Ford Focus 2008

[simonr]

I think this might be the US version..?

but OMG what have they done to our beautiful focus..

There is no Hatchback model.. WTF?

http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2008-focus/

[melbzetec]

Looks very US. Stance looks OK, but front grill treatment makes you want to vomit

[orsest170]

Simon, before you cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the Focus brand, kindly remove that awful picture! Seriously though, that is obviously the American Version, because the Euro is apparently going to look like this....





I'm sure you'll all agree, the Euro version is quite stunning, so what the hell were the yanks thinking?

[kenny21]

u all know the yank ruin everything

[Piotr]

orsest170 are you sure those are the 2008 euro version? They look more like concept pictures of the currenty model, Those are huge metal changes for a car thats only 4years old.

[eXtremist]

The LS model of the focus was never released in America, so I guess its too late to bring the LS model out now, so they're bound to release something different. (Which is what you see above ^^)

[orsest170]

Originally Posted by Piotr

orsest170 are you sure those are the 2008 euro version? They look more like concept pictures of the currenty model, Those are huge metal changes for a car thats only 4years old.

Nope, not certain - someone posted these pics over at the XR5 forum. I think the pics were titled "Focus III 2009", so I'm guessing these are the concept pics for the third generation (Euro) Focus due for release in 2009?

[simonr]

it looks like the same body as the US one..

And according the write up on the US one they are getting rid of the hatch model??

again.. WTF??

thats wat the focus is known for.. Euro Hatch/WRC Hatch

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by simonr

I think this might be the US version..?

but OMG what have they done to our beautiful focus..

There is no Hatchback model.. WTF?

http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2008-focus/

This is the third incarnation of the original C170 Focus for North America, rest assured it's not coming to the rest of the world

I'd doubt you'd see a new Focus in 2008, that'd make a very short model cycle.

BTW, hatches don't do that well in the USA. Golfs were easily outsold by the Jetta for example.

[Lagom]

Have to say, reading the press release, there are some interesting features in there.

* Can configure interior lighting in 7 colours.
* USB port.
* Integrated information display in the centre of the dash has good info there.
* Bluetooth sync with up to 6 different phones in the car - will even read out text messages to the cabin.
* Voice activated command over audio and separate players (eg. iPod).
* Kerb weight lighter by 27kg (pretty impressive that they reduced weight, although was that cost cutting )
* Revised suspension & brakes
* Improved fuel economy measures
* Reduced aerodynamic drag
* Curtain airbags

Overall, this is a pretty significant upgrade to a model first launched in 1998. Looking at the panels they've changed to the car and all the various revisions, must've cost a bit of money.

[Fast Eddie]

I hope they introduce a Turbo Diesel variant.

[oziwally]

did anyone see the focus in Casino Royale? or was that a mondeo, very very similar.

3 - Ford paid big bucks to be in the film
Fans of the Bond series need not worry, as 007 still drives an Aston Martin. But that didn't stop Ford from taking its shot at the ultimate automotive product placement; some rumors put the Ford product placement price tag at almost US $25 million. Viewers can expect to see Bond drive the Mondeo in a Bahamas-based chase scene specially created for the car company.

[oziwally]

Don't worry and yes i did answer my own question in the last post lol

[Deanodriver]

Oh, the US Focus is just a facelifted Mk1, I believe they didn't bring the Mk2 in to cut down on costs (US buyers are like Aussie ones, tightarses).

Remember, hatches aren't very popular in the States, I believe the sedan out-sells it by a fair margin anyway.

That Euro Mk3 Focus looks hot, for the record (then again, I like the Mk2 Focus as well).

[Mick K.]

Originally Posted by oziwally

did anyone see the focus in Casino Royale? or was that a mondeo, very very similar.

3 - Ford paid big bucks to be in the film
Fans of the Bond series need not worry, as 007 still drives an Aston Martin. But that didn't stop Ford from taking its shot at the ultimate automotive product placement; some rumors put the Ford product placement price tag at almost US $25 million. Viewers can expect to see Bond drive the Mondeo in a Bahamas-based chase scene specially created for the car company.

Ford must have paid quite a lot to get a monopoly on all cars in the movie. Jags, Astin Martins, Fords, Land Rovers - all part of the Ford Motor Group. Didn't notice any Volvos or Mazdas though.

MK

[hydra_hlz]

dont want to stir anything up on my first post but this is a crap looking car. also the taillights are exactly the same as the ba falcon but smaller and different treatment. ford stealing from ford me thinks

[raymon81]

You must have really good eye sight to see the full tail light me thinks. All you can see is a side shot so u cant really tell. "ford stealing from ford?" hmmmmmmm :

[FalconXR6]

I tell ya what. If you could put the original Focus front on the the new (current) Focus with the old model Focus' interior using the new models materials (pheeeww! that was a "type-full") you would have the ultimate Focus IMO. I'd even think about buying it.

[oziwally]

i never liked the old focus styling, to 'triangular' imo

I love both the New US concept and New Euro concept.

With the US model, its part of Ford US plan to improve their image, and having all the cars similarly styled is probably what they want.

Can anyone here say BA tailights

I say they've ruined it by having a straight diagonal line to join the rear bar to the quarter panel... You need the S bend to a horizonal line like the BA and other european cars

[MeestaNob!]

Oh dear, another candidate for the "They Just Dont Get It" pile. On top of all that misery its based off the nearly decade old original platform. Whilst some of the features are nice, that interior is not, and the outside is just plain wrong. It's initially bold and muscular, but after viewing all angles its infact just another dull car. At least the proportions are right I suppose.

Why do they resist just taking the Euro focus? Why? WHY? WHY? Let them build a copy of the Euro Focus in their 'all American' Mexican sweat shops, or use that one and stop calling it a Focus.

BTW, whats wrong with the Fusion that they now have two nearly identical lower/mid-size sedans? Why do they need two of the same car, and why did they choose to clone THIS style...

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by MeestaNob!

BTW, whats wrong with the Fusion that they now have two nearly identical lower/mid-size sedans? Why do they need two of the same car, and why did they choose to clone THIS style...

The Fusion is a lot larger than a Focus, it's in between a Falcon and a Mondeo.

[hydra_hlz]

heres a link to other shots of the new US Focus. http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-focus/ you can clearly see the ba taillights on the rear shots

[Zetec20]

I don't tihnk that model says much for the tastes of the US public... other than the BA looking taillights :P

[Uni]

wow, they are very much like the BA..

the US model is hideous, but i love that euro model, very sexy indeed!


Uni/.

[ondori]

what a front, aleast its ture, Bold would be one of the nicer ways to describe it. What did they do the the 3 door. a boot look? hyundai

http://autoshows.ford.com/?p=7

[Focus Chick]

Hey everyone, Im new to the forums and this is the first thread that I have viewed. I think the euro version looks great.. Anyone know how much this one will be going for?

[Uni]

same ballpark figure as the current one i would presume, possibly a little more expensive depending on equipment and development costs.. expect the boggo version to be significantly higher off the ground with none of the flash wheel or trim bits too.


Uni/.
EDIT: Welcome to the forums, where are you located? I suggest you head HERE and sign yourself up if you feel like joining up for the cruises and other club events. If you're a Sydneysider we have a cruise coming up this weekend which i know you would be more than welcome at. Enjoy

EDIT 2: Nice work Uni, she's from Mildura, try reading that next time... ahhh well :togo:

[Zetec20]

Welcome Focus_Chick

nice choices with the car first of all, and the titanium grey, and the manual transmission, and damn you've beat me with the gearknob...