Brilliant Hire Car - Focus Hybrid EcoBoost

[Londonscottish]

When I go on holiday I always hope to get something petrol, half-reasonable and hatchback shaped and have been landed with loads of woeful diesel crossovers and SUVs over the years. It doesn't ruin the holiday but it certainly takes the fun out of the exploring and generally getting around.

This time it's Majorca. The last time I was in the Balearics the driving experience was somewhat grim; I was given a banana yellow diesel Leon which made a thundering rattling din that would wake the dead and that was totally at odds with the laid back nature of Ibiza. AND it was a Euro 5 so it absolutely stank the place out. Horrible thing. Hideous colour, fugly as sin and lumbered with that awul engine.

This time I lucked out. I got a Focus EcoBoost (ake the EcoBoom). Better, it's the mild hybrid which a a big lump of electrikery under the bonnet which shoves the car along nicely when otherwise you'd be horribly off boost. And it's an ST Line which means, amongst other things, a very decent B&O sound system. It stops, steers and goes extremely well AND (unlike my FIL's Puma with the same drivetrain) has a brilliant ride (his is punishingly hard).

Great bit of engineering. Really happy with it.

 

[Darrell]

Any bother over there with the anti tourist protests??

 

[Londonscottish]

Any bother over there with the anti tourist protests??

No idea - just made it from the airport to a very remote villa yesterday and haven't moved since.

We're in the south east and, fingers crossed, this part's less busy and not affected.

Off to explore later to figure out the lie of the land.

Back to the Focus; my FIL's always been interested in his cars and told me really likes the power delivery of the Ford MHEV set up as it's both punchy and economical. He bought his Puma last year when downsizing from a Superb estate. Now I've had a go in the equivalent Focus I see what he means. It doesn't have that boogy lag down the bottom end of the rev range that all the other teeny turbo'd engined cars I've tried suffer from.

 

[TC350]

We’ve recently returned from the USA where I selected a Hyundai Kona 4-wheel drive SUV from the mixed lineup on offer at Washington DC airport. My choice was based on just two factors: it had a light interior and the doors closed with Mercedes-like solidness. Being the latest model, it also had a nice modern double-width digital dash that included Apple CarPlay.

We did a lot of driving around Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland and I have to admit to being quite impressed with the Korean offering. It was remarkably smooth and quiet, although the performance from its petrol engine (I’ve no idea of the size) was limited. It also used far more fuel than my 3.5 litre Mercedes, but at US petrol prices that wasn’t a problem.

Considering it was the usual hire car base model, it was well equipped technology-wise. However, I could have done without the “lane keep assist” that kept trying to take over the steering. I eventually worked out how to turn it off, but it always reverted to on after restarting the car.

Overall, I was very impressed.

 

[Meldrew2]

...I could have done without the “lane keep assist” that kept trying to take over the steering...

I was recently lent a 330e as a courtesy car which also had lane assist - it was rather un-nerving, especially on the first occasion. I found that using the indicator while changing lanes stopped it from working.

(I know, I know, cue all the BMW jokes - but I was on a deserted dual carriageway and I was taught to only indicate when it could be of benefit to another road user.)

 

[TC350]

I was recently lent a 330e as a courtesy car which also had lane assist - it was rather un-nerving, especially on the first occasion. I found that using the indicator while changing lanes stopped it from working.

(I know, I know, cue all the BMW jokes - but I was on a deserted dual carriageway and I was taught to only indicate when it could be of benefit to another road user.)

I mainly found it annoying when on smaller roads where I adopted road positioning when approaching bends for improved visibility. Advance driving techniques are less amenable to pre-programmed controls.

 

[st13phil]

I found that using the indicator while changing lanes stopped it from working.

The Lane Keeping Assist on my W177 works the same, and it's a PITA.

 

[Londonscottish]

We’ve recently returned from the USA where I selected a Hyundai Kona 4-wheel drive SUV from the mixed lineup on offer at Washington DC airport. My choice was based on just two factors: it had a light interior and the doors closed with Mercedes-like solidness. Being the latest model, it also had a nice modern double-width digital dash that included Apple CarPlay.

We did a lot of driving around Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland and I have to admit to being quite impressed with the Korean offering. It was remarkably smooth and quiet, although the performance from its petrol engine (I’ve no idea of the size) was limited. It also used far more fuel than my 3.5 litre Mercedes, but at US petrol prices that wasn’t a problem.

Considering it was the usual hire car base model, it was well equipped technology-wise. However, I could have done without the “lane keep assist” that kept trying to take over the steering. I eventually worked out how to turn it off, but it always reverted to on after restarting the car.

Overall, I was very impressed.

That was on Cuprs Leon I hired recently. The first thing thd guy at the desk told me was how to switch it off.

The Focus has a button for it on the wheel but presume defaults to off. I'm certainly leaving it well alone.

 

[KennyN]

We're in the south east and, fingers crossed, this part's less busy and not affected.

We're on the North West of Menorca at present , next time your on the coast give us a wave.

Agree on the summary of the Ford , we had a Hybrid Kuga when we went to Calpe last year.

K

 

[SpikyMikey]

I was recently lent a 330e as a courtesy car which also had lane assist - it was rather un-nerving, especially on the first occasion. I found that using the indicator while changing lanes stopped it from working.

(I know, I know, cue all the BMW jokes - but I was on a deserted dual carriageway and I was taught to only indicate when it could be of benefit to another road user.)

Isn't a BMW a 'discourtesy' car

 

[Londonscottish]

We're on the North West of Menorca at present , next time your on the coast give us a wave.

Agree on the summary of the Ford , we had a Hybrid Kuga when we went to Calpe last year.

K

I volunteered to drop everyone at the beach then go to Lidl and back to the villa to fill the fridge up. I haven't enjoyed driving the b roads so much in years. Such a well set up car.

 

[Mactech]

When I go on holiday I always hope to get something petrol, half-reasonable and hatchback shaped and have been landed with loads of woeful diesel crossovers and SUVs over the years. It doesn't ruin the holiday but it certainly takes the fun out of the exploring and generally getting around.

This time it's Majorca. The last time I was in the Balearics the driving experience was somewhat grim; I was given a banana yellow diesel Leon which made a thundering rattling din that would wake the dead and that was totally at odds with the laid back nature of Ibiza. AND it was a Euro 5 so it absolutely stank the place out. Horrible thing. Hideous colour, fugly as sin and lumbered with that awul engine.

This time I lucked out. I got a Focus EcoBoost (ake the EcoBoom). Better, it's the mild hybrid which a a big lump of electrikery under the bonnet which shoves the car along nicely when otherwise you'd be horribly off boost. And it's an ST Line which means, amongst other things, a very decent B&O sound system. It stops, steers and goes extremely well AND (unlike my FIL's Puma with the same drivetrain) has a brilliant ride (his is punishingly hard).

Great bit of engineering. Really happy with it.

My former boss at Bentley, now retired from being director of both motorsport and powertrains, now has a Focus ST as his daily driver. He really enjoys it and finds it refreshing that he doesn't have to be 'precious' with it.
Mind you he did start off in 'Sith Ifrica' as part of their motorsports team and is currently restoring a very rare V8 Capri.....
Enjoy your holiday, but beware of the 'hirecar honeymoon' syndrome.....

 

[HappytalkAgain]

I volunteered to drop everyone at the beach then go to Lidl and back to the villa to fill the fridge up. I haven't enjoyed driving the b roads so much in years. Such a well set up car.

I’ve always been a Ford fan. And been shot down a few times on here when I’ve waved the flag.

The new Transit custom has never been so appealing. Extensive Research has begun.

 

[Mactech]

I’ve always been a Ford fan. And been shot down a few times on here when I’ve waved the flag.

The new Transit custom has never been so appealing. Extensive Research has begun.

Doesn't you local motorsport facility, M Sport, have some input in the that ?

 

[SpikyMikey]

I’ve always been a Ford fan. And been shot down a few times on here when I’ve waved the flag.

The new Transit custom has never been so appealing. Extensive Research has begun.

It's OK Ant, you won't be shot down about he new Transit, it's a Volkswagen..........................
Oh, bøøgger

 

[Darrell]

I’ve always been a Ford fan. And been shot down a few times on here when I’ve waved the flag.

The new Transit custom has never been so appealing. Extensive Research has begun.

They’re bloody expensive now. Buddy of mine who’s a tiler has had 3 since 2016 and he’s now getting a Citroen Dispatch.

I’ve seen a few of the new Trannies on the motorways and the rear lights remind me of 70’s versions.

It’s the one on the left.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

They’re bloody expensive now. Buddy of mine who’s a tiler has had 3 since 2016 and he’s now getting a Citroen Dispatch.

I’ve seen a few of the new Trannies on the motorways and the rear lights remind me of 70’s versions.

It’s the one on the left.
View attachment 160181

Yeah. I like the new look. And the interior is much more modern and up to date than the previous model like in your photo. Lots of cutting edge features too. Puts the competition to shame.

But as you say. Not cheap.

 

[Londonscottish]

My former boss at Bentley, now retired from being director of both motorsport and powertrains, now has a Focus ST as his daily driver. He really enjoys it and finds it refreshing that he doesn't have to be 'precious' with it.
Mind you he did start off in 'Sith Ifrica' as part of their motorsports team and is currently restoring a very rare V8 Capri.....
Enjoy your holiday, but beware of the 'hirecar honeymoon' syndrome.....

It's deffo very good. I looked it up in Evo and their pick of the range for handling was the ST Line because it has the ST multilink suspension at the back combined with a very light powertrain up front.

It flows down the road in a way that very few cars I've driven can manage. Someone at Ford really knows how to set up a chassis.

 

[Londonscottish]

I’ve always been a Ford fan. And been shot down a few times on here when I’ve waved the flag.

The new Transit custom has never been so appealing. Extensive Research has begun.

I'm very pro-Ford post-Mondeo. I had one as a company car and that was night and day compared to the Cavs I'd had before. Similar attention to detail in the spring damper rates and so on.

 

[Londonscottish]

Lots of cutting edge features too.

I like the steering wheel that you can fold flat. Brilliant idea.