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Focus 2006
A car that offer you all the driving fun you could want .
There is nothing like a well-crafted sport sedan to deliver driving enjoyment. Take the 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 ST for instance. This four-door compact has all the ingredients for a great driving experience-while delivering consistent good news at the gas pump. Its dynamic body styling is enhanced for '06 with a pair of exciting new Street Appearance Packages, while a stylish and comfortable interior rewards driver and passengers alike with a high-quality environment. The Focus model range has earned plenty of validating awards, including five consecutive years on Car and Driver's 10 Best list, four years as a Consumer Guide Best Buy, and four Automobile magazine All-Star awards. But it becomes even more appealing for '06 with a host of other upgrades and improvements.
The driving fun starts with Ford's zippy 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that develops 151 horsepower at a spirited 5,750 rpm. Coupled with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission (you know it's a serious sport sedan when there's no automatic available), it is a kick in the pants to rev through the gears. Good four-cylinder engines like this are great to drive because they're responsive as well as thrifty; the engine is EPA-estimate rated at 31 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. The ZX4's alloy engine design contributes to the car's low 2,718-lb. curb weight-another performance advantage. Its front-wheel drive maximizes traction across a broad range of road conditions, and its compact layout helps free up interior space.
In proving Ford's commitment to maximizing driving fun, the Focus ZX4 ST also includes a performance-tuned four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson strut in front and multi-link "control blade" in the rear). Combined with power rack-and-pinion steering, sporty-looking five-spoke 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels and aggressive 50-series Pirelli all-season tires, the suspension helps the ZX4 ST turn in quickly and grip the road tenaciously. It likewise features front and rear stabilizer bars to keep body roll in check. Altogether, it means sport-sedan handling at a compact-car price.
Music lovers are well rewarded in the Focus ZX4. New '06 features include a standard CD/MP3 format player, while the optional six-disc audio systems now have steering wheel-mounted controls. For the true audiophiles, a Sony audiophile system is also available. |
