Thursday, 07 February 2013 10:41
Exceeding Expectations | 2012 Ford Focus 1.6L Trend Hatchback 6PS
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos by Leslie Sy
We’re no strangers to Ford compact hatchbacks. Mantrade, the official distributor of Ford vehicles in the country a few decades ago, introduced the Mazda 323-based Laser in the 80's - a car which I have fond memories of as a child. But with no proper successor, the country didn't see a new Ford hatchback for quite some time. Then came Ford Group Philippines (FGP), who brought in the Focus back in 2005 and revived Ford's fame for five-door people carriers. And now, they're back at what they do best with the all-new Focus - sportier, curvier, and stuffed with all the gadgets you could ever wish for.
I had the privilege to spend a weekend with the all-new Focus 1.6L Trend hatchback, which sits neatly between the base Ambiente and top-of-the-line Sport+ variants in the five-door line up. We all know it looks great, but is it as good in person as it seems on paper? Well, that's what I'm about to find out.
Published in
Compact
Tuesday, 28 February 2012 06:31
Ford now offers the all-new Fiesta in three new flavors
It’s just a little over a year old, but Ford Philippines is already giving the Fiesta three new flavors to keep the line-up fresh. Making its official public debut at Ford Club Philippines' (FCP) 10th anniversary celebration last February 25, 2012, the blue oval brand's best-selling nameplate now comes as a 1.6L Fiesta Sport Plus hatchback and a 1.4L Fiesta Trend with an automatic transmission in both hatchback and sedan forms. On top of the new variants, Ford is also giving its 1.6L Fiesta Trend a fresh set of upgrades. The range-topping 1.6L Fiesta Sport Plus is a more athletic version of its standard 'Sport' sibling with the addition of new front and rear bumpers. It also scores a set of leather-trimmed seats for that added touch of luxury. Of course, it retains Ford's sporty six-speed dual-clutch automatic PowerShift transmission.
And if you've been eyeing on the 1.4L Fiesta, but can't drive stick, well, Ford is now offering the Trend hatchback and sedan with an automatic transmission.
Published in
Newly Launched
Wednesday, 24 August 2011 07:39
Slip Angle | When Automatic Isn’t
Words by Andre Palma
My first encounter with an automatic gearbox was back in college. Somehow, as the proctoring professor arrived at the examination room, I found myself separated from my exam permit during finals week. With my usual dumb luck, the said permit was a kilometer away and it was raining. A set of keys was tossed in my direction and off I went, down four flights of stairs with my academic life hanging in the balance. A sense of hope filled me. I could still make finals.
After fiddling with a Solex lock for what seemed to be an eternity, I jumped into the driver’s seat of the Ford Laser hatch, and in a single motion, kicked the clutch and tried to fumble the gear stick into neutral. To my horror, there wasn’t a clutch pedal in the car. Add to that the fact that the usual H-pattern gear change was missing as well. In its place were the mocking letters P, R, N, and D.
It was then when I panicked.
Published in
Editorials
