11th May 2007, 17:43

I have a 5dr 2.0 esp Focus and it will beat a Saxo or any other toy racer car, but I think it is slightly underpowered. Does anyone know any good mods that will make a big difference (50bhp) without using a turbo?

22nd Jun 2007, 11:50

They aren't the same car stop saying it look on every website the 0-60 times are different for a start, but apart from engine size and bhp the two cars are different. The weight on them both is different, one is longer than the other, one is higher etc etc. They are similar cars yes, but the same no.

25th Sep 2007, 09:01

To anybody that thinks a Fiesta Zetec-S is quick, wake up! They are not quick, they may be smaller than a Focus, but they don't have enough of a weight advantage for the power disadvantage to be equalled out. Compare them to a Saxo VTR/VTS, 106 GTi and most similar cars, they must be pretty close to the slowest car in their class!

My Astra 1.8 16v is far quicker than a Zetec-S (off the mark and at motorway speeds) and the 2.0 Focus will happily keep fairly close once I'm above 60mph (probably due to the torque advantage).

Why is it that these comment threads ALWAYS lead to some disgruntled boy racer taking offence at driving a slower car than someone else?? If anyone can answer that please do, because it's starting to drive me nuts!

25th Sep 2007, 11:08

"and the 2.0 Focus will happily keep fairly close once I'm above 60mph"

The 2.0 Focus would be faster below 60 and above it because it's a faster car. I've got a chipped 2.0 Focus, and when I race my mates 106 GTI I'm ahead of him up to 60 by about 3 car lengths. After that I start pulling away by a lot more, and by the time we reach 95 I'm quite a way ahead of him.

26th Sep 2007, 06:36

Too right. We should be commenting on the title of the review 'Best looking car on the road'...LOL.

26th Sep 2007, 09:08

Your mate's 106 GTI is broken.

27th Sep 2007, 07:17

How did that happen?? Someone took my comments defending the focus (by comparing it to a similarly engined and powered equivalent sized car) and turned it into a war against astras!

One thing I'd like to point out about my comments: 'the 2.0 Focus will happily keep fairly close once I'm above 60mph'.

The operative word here is 'happily'. This suggests that the Focus still has some room on the power band before it is getting into being 'ragged' by the driver. The same can be said for my Astra and most other cars with a fairly healthy torque advantage over the little hatches.

27th Sep 2007, 15:48

So what are you saying then the Focus couldn't keep up with you below 60 LOL. 0-80 my chipped 2.0 Focus would leave your Vauxhall badge behind, and if we went down a country lane, I would be twice as fast.

28th Sep 2007, 02:05

To be honest, I don't think it would make that much difference, petrols don't have impressive results with superchips and other similar chips. How about you stop just referring to your 'Chipped focus that could wipe the floor with anything short of a Bugatti Veyron' (i do realise he didn't ACTUALLY say that) and give us some estimated figures. How about some rolling road results, chip manufacturers figures, anything!

The astra is nowhere near as slow as you seem to be imagining. The 1.8 uses a close ratio box and as a result is pretty impressive off the line. Have you actually driven the model of astra in question?

Don't get me wrong, but I have nothing against the Focus, but at the end of the day there is still plenty of cars that will leave it in a straight line and through the twisty stuff. Same goes for my astra, but you don't see me claiming anything it can't do.

28th Sep 2007, 11:34

Plenty of things would leave it on a straight I know, but on a B-road I don't think so; the Focus is regarded as having good handling, especially mine with 18" by 8" alloys, lowered and traction control and ESP, which was standard.

As for figures, like I have previously said, it slightly quicker than my mates 106 gti to 60. Their standard time is 8.4 as stated by someone above, so I'm guessing mine is around 8. Not bad for a car that is group 8 on insurance, plus the focus also has a close ratio gearbox; 55 in 2nd and 80 in 3rd, compared to the 1.6 which will do 60 in 2nd and 90 in 3rd.

I'm only 19 and it's the fastest car you can get insured on before your 21. Believe me I looked at all sorts of things, and you can't really go over group 8 before you're 21 without paying daft money.

When I finally do turn 21, I will get an Audi TT, an Astra VXR or an Integra Type R: haven't decided yet.

I don't think my Focus is invincible; far from it, but amongst my age group and amongst other cars in similar insurance groups, it's hard to beat.

24th Feb 2008, 12:54

Just bought a 2.0 Ford Focus with ESP on it, and I've got to say VTR wouldn't stand a chance, and neither would a Corsa GSI.

I had a 1.8 before, and the VTR would have no chance. Fair enough they all quick, but while the boy racers are struggling to get to ninety, I'll be well doing over a hundred.

25th Feb 2008, 11:35

With what that little lot is going to cost you, plus the car itself, why not just buy an RS?

22nd May 2008, 09:37

Why all the fuss about a chipped focus beating a VTS or Pug 106 GTi? Everyone knows chipping a N/A engine does not add the 10-15 BHP the company's all state!!

I used to own a 106 GTi and now moved onto the Focus ST, and to say the 2.0 Focus beats the Pug hands down on sprints and top speed is beegars belief!

If I could run 2 cars I would jump at the chance of owning the Pug again, as it was a blast to drive and put many so-called bigger engine cars to shame, not only the 0-60 sprint, but around a fast challenging B-Road, it was just terrific.

The 2.0 Focus is slower to 60 and might be able to catch the Pug on a long blast, but the minute you hit the twisty stuff the pug would leave the Focus.

Please don't say I lowered mine, and got 18 inch alloys, so mine can handle better than the pug, as if you lowered the Pug it would just get even better, but maybe some how lose it character.

Overall they are both good cars with the Pug being slightly better in my opinion.

22nd May 2008, 17:41

I've a 2000 model 2.0i 16v Zetec 3dr. The best mods you can do to it is fit an aftermarket air filter and get the ECU re-mapped for better power, not to mention better MPG.

I had a full S/S exhaust system with only a backbox on, sure it sounded great ant first, but it drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, and passengers complained about the cabin noise even on short hauls, never mind long hauls.. so off came the S/S system and went back to a standard system. Result - one happy driver and passengers, I could hear my music again and the the MPG went up from 26mpg up to 32mpg when doing short haul stuff.

The straight through S/S exhaust just made the car drink fuel, so is not advised unless you own shares in Shell or BP.