The new restyled Ford Focus gains cosmetic re-powdering and an up-to-date infotainment system, but above all it receives a 48V micro-hybrid version running on bioethanol which makes it a particularly attractive choice in these times of expensive gasoline.
Car tested: Ford Focus Flexifuel Hybrid Powershift ST-Line X
|
From€32,500
no bonus |
A full tank of gas for 40 €, that brings back distant memories… However, this is what is on offer today the new Ford Focus Flexifuel, provided you refuel at one of the 2,800 French stations that offer E85 bioethanol at the pump. Remember here that E10 or SP 95 fuels are also accepted by the car, whose computer will adapt the engine management accordingly.
Born in 2018, the current Ford Focus is offered, on the occasion of its mid-career restyling, in this 125 hp 1.0 version which combines 48 V micro-hybridization, E85 compatibility and even Powershift robotic gearbox, as in our test car. Enough to attract bargain lovers who want neither diesel (they have disappeared from the manufacturer’s VP catalog) nor gasoline (too expensive to use), nor full hybrid (it is reserved for the Ford Kuga), nor more restrictive electric in use.
The Focus receives on the occasion of this restyling a slightly remodeled front end, with a grille raised by 3 cm now including the brand logo, new shields and redesigned LED lights at the front and rear. We will notice its evolution more easily by slipping inside the cabin, where a giant 13” tablet takes place on the dashboard (8” previously), taking up the Sync connected infotainment system 4 of the Mach-E electric SUV.
Price Ford Focus Flexifuel 2022
The call price of the Ford Focus Flexifuel is located just under €30,000 with its Titanium X Business version in the manual gearbox version. For our ST-Line X trial version with its sportier presentation, mated to the automated gearbox, it costs €32,500, i.e. €1,200 less than the 155 hp Powershift petrol engine in the same version, more powerful but without access to vegetable fuel. Equipment in ST-Line X is complete (see all the equipment on the following page) with the notable exception of the adaptive cruise control, offered in a driving aids pack including blind spot monitoring and intelligent high beams, for the sum of 800 € .
In addition to the price of E85 fuel, more than twice lower than that of SP95, this Focus Flexifuel also benefits from free registration in most regions (Read Ethanol file note, to find out all about E85). With 125 g/km of CO2, it does not even need to count on the 40% reduction for the calculation of a possible penalty, it escapes it by nature in essence. Finally, for professionals, remember that VAT is recoverable at 80% on this fuel.
Driving
The advantage of a light restyling is that it has the merit of preserving the qualities of the original model, without distorting them. So we meet with pleasure the excellent road behavior known for the Focus with its rigorous chassis, even playful if provoked, especially in this ST-Line X version with sports suspension. The other side of the coin, we would have liked more forgiving comfort when the coating deteriorates, despite a reasonable pneumatic mount in 17 inches.
The 125 hp 3-cylinder engine is smooth and pleasant, silent, vibration-free but a little rough during strong pick-ups. This is where the micro-hybridization under 48 volts comes into play, as indicated by the gauge on the digital dashboard which also shows the many phases of energy recovery when lifting the foot. Three driving modes are on the program, offering increasing sensitivity of the accelerator pedal and more responsive handling of the fast 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as you change modes between Eco, Normal and Sport . The performances are never mind-blowing (11.1 s from 0 to 100 km/h) but they are enough to ensure a flowing ride appreciated by the passengers, even by increasing the pace.
In town, the Focus is very gentle provided you do not use the brake locking function when stationary (Auto Hold) preventing the car from moving forward if you release the brake at a red light, which here involves a unpleasant knock on start-up. more embarrassing, urban consumption is particularly high, even taking into account the additional 23% usually calculated for operation with the E85 that fills our tank. In the dense urban traffic conditions that we encountered, it was impossible to go below 10 l/100 km…
A confirmation of the difference between a limited micro-hybridization, which does not allow evolution on the electric motor alone, and particularly efficient hybrid engines in town precisely, such as the Kuga Hybrid Flexifuel which we had measured at just over 6 l/100 km under these conditions. On the other hand, the picture is much more positive on the road in quiet driving (7.7 l / 100 km) and even on the expressway at 110 km / h (6.5 l / 100 km), where the 52 l tank will ensure a very generous autonomy. Finally, note the effectiveness of the adaptive cruise control system with function stop & go in the caps.
On board
competition
A compact sedan compatible with E85 fuel in a manufacturer’s catalog, this is simply a unique case on the market! To oppose it to its competitors, it is therefore necessary to divide them into several categories. First, the plethora of classic gasoline compacts that could be adapted to run on this fuel by installing a dedicated engine management unit. It will be necessary to add approximately 1,000 € to their base price, which does not necessarily imply to exceed the rather greedy prices of the Ford, certainly very well equipped. But none will offer the peace of mind of a specific preparation made in the factory.
We can also look at hybrids, whose urban consumption will be much more interesting. However, they are very rare in this segment where the Toyota Corolla (from €29,300) and the Hyundai Ionic Hybrid (from €28,450) stand out. Finally, some customers may hesitate with electric models if their use is compatible, but the price is higher and the perfect versatility of a thermal vehicle must be left aside.
Find the results of the test and the prices, equipment and technical data sheet of the Focus Flexifuel Hybrid E85 on the following page.