Ford sets its focus xr5 on the hot hatch market

[omn1potent]

Ford sets its focus on the hot hatch market

The Sun-Herald

Monday April 24 2006

Another small-car contender has arrived in showrooms, reports JAEDENE HUDSON.

http://www.drive.com.au/editorial/article....vf=2&bg=24&pp=3

Sales of small cars are booming and car makers are introducing more models. They were once cheap and cheerful propositions, but you can now spend up to $50,000 on a small car with the lot.

Ford, which has struggled in the small-car market as it is generally known as the Falcon car company, has stirred the competition with the release of its turbocharged Focus, which goes on sale tomorrow.

Priced from $35,990, the XR5 undercuts its competitors by up to $8000. With a number of hot new hatches heading to Australia before the end of the year, the price of the XR5 has set a precedent.

Rivals admit they will be keeping a keen eye on the impact that the XR5 will have on the hot hatch market.

"We have not made any secret of the fact that we are focused on being a volume brand," Volkswagen Australia spokesman Matthew Wiesner said. "We will do whatever it takes to make sure that our products remain competitive."

At $39,990, the Golf GTI is one of the most popular hatches, yet its starting price is $4000 more than the Ford XR5. Volkswagen believes the GTI's advantage is that it is available with a sequential manual gearbox - which is as smooth and easy to use as an automatic - whereas the Ford is available only with a six-speed manual transmission.

Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley said the $41,990 WRX's point of difference was all-wheel-drive, and the brand had no plans to cut its price with the arrival of the fast Ford.

"That is not to say that we are being complacent," Rowley said. "We always watch the market and, at the passing of every model year, we always refine and improve the models."

Renault believes it can justify charging a $7000 premium for the Megane Sport turbo because it is well equipped. "We will not be chasing the XR5," Renault spokesman Karl Gehling said. "The Megane Sport is a unique product and has a high level of [equipment] ... that more than justifies the price."

It is not all good news with the Ford XR5: there are two blots on an otherwise impressive copy book.

Buyers who choose to pay an extra $2000 for the leather seats lose a rear seating position. It goes from a three-seat back bench to a two-seat bench.

And so concerned was the company about the sound of the exhaust note, it fitted a larger muffler, which reduced the space available for a spare wheel. So a temporary "space saver" spare is provided instead.

The German-built XR5 has a 2.5-litre, turbocharged, five-cylinder engine that produces 166kW of power and 320Nm of torque. It has sportier suspension and bigger brakes than the standard Focus. A stability control system, front, side and curtain air bags and anti-lock brakes are standard.

The XR5 uses an electro-hydraulic, power-assisted steering system, which allows the driver to choose from three steering settings - standard, comfort or sport. These can only be selected when the car is stationary.

Prices and details correct at publication.

Source: The Sun-Herald

Edited April 25, 2006 by omn1potent

[RXSeven]

We shall see if it develops as many problems as the german engineered Fiesta...that was a shock. Production line faults apparently.

[CAP]

Ahhh my next car :)

Only problems overseas is mismatching paint on some surfaces. Problems now rectified.

[RXSeven]

Ahhh my next car :)

Only problems overseas is mismatching paint on some surfaces. Problems now rectified.

Really? I sure hope so man. I'm a Ford Escort and Focus man as well as a Toyota one. It looks nice. Haven't checked to see if Cosworth played a part in its engineering. If so that's a bonus! Keep in mind tho that a 2.5L 4cyl 4x4 300hp 10th Generation Corolla may be coming out. 'Apparently' Toyota wants it WRC titles back and that's the car they want to do it in. Interessstinggggg.

[CAP]

No doubt the Corolla Turbo 4WD will be built, but there's big question marks on whether this will be available in Aus and whether it will be at a reasonable price.

[E-Gene]

This will definitely be my next car...er...when I get one that is. Waiting for my friend who use to work for Ford to come back to Aus.

[RXSeven]

I shall quietly watch from the shadows as people drive these things. Like I said, I'm paranoid. I was nearly stung by the german engineered festiva. Ford is beckoning me to come home though. My Escort is what started car modding for me. Although the Sportivo still has me chained to it's Lexus like interior and subtle lines. Hmmmmmmm.

[perthcamry]

I shall quietly watch from the shadows as people drive these things. Like I said, I'm paranoid. I was nearly stung by the german engineered festiva. Ford is beckoning me to come home though. My Escort is what started car modding for me. Although the Sportivo still has me chained to it's Lexus like interior and subtle lines. Hmmmmmmm.

I agree after VW stung me for a new gearbox(10K) I dont trust Euros. For a little extra plush and power, you will never own your own home :P

[RXSeven]

Come to think of it, as I posted in a previous thread, I think importing a '94 RS Escort Cosworth is my pick. Those things are still quicker than any Focus or even the XR5 about to come out. Handle much better also. Let us not forget the Sierra. They were running 35psi in qualifying and 30psi in race back in the touring car championship days. 180bhp off boost going into a corner, then all of a sudden 600bhp on full boost going out of it lol. You had to have big balls to drive those.

[ZEEROLLA]

The XR5 looks the goods but i don't think i am going to buy another "high performance" FWD car. It has to be RWD or AWD for me. :)

Edited April 29, 2006 by ZEEROLLA