Ford Focus 1.0-litre review - Telegraph Of course Ford does. Any brand new engine costs more than its predecessor, but this one will have cost plenty. For a start it's tiny, weighing 97kg as shipped with all its ancillaries. It's so small that the block is no wider than a sheet of A4 paper. So small, in fact, that there wasn't enough weight advantage to warrant making the block out of aluminium, so it's cast iron - although the head and sump are aluminium. Normally we only dwell on Ferrari engine porn like this, but here, it's worth the effort. The double overhead camshafts are driven by an oil-lubricated belt, for example, which should last the life of the engine. There are no Lanchester balance shafts in the block, whirring around at twice engine speed consuming space and energy. Instead Ford engineers have deliberately unbalanced the dual-mass flywheel (on the turbo version) at the back of the engine and the crankshaft damper at the front. It doesn't entirely dial out the fizzing whirring you get with a three pot, but it turns up-and-down movement into side-to-side, which makes it easier to deal with. "In unbalanced masses, this engine is now like a five cylinder," says Fraser - doesn't sound like a Quattro, though. The are four tiny valves per cylinder, variable camshaft timing, direct fuel injection into the cylinders and the cutest little turbocharger made by Continental, the German tyre maker. The starter sounds like a strangled parrot, but once turning over, the engine is virtually silent. Ford engineers have spent blood and treasure in dialling out the signature three-pot soundtrack and, in most conditions, they've worked something of a miracle. Trouble is, when you do hear the engine, such as on lifting off the throttle at high speeds, it comes as a complete surprise, every time. The other big surprise is just how lively this tiny engine is. There's not a lot going on before 2,000rpm, but the mid range torque at about 3,500rpm is really strong thanks in part to the overboost facility on the tiny turbo, which will up its game from 125- to 148lb ft for 30 seconds to get you past that annoying van. Even if you do need to change down a couple of gears, the engine doesn't mind and charges towards its 6,500rpm red line with gusto. The six speed has a fluid and fast change quality, with well chosen ratios - motorway cruising in sixth done with less than 2,500rpm on the clock. It is hills, load and speed which spotlight a relative lack of torque in this big-car-small-engine combo. Those used to the low-down pulling power of a turbodiesel might find themselves having to modify their driving styles and rev the engine more. Of course that means the fuel economy will suffer and there's something of a Jekyll and Hyde nature to small petrol engines like this and Fiat's twin-cylinder MultiAir unit in the Panda. Driven gently they are capable of almost diesel rivalling economy, but drive it like you stole it and the thirst soars. With some 66lb less in the nose, the Focus handling, which was pretty much matchless in its class, is even better. The nose points in to the corners with new-found alacrity, the electronically assisted steering (especially tuned for this application) is light and full of feel. It rides beautifully, too, feeling supple and comfortable for long distances. Again, the wheels have less weight to support and it glides over bumps and pot holes, tackling sleeping policemen in its stride. The braking is also more positive, with none of the dive that can affect the heavier diesel models. The abiding impression is of refinement rather than the slightly manic nature of some of its three-cylinder rivals. And with less throttling action, it coasts along at high speed with just a touch of throttle, as settled as a yacht on a broad reach on a fine day. All the rest of the Focus stuff remains, including the excellent cabin design, comfortable and supportive seats and a decent sized boot. Many Focus customers dig deep into the options list to get big-car features such as lane-keeping assistance, low-speed accident collision braking, automatic parking and the essential winter feature, the Quick Clear windscreen. We particularly like the new active door edge protectors, which emerge and retract from the frame as you open and close the doors, protecting your valuable paintwork against adjacent cars or walls. At almost £18,000 it's an expensive choice, which is perhaps why Ford has lavished such extensive development work. The blue oval is convinced, however, that the market will eventually come to this sort of power unit, either because of the increasing complexity and expense involved in keeping diesel engines ahead of emissions legislation, or because of the public demand for refinement and economy, which petrol engines are uniquely able to supply. Either way, the three-cylinder Focus, in this 123bhp turbo form, is a surprising success, proving that, just occasionally, less can actually mean more. Ford Focus 1.0-litre Ecoboost Tested: 999cc, three-cylinder petrol engine, with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection and turbocharger. Six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive. Price/on sale: From £16,245 (£17,745 as tested) /early summer. Power/torque: 123bhp @ 6,000rpm/125lb ft @ 1,500rpm, with 148lb ft overboost facility for 30sec. Top speed: 120mph Acceleration: 0-62mph 11.3sec Fuel economy: 44.8mpg/56.5mpg EU Urban/Combined CO2 emissions: 114g/km VED band: C (£0 for first year, £30 thereafter) Verdict: A highly refined and well engineered engine, which has great performance and character, and good economy if you are easy with the right foot. Expensive though. Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB MultiAir, from £21,855 Similar size to the Focus and achieves a similar result with highly-complex hydraulic inlet-valve control. The 170bhp four cylinder gives 54.3mpg, 121g/km, 135mph and 0-62mph in 7.7sec. Skoda Roomster Greenline II 1.2, £16,120 Very different sort of car, a similar three-cylinder but much more lethargic driveline. The 74bhp, 1,199cc three pot delivers 67.3mpg, 109g/km, 103mph and 0-62mph in 15.4sec.