Speed Gear

Ford Motor Co in the US announced earlier this week that it was expanding the vocabulary options in SYNC to include 19 languages, one of which is Australian E

nglish.

Ford Australia’s Sinead McAlary confirmed Australia would get its first taste of

SYNC in the new Focus, although she admitted it would not arrive until 12-18 months after t

he small car’s local launch.

With the Focus due Down Under in the third quarter of 2011, Ms McAlary said Ford Australia was hopeful SYNC-equipped vehicles would arrive in local showrooms in the second half of 2012.

The all-purpose commuter car is back, this time in a few different versions – some entry-level and one decked out with all of the trimmings. At a recent Ford event, we drove two versions of the new 2012 Ford Focus and reali

zed they both have their place in the commuter car market, but for different reasons.

When we say “commuter car” we mean any vehicle that is intended mostly to g

et you to work. The new Focus is not exactly a touring car that you just want to

take on a long trip for the sheer thrill of driving. The 160-horsepower engine is intended for fuel economy and economical transportation, not driving excitement.

Starting in early 2011, the Focus in both North America and Europe will be the

same vehicle. This is to be applauded because there was a big gap between the European Focus and the machine sold here. The European car improved on the basic goodness of the original, with better interior quality and driving dynamics. The U.S. car essentially stayed put: The original Focus was good enough to be a C/D 10Best winner, but the competition moved on, leaving the current version dead last in a recent small-car comparo.

Going down the road, the 2012 Focus is a solid, confident performer. Steering t

hrough the meaty, well-shaped wheel is quick, precise, and nicely weighted, though the feel is a bit lacking. Set course for the apex and hold on, because the Focus will turn in and take a line better than any economy car should, even if you dont spring for the Sport model or the Titanium Handling package. It really is a joy to drive this car hard, even if thats not the point. Push too hard and the front tires will start to give way to understeer, but its mostly avoidable if you set up the corner right. The trade-off, should you go for one of the sportier packages, is a ride that is firm by economy car standards, but not punishing.