New Focus in a Top Gear Episode

[Timmeh]

Just finished watching an episode of Top Gear from late last year, where they reviewed the LS Focus just before was released in the UK.

It was an interesting comparison between what they considered were it's main rivals (from a list of Toyota Corolla, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf, Seat Alteya, Honda Civic, and Renault Megane, they chose the Golf and the Astra) and the new Focus.

First of all, they point out that the new Focus has alot to live up to. The LR Focus was the class leader for 6 years, and the LS has big shoes to fill. First to be judged was exterior looks, and unfortunately, the Focus did not fair well. The LS is so bland compared to the LR Focus, they parked one on the side of the road weeks before its release and not a single passerby on the sidewalk in a busy city street looked at it. They said you'd have to point out to people that its a new car, because noone would even notice. The new Astra won the exterior looks competition hands down, in their opinion, whereas the Golf shape is conservative.

Then the Focus starts to fight back... the interior is incredibly drab and dreary, but there is an air of quality to it. The plastics feel more classy, the buttons feel more well put together, the controls feel chunky... and the space amazing, even the three door. And the boot is bigger than any of the competitors.

It also wins on price, the newest car of the lot is also the cheapest. The Astra was closest, the Golf was the most expensive.

But the biggest party trick of the LR Focus was the way it drives. They asked, did it pass on the torch to the LS Focus? ... Oh yes. The steering is sharp, the Golf and Astra have improved but nowhere near as sharp as the Focus. The ride feels more grown up, but it's just as much fun.

They finished with the comment that: Under the skin, the Focus is a very good car, but it blows its trumpet so badly with the very dull looks, will it appeal to you like the old one does?

I'll try to take the clipping out of the video and get it to a size that I can upload to www.eurofordclub.com, for those who want to see the review (but I am not guaranteeing it, I'll try). I just thought it was interesting to hear the views of the Top Gear team, they obviously have alot of experience with a wide range of cars.

Tim