By: Jason Woosey
If you're keen on one of the latest Focus 1-litre EcoBoost models but the urban grind has got you hating clutches, your prayers have just been answered.
Ford has just added a self-shifting Powershift gearbox option to its entire Focus 1-litre EcoBoost range, meaning you can have it in hatch or sedan format and choose between Ambiente and Trend specification grades.
A 'POWERSHIFT' YOU SAY?
The Powershift is a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, and it adds R13 000 to the price of Ambiente models and R12 000 to Trend derivatives.
The award-winning 1-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol engine remains unchanged, delivering 92kW and 170Nm, and its efficiency is aided by an idle-stop system, active grille shutter and regenerative charging that recaptures braking energy to help power the car's ancillary systems to reduce the load on the engine.
WHAT FEATURES DOES IT HAVE?
As mentioned, you can have it in base Ambiente or higher-grade Trend form.
The entry grade comes with air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows and powered mirrors. It also packs a six-speaker audio system featuring a 4.2-inch screen, Sync, Bluetooth and voice control, while safety kit comprises front and side airbags, ABS and ESP stability control.
The Trend grade ups the game with cruise control, rear electric windows, curtain airbags and 16-inch alloy wheels. Trend five-door models are also available with a Styling Pack that adds a range of sportier styling items and dual-zone climate control and all Trend body styles can be ordered with a Driver Assistance Pack that gives you the full suite of lane assistance gadgets, city auto-braking, semi-autonomous parking and rear-view camera.
All models come with a four-year/80 000km service plan and four-year/120 000km warranty. Pricing is rather keen too, thanks largely to a European trade deal giving sub-1-litre cars duty-free status.
THE FOCUS RANGE
FOUR-DOOR SEDAN
1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente - R228 900
1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente auto - R241 900
1.0 EcoBoost Trend - R250 900
1.0 EcoBoost Trend auto - R262 900
1.5 EcoBoost Trend - R281 900
1.5 EcoBoost Trend auto - R299 900
FIVE-DOOR HATCH
1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente - R233 900
1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente auto - R246 900
1.0 EcoBoost Trend - R255 900
1.0 EcoBoost Trend auto - R267 900
1.5 EcoBoost Trend - R287 900
1.5 EcoBoost Trend auto - R304 900
2.0 EcoBoost ST1 - R403 900
2.0 EcoBoost ST3 - R443 900
RIVALS
Chevrolet Cruze sedan 1.4T auto (103kW/200Nm) - R291 888
Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Premium auto (96kW/157Nm) - R309 900
Kia Cerato sedan 1.6 EX auto (95kW/157Nm) - R291 995
Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic auto 4dr/5dr (77kW/144Nm) - R263 600
Nissan Sentra 1.6 Acenta auto (85kW/154Nm) - R266 700
Toyota Corolla 1.6 Prestige auto (90kW/154Nm) - R277 700
VW Golf 1.4 Comfortline auto (92kW/200Nm) - R332 250
VW Jetta 1.4 Comfortline auto (92kW/200Nm) - R322 500
IOL