Ford Focus Titanium, Like Luke Skywalker, Is Switching To Manual Control

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

TTAC’s initial review of the current Ford Focus was an enthusiastic one, and a year later I’ll still stand by that enthusiasm. Today, there’s a new reason to be enthusiastic about Ford’s chic, Continental, and cher compact.

Ford has apparently read my Christmas wish list and decided to work on Wish #3. Multiple websites are reporting this morning that the Focus Titanium, previously available solely with Ford’s somewhat star-crossed PowerShift twin-clutch automatic, will have a manual transmission available for order.

Will it be the five-speed which can be had on the SE model, or the six-speed that will reportedly accompany the Focus ST? Don’t bet on the latter. With the addition of a manual transmission, Europhiles should find the Titanium to be the perfect car. It’s expensive, luxurious, small, economical, available as a hatchback, and not “overpowered”. What are you waiting for? Another question: What was Ford waiting for? Our guess: the Dodge Dart’s agnostic approach to transmission availability forced the Blue Oval’s hand.

Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Orangutan Orangutan on Jan 25, 2012

    Why won't they just give it a six-speed manual? They're pushing powertrain updates, so why use only a five-speed?

  • Dglynn Dglynn on Jan 26, 2012

    Like any of you guys buy new cars. But we all agree it will make a nice used car, right? No wonder car companies don't build to this commentariat's desires. Congratulations Ford! You have built a car this crowd will advise their friends to buy when it comes off lease.

    • See 2 previous
    • DubTee1480 DubTee1480 on Jan 26, 2012

      @DubTee1480 krhodes1: Wasn't really trying to step on any toes there, it's just been a point I've heard brought up on this forum several times in the past (correctly or not) so I thought I'd drag it out as an example. Enjoy your car man :). I thought they started a bit further north than $35K but I didn't want to highball my figure. Thus the "as if"... probably should have chosen better wording. I am one of those will not settle for the auto customers that you're referring to (I mentioned it further up on another comment) so I fully agree with your second comment... that was kind of the point I was trying to make.

  • DarkSpork DarkSpork on Jan 26, 2012

    Maybe I'm a minority, but I'd like to see the Titanium with a 2.5L engine + Manual (direct injected or not). I know there would be a hit in fuel economy from the greater displacement, but the boost in torque should make it feel like there's a noticeable improvement in acceleration over my 2006 Focus. I imagine that it could be had for under $25k if I don't select all the features.

    • See 1 previous
    • Mike978 Mike978 on Jan 27, 2012

      @NulloModo Nullo - any idea if Ford will for the 2013 model year introduce the 1.6 Ecoboost engine? They are making the Ecoboost engines available in many other Fords like the Escape, Fusion and Taurus. The ST will be a niche model so I don`t count that on getting turbo engines out there to the masses.

  • Solracer Solracer on Jan 27, 2012

    About time, though the Focus I am most interested in doesn't have a transmission at all...

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