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2012 Focus Electric test Drive: Behind the wheel of Ford's $39,200 electric car

3.6K views 24 replies 9 participants last post by  Phillip  
#1 ·
Link: http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/17/2953479/2012-ford-focus-electric-driving-impressions

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The Verge said:
Despite consumer uptake that hasn't quite lived up to the hype, the market for electric vehicles continues to expand, with Ford the latest entrant with the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. A zero-emissions electric vehicle with a 76-mile range and a top speed of 84 miles per hour, the car is clearly intended to be a competitor to the Nissan Leaf, with Ford noting that it just manages to best the latter car is several key specs. I was able to spend some time with the new Focus to get a sense of what driving it is like — and who it may really be aimed at.

Compared to its competition, the Focus Electric is a handsome vehicle. A stylistic riff on the Focus line in general, it features a decorative grill — equal parts Mini Cooper and Aston Martin — and in a nice touch, the charging port is circled by a pulsating ring of light. That said, it's still a five-door, hatchback-style vehicle, but it's a far cry from the sloping nose of the Leaf. Inside the Focus Electric keeps in line with these utilitarian roots, again ditching the futuristic feel of some of its competitors for a more contemporary interior. The seats themselves use fabrics from Repreve, a company that specializes in utilizing recycled plastic bottles to help create its materials. It's a nod to the overall message and lifestyle brand Ford is trying to put forward with the vehicle. While the seats were comfortable, the interior isn't particularly spacious; an adult of regular height will find themselves with precious little legroom when sitting in the back.
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