Proton Gen-2 1.6L can compete with Ford Focus 1.8L

[Kelpie]

1. I was pleasantly surprised when I came across a popular Taiwanese car magazine that wrote a test review and compare the mentioned 2 cars. In Taiwan, Ford Focus is a higly regarded car. To bring in a Gen-2 to compare with it, it means the Taiwanese thinks highly of a Proton. In fact, of the past few Taiwanese Magazines I've read so far, the critics and end users are generally pleased with Proton products there.

 

2. The 2 cars are compared in the following departments and I briefly translated the key points of each:

 

A)Equipment Level

No kidding, Gen-2 won here depsite the fact that it was mentioned that although Gen-2 dashboard is plasticky but its dashboard display, layout & sound system are better. Gen-2 has cruise control as default.

 

B)Performance Level

Without doubt, Focus won but not by alot due to its heavy body and poor power to weight ratio. When in motion after a 0-100Km/h sprint, to accelerate from the next 0~400m, Focus is 18.3 secs and Proton is 18.7secs, so not much difference between a Duratec 1.8L and 1.6L Campro engine.

 

C) Handling

Although Focus excels in handling but owning to high CG of its tall body, it is less precise in cornering though stability is not compromised. A Gen-2 is about 1.2 ton but its has a much lower CG, outstanding chassis, very precise in cornering and it is a fun car to be in control and to be driven.

 

D) Maintenance

Here they talked about ease and cost of maintenance. Ford being a more established brand there has clear advantage over a Proton.

 

E) Conclusion

Performance and Handling wise, both cars are at par. Focus does not have an upper hand in the performance band due to its poor power to weight ratio. Both have excellent chassis and built, Gen-2 steering precision is highly commendable.

 

3. In the end, the editor/tester choice is Ford Focus. If a Ford Focus 1.6L is in the review, do you think it will be torn by a Gen-2? What do you guys think?

 

Regards,

Edited January 26, 2008 by Kelpie

[Nighthawkcity]

[Finclk]

i think someone was bribed to conduct such a review. Let's not kid ourselves.

[En0203]

focus got high CG?? ... tall i agree but high CG...hmm i really doubt so

[Application9999]

haha...some dick head must be having a go at the proton share in the market...given we don't even take a second look at it when buying a car here...good for them...

[Zippaboy]

once i see the plasticky interior, dashboard, buttons, gear knob. totally turn-off.

even the steering wheels feel very plasticky to me, like a toy.

 

the rear passenger space is very pathetic.

[Seaweed]

well...handling of Gen-2 can't be compare to Focus...I try it so I know....not hear say from others...

[En0203]

actually some forumers who test drove gen2 before indeed commented that it handles pretty well

 

so it shouldn't be too bad though i don't believe it can match the focus. but the same cannot be said on the quality though

Edited January 26, 2008 by En0203

[Tigershark1976]

if u wanna compare price vs performance ratio, maybe still possible due to Proton cheap price but looking at Performance alone, how to compare??? its different class of car and u dun even need to compare to know the result!

 

On the other hand, i must say that Gen 2 is not as lousy as other Proton rides. with affordable pricing compare to other Japs car, I must say that its a steal.. well, im not too sure of the problems cos i dun owned 1, just my comment based on my test ride on Gen 2...

Edited January 26, 2008 by Tigershark1976

[Carcraze]

the gen2 handles better than the Civic FD.

drove both my friend's cars at same speed and same route.

[King]

just buy the car when the $ fit!

 

i can buy CTR also..... but CO dun allow

 

actually focus handle better than most FR car....

 

gen2 is base on old car plaform design but handling tune by lotus

 

whenre by focus is a new plaform design by Girls....and one of them went over to Vw and help design the current golf Mk5....old and long story go dig out

Edited January 27, 2008 by King

[King]

ya, gen2 handle better than stock Fd civic...but when the Fd civis do some mod on the suspension set up is a different story

[En0203]

yea, i have heard many good stories from those who test drove gen2 before and i am not surprised that it out-handles the FD

 

and i know the lotus-tuned satria GTI is even better

 

but the problem with gen2 is the quality, and the fact that very few ppl can look beyond the brand name

[En0203]

to compare mod is unfair, gen2 can also mod ma

 

i think chasis is something u cannot mod, unless u change most part of the chasis the weight distribution will remain sucks regardless of what suspension u throw in, hence a jap can never handle like a conti no matter how u tweak the suspension setup

[En0203]

when u get the FD2R, i can tumpang again like i used to be in ur serpent?

[Kelpie]

ya, gen2 handle better than stock Fd civic...but when the Fd civis do some mod on the suspension set up is a different story

 

Don't know why a comparsion between a Focus and a Gen-2 became a Gen-2 between Civic? Anyway, a test review by the same magazine, comparing all the 2L of Civic, Focus, Lancer and Mazda. On the handling department, Civic is the winner among the four.

 

Regards,

[King]

i afraid gen2 in long run will reveal it flaw...just like waja

[King]

FD2R suspenion beri hard...bad for my back..i old lah