This fact, combined with a slightly lighter overall package (45 kg) as well as revisions to the engine and transmission give the Ford expected fuel economy ratings of 5.7 L/100 km and 8.5 L/100 km (city/highway) for the standard, 5-speed manual and 5.9 L/100 km and 8.4 L/100 km (city/highway) for the optional, 4-speed automatic.

Only one engine variant is offered in the new Focus, a carryover 2.0-litre Duratec inline 4-cylinder. In its previous application, this engine developed 136 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. Through new air intake and cooling systems, these figures have been bumped up to 140 hp and 136 lb-ft.

The only version tested during the launch event was the Focus SES with the 4-speed automatic. This package didn't offer a whole lot of excitement. When the accelerator was matted during freeway merging, the kick-down was anything but smooth and the engine seemed to create a lot of buzz without much real motivation. Oh, well.

Sync is a voice activated in-car communication and entertainment system.

In sync... or not?
Much of the excitement revolving around the introduction of the 2008 Ford Focus dealt with a strategic partnership with Microsoft that has resulted in the debut of the new Ford Sync(tm) media system.

Sync integrates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and media players (via a USB port) into a single, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system. It will eventually appear in many Ford and Lincoln models with the Focus representing its public debut.

In theory, Sync is a great idea, but there's some doubt over how much of an advance it is over audio systems with plug-in jacks or navigation systems with voice activation (the Focus isn't available with a nav system). In field testing, the audio system worked well when songs were requested through voice activation.

Unfortunately, we didn't fare so well with the phone and were stumped in trying to call people using the audio cues... with a representative from Ford in the passenger seat trying to help us. When we tried to "call home," the system dialed someone with a name whose doesn't in any way sound like "home." Oh, well. The Sync system is standard on the Focus SE and SES models and available as a $495 option on the S base model.

During a Q&A session, another observer made an interesting point: Why not offer ABS standard on all Focus trim levels rather than invest in a new media system?

The panel member responded by saying that the Ford offers many standard safety features - including side air bags, side air curtains and a tire pressure monitoring system - but the question was, nevertheless, well-placed.