The outgoing Focus currently has a 1.6-liter engine, with the same power output as the 2012 model. The new one, though, is powered by a 1.0-liter engine, which sounds silly for a car as mainstream as the Focus. Keep in mind though, it is able to produce 100 or 123 horsepower, and has outstanding fuel consumption: 58.8mpg.
The 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder Ecoboost engine is so compact that it can actually fit on an A4 paper sheet, and it only weighs 97 kg (30 kg less than the model it is replacing). The whole car only weighs 1240 kg.
The power output of this tiny engine is either 99 horsepower or 123 horsepower (both get maximum torque of 125 lb-ft). This power gets the car to 60 in 11.1 seconds, and enables the car to reach 120 mph.
As with the engines, the transmission also comes in two versions: a five speed manual for the 99 horsepower $25,500 model, and a six-speed manual for the 123 horsepower $28,000 Focus. That is only $340 more than the 2009 Focus, and it will also be cheaper to run.
This car is already available for purchase in the U.K. Combining small fuel consumption, relatively acceptable performance and tolerable price, the 2012 Focus is surely worth considering. Even though the 1.0-liter might be a dealbreaker for you, try to put that fact aside and focus (no pun intended) more on the rest of this vehicle.
