Pricing is yet to be released on all but the base CL - $20,990 ( Manual) INCLUDING Twin Airbags, power front windows and Aircon, as opposed to the previous CL price of $22,660 at launch once air was included, no windows, no passenger bag. It has come a LONG way!!! Cheaper and better optioned, bigger, FAR more powerful, safer, quieter. FAR more gear for much less moolah. All we've been told is this is the theme for the range and that prices for each model should be cheaper than the model they replace. That in itself is amazing! Every model is far superior and better optioned yet cheaper!! Can't wait till they do finally release pricing!
As for the Disabled driver's kit Eddie, I imagine they will probably develop one or have one available if they have on all models up until now including Mk I and then BA Falcon etc. Here's hoping!! We should know within the next few months.
The stereo CRANKS seriously hard and is a sweet unit, now upgraded to 6 speakers including A-pillar splits.
Handbrake takes getting used to but would it be a Focus if it didn't have something to get used to?!!! That would make it a Toyota if everything was easy and boring... yawn.
Interior comfort and ergonomics are first class, I did over 1,000km in 2 days including 700km highway and it is comfortable, you feel fresh after a long drive, exceptionally good under thigh support which I liked, softer seats, great centre armrest (can't believe I just said that) and a nice wheel. Instruments are clear and easy to read, trip computer is brilliant, cruise control is simply magical and everything is both easy to reach and simple to use. VERY user friendly.
The manual gearchange is siloky smooth, so easy and light, nice stumpy short throw shifter, the clutch is pefect, nice and light with enough feel, brakes are awesome, there's heaps of nice small touches everywhere. It's a far superior vehicle, but when I jumped back into my Mk I expecting it to be a dog box, it held it's head high. Amazingly even with the zorst and air filter, it feels very nose heavy and sluggish, have to rev it to get it going... the Mk II does everything so effortlessly, pulls like a freight train and does it so happily every time.
I love my MkI and I feel almost like I could own both side by side and they're 2 totally different vehicles in some ways, but the genetics deep down is still there and I like, no, I LOVE what Ford have done with the New model. I'll still try and run rings around it in my Mk I but now that it's lowered and has sticky tyres it's naturally going to handle better. Just lookout when someone lowers a Mk II. Power to burn, refinement aplenty and all in style with space to spare. Got me hooked! So much so that I've got a Ghia sedan this weekend!!!! Doing another 1,000km. Aaaah the disadvantages of having to work for a living really are taking their toll... :evilking:
Will report (WITH pics) on the drive and comfort of the luxo-barge next week!!
Check out the Ford Press release at
http://www.ford.com.au/inside_ford/p...ile=foa484.htm