Look! A Focus with a Hyundai Badge

I was at Jusco Bukit Tinggi, Klang last weekend when I spotted an oddity being exhibited at one of the centre courts - a Focus 2.0 with a Hyundai badge. Named the i30, the Focus lookalike mimics many of the Ford Focus S2.0's styling features,

For a Ford enthusiast like me, the i30 is not the real thing but, dang, it's close. And in some respects, it looks even better.

Check out the similarities at the front of the i30, especially the way the headlights slant backwards and the way the engine hood tapers on the sides, giving the car the distinctive Ford Focus look.

At the same time, some features appear better thought out. Compared the real Focus, the i30's rear is a lot more stylish and better thought out.

For one thing, the i30's hatchback is less slanted, allowing for bigger passenger space, especially headroom, in the back.

For another, the i30's rear lights are far more interesting to look at than the Focus' less imaginative and dull tail lights.

Also, the 2.0L version of the i30 comes with 17-inch rims and the wheel arches are designed for those rims as well. So, there's no need to compensate by getting larger size rims or over-sized tyres (a problem that's inherent in Ford Focuses sold in Malaysia).

Still, I doubt that the i30 performs as well as the Focus S2.0. Although I didn't get the chance to test drive the car, from what I could tell, the i30 doesn't have an engine compartment chassis stabiliser bar.

This could result in significant body roll, which would compromise handling at corners and bends.

Nevertheless, the i30 is being sold at about the same price as the Focus S2.0 but comes with a 5-year warranty instead of the Focus' 3-year warranty. Considering how pricey Focus spare parts are, getting the i30 may be the better deal.