info on the 2008 Focus from the Detroit News

some interesting and positive news from the article:

 

Sounds like this band-aid fix may be able to stop the bleeding until the next generation Focus arrives. Even an analyst seems to like it!

 

I bet the front end will look very similar to that of the fusions (at least with the bars)... and the body looks bland as heck!

 

Can't wait to see new Focus.

 

Even if it looks bland, small gas economical cars are selling. I hope they start using some of the euro ques though in the future. I think that is a huge problem, lack of flashy "gotta have it" design on the Focus. I mean c'mon look at how well the euro version sells!

 

If you need Focus parts, I got them too!!!

Tony D

 

While Ford probably should have commited to a C1 based Focus for NA long ago, the idea that the current Focus platform cannot make quite an attractive car is just wrong. The basic chassis is still very, very good and quite competitive. The new Focus is plusher, and a bit more refined....but as Jeremy Clarkson noted in his TG review the old car was/is no slouch in terms of refinement and the new car lost some of the dynamic edge that made the first model such a darling with the press. In fact, Clarkson noted his personal preference for the old Focus in that review...no small praise by any means and an indication that this old dog indeed has some tricks left up it's sleeve.

A thoroughly revised extrerior with a squat and sporty take on the Fusions styling could work very well. Combine this with a well executed interior and the option of either a turbo four or small V-6 (preferably a small V-6) to give the car a powertrain edge over rivals like the Civic and Ford could have a class standout for very little dough. Unfortunately the revision seems unlikely to be so thorough and is more likely to be a simple stopgap until C2 comes around.

 

I don't really think the fusionification of the Focus will provide a drastic change in sales.

Instead of imposing the new corporate face on the car, they should have let the unique look of the Focus evolve as the euro-model has.


Its total b.s. that the euro version couldn't come here. Up here, the current focus and Mazda3 are very close in price. Not using the euro platform is simply a case of cheaping out.

 

With the intense scrutiny that Ford is under by the media, why is it there have been no spy shots of the new Focus coupe for 2008? Has anyone seen the Focus coupe?

 

because no one cares about it and everyone is looking forward to the new mustang

 

With higher gas prices, I believe there will be more interest in the Focus. I just wish they would have left the Zetec engine in it. The C1 Focus is a great chassis, it just needs a few tweaks.

The SVT Focus was great fun...6 speed, 170 hp, 17 in wheels and tires, huge 4 wheel disc brakes, it just never sold all that well.

Tony D