The Malaysian car buyer is spoilt for choice with so many new models being launched ever year at attractive prices. But sometimes it seems that car buyers are leaning towards branding and prestige over actual value for money. This is where the new Ford Focus Sport+ sits.
Yes, the Ford badge might not seem all that prestigious against the German hot hatchbacks that have started to gain a lot of popularity with affluent young buyers, both male and female, however this Sport+ offers more in many areas over the basic German offerings that cost much more.
How Important Is Prestige
Ford is an American brand and a global brand. The Focus Sport+ competes head to head with the BMW 116i, Mercedes A160 and the VW Golf TSI when you look at the list of safety and entertainment features offered. Then its is a neck to neck race in the performance figures and lastly we have equal build and luxury appointments.
Driving Experience
With this Ford Focus Sport+, Ford has tried to balance the car’s traditional reputation for driving enjoyment with a little more comfort. Hence a series of suspension updates. The biggest change is the uprated dampers, but Ford have also fitted firmer bushings, reprogrammed the stability control to be more progressive and revised the electro-hydraulic steering. Focus customers also enjoy a quieter ride, achieved by thicker carpets, thicker side window glass, and improved engine bay insulation.
As for the performance of this 1.5T EcoBoost model, well in the 180bhp guise we tried, it is certainly an eager engine with the 0-100km/h run being done with ease in a class equal 8.6 seconds while rushing ahead to a 220km/h top speed.
Available in six exciting colours: Frozen White, Panther Black, Ingot Silver, Candy Red, Magnetic and Winning Blue this hot hatch will give drive fun like the competitors mentioned above with excess cash in your pocket to enjoy more out of life.
Ford Focus 1.5L EcoBoost Specifications
Engine: Turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
Capacity: 1498cc
Transmission: 6-speed semi-auto
Power: 180hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1,600rpm-5,000rpm
Top speed: 220km/h
0-100km/h: 8.6 seconds
Selling Price: RM139,888
