Ford Focus Review - 1.6 TDCI Diesel HatchbackIn this car review, we road test a new shape Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Zetec Climate diesel assessing handling, mpg, practicality, reliability and running costs - qualities that have made the new shape Ford Focus TDCI the UK's most popular small diesel car. Big enough for a small family, it's refined, cheap to buy, has excellent fuel economy and is rewarding to drive.
If you're looking to buy a new or used Ford Focus diesel, the reviews and buyer's guide below provide useful 'before you buy' advice from UK Ford dealers plus details of where to find a cheap used Ford Focus car.
1.6 TDCI Performance Review
The refined Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 16V diesel DPF engine accelerates the new shape hatchback car to 62mph in around 10.9 seconds, with 31 - 62mph taking an identical time. The new all alloy diesel powered 1.6TDCI engine is of French origin and has DOHC (twin overhead camshafts) and 16 valves which represents an improvement on the 8 valve 1.8 TDCI diesel engine. Common Rail Fuel Injection is used for improved fuel economy and power output and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is fitted to meet stringent Euro stage 4 emissions standards.
Tied in with a variable geometry turbocharger, the 1.6 DPF engine delivers a high power output of 109PS at 4000rpm and an equally healthy 240 - 260NM of torque at 1750rpm.
The 1.6 TDCI Ford Focus has reasonable performance and class leading diesel engine refinement, pulling strongly from low revs probably helped by the torque curve peaking at just 1750rpm. This translates to good mid range acceleration with enough power to pull up quite steep hills without the need to continually change down the gears. This is even more creditable when you realise that 5th gear is set at around 31mph / 1000rpm allowing a top speed of around 117mph (where legal). This means that the car's engine is turning over at a mere 2000rpm at 62mph.
Whilst the diesel Focus 1.6 TDCI is hardly a boy racers car and can feel slow off the mark, it still performs better than our other diesel car a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2DTI particularly up hills, when the ridiculously high gearing of the Vauxhall becomes all too apparent, needing to change down the gears due to lack of engine torque.
The all-new French designed Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI engine is incredibly quiet too, even when starting it from cold. Gone is the familiar diesel rattle of my old Direct Injection 2.2DTI Vauxhall Vectra, as the clever Common Rail Fuel Injection System delivers small charges of vaporised fuel over a longer period to increase combustion efficiency and to significantly reduce engine noise, which was one of the problems of older, less refined TDI direct injection diesel engines.
To achieve greater engine efficiency the Diesel Common Rail Injection system runs at very high pressures of up to 1000 bar, using solenoids that release just the right amount of fuel to each cylinder at precise computer controlled timings. For more technical information on Common Rail Injection click here.
Emissions & Green Rating
The Ford Focus's refined 1.6 TDCI diesel engine meets the strict new Stage 4 (IV) emissions standard for diesel engines. Fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the engine powers one of the cleanest Diesel cars on the UK market. Gone is the cloud of smoke when starting the car from cold and under hard acceleration! The Focus is one of the best small 'green cars' available.
Most models offer CO2 emissions of 127g/km, which means that you save money on your car UK tax. Currently annual car tax on the Ford Focus TDCI 1.6 is £110 per year.
If you're looking to buy a new or used Ford Focus diesel, the reviews and buyer's guide below provide useful 'before you buy' advice from UK Ford dealers plus details of where to find a cheap used Ford Focus car.
1.6 TDCI Performance Review
The refined Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 16V diesel DPF engine accelerates the new shape hatchback car to 62mph in around 10.9 seconds, with 31 - 62mph taking an identical time. The new all alloy diesel powered 1.6TDCI engine is of French origin and has DOHC (twin overhead camshafts) and 16 valves which represents an improvement on the 8 valve 1.8 TDCI diesel engine. Common Rail Fuel Injection is used for improved fuel economy and power output and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is fitted to meet stringent Euro stage 4 emissions standards.
Tied in with a variable geometry turbocharger, the 1.6 DPF engine delivers a high power output of 109PS at 4000rpm and an equally healthy 240 - 260NM of torque at 1750rpm.
The 1.6 TDCI Ford Focus has reasonable performance and class leading diesel engine refinement, pulling strongly from low revs probably helped by the torque curve peaking at just 1750rpm. This translates to good mid range acceleration with enough power to pull up quite steep hills without the need to continually change down the gears. This is even more creditable when you realise that 5th gear is set at around 31mph / 1000rpm allowing a top speed of around 117mph (where legal). This means that the car's engine is turning over at a mere 2000rpm at 62mph.
Whilst the diesel Focus 1.6 TDCI is hardly a boy racers car and can feel slow off the mark, it still performs better than our other diesel car a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2DTI particularly up hills, when the ridiculously high gearing of the Vauxhall becomes all too apparent, needing to change down the gears due to lack of engine torque.
The all-new French designed Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI engine is incredibly quiet too, even when starting it from cold. Gone is the familiar diesel rattle of my old Direct Injection 2.2DTI Vauxhall Vectra, as the clever Common Rail Fuel Injection System delivers small charges of vaporised fuel over a longer period to increase combustion efficiency and to significantly reduce engine noise, which was one of the problems of older, less refined TDI direct injection diesel engines.
To achieve greater engine efficiency the Diesel Common Rail Injection system runs at very high pressures of up to 1000 bar, using solenoids that release just the right amount of fuel to each cylinder at precise computer controlled timings. For more technical information on Common Rail Injection click here.
Emissions & Green Rating
The Ford Focus's refined 1.6 TDCI diesel engine meets the strict new Stage 4 (IV) emissions standard for diesel engines. Fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), the engine powers one of the cleanest Diesel cars on the UK market. Gone is the cloud of smoke when starting the car from cold and under hard acceleration! The Focus is one of the best small 'green cars' available.
Most models offer CO2 emissions of 127g/km, which means that you save money on your car UK tax. Currently annual car tax on the Ford Focus TDCI 1.6 is £110 per year.