2007 Ford Focus Reviews

So focused was Ford on selling the Falcon that it lost sight of the Focus after its initial launch in 2002. With minimal marketing the LR Focus failed to excite the market, so there was plenty riding on the new LS model that arrived in 2005.The lack of backing for the LR was a sign Ford was throwing everything at the locally produced Falcon at the expense of all else at a time the market was beginning to tune in to smaller cars.Those who failed to see the first Focus missed out on a good car, one that deserved more attention than it got.The new LS Focus delivered European driving dynamics in a sophisticated, but still value-for-money package.The LS Focus was a more rounded car than the LR that preceded it.While the LR was lauded for its sportiness, the LS won more plaudits for its sophisticated feel, roominess and improved interior.There were two body styles, a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, with two levels of trim, the CL and LX, available in each.In addition there was a sporty Zetec hatch and a luxury Ghia sedan.The LS was wider than the LR, its wheelbase was longer, and it was a little stiffer.Ford's designers moved away from the soft, rounded forms that were a feature of the LR and gave the LS a sharper, more chiseled look.The CL opened the door to the LS range. It was available as a sedan or hatch, it came with a 2.0-litre engine and there was the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.It also boasted plenty of standard goodies to please the small car buyer.Standard features included air conditioning, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power front windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, a trip computer, rear spoiler (hatch only), and there was an option pack that included 15-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, and cruise control.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, and seat belt pretensioners.Like the CL, the LX was available as a sedan or hatch, it had a 2.0-litre engine, and was available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features included air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking,  front fog lights, power steering, power mirrors and windows, a radio/CD player with four speakers, an immobiliser, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.The Ghia was only available as a sedan with a 2.0-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission.Befitting its position as the leader of the pack the Ghia had a host of standard features, including climate control air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, radio/CD player with four speakers and a six-disc stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, power steering, power windows and mirrors, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS braking and electronic brakeforce distribution.For those looking for a sportier ride Ford offered them the Zetec hatch with the 2.0-litre engine and the choice of five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.Standard features of the Zetec were climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, fog lamps, immobilizer, power windows and mirrors, power steering, leather trim, power drivers seat, and a trip computer.Giving it a sporty flavor were 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit, a rear spoiler, and sports suspension.Safety features consisted of airbags for the driver and front passenger, side front airbags, seat belt pretensioners, ABS anti-lock braking, and electronic brakeforce distribution.New to the range was the XR5 Turbo hot hatch with a turbocharged Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.It had a full complement of standard features, including air conditioning, radio/CD player with eight speakers and a six-stacker, remote central locking, front fog lights, leather steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, power driver's seat, and a trip computer.Sporty features were 18-inch alloy wheels, sports-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, and sports seats.Safety features included airbags for the driver and front passenger, head airbags, side front airbags, ABS braking, emergency brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, and traction control.The big news in 2007, when Ford updated the Focus, was the introduction of a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine option.Sadly, the TDCi was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox until a subsequent update in 2009 when it also became available with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.By then the Ghia was gone, but the range of sports models was expanded and now included the Zetec, the XR5 and the RS.The 2009 update also brought Bluetooth and the capability of connecting an iPhone or Android device, although it wasn't available in the base model CL.While Bluetooth technology was available there was no touchscreen, parking sensors, reversing camera, or a park assist system. Also absent were sat nav and a sunroof.The spare tyre was a temporary use space-saver.Fresh air fiends were covered with a coupe-cabriolet released in 2007.With a folding hardtop the CC offered the best of both worlds, open air with the roof folded and the security of a fixed-roof coupe with the roof up.The downside was the limited boot space with the roof folded.The Focus cabin had five seats in a conventional layout, with the hatch rear seat a split-fold deal to expand the capacity to carry luggage.Everyone had good head and legroom, and travelled in relative comfort.Some were critical of the comfort of the seats, which were typically firm in the European style.There were plenty of storage options spread around the cabin, and those in the front seats had the use of cupholders.Lap-sash seat belts facilitated the fitment of a baby car seat, but ISOFIX mounting points weren't fitted.The main engine was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-cam petrol unit that produced 107kW (143 horsepower) and 185Nm when working at its respective power and torque peaks.It was available with a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or a conventional four-speed automatic transmission.The performance choice was the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine Ford sourced from its (then) Volvo arm.It required the use of 95-octane premium unleaded to achieve its ultimate performance, which saw it put out 166kW (222 horsepower) and 320Nm.When at its best it was capable of completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.8sec.Ford met the demand for a diesel engine in 2007 with the launch of the TDCi, which was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel that boasted 100kW of maximum power and 320Nm of peak torque.Initially it was only available with a six-speed manual gearbox, but the option of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was added in 2009.The appeal of the Focus was its driving dynamics. Ford of Europe has long been renowned for building cars that steer and handle brilliantly and the Focus was no exception.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good.A combination of MacPherson Strut independent front suspension and 'Control Blade' independent rear suspension finely tuned by Ford's suspension experts meant anyone looking for a rewarding driving experience could do no worse than settle into a Focus.It might have been a conventional front-wheel drive, but it was a delight to drive.The agile and responsive handling didn't come at the cost of ride comfort; the ride was smooth and supple.Road noise was an issue, particularly in hatches.The Focus was well equipped with safety features for the time.All models in the range had airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side front airbags became standard in 2008.ABS braking was standard on the Ghia from 2005, and across the range from 2007.ANCAP rated the Focus four stars out of five.In recent years the Focus badge has become tainted by the problems that beset the 'Powershift' dual-clutch automatic transmission.The only model fitted with the dual-clutch auto in this generation of the Focus was the TDCi when the Powershift auto was released on the diesel engine in 2009.Anyone considering an automatic TDCi should think long and hard before buying one. History now tells us that the dual-clutch is trouble, and should be avoided.But the automatic transmission used across the rest of the range was a conventional automatic and that is trouble free.Aside from the trouble with the dual-clutch transmission in the TDCi the reliability of the Focus is generally good, but of course buying a used car demands careful inspection.The best buy is always the one with the fewest kilometres with a known history of ownership and service. Tick those boxes and you won't go far wrong with the Focus.Build quality was a concern with the Focus; it wasn't as good as those cars coming from Asia.With that in mind check all electrics in the car to make sure everything is working.Brakes tend to wear out quicker than some cars; it's a factor of the 'driving' nature of the car.A cam timing chain eliminated the need and extra cost of replacing a belt.Capped price servicing didn't apply to the Focus, but there's nothing that should make it an expensive car to maintain, and using an independent mechanic can contain service costs.Ford recommended servicing the Focus every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever came first.The warranty was for three-years/100,000 km, but that has long since expired.There was a recall for a batch of turbo-diesels built between 2007 and 2009 without an exhaust system heat shield.Another one was for some cars built between 2008 and 2009 with a potentially faulty brake booster.MORE: If anything crops up, you'll probably find it on our Ford Focus problems.Kim Odgers: I bought my CL hatch new in 2007 when it caught my eye at the dealer. All these years later I still have it and love it. I love driving it, and it has been very reliable.Kerry Hampton: We've had our CL for years and have had not trouble to speak of. It's good to drive, and easy to manoeuvre and park.Billy Ahrens: I've had my 2007 Zetec hatch for three years. It's a lovely car, easy to drive, parking is a breeze, it's comfortable, but the road noise is awful.Michael Firth: I owned a 2006 LX for two years, but sold it because the seats were uncomfortable, the road noise was high, and the build quality was awful.Toyota CorollaDurable and reliable as they come and holds its value well.3.5 stars.VW GolfA car you want to love, but more likely will loathe because of the troubles with the DSG gearbox.3 stars.Mazda3A favourite small car that ticks all the boxes.3.5 stars.A car you can enjoy driving, if you avoid the Powershift transmission.

You can save a motza on a late-model used car, because the first owner has already taken the biggest hit... usually 30-50 percent, in depreciation. Ideally, you want to be the second owner, and hang on to the car for a few years, to maximise the value you get from your motoring dollar. We've picked our top five used

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Ford Focus as a used buy.

Despite being a huge success in Europe the Ford Focus hasn't enjoyed the sales success it deserved in Australia. Ford Focus finally first reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch and continues to this day. It comes as no surprise that Ford Focus is truly European in the way it

Ford Focus finally reached Australia in September 2002, several years after its European launch. The local importer blamed the delay on the huge success of Focus overseas, but the slow start meant Australian buyers were slow to focus on Focus, so sales have never reached the very high levels they deserve. The Focus is truly European in the way it rides and handles and keen drivers forced into a family car due to circumstances just love them. Many buyers considering downsizing from a Ford Falcon have chosen Focus ahead of an Asian car for this very reason.Ride comfort is pretty good for a small-medium car with sporting handling. Focus can be a little harsh on really rough roads but is generally very good on motorways and fine around town.As a price trimming method less sound deadening is fitted to the lower cost models and these versions can suffer from a fair bit of tyre/road noise on Australian coarse-chip roads.Ford Focus is sold with three or five-door hatchback bodies and as a four-door sedan. From September 2007 until mid 2010 the Focus also arrived in a sporting coupe-cabriolet two-door body with a folding hardtop.It comes in several luxury levels: Focus CL, LX and Ghia – later renamed Focus Ambiente, Trend and Titanium, so there's plenty to chose from. On the sporty front there’s the Focus Zetec, SR, Sport and ST170.Note we used the term ‘sporty’ rather than ‘sports’ in describing the previous models, because there’s couple of other models that genuinely deserve the ‘sports’. They are the Focus 166 kW XR5, sold from 2006 till 2011 – and the full-house Focus RS imported from 2010.The Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine putting out 300 horsepower (224kW), and torque of 440Nm starting at only 2300rpm and providing a huge amount of grunt to make keen drivers smile every time they get a chance to open the throttles to the max.Engines in the standard Focus range are petrol or, from July 2007, turbo-diesel. Petrol units until the all-new Focus of 2011 come with capacities of 1.8 or 2.0 litres. The smaller unit is aimed at the fuel economy end of the scale and some may find it on the gutless side. If considering this powerplant may we suggest loading it with a few passengers and trying it on hilly roads. Some drivers will be satisfied, others may prefer to find a few dollars more and go for the larger engine.Turbo-diesel engines have 2.0-litre capacity and like all of their type come with plenty of grunt and low fuel use. They have  proven reasonably popular, but not to the extent of the diesels offered by many other Euro marques.Most Focus models prior to 2011 come with a five-speed manual gearbox. Some find the five-speed’s gearchange is slightly soft, others don’t mind it. Six-speed manual gearboxes are fitted to the Focus ST 170, the RS and diesel engines. From November 2011 the new Focus received a six-speed manual.Automatic transmissions have four forward ratios and aren’t offered in all models. This situation may seem strange to Australian drivers, but in Europe many prefer to drive manuals. The new model from May 2005 had manual overrides on the automatic, and in any case the auto seems to mate better with the engine from this time onwards.Ford has been building cars in Australia since 1925, so has built up a huge network of dealers. The company is represented strongly in country areas. Dealers in remoter areas may not have spare parts for the smaller models, such as the Focus, in stock, but can generally get them in within a couple of working days.With the exception of the red-hot Ford Focus RS insurance charges are usually moderate. While premiums aren’t to the low level of the locally built Falcon, they are often cheaper than other imported European cars in the same class.WHAT TO LOOK FORBuild quality of the Ford Focus is generally good (most older models come from Europe, from 2005 the majority were built in South Africa), though not up to Japanese quality standards. It’s wise to have a full professional inspection before agreeing to buy the car.Make sure the electrical systems are okay by turning everything off and on. Having the owner’s manual on hand is useful for this. Shuddering under braking could signal that new brake discs are required.The Focus ST170 and XR5 are often bought by the boy racers, then lowered and modified in many areas. A stock standard version is best. Check the alloy wheels on both models for signs of kerb damage.Look over the luggage area for signs of wear and tear. Scratches on the rear bumper will often indicate that lazy owners used the bumper as support when loading and unloading.A safety recall of pre 2010 turbo-diesel cars was instigated to check the fitment of the exhaust heat shield. Check with a Ford dealer or contact Ford Australia on 1800 503 672.CAR BUYING TIPTaking along a couple of other people to look at used cars can result in gleaning a lot more information in a short time about the cars’ condition.

Ford was so focused on getting the BA Falcon to market it pushed the first Focus into the background.

It wasn't so long ago Ford that ruled the small car roost with its Laser perched atop the sales charts ahead of popular cars like the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Pulsar and the Mazda 323.In more recent times the company has lost its way when it comes to small cars, preferring to focus on the larger Falcon and Territory. Along the way small Fords have dropped off the shopping lists of most small car buyers.  That's changed with the introduction of fresh new European-designed models like the Focus and Fiesta, but it's been a long, hard slog back.The first Ford Focus got lost in the frenzy of the BA Falcon launch, which was a do-or-die model that could easily have spelt the end of the local Ford operation had it failed.  It took a new Focus model to get any attention, but Ford gritted its teeth and did the sort of promotion necessary to kick-start showroom traffic.The new Focus launched in 2005 delivered European driving dynamics in a sophisticated, but still value-for-money package.MODEL WATCHThe LS Focus was a more rounded car than the first model Ford unveiled here in 2002.  That first model, the LR, was acclaimed for its sportiness, but the LS won more plaudits for its sophisticated feel, roominess and improved interior.There were two body versions, a five-door hatch and a four-door sedan, with two levels of trim, the CL and LX, in each. In addition there was a sporty Zetec hatch and a luxury Ghia sedan.Ford's designers moved away from the soft rounded forms that characterized the previous Focus, and gave the LS a sharper, more chiseled look.  The body was wider, the wheelbase longer, and overall the LS Focus was a little stiffer.One engine was offered across the LS range, it was a 2.0-litre that generated 107 kW at 6000 revs and 185 Nm at 4500 revs at its performance peaks.  A five-speed manual gearbox was standard on all models except the Ghia that had a four-speed auto, but the auto was optional on the other models.The CL range-starter had air-conditioning and dual front airbags, but not ABS anti-lock brakes, they came part of an extra-cost safety pack along with side airbags.For a more geared ride there was the LX that had cruise, alloys, ABS brakes and side airbags.  The sporty Zetec hatch had all of that, plus 17-inch alloys, a groovy body kit and sports suspension.  If you wanted a smoother ride there was the Ghia sedan, which boasted dual climate-controlled air, six-CD sound, and leather seats.IN THE SHOPOwners are generally happy with the reliability of their cars, which on average have now done around 75,000 km. There are no general faults that are showing up on a regular basis. They should be aware of brake wear, as they should on all European-designed cars.It’s worth paying close attention to the build quality of cars under consideration. While the Focus was designed in Europe, those coming to Australia were built in South Africa and the build quality was variable.Check paint quality, panel gaps and general fit and finish. Also check for a service record that shows regular maintenance has been carried out.  It’s worth noting that the LS Focus has a timing chain, not a belt, and doesn’t need any maintenance until you’ve racked up 240,000 km.ON THE ROADSlide behind the wheel of the LS and you are instantly aware of the extra cabin space, it's wider in the front and anyone sitting in the rear would notice the extra legroom.Look around you and you would have seen the new dash that was much better laid-out with controls placed more logically and within easier reach of the driver.  On the downside the plastics were rather hard and had an industrial feel.  The seats were also flat and could be unsupportive, particularly when driven hard.The 2.0-litre engine was responsive and the throttle was very light, and needed careful application to avoid unintentionally exceeding the speed limit in a moment of inattention.IN A CRASHA stiffer body on an agile, responsive chassis platform is a fine beginning for a safe package; add front and side airbags and it became even better.  Front and side airbags, and ABS braking, were all standard on all models except the CL. They were added to the CL in 2008.  ANCAP rated the Focus at four stars, five with side airbags.AT THE PUMPRoad testers at the time of launch were generally positive about the fuel-economy of the Focus, the average reported at 8.7-9.2 L/100 km.  A more recent drive of a Zetec hatch had the better return of 7.1 L/ 100 km in average driving around town.OWNERS SAYTim Bainbridge has done 45,000 km since buying his 2006 CL Focus and says it's a great car. His only beef is that the air-conditioning struggles on very hot days.Jayden Gebbie has racked up 105,000 km in his 2006 Focus, and apart from an oil burning issue in the first 10-15,000 km there have been no other faults. His criticisms are of the level of road noise, the flat and hard seats and the lack of a light in the rear of the cabin.Lee James is generally happy with his 2007 LX hatch, which was bought for its extra safety features. He likes the handling, the nippy performance around town, the interior roominess and boot space, fuel economy, cost of servicing and its value-for-money, but he's not so enamored with the paint quality, the hard plastics on the interior, and some areas where he believes Ford skimped on material, and the spacer-saver spare wheel. He's also unimpressed at having to replace the water pump at 30,000 km.LOOK FOR. Modern looks. Roomy cabin. Torquey engine. Comfy ride. good level of safetyTHE BOTTOM LINE. Safe, sound, solid package that rides, handles and goes well and has room for a small family.RATING80/100 

Remove the roof, feel the breeze in your hair and gear up for some open-road cruising, sunscreen and hat close by.And while other manufacturers have had their versions of the under-$50k convertibles for some time, it's now Ford's turn to come to the coupe-cabriolet party and it's better late than never.Ford's offering in this segment is in the form of a Focus Coupe-Cabriolet with an Italian twist.The stylish new addition to the Focus range is based on the Vignale concept car first shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. The production version was built in partnership with Pininfarina, the name that has been associated with many marques over the years, including Ferrari.And the car's origins are cemented even further in Italy, having been built in Turin.The new Focus wears its heritage with pride, with a Pininfarina badge adorning its side.At $45,490, the hard-top convertible comes with a competitive price tag, up against the Holden Astra and Volkswagen Eos. It's fitted with a 2.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine, which is quiet inside the cabin in both modes.A total of 107kW is delivered at 6000rpm, with 185Nm at 5400rpm, but 90per cent of peak torque is available from just over 2000rpm.Ford believes it will sell around 100 models a month, with 75per cent of sales being automatics, adding $2000 to the price.But out on the winding roads, the four-speed automatic gearbox felt sluggish. Apply some hard acceleration and you're left watching and waiting for the tacho needle to rise as it does so very slowly, anticipating the final delivery of power.While slipping into the sport sequential shift mode helped and allows the driver to control the gears, it still felt too slow.The five-speed manual that comes standard is the better way to go. When driving uphill and working your way up to speed, it still felt a little restrained, but once hitting faster cruising speeds, the Coupe-Cabriolet was fun to drive.It's not a sporty drive in terms of travelling fast and the way the performance is delivered, but that's not really the nature of this convertible.Rather, it's pleasant cruising and a classy car, one you can enjoy around town or on open roads. Throw it around corners and bends and you'll soon see its fun nature. It handled well as it stuck to the corners — with the roof up or down.By gaining the ability to drop its top, the Coupe-Cabriolet also packs on the kilos, weighing 140kg to 150kg more than the rest of the Focus range.Removing the roof requires the car to be stationary, and it's a simple press of the button on the centre console before the two-piece roof retracts in 29 seconds. Boot space is best in the class: 534 litres with the roof up, 248-litres when the roof is stored away.Once you remove the roof, the Focus still feels strong and steady on the road, the wind beingno hindrance at all. The dual-zone airconditioning also adapts with the roof off, and still manages to cool you down despite the outside heat.The Coupe-Cabriolet also comes with a good equipment list, including heated seats, six-disc CD system, rain-sensing wipers, leather interior and a glovebox cooling feature all standard. Metallic paint is no extra charge. Safety features are also impressive, with ABS and Dynamic Stability Control standard, as well as front and side airbags and a Roll-over Protection Device.Inside, it feels comfortable and even the back two seats offer adequate space. Nevertheless, it would still get a bit cramped for back passengers on long trips. The Focus drop-top is a stylish design and stands out from the rest of the Focus range, although it still does maintain its DNA.The flowing lines and unique rear tail lights particularly make it a more unique design.In terms of economy, the Focus' claimed consumption of 7.5litres per 100km for the manual and 8.3litres per 100km for the auto beats others in the segment.In real-world driving, we averaged around8.4 litres in the automatic version.The convertible rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, with 18-inch wheels an optional extra.A diesel model is available in Europe but Ford Australia has no plans to bring it here. Mainly the result of the different demand in transmissions, the diesel only comes with a manual.And while a petrol-powered turbo model, like that in the Eos, would give it that extra edge to push it into a more exciting and engaging drive, Ford says there are no plans to expand the range anytime in the near future.Ford believe its new convertible will be taken up by both males and females, the young and stylish and older empty-nesters looking for a treat after their children have left home. SNAPSHOT FORD FOCUS COUPE-CABRIOLETPRICE: $45,490 (manual) $47,490 (auto)ENGINE: 2.0L/4-cyl, 107kW/185NmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual, 4-speed autoECONOMY: 7.5L/100km (man), 8.3L/100km (auto) ALTERNATIVES Holden Astra Convertible $45,490Volkswagen Eos from $47,990Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet $44,490 

Ford's diesel-powered Focus is a sweet machine, feels solid and true with the goods and right price to be a considered rival to Holden's Astra and Volkswagen Golf diesels.The compact Ford is screwed together in a tidy, economical package, which should find favour with quite a few commuters. It has some European style with decent road dynamics and a certain amount of personality.Circumstances dictated this particular five-door Focus was only belted around the town, hardly saw fifth gear let alone sixth.Yet it impressed straight up with its tidy interior, ride quality and the willingness of that 100kW diesel engine. It impressed with its road manners and ability to slice through spaces in city traffic.Cabin ergonomics are good, controls and instruments all logical and legible with smart finishes.It has the European approach to dark and sensible colours for interior trim, the stereo quality is top class for a sub-$30,000 car and there's a useful trip computer.Little touches such as the fold-away key add to the Euro-design feel.Some may find those front seats a little narrow and the back seats, while having decent legroom, may not suit taller passengers.There is a not a lot of oddment space in the centre console but the rear cargo area is a good size with easy loading access.The four-cylinder Duratorq engine; the largest common-rail turbo diesel in the Ford passenger car range; starts with a little shudder and then settles into a comforting, sporting grumble. (Indeed the Focus engine noise is more akin to a warmed-over petrol engine than anything much else).It runs through the gears with a certain sweetness though best to keep engine revs north of 1800rpm to make best use of the power and torque, the first few hill starts may see a little clutch slip until the best clutch-revs balance is struck.This short run didn't see the hatchback fall much below 10 litres per 100 kilometres, that should be much improved with less stop-start, short-haul traffic; indeed Ford reckons it should get down to 5.6 litres per 100km and that sounds reasonable.The steering and front end are good but favour understeer in fast, tight turns.The other surprise was the suspension on city streets, over big bumps and little, It rode the city streets with the type of confidence normally reserved for more expensive machines.So this five-door Ford Focus has good road manners to go along with handsome style, excellent fuel economy and a reasonable price. Well worth a look if chasing a compact machine for general duties.

As usual, everyone is heading to Queensland to escape winter. One contingent last week didn't come in caravans or mobile homes, but with smart new cars.Ford could have chosen anywhere in Australia for the national launch of its updated Focus range, but naturally headed for the Gold Coast hinterland.It's an interesting car. Designed in Europe and built in South Africa, it's steadily increasing in popularity thanks no doubt to a good dose of style, practicality and first-rate dynamics.Things are about to get even better with a new series heading for showrooms, the first should trickle in this week, full stock by the end of the month; featuring a diesel version and a big price cut.Like all the best new-generation diesels, this one feels smooth and runs quietly. It also sips fuel: scooting around the Gold Coast hills, trotting around the back blocks and cruising the highways in several cars during last week's preview showed averages of 5.5-6 litres per 100km.The official rating is 5.6 litres for the diesel, compared with 7.1 litres per 100km for the petrol Focus, whose engine remains unchanged.At $27,990 ($4000 above the equivalent petrol model), the Focus TDCi will be the cheapest 2.0 litre diesel, taking on established models like the Holden Astra 1.9 CDTi ($29,990), VW Golf 2.0 TDi ($32,490), Peugeot 307 2.0 XSE HDi ($32,590), and Dodge Caliber 2.0 ST CRD ($28,990).The Ford diesel, a hatchback equipped like the Focus range's mid-rung LX model with alloy wheels and cruise control as standard. They will lose some buyers because it's unavailable with automatic transmission.To compensate, the manual gearbox is a six-speed unit (compared with five gears in the “normal” Focus models) to maximise both fuel economy and performance. It's precise and firm, easy to use.A good slice of its price advantage over Holden's Astra diesel is because stability control (which limits oversteer/understeer), traction control (which limits wheelspin) and curtain airbags, standard in the Holden, are optional in the Ford.But they're an affordable option: list price is $1300 for the potentially life-saving package, only $650 until September 30.The new TDCi is the attention-grabber of the revamped Focus range, but existing models have had a facelift (new bumpers, turn indicators, interior trim etc), upgraded equipment (anti-lock brakes and dual front airbags in the entry-level CL model, more airbags in dearer versions) and a significant price cut.Most versions have come down $1000, so the series starts at $19,990 for the CL manual. The top-line auto Ghia sedan has dropped $1500 to $29,490.To cover all bases, a Ghia hatchback and sporty-looking Zetec sedan have been added.Ford says the price cuts are thanks to the strong Aussie dollar, and savings by getting the Focus from South Africa.That may sound an unusual source for a European-designed small car, but the ones sampled last week looked and felt first-rate. No squeaks, rattles or blemishes.And putting a heavier diesel engine in the nose adds almost 100kg and seems to have done nothing to upset the Focus's sweet handling.There are strong hints of a diesel option on the way for Ford's strong-selling Territory wagon, but the Focus has won the race to be Ford Australia's first diesel car using an engine made by Volvo, part of the Ford group.