Focus the Broadband
Reliable broadband in cars is something that is being taken far more seriously. One of my favourite cars the Ford Focus is due to have its own wireless broadband hotspot installed from 2012. This means that from early next year the Focus will join the ranks of Audi and a few others in ensuring their customers have access to the internet wherever they are. Smaller providers like abroadband who specialise in roaming services are watching with interest to see how successful this in car facility is and more importantly, how much it will cost.
The latest Ofcom ruling as reported by the BBC is going to force BT (often the only operator in many small exchanges) to lower its prices. This is good news for Ford and other service providers and possibly a contributing factor to Ford and other car companies offering their drivers broadband on the move. But what of the new Focus itself?
As well as the broadband offer, the interior of the vehicle boasts the same reliable features as well as some nice upgrades. New electronic power assisted steering Ford says will make your drive even more comfortable. Add to this the Torque Vectoring Control and it sounds like you’ll be driving the latest technological marvel from the army rather then an everyday road vehicle. Sport tuned suspension, variable cam timing and a new six speed ‘power shift’ automatic transmission make the new Focus an interesting proposition for next year. So how does it actually handle?
The 2.0 litre direct injected four cylinder engine puts out a respectable 160 hp at 6,500rpm. Not bad for a sedan. The power shifting does what it says on the tin; both smooth and feeling at the same time you forget that you’re not driving a traditional automatic. The only issue I have is with the new power assisted steering. It felt a little numb and made me feel nervous as I never thought I was always in control of the car. That said the chassis is rigid without feeling too heavy so I can forgive the questionable quality of the power steering. Boasting 37 miles to the gallon on motorways the car actually averages out at 31 miles to the gallon in mixed road conditions. However as the tank only holds 12.4 gallons compared to most of the Focus’ rivals (which usually go up to 15 gallons), you will be filling up more often then you would ordinarily want to.
Overall though the new Focus is a solid and decent car. It is probably due to retail in-between £15 - £20k in the UK it also comes in at a mid range price for the type of car it is. As always it remains the middle child of younger sportier cars (like the Mazda3) and older classier vehicles (like the Cruze), but the Focus has never tried to be anything more then a reliable road vehicle. In this, the 2012 model has succeeded and Ford can once again be proud of the car that could.
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