Um, wrong, everything on the exterior was competely new.

Mk1

Mk2

All new, as you can see, this is old news...

 

I don't see anything major.

When people talk about Ford Ranger for example, they mention that Ranger didn't get major redesign since 1993, even though those changes were bigger than those on Focus.

 

that does it... zoran's lost it...
Look at those photos dude!
seriously though, i don't see a single shared piece between those two cars.
I'd say the Ranger did get a significant reskin in '98, plus a bit of a stretch, but the Mk2 focus was a much more significant change. Its got the new nose, which is pretty much all the 98 ranger got in terms of looks. The hatch got a completely new roofline (changing the roofline is a big deal, such a big deal that the 500 could not be blessed with such a change...). And well basically every single one of the body panels got replaced.

If you still think that doesn't qualify as "major changes to the exterior" than we will just have to agree to disagree, and sit and wait for the Mk3 focus.

 

Significant? Yes. "Major"? No.

 

Thank you.

 

Haha, yeah...it didn't turn into a plane or anything.

 

2006 US Focus



2006 Euro Focus


Whenever you guys show a picture of the Euro Focus you always show that orange Focus ST, which has a totally different grille and front fascia than normal C1s. That's like showing the GT500 to represent every Mustang.

The current US Focus and the current Euro non-ST Focus look very similar, especially in the front. The casual observer would not probably notice the differences between the two. The headlights look identical. The grille on the US Focus has exactly the same shape, except for a little more chrome. What's funny is that everybody hates the '05 US restyle, which made the US Focus have the same front end styling as the Euro Focus (except for the ST version) everybody moans for.

If they just brought over the C1 from Europe, most people would even notice the slight difference in styling, especially in the sedans. Now for something completely different:

 

hahaha... so true about the ST-focus.. I concede... significant, but not major. But I totally agree with Vermillion. I do think that the current Euro focus, while in words it might be pretty much identical to our current focus, when you see it, its much better executed, looks much nicer than what we got. But its so true, if they just brought that over, sales wouldn't go anywhere. All us auto enthusiasts would be so thrilled, Finally! The C1 focus... but your average buyer wouldn't notice a thing. Sure it irks us that its still the same old car under neath... but I really don't think anybody cares aside from the tiny percentage of the population who spends time arguing about cars on the internet.

I think this new Focus will do a lot better than most people think who are convinced it'll flop cause its still on the same platform.

 

The 500 looks way better now, I feel bad for those who bought the previous 500. The Focus is a good effort considering how ugly the previous one was though selling a wagon with Focus written on it would have been better. I think both of these will give some life to the sales of the two until the next. Oh and by change I mean it had better be the Euro Focus, you listening Ford?

EDIT:

You know I thought the exterior of that air thing was ugly then they had to open it, what is that thing in the center a swirling tube of lite up vomit?

 

I just noticed to new gauges in the focus......Nice!

 

You mean...you didn't know?

 

He might have you and your posts on 'ignore'.

 

Well, at least you don't...and that's all that matters.

 

 

If the lighted steering wheel controls stay on the production '08 Focus...then great. Can't stand the unlit lights on my 05. I like my '05 but I hope the new one rally does well and that improved materials are included. Bigger brakes/rear disks would be nice.

 

I find both a bit disappointing, to be honest. The Five Hundred front clip reminds me of the previous gen Avalon. And the Focus looks like it could easily wear a Saturn badge without raising an eyebrow. Saturn Ion Mk. 2

 

So what's up with Montego? I know its identical to 500, but its weird that Mercury didn't introduce Montego yet.

 

ROFLOL!!