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2012 Ford Forcus CT

All 2012 Focus models use an all-new 2.0-liter engine with direct injection and twin variable valve timing. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, 6-speed automatic optional, with SelectShift manual mode an option to the optional transmission. The engine makes 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, an increase over last year's engine. It's plenty powerful, and the ride is extremely it's extremely smooth.  There's excellent legroom in the front, and a lot of effort went into making the cabin silent, with sound insulation. Powertrain noise has also been reduced, by attentive engineering of the new engine, transmission, and chassis.  MyFord Touch powered by SYNC is the connectivity system that Ford is touting with its new cars. The system uses twin high-resolution screens, including an 8-inch touch screen in the center console, to communicate with your car, and the gauges that are in front of the driver's eyes are easy to read: big tach and speedo with cool blue needles, fuel and engine temp between them, and easy-to-read digital info above the fuel and temp. The soft materials are clearly high quality.

2012 Focus Driving Impressions

The 2012 Ford Focus feels like a European car in the way it's been tuned to provide both sharp handling and a refined ride.  It is a fun car to drive, especially if it's the Titanium trim level with the Titanium Handling package.  The Titanium Handling package includes 18" alloy wheels, sport tuned suspension, low-profile summer performace tires and a full size spar tire.  An innovative piece of technology that Ford included in the Focus is Active Park Assist, which will parallel park the Focus for you, while you just sit there.  The ar parks itself using ultrasound.

Interior of the'12 Focus

LED ambient lighting in a choice of seven colors to suit his or her mood, controls that feel like they wrap around to the elbows on the centerstack, displays to set and adjust with dials and buttons, readouts to read and scroll through, maps to follow, touch-screens to touch, voices to talk to, giving commands and following directions. All right there at your fingertips and the ends of your over-reaching brain tentacles. Like Facebook, Focus offers you a choice of moods!  The 2012 Focus even has WiFi connectivity for when you're parked, and there is an optional EcoMode system that uses a flower graphic on the instrument panel that tells you how to drive more efficiently.

Model Lineup

The 2012 Ford Focus comes in sedan and Hatchback versions except the S model which only comes in a Sedan, and there are four models of the Focus.  The four models are the Ford Focus S, SE, SEL and Ford Focus Titanium. 

Focus S Sedan is well equipped with cloth upholstery, climate control with air filtration, power door locks and front windows, full center console, 110-watt 4-speaker AM/FM/CD3/MP3 sound system, fold-flat rear seat, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, 15-inch steel wheels, halogen headlamps, and black grille, mirrors and door handles. No cruise control or USB port or Bluetooth, rear windows are rollup and rear brakes are drum.

Focus SE Sedan and Hatchback add body-color mirrors and door handles, floormats, foglamps, auto headlamps, illuminated entry, compass and temp display, steering-wheel audio controls, power rear windows, and 16-inch steel wheels. Still no cruise control, USB port or Bluetooth, and rear drums. With the Hatchback you also get a 60/40 rear seat, rear wiper and liftgate spoiler. An optional Sport package features firmer suspension tuning and SelectShift.

Focus SEL Sedan and Hatchback upgrade over SE with dual-zone climate control, a six-speaker sound system, 12-volt power for rear seat, piano black grille, chrome beltline trim, ambient lighting, overhead console, metallic interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 60/40 rear seats, 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, MyFord Touch handsfree driver connect, SYNC elements with USB port, cruise control and rear disc brakes. The 6-speed automatic transmission includes SelectShift manual operation.

Focus Titanium Sedan and Hatchback come loaded with a 10-speaker Sony sound system with HD Sirius radio, pushbutton start, 8-inch touch screen, 4-inch info display screen, sport cloth seats, sport-tuned suspension, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. There's a Hatchback with Premium package that upgrades to leather upholstery with six-way power driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers, backup system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rear armrest with storage. Options include leather seats, power moonroof, voice-activated navigation, parking technology, and special interior trim.

Safety equipment in all Focus models includes six airbags with the latest technology, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, and tire pressure monitor.

Conclusions

The all-new 2012 Ford Focus looks, feels, and smells like the future. The engine is super smooth, and the fabric seats are super and the wraparound cockpit is cozy.  It's the technology leader in the compact car class.  This engineers at Ford improved the Focus all around for 2012 while maximizing its fuel economy.  If you would like a car that is economical and looks great, then do not forget to shop for the 2012 Ford Focus.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com