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By
JOHN CRAWFORD
25 November 2007
Ford’s pitch to coupe-convertible buyers this month is just
the same as every other car maker which has an entry in this new
segment.
All the manufacturers reckon their version will appeal to young
folk without kids, looking for style and cachet; or at the other
end of the age spectrum to older folks whose kids are off their
hands and who think it's time they let their hair down (or at
least blow in the wind).
Ford's USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is, it says, price,
equipment, value and looks. At first glance it seems to have a
winner, on paper. At $45,490 the car beats all its opposition. The
Focus CC is well-equipped, with heated leather seats; Sony audio
system; lots of safety gear, including ABS/EBD/EBA and Rollover
Protection (RPD). All this kit adds up to good value for money,
but the Focus' real appeal has got to be looks.
All of the available CCs deliver on the fundamental promise. A
cozy coupe, or wind in the face. They all have complicated,
hi-tech folding mechanisms, and quite sparse luggage space. But
it's how you style the car which we believe is a winning move for
Ford.
Ford's CC is a harmonious blend of Focus hatchback styling,
with some unique design cues which makes it clearly the style
leader among the CCs on sale in Australia.
It's a very sophisticated blend of German engineering, styled
in Ford's European studio plus lots of input from Italian
carrozzeria, Pininfarina.
The Italian company not only provided the folding roof
mechanism, but also builds the Focus CC in its manufacturing
facilities near Turin in northern Italy.
This blend of Euro influences means this car is a head-turner
with great curb appeal.
So, if the concept's great, and it looks good on paper, how's
it drive?
In a word, it's s-m-o-o-t-h. The power (107kW) is adequate for
the task, and the torque (198Nm) curve is flat, which means you
get good flexibility in a variety of driving conditions.
The 2.0-litre Duratec engine is shared with the regular Focus,
and you have the option of a five-speed manual or a four-speed
automatic. No hi-tech six-speeders are on offer and no diesel
option, because Ford says 75 per cent will be ordered with auto,
and it doesn't have an auto transmission it can hook up to an
oil-burner.
Having said all this, one of the real benefits in this new
convertible is its excellent (in fact class-leading) fuel economy.
The manual delivers 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, and the auto
delivers 8.3 L/100km.
On the road the Focus CC is no neck-snapper in acceleration. As
we said, the power is adequate, but it's quiet and smooth. Given
that most Focus CCs will spend their time cruising the ‘burbs
and beaches, the car performs quite well and is a great balance of
performance and fuel economy. At a practical level we think that's
more important than trying to pretend that this car should be a
rorty sports car.
Ford's keen pricing has been a masterstroke which is sure to
give this car a leg-up.
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Marque Publishing Company
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