Ford returns to the convertible market
10/04/07 16:19 Filed in: Road tests
Just over a year ago I was driving a Ford Consul convertible down the road into St Andrews and it set me thinking about how long it had been since Ford had been in the market with a drop-top version of one of their mainstream models. If you discount the SportKa, you have to look back to the Ford Escort Cabriolet.
But, now, Ford are back and with the latest vogue in the cabriolet market - the coupé cabriolet.
The benefits of a folding steel roof are the greater security and better visibility from larger windows and less of a blind spot around the rear three quarters of a fabric roof. The downside, of course, is that the roof - along with all its motors and hydraulics - add a bit to the weight of the vehicle. Weight can translate into reduced fuel consumption and poorer performance.
The Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet really looks good. Whereas some Coupe Cabriolets look a bit fullsome about the rump as a result of having to have a boot big enough to swallow the roof, the Focus looks sleek and stylish. That's probably partly due to the influence of Pininfarina, who worked with Ford on the design
.
As usual with coupé cabriolets the boot is big when the roof is up, but somewhat less when the roof is down - plus there is the roof in the way when you want to load or unload items. The Focus claims a 'best in class' capacity roof up or down and there is reasonable space to get small items in or out, when the roof is stowed.
One up for practicality there. Not so practical though is the rear seat. With the driver's seat set fully back there no room between that seat back and the cushion of the rear seat. So, for goodness sake, choose a short driver if you want to sit in the back of the Ford Focus Coupé Cabriolet.
There's a choice of 1.6 or two-litre petrol engines and a two-litre diesel. Not so many years ago the idea of a diesel cabriolet would have provoked derision, but this is a sweet and wonderfully torquey diesel with only the faintest hint of clatter at tickover to remind you that the engine is indeed compression ignition.
Prices start at £16,795 for the 1.6-litre Ford Focus CC-1, rising to £18,795 for the range-topping CC-3. That means it is priced quite close to Vauxhall's Astra Twin-Top. To me it seems like a better car, coming very close to my favourite - the more expensive Volkswagen Eos.
But, now, Ford are back and with the latest vogue in the cabriolet market - the coupé cabriolet.
The benefits of a folding steel roof are the greater security and better visibility from larger windows and less of a blind spot around the rear three quarters of a fabric roof. The downside, of course, is that the roof - along with all its motors and hydraulics - add a bit to the weight of the vehicle. Weight can translate into reduced fuel consumption and poorer performance.
The Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet really looks good. Whereas some Coupe Cabriolets look a bit fullsome about the rump as a result of having to have a boot big enough to swallow the roof, the Focus looks sleek and stylish. That's probably partly due to the influence of Pininfarina, who worked with Ford on the design
.As usual with coupé cabriolets the boot is big when the roof is up, but somewhat less when the roof is down - plus there is the roof in the way when you want to load or unload items. The Focus claims a 'best in class' capacity roof up or down and there is reasonable space to get small items in or out, when the roof is stowed.
One up for practicality there. Not so practical though is the rear seat. With the driver's seat set fully back there no room between that seat back and the cushion of the rear seat. So, for goodness sake, choose a short driver if you want to sit in the back of the Ford Focus Coupé Cabriolet.
There's a choice of 1.6 or two-litre petrol engines and a two-litre diesel. Not so many years ago the idea of a diesel cabriolet would have provoked derision, but this is a sweet and wonderfully torquey diesel with only the faintest hint of clatter at tickover to remind you that the engine is indeed compression ignition.
Prices start at £16,795 for the 1.6-litre Ford Focus CC-1, rising to £18,795 for the range-topping CC-3. That means it is priced quite close to Vauxhall's Astra Twin-Top. To me it seems like a better car, coming very close to my favourite - the more expensive Volkswagen Eos.
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