Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet Review

Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet

The three electric motors, five hydraulic cylinders and eleven sensors, have to be located somewhere and that somewhere is usually in the rear shoulders and behind the seats, which is why there is only room for two rear passengers to sit cosily together in the back. So, there isn’t a great deal of shoulder-room and leg-room is limited. However, anyone sitting in them will feel protected by the high sides and ride, safe in the knowledge that should it become necessary, the Rollover Protection Device (RPD) will fire the hidden roll bars into action - even with the roof up.

There are three trim levels, simply labelled in a similar manner to the Focus ST; CC-1, CC-2 and CC-3. The base CC-1 is only available with the 1.6i Duratec engine, which starts the pricing at £16,795. Although, it is the entry-model, you still get such niceties as air-conditioning, powered and heated door mirrors, alloys and a rake- and reach-adjustable steering column.

The CC-2 is the sporty version with prices ranging from £17,795 to £19,270. This buys bigger, 17-inch alloys, a Sony CD/MP3 player, leather sports steering wheel, ‘Quickclear’ windscreen, unique sports suspension and a more sophisticated power steering system.

Finally, the more luxurious CC-3 houses a Sony 6-CD audio system, cruise control, partially leather-clad seats with heating for the front two passengers, auto wipers and headlights and power control for the driver’s seat - Prices range from £18,795 to £20,270. In choosing the CC-3, you lose the sports suspension but gain the option of the Luxury Pack comprising, full leather upholstery and Dual Electric Automatic Temperature Control, or DEATC. We are told that this pack is free under certain conditions but otherwise, according to the lengthy extras list, it adds £1,000 to the final bill.

The Luxury pack was included in the test car specification and the leather certainly does make a difference to the general ambience of the car but be careful with the colour choice.

The cockpit is comfortable as you would expect of Ford although the top of the windscreen does come well over the driver’s seat, which can be a little claustrophobic and annoying for taller people. The fascia is neat and tidy and the centre console in the test car featured an aluminium-effect surround to the shiny black audio panel and black control buttons. CD- and DVD-based Satellite Navigation is available as an extra as is the Bluetooth Hands-free kit with voice activation but this doesn’t include a cradle for the telephone.