Middle Class SUV Challenge:Mazda CX-5 vs Ford Kuga vs Honda CR-V

SUV segment is hotly contested in Malaysian market. It has evolved from the off-roader ancestor like Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Pajero to the likes of soft roader, thanks to Honda CR-V back in mid 90's. This year, you can have it almost every sizes, from small to big luxury ones. Among the hottest option for middle class right now is Honda CR-V, now in fourth generation and hot in its heel is the turbocharged Ford Kuga and super stylish Mazda CX-5. Paultan compares them in the DRIVEN. Check it out below.

Ford Europe Launch The Cleanest Focus Yet

Ford has announced a new ultra-efficient version of the Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost that will be the first petrol-powered family car in Europe to offer 99g/km CO₂ emissions. The Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost has returned a whopping 29km/L in tests thanks to its specially calibrated 100PS version of Ford’s award-winning engine.

The new Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 99 g/km will also use a range of fuel-efficient Ford ECOnetic Technologies including Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutter, low rolling resistance tyre and revised gearing to support a more economical and environmentally friendly driving style. This help to deliver the most fuel efficient ever petrol powered Focus yet.

“Just a couple of years ago few would have thought that a medium-sized petrol car could break the 100g/km CO₂  barrier,” said Barb Samardzich, European Product Development vice president. “Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine has a habit of taking expectations of what a petrol engine can deliver and turning them upside down.”

The new variant will extend to three the number of Focus models offered with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, alongside the standard 100PS version, with 109g/km CO₂ emissions, and the 125PS with 114g/km CO₂.*

Introduced to the Fiesta, B-MAX, C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX last year, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be extended to the EcoSport SUV, Transit Connect and Transit Courier commercial vehicles; Tourneo Connect people mover; and later the all-new Mondeo.

Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine uses a low inertia turbocharger, split cooling system and direct fuel injection to deliver surprising levels of performance from the three-cylinder engine block. It has won numerous accolades including The International Engine of the Year 2013 and 2012.

Will we see this version in Malaysia? With our antique fuel quality and tax structure, maybe not.

Development of Children-Friendly Vehicle

How many of us get pissed off when our kids stained the interior of our "reasonably-priced" car, thanks to the beige interior for some pseudo-luxury ambiance? Or you can see the vomit just disappear into the seat fabric? Or the toy's sharp edge tear out the stitching and scratch the plastic trim part?

Luckily car maker nowadays are a bit clever. The seat fabric are now water repellent, and it is rare to find to an RM50k (read family-bound car) to be trimmed in light hue. The plastic trim too can be made sturdier, more resistant to scratch by cleverer texturing.

Ford too is up for the game. After being an innovative player by totally eliminating the B-pillar for an ease of entry (read HERE), it is apparent the Ford B-MAX has been designed with kids in mind too. Ford has now tried to make that job easier for mums and dads by “child-proofing” the new B-MAX.

Engineers subjected the new B-MAX to laboratory tests that simulate the toughest treatment that children and pets can dish out, including soaking materials in milk and fizzy drinks; testing fabrics with a “mace”; and pounding plastics with a heavy rubber ball.

Samples of all leathers and fabrics used in the Ford B-MAX’s interior were tested for stain resistance and ease of cleaning after being soaked for 24 hours in the liquids and being smeared with soil and grease.

Engineers also tested resistance to damage that can be caused by abrasive zips and fasteners found on children’s clothing and bags. The “mace test” used a metal ball with needle-sharp spikes to brush fabrics 600 times and replicate the effect of snagging zips and studs. Engineers also carried out a special test to repeatedly rub the seat material with Velcro.

Impact tests – conducted at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Centigrade when plastic is more brittle – used a rubber ball 10 times heavier than a regulation football to ensure that plastic parts could withstand bumps and knocks. Fabrics were also rubbed 60,000 times in a 17-hour non-stop wear test; metal spikes were scraped across plastic parts to test scratch resistance; and carpets were checked for durability on a special test rig fitted with rough abrasion wheels.

Is the car in our market up to this standard yet? Let's make something simpler first, like ensuring there is sufficient cupholder for the rear passenger, not by hiding them inside the rear armrest which eliminate the cupholder itself when there is a third occupant in the rear seat.

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Another Patented Ford Innovation - Unobstructed Door

Ford innovators at the company’s UK research and development centre originated the new Ford B-MAX’s ingenious door system. In studying ways to ease access in and out of a future small car, team members working on the Ford B-MAX project wanted completely unobstructed entry and exit.  The Dunton Innovation Group came up with the idea of hinged front doors, sliding rear doors and integrating the central body pillars to create a 1.5-metre-wide opening.

Customer research had established that loading and unloading cars, especially from the side, needed to be as simple and easy as possible.  This was not only said by parents and others ferrying children in their cars, but also by adults transporting older parents.

Prototype demonstrators pioneering the Easy Access Door System, which now features on the production Ford B-MAX, went to customer clinics in the UK and on the continent.  Public reaction confirmed Ford’s plans to progress the innovation:  “Wow, it’s like opening a flat or an apartment,” said one customer.

The Ford B-MAX programme transferred from embryonic development at Dunton to engineers at the company’s sister technical centre in Cologne for full engineering and testing.

“We delivered B-MAX with an innovative door system while retaining the stylish sweeping roofline which is contributing to its appeal today – so job done by the Dunton Innovation Group,” said Richard Brown.

Other innovations hatched by the Dunton team include the Ford Focus’ award-winning Door Edge Protector covered HERE . A mere £50 option, the protectors wrap round the side of the doors when open and fold away discreetly as they are shut.

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Ford Focus officially launched in Malaysia

After a series of preview to the media and potential customer, Sime Darby Auto finally launched the Thai-made third generation Ford Focus to our shore. As expected, both body styles of sedan and hatchback made their entry, with the standard trim and '+' trim configuration. The sedan is labelled as "Titanium" while the Hatchback is called "Sport". The good news is that the official price is cheaper than earlier prediction. The Titanium sedan and Sport hatch goes for RM115,888 while the Titanium+ and Sport+ goes for RM128,888. The prices are OTR with insurance. Sime Darby also has thrown a generous warranty, totally 200,000km or 5 years.

All variants are powered by the 2.0L Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) unit with the direct injection system.The engine packs a healthy amount of output. The horsepower is 170PS@6,500rpm while the torque is 202Nm@4,550 rpm. Drive is channelled via the dual clutch transmission with 6 ratios, dubbed Powershift. While no century sprint figure is given, top speed is quoted as 202km/h. The engine will accept minimum RON95. The fuel efficiency rate is given as 6.6L/100km in combined cycle.

MMN tested the car back in August, and we concluded that it is a superb drive, with a very keen handling that is more poised than most car in its price segment. Head on to our Ford Focus Test Drive verdict HERE.

Just to recap, the new Focus sits on 2,648mm wheelbase (Civic 2,670mm & Proton Preve 2,650mm). Overall length is 4,534mm for the sedan, while the hatchback is a tad shorter at 4,358mm. Width is 1,823mm while height is 1,484mm.

Ford Focus is suspended at the front by Independent McPherson strut with hydro bushing subframe isolated lower control arm. The rear end is taken care by the Focus-customary Independent Control Blade with isolated subframe too. Both end are installed with anti-roll bar. The new Focus sits on 205/60 R16 in sedan guise while the hatchback rides on 215/50 R17.

Braking is provided ventilated disc at the front and solid disc at the back. There's host of electronic trickery to the braking and handling assistance. All models gets the ABS with EBD and BA. Traction is enhanced by the ESP, Traction Control System (TCS) and Torque Vectoring Control which independently controlled the torque supplied to each of the front wheel which in effect create a LSD effect. Hill Launch Assist is available too.

Titanium Sedan light-colored cabin

Two interior color scheme is available. The Titanium (and +) comes with light trim and upholstered in full leather. The Sport (and Sport+) comes with black interior and wrapped in sportier half-leather. All versions are generously equipped. Standard across the range include ABS with EBD and BA. Traction is enhanced by the ESP, Traction Control System (TCS) and Torque Vectoring Control which independently controlled the torque supplied to each of the front wheel which in effect create a LSD effect. Hill Launch Assist is available too. Dual front SRS and side airbags are include too.

Sport hatchback darker cabin with partial leather upholstery

As for the cabin, the list of gadget encompasses they keyless entry with push button, automatic dual zone climate control, leather wrapped steering (with audio controls), gearknob and handbrake, express up and down power window, 4.2" color multi-function screen, Ford SYNC audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, USB, 9 speakers setup, aforementioned leather seats (partial for hatchback), powered 4-way adjustment for driver and sun visor with illuminated vanity mirrors.

For enhancing the fuel economy, Ford new Focus is equipped with ECO mode as well as innovative Active Grille Shutter with closed the outer two intake in high speed condition to reduce drag.

Opting for the + trims will gains you curtain airbags, Bi-Xenon headlamps with washer, Follow-me-home lighting, rain sensor, automatic headlamps, cluster variable dimming, auto dimming rear view mirror, Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Blind Sport Information System and Cruise Control. Speaking about the Park Assist, the system can really parallel-park the car with you controlling only the brake and gear.

For more information and photo gallery of the the 3rd generation Focus, head to MMN previous coverage.

Ford Mondeo gets new bodystyles & 1.0L engine

The story of engine downsizing continues. While some might perceived Volvo to be brave enough to put a 1.6L engine in the D Segment Volvo S80 T4, Ford now puts a 3 cylinder engine displacing mere 1,064cc in a 4,869mm long car. Of course, true to the year 2012, the engine is forced-fed, and it is nothing other than the now fame EcoBoost unit. For Mondeo application, the said unit is in its highest state of tune with 123bhp and 170Nm of torque produced between 1,300-4,500rpm. An overboost function is available too, and it boost the torque to 200Nm. Perhaps in 3 years time, the D Segment will be powered by 660cc mill with all turbocharger for top end boost, electric supercharger for low end grunt, fanciful valvetrain gizmos and a few injection point beyond in-cylinder and port hooked to a solar roof panel to energy regeneration!

Ford also announced the roll of additional body styles for the Mondeo, which won't be available for its current twin the Fusion. The body styles are the Liftback and Wagon. The Mondeo Liftback is essentially similar to the sedan brethren, but with steeply raked rear screen which also opened up a big hatch for an added practicality, and sporty.While the rear fascia is the same, the rear end is accompanied with the inclusion of rear wiper. A quick glance at the new rear end revealed a really cohesive aesthetic that amalgamate the surface interplay with geometrically shaped appendages.

The Wagon version meanwhile gets a boxier rear end treatment to house an extended boot volume. While there is no information on the cargo volume yet, one would expect the car to be competitively voluminous.

Ford dubbed its new Mondeo as its most premium Mondeo it ever built. The car will come with cutting edge touches which include full LED headlights, rear inflatable seat belt, voice activated in car connectivity in tandem with MyFord Touch and SYNC, 8 inch color touch screen panel and a "tethering" function for up to 5 devices. More photos after the jump.

Ford Focus - design and drive impression

Overview

Ford Focus was introduced to the world market in 1998, signalling the end of an era for the long-living Escort model. The then new first generation Focus brought a new hall mark in the C Segment hatchback/sedan, where the new benchmark for styling, space and handling finesse has been redefined. Such is the phenomena that the first generation Focus has set, that all the new comer after that were judged based on this standard. The second generation arrived in 2004, bringing about a bigger and more spacious body. The styling is more restrained, and later adopted the Kinetic Design philosophy during the 2008 facelift. The third generation arrived in late 2010 where market entrance commenced in 2011. This is the generation we are getting today (or more accurately this September). Assembled in Rayong, Thailand since late June 2012, the new Ford Focus is set to shake the C Segment in the Asia region hard unlike its predecessor which was never capable enough.

The right essence is there. The exterior styling is modern interpretation of Ford design language. It can be termed as the big brother to chic-looking Fiesta, especially the Focus hatchback. Comes in two body styles, the hatchback is named as Focus Sport, while the sedan is called Focus Ghia. Two trim levels are available for both, Sport and Sport+, and Titanium and Titanium+. Thus, there are four variants altogether. Sime Darby is yet to fix the final price, but the indicative pricing is RM135,000 for the + variant, while the cheaper version is good RM15,000 less. Equipment level can be described as generous, especially compared to the sparsely-equipped Japanese challenger launched last month.

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Exterior

The new Ford Focus wears the new Ford corporate face which is an evolution from the Fiesta. The front end is dominated by the large headlight which is is very formal looking as it lacks the inward sharp thrust edge that usually lends some aggressiveness to the outlook. Instead, the inner lower edge of the light is curved back upwards. Similar concept is applied to the front bumper too. Instead of trying to inject some air of sportiness via massive and meshed air intakes, Ford applies a 3-segment setup, with the outer 2 triangular in shape and the inner one rectangular is outlines and run all the way to the top, almost joining the upper grille. Mild chrome is applied here. Its quite pleasing to look at in flesh, as the car is really one of the most non-photogenic that MMN has come across.

The side profile is dominated by the cab forward stance. The A-pillar is outreached far  to the hood area, and the hood trailing edge shut line is almost nearly at the front wheel centre axis. There is a strong belt line, that character-fully run crisper near the fender where it joins another line that subtly exist on the door panel. There's some character line too on the door lower edge, making the side panel of the new Focus as sleek as it can get.

It is the rear end that significantly sets the sedan and the hatch apart. The hatchback is far more sporty, almost as rakish as the smaller Fiesta, albeit in an inflated form. The gigantic rear light blends all the planes well. The interplay of different surfaces in intricate here, but effective in application. The rear end of the hatch back is finished with the nice-looking spoiler. The sedan meanwhile is more sedate. The tail is more elongated looking, with similarly horizontally stretched rear light (instead of vertically stretched for the hatch). The overall stance is still acceptable, and if it still does not convince you, you won't see how your car boot looks like from the driving seat! This is an important criteria as the difference in boot space between the two version is significant.

Interior

When MMN tested the new Honda Civic last month, MMN concluded that it is spacious, despite the slightly sparse looking. The new Ford Focus is totally opposite of those. It has adequate space (1094mm front legroom, 848mm rear legroom) but it is cocooningly cozy instead of letting you lose inside like the Civic. The seats too is more bolstered, more cushioning in the padded material and generally slightly larger to the Japanese competitor.

The dashboard is really orgasmic. Where the Japanese competitor is as exciting as tree, the Focus item is chunky, with prominent meter binnacle with elaborative housing. The centre console is hooded, housing a 4.2" display screen. The aircon vent is substantial, and chromed lined. The audio actually has a lot of button (listen to this Honda!!!!), highly glossy in finishing and the buttons are tactile to press. The climate control variation of button and dial sizes that impart some classiness. The climate control is dual zone by the way. The floor console is high, increasing the sense of cocooning as aforementioned. The gearknob is snazzy, while the hand brake arm is as per the abandoned FD Civic item. If you are really considering the age of the car, the new Ford Focus is actually an older car compared to the new Civic. When the European Focus was unveiled, the new Civic is pounding the dessert under the watchful eye of the spy photographer. So technically, the Ford engineers could be looking at benchmarking the Civic FD cabin at the time the Honda engineers are thinking of abandoning some of the costly concept.

The application of soft touch padded plastic is strategic,namely on the dashboard upper section and the front door trim upper part. The rest of the interior is moulded from the harder material, but thankfully garnished in expensive looking texture pattern. The door trim design is visibly different in philosophy from the Japanese. It has large plastic area, with minimal section wrapped in fabric/leather. There's also an ambient lighting shining from the door inside handle housing. The power window panel is blessed with chrome insert, tastefully lifting the interior classiness.

There floor console has some storage space behind the gear console, which is partitioned by the twin cupholder. There's however no aircond vent, but the front vents are already quite substantial. The seat upholstery is nicely done, especially around the back of the front seat where no zipped section is visible. The same cannot be said about some of the Japanese competitor.

The color scheme for the Sport and Ghia (hatch and sedan) differs greatly. The hatchback interior is nicely done in all-black plastic material. The centre console is silver-trimmed, with dials set in contrasting black. The seats are half-leather, with dark fabric insert in the middle.

The sedan meanwhile gets a two-tone cabin. The main theme is slightly brownish. The lower section is lighter in its hue. The seats are full leather covered instead of partially. The seat color scheme is similar to the dashboard, light hue, perhaps can be describe as a light watery brown, but definitely not beige. Subjectively speaking. The climate control panel is silver instead of black like the hatchback.

Steering wheel for both version is rich is features. The right button panel is for the screen in the meter binnacle displaying the driving parameters (fuel consumption etc) while the identical left panel is for the Ford SYNC panel  displayed in the central 4.2" screen. There's also chunky lower button controlling the cruise control and voice activated and bluetooth phone respectively on the right and left. The wheel rims is thickly padded giving a real firm grip, essential when navigating the car that can corner this hard. More after the jump.

Ford EcoSport CUV unveiled in Delhi

Ford has unveiled its latest CUV, called the EcoSport concept in Delhi prior to the auto show. The new CUV previewed the  "One Ford" latest evolution of Kinetic design, first seen on the Evos concept. The EcoSport is underpinned by the Fiesta platfrom, the B-Class challenger from Ford.

Ford new CUV is designed to cater the young, urban buyer looking for a prominent upgrade for their hatchback, but not quite into the SUV trend. The EcoSport sports (no pun intended) a chunky detailing, comprises of technical looking headlight graphic, huge trapezoidal grille, pronounced cladding around the lower bumper edge, sills and surround the mascular wheelarches, and an outside-fitted spare wheel, mounted on the tail gate. These elements impart an off-road aspiration, complemented further with the roof rail.

Underneath the sleek skin, the EcoSport housed the latest, smallest EcoBoost powertrain, at just 1.0L in capacity arranged in 3-cylinder in-line format. The modern-downsizing of 1.6L equivalent in performance, the smallest EcoBoost boast 118bhp and 170Nm of torque. However, the 1.5L diesel from current Fiesta is also destinated to reside under the EcoSport hood in the near future.

The EcoBoost engine capitalized on the turbocharging and direct injection to achieve an efficient blend between power and reduction of fuel consumption. The quick spooling turbo has further aided the availability of 170Nm from as low as 1,300 rpm. The cylinder block is made of cast-iron. Not only this is cheaper material-wise, but aided with split coolant circuit design, the engine can be warmed up quicker, further helped by in-cast exhaust manifold in the cylinder head (similar in concept with Honda R18,20).  More after the jump.

Door edge protector - parking dings no more

Have you ever slammed your car door on the next concrete pillar? Better still, ever hit your friend's car door with your car door in office car park? Worry no more as Ford has invented a "Door Edge Protector", and it will make it to production with the new Ford Focus.

We are used to ugly solution like vertical rubber insert and stick-on moulding to prevent our car door from getting its mark due to minor accident like this. Ford solution, however, is more innovative. The black flap you can see here is hidden on door inner panel, where it sits on the outer region from the door latch and weatherstrip. The flap will move into position once the door is opened (even if you open the door by mere 150mm) and can retract in mere 60 milliseconds under door slam movement. No details were given on how it works, but I suspect it is actuated mechanically with some linkage connected to the door hinge or door check, as the door latch is motionless once the catcher has been unlocked during door opening operation. Those unfamiliar with the terms here, door hinge is, well, a hinge like you house door, door check is the little bar at the leading edge of the door (inner side, and usually sits in the middle of the door between upper and lower hinge) and its function is to hold the door from closing back once you open it. It has some stepped build into it that you can feel upon opening the door. Try this on you car, but don't if your car is national car that come with 2 doors that was launched in 2006. That car was known to have weak door check!

Ford Mondeo and S-Max EcoBoost

Ford Mondeo facelift was launched yesterday with a host of upgrade including the new EcoBoost engine. The MPV Ford S-MAX was launched too, featuring similar engine.

Ford Mondeo facelift

Kia Sportage, Range Rover and Audi A1 - week 25 debutant

Week 25 is a busy week for Malaysia car distributor. No less than 3 new or facelift models were introduced.

New Kia Sportage, facelift Range Rover and new Audi A1 made their debut on our shore.

Read more after the jump.