http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I02dm91XrTs

This car will be pretty good.

 

Looking good!

 

Looks pretty good. when do these hit the lots?

 

Early next year I believe.

 

I think Ford needs to increase power in the base model. Ford needs to be a leader in the class and 155 hp ain't gonna do it. By next year pretty much everyone will be making same or more power. Heck, you can even get Corolla with 158 hp these days.
2.0L 170 hp engine from 2003-2004 SVT Focus would be a nice base engine.

 

I agree. I also think if ford would just start making the 02-04 svt focus again 100% the same it would sell like crazy.

 

Unfortunately there is still no 3 Door Planned for the US..............

 

The 158 hp Corolla is an optional engine, the base is 132hp. Chevy won't offer anything over 140 on the Cruze at launch, Honda's no better and Kia's right at 156. A 155hp 2.0L Ti-VCT I4 with 6-speed dual-clutch trans as the base powertrain sounds pretty nice to me.

 

The dual-clutch transmission will help a lot! I can't wait to drive one . . . perhaps even have a new 5-door hatch in my driveway in a year depending on how big it is inside.

 

I know it's the optional engine, but Focus does not have an optional engine (other than ST/SVT, but that's way too pricey).

In my opinion Focus needs to be the leader in pretty much every category compared to Civic and Corolla if Focus has any chance of outselling them. Corolla has always been a boring car and I think even the base Focus should be more powerful than the most powerful Corolla.
A buyer can also get a Kia Forte with 2.4L 173 hp engine (or Volkswagen Golf 2.5L 175 hp) for about the same price ($17,500) as the base Focus.

 

So if the Focus out accelerates and handles better the cars you mentioned with more horsepower (and gets better fuel economy) you still won't be satisfied?

 

I will, but I doubt that'll happen.

But a lot of people do look at just the horsepower number and even if a car is better performer with less power people will still criticize it (just look at Mustang 4.6L compared to Camaro and especially Challenger).

 

Well, on one point the rating has been bumped up, according to Autoblog's article today Focus is at 158 hp and 146 lbft of torque.

Another point is that the total package is what sells in the mainstream. Golf is fast but smaller than the Focus, Forte is neat but the bigger engine doesn't overcome weaker everything else. Neither can touch the mileage Focus is aiming for with gas.

We'll see, I'm optimistic.

 

We'll I'm wondering what you can option out on the SE b/c its the highest level to get a manual. Would like to get an SEL or Titanium w/stick but that won't happen.