This 2L Ford hot hatchback was launched in Malaysia with a lot of fanfare as it was the first middle segment diesel powered car for sale. At the time only BMW sold diesel cars and they were expensive, almost double the price of this Focus. Launched by Auto Connexion, this Focus however did not make a huge impact as Malaysian diesel quality was only at Euro1 and only a year after the Focus arrived Euro2M was made available which was still way behind what the Focus diesel required to run efficiently.
Now when the used car values are low and with high quality Euro 5 diesel available in many fuel stations it might be time to look at a used Focus diesel.
Sit in the Focus and you get the impression that Ford has not cut corners with this car. This Focus’s interior took a confident step up the quality ladder from the previous models, with a wonderfully tactile and distinctively designed dashboard. The instruments are simple and clear and the switchgear is chunky and quite tactile, certainly on a par with the other basic European cars. Despite the sloping rear hatch, there is ample space in the rear of the hatchback 5-door Focus, with notably generous legroom and the boot is large and deep.
The diesel engine is a 2-litre 134bhp TDCi and it provides for quick response from standstill (0-100km/h in 9.3seconds) and impressive midrange torque of 320Nm (340Nm in overboost) that challenges the diesel powered BMW 3 Series. Normal peak torque is more or less identical between the cars, but the Focus has an overboost facility built in where turbo boost is momentarily increased when the driver has put the accelerator pedal all the way to the carpet, to assist with overtaking for instance. In the real world there is nothing to choose between these cars in performance. In economy terms, the Focus wins and you can achieve an average of 45mpg with this 1408kg hatchback. The clatter from diesel engine at idle is supressed. Noise management is getting better and better with Ford, and it is normally only really audible at cold ignition. If you do like the styling of this Focus then it could well be the used buy choice for you.
Today in the used car classifieds the Focus diesel sells from RM40k to RM46k (a 2010 BMW 320 Diesel will sell for RM85-95k). There is also a sedan available but all seem to be from dealers who are making bold claims of excellent condition….best to get a mechanic to check the diesel injectors as previous diesel in Malaysia was not the best….now of course imported quality Euro5 diesel is at 50 BHPetrol stations which are located from Johor Bahru to Ipoh and this will ensure you Focus diesel will return good economy and impressive power delivery on all your drives.
