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2011 Ford Focus Manchester

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The 2011 Ford Focus is affordable, fuel efficient, and fun; it continues to be a serious competitor in the compact class. Ford's Focus compact car is sold as a sedan in base S, SE, SES and SEL trims.  Besides having the the Focus coupe discontinued for 2011, this new Ford model is a carryover from the previous year, with only minor changes. For 2011 the SEL trim is only available with the four-speed auto transmission and the interior now features an available SYNC system that allows the driver to synchronize mobile electronic devices such as mp3 players and cell phones. Focus keeps you in touch with your world with features such as SYNC, the available easy-to-use in-car connectivity system that allows you to operate most popular MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled phones with simple voice commands.  The shape of the 2011 Ford Focus is sleek in style and solid in design. You get the immediate sense that this sporty sedan is always eager and able to deliver some serious performance. And it is. The European-inspired suspension, tight and responsive, provides a firm grip of the road. On the inside, Focus continues to make good on its promise of driving enjoyment, with an upscale design and choice of quality materials.

2011 Ford Focus Power and Drive

The Focus is powered by a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 136 pounds-feet of torque. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are available. The Ford Focus has been known as a car that offers good handling since the 2000 model. For its price, the 2011 Focus is relatively smooth over bumps and gives drivers suitable road feel. The 2.0L Duratec 20 I-4 is engineered with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, delivering responsive performance. Power ratings are 140 horsepower and 136 lb./ft. of torque. And it can go a long way with its impressive highway fuel economy. There's also the Duratec 20E offered in states that adopt California emissions standards, qualifying Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). With both Duratec 2.0L versions, a 4-speed automatic is optional with S, SE and SES, standard with SEL. A 5-speed manual is standard with S, SE and SES.

Design of the New Ford Focus

The Focus features Ford's bar-style grille that also appears on the front of the Fusion and Edge. The grille is flanked by headlights that wrap around to the sides and follow the curve of the hood toward the windshield. The Focus sedan features a bright chrome grille, and the air intake below the bumper is divided into three rectangular sections, with space for black-bezeled fog lights at the extreme ends. The sedan's sides feature a chromed triangular applique at the back of each front fender that looks like tacked on ornamentation. This piece, which looks like an F on the driver's side, is the starting point for a pair of character lines that flow back. The bottom line leads to the rear wheel well, while the top line rises from front to rear and teams with a high tail to give the Focus the appearance of motion.

'11 Ford Focus Cabin

All Focus models seat five. A driver's message center with fuel economy readings is standard. The gauges and buttons have blue backlighting. Audio system readouts are consolidated in a dash-top display. Selectable ambient lighting for the cupholders and footwells is available, and the system has seven different hues with which you can customize the look of the interior. The front seats are comfortable, with plenty of head and leg room. Thanks to large mirrors and small rear pillars, the driver's seat affords a good view to all corners. With Sync the center stack has more controls that you'd expect to find in an economy car. Along the top are buttons for 10 radio station presets. When Sync and Sirius satellite radio are ordered, drivers can store up to 60 stations: 20 FM, 10 AM and 30 Sirius. The trunk is fairly large at 13.8 cubic feet. That's as big as or bigger than some midsize cars. The second row seats fold mostly flat to allow loading long, flat packages. The trunk lid uses struts, not large sickle-shaped hinges that can crush packages. Other available features such as Ambient Lighting and Premium Sound System let you set the interior to your mood. And, if you love surfing radio channels, you?ll find the optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio literally out of this world. There?s also a programmable feature you?ll really appreciate, which you can configure in a number of ways to help young drivers drive more safely. It?s called MyKey and it?s standard on every Ford Focus.

Lineup of the 2011 Focus

Focus S sedan comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with four speakers and auxiliary input jack, four-way adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, tilt steering wheel, a tire inflation kit, antitheft system and P195/60R15 all-season tires on steel wheels with hubcaps.

Focus SE adds power windows, locks and heated mirrors; remote keyless entry; Sirius Satellite Radio; and a rear stabilizer bar for more balanced handling.Sedans upgrade to 15-inch aluminum wheels while coupes roll on 205/50R16 tires on 16-inch alloy rims.

Focus SES comes standard with Sync and the Driver's Group, and add bright interior trim and fog lights.The sedan gets 16-inch aluminum wheels while the coupe comes with 215/45R17 tires on 17-inch wheels; 17-inch wheels are optional on the sedan.

Focus SEL sedan adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and chrome door handles.

Conclusions

Driving dynamics are enhanced, with a standard electronic stability system on all models. The standard MyKey system, which encourages safer driving for teens, allows parents to limit the vehicle's top speed, add a persistent seat-belt reminder, limit the volume on the stereo to 44 percent of its maximum volume, and have a speed chime activate at 45, 55 or 65 mph. The 2011 Focus gives you more conveniences and amenities than you?d expect. But to appreciate the full extent of its comfort, you?ll have to drive it. When you do, you?ll experience the smooth, quiet ride that?s the result of an all-out attack on noise, vibration and harshness by Ford engineers. The suspension and tires balance handling requirements with smoothness. Extra sound-deadening materials help silence the cabin. An acoustic windshield and aerodynamic design cut down on wind noise. Overall, the 2011 Ford Focus is a perfect choice for buyers looking for an affordable new car with fine handling, excellent safety technology, and desirable cabin features, such as Ford's SYNC system. For pricing information, details, and more, visit the official 2011 Ford Focus site. 

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com.