Added: Mar 12, 2010
From: 09FordfocusRS
Duration: 0:35
With the upgrading of diesel fuel quality to the Euro2M level last year, some car companies have been giving more attention to the possibility of offering diesel variants of their popular models. The only problem has been that it takes time to get the cars since the orders have to be queued into the factory production schedule. Most would have planned for 2010 and placed their orders, and one of them was Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, which handles the Ford brand. By early this year, the factory began producing their Focus TDCi and shipments were underway. However, prior to launch, there was still the matter of getting JPJ approval (a procedure which is necessary for vehicles to be allowed for registration and use on Malaysian roads) and this was done last month. So today sees the new Focus TDCi in Ford showrooms and its the first diesel passenger car in its segment. Actually, back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were some small diesel cars on sale too (Daihatsu Malaysia even tried selling a 1-litre Charade Diesel!) but interest was minimal as petrol prices were much lower and diesel performance was not particularly impressive. Its different today with the modern common rail diesel engines like the one in the Focus TDCi. Efficiency and performance are much, much better and in some respects, todays turbodiesels offer a more pleasurable drive, especially with their huge amounts of torque. The Focus TDCi has the latest 2-litre DuraTorq turbodiesel which produces 134 bhp but more importantly, its torque is rated at 320 Nm and it peaks early in the rev range at 2000 rpm. This gives it strong in-gear acceleration at low speeds, making overtaking much quicker. The engine also has 'transient overtorque technology whereby another 20 Nm of torque can be generated for up to 8 seconds. Transient overtorque technology uses sophisticated matching between the turbo boost, injection quantity and timing to push up the torque curve in the low rev range. Mated to the engine is a PowerShift automatic transmission with dual-clutch technology. There are a few companies which make this innovative 6-speed transmission (also known as 'DSG in VWs) and Ford sources it from its Getrag-Ford joint-venture company. Compared to a conventional automatic transmission, the Powershift transmission is more efficient as it does not use a torque converter; shifts are quicker and sportier. Incidentally, the driver can shift manually too but only in a sequential manner and can select Sports mode for more spirited performance. With the PowerShift, Ford claims that the Focus TDCi can travel up to 17 kms per litre of diesel fuel (so the 53-litre tank should be good for over 900 kms) while offering brisk acceleration of 9.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Top speed should be in the region of 200 km/h which is about as much as anyone would need. The chassis is the same as the other members of the Focus family but the suspension settings are believed to be tuned for sportiness. ESP (vehicle stability) and Traction Control are standard for the Focus TDCi along with ABS and the other safety devices. The interior of the Focus TDCi which is available only in the 5-door hatchback bodystyle is pretty much the same as the petrol-version but with a sportier theme and leather upholstery is standard (petrol version has fabric). The tachometer is different though, since the diesel engine doesnt rev high so the redzone starts from 4500 rpm (but the speedometer reads up to 240 km/h). Priced at RM128,888, the Focus TDCi is the most expensive Focus version in Malaysia but the pricing itself is not too bad (the next choice is the BMW EfficientDynamics 320d which costs around double the price). The thing about the Focus is that it has always been under-rated and as with the Escape, people who own one are usually very satisfied and wonder why more people dont buy it.
Channel: Autos
Tags: ford focus tdci Social Networking
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