Ford Focus Sportbreak. Beyond appearance
Although we all consider it important to choose the body color of our new car, there are other details that we now value more in terms of driving, comfort and safety.
The last generation of the Focus has already more than two years and, however, is fully up to date, as its launch was made with many improvements, especially in the technological part and engines, as well as driving aspects, in addition to the logical changes in image details, body and interior environment.
Actually, it is a family that is based on a saloon with five doors and the family variant, longer, called Sportbreak, on which we will stop this time.
Image changes in the Ford Focus Sportbreak
The changes of image are appreciated in particular by a wider front and, above all, lower, which leaves the headlights in a position of lower height. Another detail is the reversal of the grill, with its trapeze shape. In the cockpit dominates the new design of the console, which is especially appreciated the improvements in multimedia technology, which has already become a factor almost luxury. To better distinguish its functionality has a new distribution of the controls, clearly simplified and more intuitive to facilitate the driver's handling.
In this aspect it is important to highlight the Sync2 voice command recognition system, which allows access to many functions without having to let go of the steering wheel, such as searching for a destination in the navigator or varying the temperature of the air conditioning, among other things.
With the highest endings, Sport and Titanium, you can request the practical Winter package that, with a price of 450 euros, has a thermal windshield -of great efficiency and quick action-, heated front seats and steering wheel. The seats have three temperature levels and can be noticed very quickly on the sidewalk and the lower half of the backrest.
Longer and more space
The Sportbreak version is longer than the saloon, with 4.56 meters in length, which allows this model to have a greater capacity in the trunk, which goes from 363 liters of the saloon to 490 liters, enough to travel with more slack for the luggage, with all the seats occupied. Because, of course, it is possible to fold the rear seats and expand the load capacity to 1,516 liters. And this is the most significant difference of this car, because the interior habitability is practically the same as in the saloon, as well as the rest of qualities.
It is necessary to review the chapter of the electronic systems of aid to the conduction, between which stands out the aid of reversing parking in line and battery, denominated "Perpendicular Parking", with which the driver only must use the accelerator and brake pedals and leave the wheel. The "Cross Traffic Alert" system warns the driver when reversing a parking lot in a battery if other vehicles arrive on the right or left.
New EcoBoost engine
As for the mechanics, the new Focus came with important improvements, such as the new EcoBoost engine of 1.5 liter four-cylinder gasoline and two power levels, with 150 and 182 horses. In addition to the 1.6 TI-VCT engine and 1.0 EcoBoost, both of 125 horses. As for the diesel cycle, the novelty is the incorporation of the 1.5 TDCi with 95 and 120 horses and the 2.0 TDCi of 150 horses, all with the current homologation in terms of emissions.
As standard, all engines have a six-speed manual transmission, and optional dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission, with the possibility of carrying paddles on the steering wheel. Both options are highly recommended, available with the 1.6 and 1.0 petrol engine of 125 hp and the 150 hp TDCi diesel.
One of the things that I liked most of this model was the robustness of its platform and its good suspension. Well, in the new generation Ford has improved the suspension, so that the car has better riding qualities and comfort. Now it is even more precise in the trajectory of the curves, which facilitates your driving and gains in precision. Improvements in management also contribute to this. And, as far as the comfort of walking is concerned, the increase in insulating materials is appreciated.
DATA SHEET
Engines: petrol and diesel from 95 to 250 HP
Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission and automatic double clutch optional.
Suspension: Front McPherson and rear of deformable parallelogram.
Brakes: Of discs, the ventilated forwards.
Address: Zipper and electric assistance.
Length / width / height: 4.56 / 1.82 / 1.51 meters.
Capacities: trunk 490 / 1.516 liters. Deposit, 55 liters.
Prices: From € 19,225 to € 31,950.
Francisco Del Brio
