Official 2008 Ford Focus Pics and Information!

[2focusd]

I know it wasn't the first for the faux-vents Ron, and I'm sure that it won't be the last, but when I see any feature on a car that's nonfunctional it just looks stupid to me. A friend of mine has a '97 Mustang GT and the hood has the little fake vents that do nothing on it. It makes me chuckle because I associate that as the OEM version of the stick-on hood scoops sold at your local auto parts stores. I'm sure that I speak for the minority of car buyers when I say I want a car with functional features, but hey, what you said about the SE sedan not having those scoops gives me hope that something could be done about them

-Brian

[f2focus]

I had seen the car before and I thought well if that is what you want to go with then do it. I like it and it is up to the aftermarket companies to do something to make it look better. We already know what we are doing with it.

And the 2.0L is not a bad engine, I am selling both of my 2.3L hatchbacks for any that want it.

[2focusd]

I don't think the 2.0L Duratec is a bad motor at all, though I really figured they'd keep the 2.3L around as an option for a sporty sedan or something else that would run in a much smaller production than the usual

So Ricardo, can you discuss any of the plans of what you wanna do with the '08 coupe yet?

-Brian

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by 2focusd

But Ron how much of an aftermarket do you think this '08 Focus is going to have? As said earlier, the '05+ crowd still doesn't have a lot to work with aside from a handful of bumpers, the Steeda billet grille, and a few hoods because most tuners knew that something entirely new was in the oven (pun intended) for 2008. Going by that assumption, something entirely new is coming here in when, 2010? Given that information, the few small things I don't like about the '08 Focus might not be addressed by companies such as Focus Sport or F2 because they may be looking towards the future "global" car

When is this thing set to come out anyway? I graduate next fall, and if the price is right on a stripped coupe this may compete with the Civic for my business

-Brian

You are correct that the aftermarket for body kits may be slim. But, according to recent SEMA and other industry surveys, body styling is swinging back toward the less radical.

I'm sure someone industrious will whip up a front air dam/splitter type of thing and a low profile rear deck lip.

Current suspension, brakes and tires should all fit.

I would assume that many underhood bolt-ons will as well. I doubt they changed the engine bay stamping.

Exhausts will need to be test fitted, but may fit or only require minor tweaks.

Turbo kits should work with the possibility that the piping may need to be altered. I don't think anyone knows about intercooler placement behind the new front end yet. But, I'm sure FS and other will be on the case ASAP.

I am seriously thinking about getting a Coupe as the next FJ project car and would expect to do all of the above, and don't feel there will be much of a problem.

Also, AFAIK, the car will come out in the Fall.

[2focusd]

I'm looking at this guy as a possible replacement for my aging ZX3 as well, that's why I'm curious about it so much I know that the suspension changed in '06, but the last time I checked (I'll admit that I'm much more knowledgeable about the '05- Focus than the newer ones) there was little to do suspension-wise. Is that still the case now?

I could be wrong, but the Ford hype-up about the car hinted at changes in the engine department, but I'm with you in thinking that it's mainly going to effect exhausts and the FS turbo and not smaller things like intakes, etc. Once I get Photoshop back on this computer I may try to give it a go, but in Cloud 9 White with the right wheels and stance, this thing may not look too bad afterall

-Brian

[orionlion82]

fj1-
i was ready for it to be boring, ugly and not the ST/II.

(i am not big on looks untill thameth couldnt resist stirring the pot.)

i kinda allmost liked it, and was ready for it to grow on me, but its been souring on me and the last reason is the looks/engine.
i am more worried about the practical/value for your money stuff.

its better than the better of what we have , and more of an allmost than the allmost; than what we have now - overall - but my dealbreakers arent the fact that we all drool over the ST, or hate the looks or whine about the engine.

fumbled body gaps bother me. not because its ugly, as i dont care - but because its poor workmanship and poor QC. my car reeks of that, and i hate it.
i dislike the silver stuff inside because its going to cause glare, and would distract me, not because it is ugly.
softer suspension might bother me alot if it it took the "focus" out of the focus.
i like the lighting, not because led's are cool, not because they make your car/computer/racehorse/llama faster like we all know they do, (ahem, sarcasm)
but because - the lighting in the focus is just lousy and and inadequate, and it is a step in the right direction that the aftermarket can run wild with and improve even further.
i like the tighter final drive- i would love to trade up from 18MPG on midgrade.
i like the weight shaving. i like the acoustic damping.
SYNC? meh, its better than i thought it would be, but its not my thing.
i like the big square foglights that everyone mostly dislikes.
i probably wouldnt like the steering wheel ive seen, but thats because ford got the one in my car _so right_ i couldnt live without it. i like having a sedan and i guess i am wacky for it, but it is less of a target for theft if i ever carry around valuables. the ZX3 had its place, and it should still be around - but the coupe is a bit silly to me.
i think ford is pushing the unified looks too hard, not because its silly looking, but because its getting hard to know anything other than "its a ford" ...a ford _what_?
i dont like the center dash pods on cars. this one looks pretty blurry actually. radio/hvac i dont like, not because its ugly, but because its been un-simplified.
i dont like the guages because the whole point of a guage is accurate measurement. these make guesswork intentional, in a very easy-to-see way. i might as well plant a flag on the fender and watch how hard it flaps.
Disk brakes? still just in front? come on, its 2007(8) !

i think i am still going to drive one for fun - just to see how it goes - but i am not excited about buying one anymore as it soaks in...

[Lifeguardjoe]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

My last post also reminds me, how many people HATED the '05 refresh? A LOT IIRC.

Once some of them got into the right hands and massaged, a few really nice looking cars came about... and now a lot more people like them then originally did.

My hunch is that this redesign will be the same and that a year from now some people will have changed their tune. We need to make sure to archive this thread.

Make an option to choose whether you like it or not, and make that choice perminant. Then a year from now, we'll see who is singing what song!

Originally Posted by 2focusd

The spy shots covered up the 1980s square foglights...

WILL EVERYONE GET OFF THE DANG SQUARE FOGLIGHTS!!??!! Knowing Ford they'll be gone next year. Case and Point?

2004 F150:


2006 F150:

[carlfreddy]

Well, when I first saw the pictures of the coupe, I liked it.

Now after I've digested what I've seen, I really like it.

Depending on if/when they release a sport/higher-performance model (P-51 mentioned having driven a "GPX" coupe, maybe he could elaborate?) I might have to upgrade from my 06.

I do have this to say:

While we here on [FJ] tend to think we are the only people that own and drive Foci, I suspect that we represent the minority of Focus owners. In general, as auto-enthusiasts we are a minority in America, so obviously the majority of the design and engineering effort will go towards pleasing the, drumroll please, majority.

I can't wait until these Coupes start arriving at Ford dealerships!

[Rally Man]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Focus Evolution.



Focus Devolution!

Fixed it for ya.

[focus_guy_03]

Ron, this does remind me quite a bit of when the '05 reskin debuted...I was one of those that absolutely hated the redesign initially, but it has grown on me over time. Thankfully though, the '08 wont have to grow on me, I already like what Ford has done with the redesign, with one exception, the center stack on the dash...makes it hard to do anything aftermarket to the stereo. The stereo thing may not be an issue in the relative near future though based on things I've heard that some of the aftermarket companies are working on. One thing that I noticed and wish Ford would have done a lot sooner is moving the rear liscense plate from the trunk lid to the bumper...that will take care of a lot of the rattling issues those of us with loud stereo systems may have.

Mike

[infocusNW]

So, Ford has stepped on their own d*ck yet again.

If you do that enough, sooner or later it's gonna' pull off.

In all fairness though, Ford are in business to make money (again),
and this car will probably go further to serve that end than bringing
the C1 here.

Truth be told, North Americans are still truck/SUK heads. They
won't pay real money for a car unless it says to those who see
them in it that they are a gangster or 'successful' (read Chrysler
300 and BMW).

If you want great cars you have to live in a culture where they are
valued for their own sake, not the image that the driver hopes to
project to others.

[Honorsystem]

Originally Posted by CheckMyVitals

I havn't seen and of your previous 23 posts on the 'Jet before... so "Welcome to the 'Jet"

and MAN am I glad to have you here. That was a really positive post, thank you. A BIG refresher on the piñata of a thread that's been goin' down here.

LOL, i never noticed the A-Pillar crease carried over either. That's awesome, I (oddly) love that design cue on my Focus... and part of the reason I'm actually a little hesitant on after market mirrors.

Thanks, I tend to float around and read more than type, but I had to say my piece.

Anywho, the one thing, for me at least, that will make or break this new Focus for me is the car's driving personality. If it still drives like a focus, then its a focus, becuase I driven most C-segment cars (neons, civics, corollas, yaris (though thats B), and such) and havent found anything that's nearly as fun for me to drive. The aforementioned competion had admittedly better quality (civic), or better efficiency (yaris/corolla), or cheaper pricing (neon), but none has the dynamic driving attributes that I wanted. If I wanted a car to just commute, I'd get a civic or corolla just because I know they'll work when I need em, but since I wanted a car I could drive, I bought a Focus.

Simply put, and we've all heard this, dont necessarily judge a book by its cover. While style is important, fashion over function never fits quite right.

-Honorsystem

[f2focus]

I wish I could say what I have planned but because of competition and not knowing how Ford will go with there dollar car program it will have to wait until before SEMA. But we do know what direction we are going and I know the car has potential.

I do want to touch on the C1 and C170 thing here....working on the Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40 and C30...aside from the body styling being different the chassis is basically the same with some improvement. I was able to take the the volvo C30 suspension and bolt it on to the Focus with minor mods, so in reality we could have that suspension if we wanted to. Some items are the same with some variations. But sure after driving the C30 I think we should have the Focus ST, but lets make the best of what we got.

[blackice]

You can tell that this car looks like it was rushed into production. I didnt hear about this Focus until maybe a year and some change now. We are still 3 years away from the Global Focus. Hopefully the hotshots at Ford will trust their Euro friends and change as little as possible. Ford NA aparantly needs their hands held when it comes to designeing a good compact car. Look at the embarassing compacts in the past ... Festiva, Aspire, and (yes I'll say it) the Escort. If Ford NA would have kept the Fiesta in the eraly 80's vice ditching it. And had the Escort more like the Euro Escort they wouldve had more sales.
But thats just my opinion. Maybe ford likes having the Aspires, and Festivas

[Black331]

First person to get a spy shot of the C2 Focus wins a prize..

[2focifamily]

Just for another view point from outside the FJ world, I showed the pics to several coworkers yesterday and the comments were all positive and this group included a Civic owner and other import owners. All of them were very impressed by the interior and were impressed by the SYNC features. Several also made a statement that product planners love to hear, "Wow that looks expensive." If Ford can keep the pricing close to what it is now without rebates then they have a hit.

[Ataru]

Originally Posted by carlfreddy

While we here on [FJ] tend to think we are the only people that own and drive Foci, I suspect that we represent the minority of Focus owners. In general, as auto-enthusiasts we are a minority in America, so obviously the majority of the design and engineering effort will go towards pleasing the, drumroll please, majority.

The key factor here is that while the majority might simply buy a Focus and move on, a lot of us on [FJ] would consider buying another Focus to replace the ones we have. I seriously doubt that the "majority" would do that.

While we are the minority, Ford shouldn't rule us out completely.

And yes, I know it's Ford's plan to get people buying a Focus to move up into other Ford products after they sell off their Focus..........but some people just like to stay in smaller cars........

[CrUziN4L]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Nothing!

But I still don't like it that well. That's just personal opinion, from an enthusiast's standpoint. I guess my own Foci have spoiled me as to what the car 'could be'. But what I want and what Joe Q. Public wants to buy not the same, and there's a lot more Joes out there than HotRodKristinas.

Unfortunately, the newer and... less experienced.... people on this board don't seem to realize that Ford doesn't build cars 'just for them'. I'm sure they'll sell a crapload of them, being that gas isn't getting much cheaper these days.

I have high expectations for Ford when the car is finally 'all new'.

second...a-gain


not even the "newer" members at that tho.

[CrUziN4L]

Originally Posted by Black331

First person to get a spy shot of the C2 Focus wins a prize..

ha, i thought the "C2 will not happen in 2010, and ford will be out of business by then"

[CrUziN4L]

the more and more i look at it, the more potential i see. I personally can't wait for the actual market debut and then the months to follow, see what they offer and what not.

im sure there will be a slew of kits, wheels, etc. Watch people hail once a kit comes out (like the 2005 SAP)


-chris

[[\]iteshift]

Unforgiveably awful. Atrocious looking automobile. Yay, the Ford Ion. The interior looks really good.