Ford Focus

Mention "Ford Focus" to a European and he'll probably think of a mud-splattered World Rally Championship (WRC) car sliding sideways through some forested two-track. Mention those same words to an American and he'll probably tell you about the economical hatchback his neighbor just bought for one of his kids.

The Focus is truly a world car. Introduced first in Europe in 1998, it's now on sale in some 80 countries around the globe. But its U.S. image is very different than it is across the Atlantic. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the WRC is far more important over there than it is here. Europe also gets a much hotter Focus model than we do, the 212hp, turbocharged RS. Our Ford closed the gap somewhat last year when it introduced an SVT-tuned Focus three-door-joined by a five-door for '03-but there's still a significant gulf between their performance model and ours.

Still, the Focus has, in just a few short years, established itself as a very popular car. Following its U.S. launch in the fall of 1999 as a 2000 model, it reached sales of over a quarter-million units in 2001, and sold nearly that in 2002. Here's how the various Focus models shake out.

Did They Really Mean To Call It A Zit?During its first year of production, the Focus was available in three body styles-three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and station wagon-and in four trim levels. All Focuses share sheetmetal from the front bumper to the B-pillar, but from there, "each has separate, distinct personalities designed to appeal to different niches in the broad small-car market," said Ford.

The ZX3 was originally the hot hatch of the bunch. It was fitted with a 2.0L, DOHC, 16-valve Zetec four-cylinder that produced 130 hp at 5,300 rpm and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Standard equipment also included 15-inch alloy wheels, P195/60 tires, and a CD player.

Sedan models were originally available in base-level LX, mid-level SE, and top-line ZTS trim, that last badge sure to strike fear in the hearts of acne-plagued teenagers everywhere. LX and SE models received a SOHC version of the 2.0L engine that put out 110 hp at 5,000 rpm and 122 lb-ft of torque at 3,750. The LX was mounted with 14-inch steel wheels; the SE had 15-inch alloys like the ZX3. Other SE upgrades included standard air conditioning and power door locks. Equipment on the SE wagon was virtually identical to the SE sedan, except for items like a standard luggage rack and rear-window wiper.

The ZTS sedan, the "image leader for the Focus lineup," was equipped with the 130hp DOHC engine, unique 15-inch aluminum rims, unique interior trim, a specially bolstered driver's seat, a tilt/telescoping steering column, and cruise control.

There were no big changes to the model lineup for 2001, but Ford made its high-tech AdvanceTrac vehicle stability system available as an option for the ZX3 and ZTS. Station wagon fans got a boost when Ford made the 130hp Zetec engine standard equipment (and a manual transmission as an option). And ZX3 buyers could dress up their cars with a Premium equipment group that included A/C, 16-inch rims, the tilt/telescoping column, and other niceties.

Bigger changes came in '02. Ford added a fourth body style-a five-door hatchback called the ZX5-to the Focus mix. It was equipped much like a high-line ZX3, with the Zetec engine, 16-inch wheels, power accessories, and a new-for-'02 in-dash six-disc CD changer. Another wagon model, the sporty ZTW, was introduced, with a standard Zetec engine, available manual trans (with 3.82:1 final drive ratio), leather seating surfaces, and that all-important six-disc CD player. Several safety enhancements were made, too. The AdvanceTrac stability system became available as an option on all Focus models, and Ford added the Personal Safety System to all the cars, which included dual-stage airbags and other protective features.