What's better than driving the two-liter Focus on dry, sticky roads? Driving one in a wet empty car park of course! This is the Focus to get.

"Oh God, please let it be me… please! If I get to test it then I'd promise to be a better person". That was my first reaction when the boss told me that Ford has given the O.K for Hypertune's test drive of the Ford Focus 2.0S. A bit dramatic; yes, but for good reason. I mean apart from the usual theatrics I tend to display.

After test driving the 1.8 liter sedan variant which was featured a few issues ago, I had what I'd call a macho, chest-thumping, grunting male version of a school girl crush. There was little to fault for that car. Except for a little problem I had with the somewhat 'little steps' it had during acceleration. But a confession first.

The one gripe (if I can call it that) with this job I have is a matter of perspective and expectation. I mean, after driving cars with say, 500+ horses on wheel or a 'tamer' half that amount but still quick off the block can somewhat blur the perception of a respectable power delivery, especially for a stock manufacturer car. In hindsight, perhaps I was a bit harsh on saying that the sedan is sluggish. In real world expectations (read for the majority type of drivers), the Focus 1.8 liter is good enough. With that in mind, I realized two things. The first is, I from now on will keep in mind of 'real world' applications and secondly to see if the 2.0 liter hatch can deliver a far more satisfying drive for a gas-pedal-happy driver. Hey, I am what I am.

And it was a first of sorts for Hypertune to have the car featured on the front cover of last issue, a teaser for what you're reading right now. It could have backfired had the car not performed as good as the hype given. But as expected, it was up to task both performance wise, and looks wise.

(The rest of the article can be found in Hypertune Vol. 55)

Text: Cimatt
Photo: Victor Chen

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