as our two great Navies operate this cutting-edge frigate around the globe.' 
The close allies are both part of the 'Five Eyes' security partnership - an intelligence sharing alliance between Britain, Australia, America, Canada and New Zealand.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: 'The frigates, to be designed by BAE Systems and built by ASC Shipbuilding, are central to our plan to secure our nation, our naval shipbuilding sovereignty and create Australian jobs.
The contract is a major boost for Brexit Britain and will be welcomed by Theresa May (pictured in Brussels for an EU summit today) who has insisted the UK will continue to be a leading global economy after it quits the Brussels bloc
The contract is a major boost for Brexit Britain and will be welcomed by Theresa May (pictured in Brussels for an EU summit today) who has insisted the UK will continue to be a leading global economy after it quits the Brussels bloc
'(It) will provide our nation with one of the most advanced anti-submarine warships in the world — a maritime combat capability that will underpin our security for decades to come.
'The Hunter class will provide the Australian Defence Force with the highest levels of lethality and deterrence our major surface combatants need in periods of global uncertainty. 
'The Hunter class will have the capability to conduct a variety of missions ­independently, or as part of a task group, with sufficient range and endurance to operate effectively throughout the region.
'The frigates will also have the flexibility to support non-warfare roles such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.'
The deal is expected to create 4,000 Australian jobs and deliver the most technologically advanced stealth-capable submarine killer in the world.
The frigates will be be crucial to Australia's defences at a time where China is escalating its military presence in the region's oceans.
BAE Systems won the contract ahead of competing bids by Italian firm Fincantieri and Spain's Navantia.
Defence chiefs in Australia are understood to have gone with the British firm because their ship was 'by far and away' the most lethal ship of the three. bids, the paper reported.