Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Powershift

skyway

Hi,

Just wondering if anybody is thinking of buying one of the Focus models that has the twin-clutch gearbox (known as 'Powershift')? According to the Focus brochure that I picked up recently, it will be 'available from August production'. I guess that probably means a few months then before it hits our shores...

It interests me because a) it's a diesel and b) it's supposedly more economical than a standard manual as a result of the twin clutch gearbox. It's only available as a 2.0 (110 PS) engine in Style, Zetec, Ghia and Titanium (3-door only) trim.

I currently have a 07 1.6 Focus petrol (Zetec trim). I love the car but it's a little on the thirsty side - a lot of people seem to think the sports suspension in the Zetec trim is a bit too firm but I'm a big fan of it. I wouldn't dare touch the Ghia trim - Standard suspension and has anybody seen the state of that fake wood in the dash of a Ghia???

If I was to go for the Powershift, then I'd probably stay with a Zetec. The standard kit in the Style is pretty poor. It's just a shame that the Titanium only comes in a 3-door model as the standard kit is pretty good.

Here are some very favourable UK reviews of the Powershift model (Disclaimer - I realise these may not be what ordinary folk like us think about the car in the real world....)

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Ford-Focus-20-TDCI-Powershift-CAR-review/

http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/ford/focus/22961/2

Stevie Dakota

The Focus is a smashing car, and I think the powershift is an interesting option, but don't understand why we have to tolerate the detuned version of the 2.0 liter engine, or the Titanium only in a three door, it's as is Ford want to piss us off. Am I right in thinking Zetec has manual rear windows? For those reasons I would decline it, and look at getting the full fat version in the UK where the 134bhp comes in at 154g which is fine at 20% VRT.

skyway

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The Focus is a smashing car, and I think the powershift is an interesting option, but don't understand why we have to tolerate the detuned version of the 2.0 liter engine, or the Titanium only in a three door, it's as is Ford want to piss us off. Am I right in thinking Zetec has manual rear windows? For those reasons I would decline it, and look at getting the full fat version in the UK where the 134bhp comes in at 154g which is fine at 20% VRT.

Yep, Stevie, would have to agree with you there - as usual we get the downgrade option as opposed to what you can get in the UK.

By the way, I've got electrics on the rear windows in my Zetec. However, mine is actually a Zetec Connection which was the promotion for Bluetooth etc that Ford marketed at the back end of 2006. I certainly would hope that electrics are standard in all Zetecs from here onwards...

superjosh9

I've been reading about the Getrag-made Powershift since Jan or so - hoping Volvo, who have it in the S40 at al, will put it into something more interesting like the V70. And I'd really like to see what it can do in a petrol model - but the roll-out seems to be taking an age.

Disappointed that Ford are only offering the 110ps diesel, I'm not the biggest fan. Btw, OP, I don't believe that the Powershift will offer better MPG/C02 than the standard manual - it's just that it is a lot better than a standard torque-converted based auto.

So, I think a manual is even a band lower. Shame as these days, not only do we pay extra for auto/powershift - we pay another extra on the VRT too, compared to the manual equivalent - and extra again on road tax. So where auto used to be a €1500-2000 extra - is now in some cases €4000-7000 extra. At least with the powershift, the C02 manages to remain somewhat close to the manual, so the difference isn't huge.

Have you been quoted a price? I was in a Ford dealer a few weeks ago and they didn't know what I was talking about. Would be interested to hear.

Also, btw how is the Focus in general? I have an old model Volvo S40 I run about in - was looking at a Focus estate or saloon to replace it?

bazz26

110bhp from a 2.0 litre diesel is poor these days. Ford Ireland need to cop themselves on.

OP did you consider going to the UK for a used 08 Focus 2.0 TDCi? You would be getting the more powerful engine and saving on the price too.

E92

Yes indeed one does have to question the logic of bringing in a detuned 108 bhp version of the said engine specially for Ireland.

Interestingly anyone who has enquired about this has said the same thing - why are Ford not bringing in the 134 bhp engine everyone else is getting? Even more interesting is that people are saying that it's putting them off buying the car, and rightly so.

I've wanted to know the answer to that question ever since I head that Ford were bringing in a 2.0 diesel Focus to Ireland.

They really should be bringing in a 2.0 TDCi with a manual box as well, the full fat 134 bhp version that is obviously. Even Toyota has had the foresight to bring in an Auris with the 2.0 D-4D and similarly Honda have now decided that they should sell us the Civic diesel here, so Ford really have no excuse.

The Titanium Focus is only available with the 1.6 Ti-VCT petrol engine - in both 3 and 5 door guises. Another stupid decision by Ford - where's a 1.8 TDCi Titanium Focus or better still a 2.0 TDCi 134 bhp Focus?

Since 85% of Focus sales are diesel it really is sheer madness that Ford don't offer all trim levels(bar the ST obviously) with a diesel option, and don't offer the 2.0 TDCi not to mention the €100 a year road tax 1.6 TDCi either:(.

Stevie Dakota

E92 wrote: »

where's a 1.8 TDCi Titanium Focus or better still a 2.0 TDCi 134 bhp Focus?
(.

I know where the 2.0 TDCI Titanium is, in my driveway!

skyway

I haven't really thought about bringing a Focus in from the UK. My plan is to visit a Ford dealer here in the next few weeks and get the full story on the Powershift i.e. price, availability etc. Thereafter, I'll probably make a decision as to whether to go for one here in the New Year or start seriously considering looking for one out of the UK....

yknaa

I am on the lookout for an 1.8d 08 Focus Ghia but all the dealers are saying
the earliest they can supply one is October! So there may be a further
dealy on the 2.0 TDCi if it was due in August.

skyway

yknaa wrote: »

I am on the lookout for an 1.8d 08 Focus Ghia but all the dealers are saying
the earliest they can supply one is October! So there may be a further
dealy on the 2.0 TDCi if it was due in August.

yknaa,

I think the 2.0 TDCi Powershift is only being manufactured in Ford's Aug production. So, I don't think we'll see it hear for a few months at least.

By the way, do you like the Ghia trim? I know the standard kit on a Ghia is pretty good but I don't think I could tolerate that wood effect in the dash....personal preference, I guess.

Stevie Dakota

A dealer here said he could replace all the lousy fake wood quite easily with silver or Titanium trim, I can't believe they are still fitting that stuff.

yknaa

skyway wrote: »

yknaa,



By the way, do you like the Ghia trim? I know the standard kit on a Ghia is pretty good but I don't think I could tolerate that wood effect in the dash....personal preference, I guess.

Meh ... I can live with it no problem. The quote I got was an extra €127 to upgrade from Zetec to Ghia which I thought was pretty good.

Repolho

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

A dealer here said he could replace all the lousy fake wood quite easily with silver or Titanium trim, I can't believe they are still fitting that stuff.

I have the ghia trim and to be honest, you really don't notice the trim all that much.

I like the Ghia for all the extras; rain sensing wipers, auto dipping rear view, auto sensing lights and most importantly (for me anyhow; I do a lot of motorway driving) cruise control.

skyway

Repolho wrote: »

I have the ghia trim and to be honest, you really don't notice the trim all that much.

I like the Ghia for all the extras; rain sensing wipers, auto dipping rear view, auto sensing lights and most importantly (for me anyhow; I do a lot of motorway driving) cruise control.

I've got auto wipers, auto lights, electric front/rear windows, Bluetooth in the Zetec Connection. Also, took Cruise Control as an option. I certainly want all of these (and maybe one or two other options - rear parking sensors etc) in the next model I buy...