Next Gen Focus/volvo/mazda droppings: volvo V50

[biker16]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> Exclusive first pictures of Volvo's new '3-Series' estate in the current issue of Auto Express magazine give conclusive proof that the company's product-led revolution is well underway.

We spied the newcomer almost completely undisguised at the Swedish firm's test track. The BMW challenger is the V50, which will replace the V40 next summer.

Inspired by the popular S60 saloon and recently restyled V70, the V50 will seat five adults in comfort. As with the Audi A4 Avant, the Lexus IS300 SportCross and Alfa 156 Sportwagon, it will be aimed at younger buyers ? rather than those who aspire to the bigger S60 and V70. Based on Ford's P1 platform, which will also be used to underpin the new Focus and next Mazda 3, the V50 will be larger and more luxurious than the ageing V40.

The engine range will only feature 2.4-litre five-cylinder units at launch. These include three petrol ones and a D5 diesel, but different power outputs will be on offer. Entry-level machines produce 140bhp, mid-range cars 170bhp, while flagships add a turbo-charger and deliver 200bhp. The D5 diesel is largely unchanged from its current form and develops 163bhp.

Shortly after launch, Volvo is set to develop two more engines ? a new 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol unit and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. But the V50 is only the first step in a bold plan that will see an extensive range of compact executive-sized models bolster Volvo's ranks. When details of the V50 are announced officially, the company is expected to release information about the all-new S40 saloon. Based on the V50, this car will offer all-wheel drive.

By the time winter arrives, the firm will also unveil details of an SUV called the XC50. Based around the V50 ? and following the style of the recently launched XC90 ? the all-wheel-drive machine is expected to be a direct rival to the Land Rover Freelander as well as the forthcoming BMW X3 ? revealed on pages 14 and 15. As with the XC90, the XC50 will put on-road handling ahead of off-road ability. It is also expected to feature the XC90's gyroscope-equipped stability system.

In spring 2004, Volvo will turn its attention to the performance car market when it produces a driver-oriented coupé version of the V50, which will be named the C50.

Offering all-wheel drive, the car is also likely to be produced as a firebreathing BMW M3-rivalling 'R' edition boasting around 300bhp. Although sales will not start until late 2005, the project will make full use of the technology promised for the long-awaited Ford Focus Cosworth with which it will share a chassis.

The final model to be added to the line-up will be a cabriolet edition of the C50. Aimed directly at the likes of the established BMW 3-Series Convertible, as well as the forthcoming Audi A4 Cabriolet, the newcomer will boast an electric roof and well equipped interior.

Unlike the Coupé version, the drop-top will put the emphasis firmly on luxury rather than outright performance.

Auto Express
<hr></blockquote>

For more info See Here.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: biker16 ]</p>

[biker16]

b
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[focusdchaos]

Sweet!

Good info!

[Pzevinside]

WOW. That's awesome. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: zetecinside ]</p>

[ZX3er]

Hey Biker16, you just digged into a bomb!
Sounds great, and Mazda3 name showed up there as well.
Mazda6 and Mazda3 makes so much sense.
Also v50 if Audi will make it's steering better (at least as good as in current focus) this V50 will be a blast.
So technicaly, what will be improved in the next generation "Focus" suspension over current focus suspension? Will it be longer/wider and tighter?

[ 01-25-2002: Message edited by: ZX3er ]</p>

[biker16]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ZX3er:
Hey Biker16, you just digged into a bomb!
Sounds great, and Mazda3 name showed up there as well.
Mazda6 and Mazda3 makes so much sense.
Also v50 if Audi will make it's steering better (at least as good as in current focus) this V50 will be a blast.
So technicaly, what will be improved in the next generation "Focus" suspension over current focus suspension? Will it be longer/wider and tighter?

[ 01-25-2002: Message edited by: ZX3er ]<hr></blockquote>


I don't know what exactly will be changed but every thing will be tweaked, some a little some alot.

The IRS will be tweaked alot.

The IFS will be tweaked a little.

The platform will become more flexible, stiffer, and quieter. Volvo can't compete against the 3 Series with the current noise level in the Focus.

I choose to think of the Next Focus not as a Civic or corolla fighter, but as a cheap car on a platfrom designed to compete against premium small cars like the A4, C-class, and 3 series.

The next Focus will be have the best Ford, mazda and volvo has to offer. The inherent flexibilty of the chasis, engines and production technologies. will allow for 3 great cars with very different personalites.

If you like the Mazda 6 you'll love the Mazda 3

If you love the Focus you will love the next Focus even more.

If you love the S60 you will love the next S40.

[ZX3er]

Very exciting stuff.
I did mean Volvo's steering, which is very wooly and spongy in V40. Mazda 3/Focus will hopefully remain as good as it is in that regard.
Powertrain/transmission combination looks very promising as well (If focus could only get S-VT upgraded version of 2.3Duratec) Volvo with it's turbo charged 300 hp monster and possibly AWD will be very exciting.Also 5 cylinder engines from Volvo may be pretty interesting.
It looked like VW/AUDI will be in the hunt with new Golf/Jetta V platform, but now it looks like it will not be as good as our FocusMKII platform.
Only interior plastics/leather quality and assembly precision is where Ford/Mazda/Volvo will traditionaly trail Germans by wide margin.
Anyway future can be very bright for Ford with those three very promising cars, but with Ford it's hard to tell, hopefully new Focus will be treated with as much respect as it should be.
I can't wait.

[S. on Da 5]

Cosworth Focus! [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/party.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/evilgrin.gif[/img]

[brian]

Is there some sort of timeframe for the next-gen Mazda 3 and the next-gen Focus?

[biker16]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by brian:
Is there some sort of timeframe for the next-gen Mazda 3 and the next-gen Focus?<hr></blockquote>

Mazda 3 fall 2003
Focus fall 2003 in europe "tenative" late 2004 or early 2005. maybe [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

there are people on the jet that do know exactly when the the next Focus will arrive but will remain silent, while the rest of us are left in the dark.

[ZX3er]

Ford N.A. treats Focus as a unwanted european child, child that can demand too much from lazy and uninspiried parent (Ford N.A.).
Here's what Ford NA is thinking:
"let's not spoil our american customers with all that european hi-tech designs, we want them to drive our pre-historic Taurus or Crown-vic, it's a shame that the Escort is gone, nothing tastes better than easy money"
It's Sad.
Mazda 3 sounds very very promising, which version of Duratec will it get?

[brian]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ZX3er:
Ford N.A. treats Focus as a unwanted european child, child that can demand too much from lazy and uninspiried parent (Ford N.A.).
Here's what Ford NA is thinking:
"let's not spoil our american customers with all that european hi-tech designs, we want them to drive our pre-historic Taurus or Crown-vic, it's a shame that the Escort is gone, nothing tastes better than easy money"
It's Sad.
Mazda 3 sounds very very promising, which version of Duratec will it get?<hr></blockquote>

I wonder what it takes to become an executive at Ford N.A. I would go get an MBA in a heartbeat if I knew I could get high enough up there to influence things like this.