Focus is on fresh air

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 2, 2008

FORD is planning the rebirth of its Capri to rival VW's forthcoming Scirocco as UK buyers go coupe crazy.

Both cars were hugely successful in the 1970s then they disappeared from the market for a couple of decades.

But now every manufacturer worth its salt is reintroducing the coupe concept with new models such as the Audi A5 and BMW 1 Series, many making use of folding steel roofs for security and open-air motoring.

And the Focus has been quietly reintroduced following earlier minor water leak problems, which have now been resolved.

There are three Focus CC models, ranging from pounds 16,795 for the entry-level 1.6i to pounds 21,575 for the 2.0TDCi with upmarket CC- 3 trim and equipment levels.

The coupe cabriolets are based on the standard Focus platform but strengthened by extra steel to make the body as rigid as possible. With the folding roof down it becomes the Focus CC. Once the roof is stowed in the boot there is a class-leading 234 litres of luggage space and with the roof up this increases to 534 litres.

Ford says that it designed the car primarily as a coupe so that it will look more attractive than its rivals with the roof up.

It drives like a standard Focus, with not the slightest hint of scuttle shake. There are petrol engines of 1.6 litres and 2.0 litres but the diesel is a corker and the one to go for.

There is an effective wind deflector behind the driver and front passenger but this cannot be used when there are rear passengers.

The rear seats are surprisingly roomy.

The icing on the cake is that these cars hold their value well on the second-hand market.