HOW long does it take to change gears? Not long if you find yourself behind the wheel of the latest Ford Focus diesel.
In just a blink of an eye, the TDCi Focus, fitted with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, has left one of its six ratios behind and gone on to the next.
- IN A WORD
- Make: Ford
- Model: Focus TDCi auto
- Price: $30,390
- Road test: JOHN PARRY
Ford calls the gearbox Powershift. It is similar to the dual-clutch designs instigated a few years ago by Audi-Volkswagen.
Technically speaking, the transmission is a manual that behaves like an automatic. It has two clutch plates that overlap, allowing it to hold two gears in mesh at the same time. As one clutch disengages the other engages, resulting in lightening fast changes.
Powershift adds a low-speed creep feature, which simulates a conventional auto when stationary and helps iron out some of the quirky pauses and jerks evident in earlier designs.
Stand on the throttle from rest and it surges forward with strong elastic thrust, yet the tachometer rarely raises a sweat.
Mid-range response is equally explosive and right where it is most needed. It cruises at about 1850rpm at 100km/h, close to the engine's peak pulling power.
The transmission does such a smooth job of selecting the right ratios at the right time that the sequential mode is almost superfluous.
Output from the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine remains at 100kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm at 2000rpm, or 340Nm on over-boost periods.
Fuel use is a frugal 5.9 litres/100km on the combined cycle, just 0.3 litres more than the six-speed manual, introduced two years ago.
Styling changes are subtle and the same as other models in the LV Focus range.
They include sharper headlights, larger mirrors, new colours and changes to the grille, bumpers and badges.
Curtain airbags and stability control are now standard and the centre dash console has been re-styled with USB and Bluetooth connections added to the equipment list, which includes alloy wheels, cruise control, fog lights and single CD audio with MP3 jack.
Externally the styling remains smart and sporty, however, the interior is starting to look dated, especially compared to the rival Mazda3 diesel, although the Mazda is manual-only at $29,715.
Seats are supportive and well-padded with plenty of adjustment for the driver.
On the road, the TDCi feels taut and solid and is rewarding to drive with accurate steering, a firm composed ride and secure and confident handling.
The TDCi auto costs $30,290, or $2000 more than the manual version and $4000 more than a similarly equipped LX petrol hatch.
A key rival is the Holden Cruze diesel auto ($26,990 for the CD and $29,990 for the CDX), although the Focus wins on chassis dynamics.
A true multi-national, the Focus is designed in Germany, built in South Africa and uses a diesel engine shipped in from Volvo in Europe.
