First-ever Ford Focus Active

[In Focus]

The "M" is for manual mode. I have it in my 19.75 build (June 2019) Trend, and it enables more control over the gears (holds them longer if desired). I have the Driver Assist Package AND paddle-shifts in the Trend.

I believe the "L" stands for lower gears (not sure how many that is), which is what my Mrs has on the Puma (no paddle shifters).

So it sounds like Ford have, indeed, "de-contented" the newest models. Be interesting to find out what (if anything) might have got added.

[Paul22]

Ok thanks for that regarding 'L'.


It only lowers by one gear and that's it and from what I can see it's an American thing - apparently the seppos are not sure how to operate an auto manually and with Ford's attitude to Australia we get what we're given and just suck it up!


From my drive I found it to be a very involving car which handles very well and is a comfortable ride to boot.


And there-in lies the rub they make a car that suits people with ride and qualities but deny you any control over the trans. Further, to select the lower gear requires you to feel for the knob and then press the centre totally and utterly ergonomically stupid.


Finally as I stated in my previous post there is no reference anywhere that the SelectShift is no longer included and it still appears in their current brochure (dated Feb 2021).


And yes I am aware of the right of the factory to change specs etc without notice but given the car was built in Sept '20 they've had reasonable time to change the spec sheet.


Car manufacturers are like the airlines: customers? they're a bloody nuisance!