Official 2008 Ford Focus Pics and Information!

[Thameth]

Nice catches on the close up detail shots Ron. Whats weird is that in the upper display shot it seems to show dual zone automatic temperature control but on the last shot you posted i don't see individual temp controls???

Also the Audiophiles are gonna be pissed trying to upgrade the headunit....

[focaljet-1]

Passenger side dash w/vent and "Focus" etched air bag cover.

[Thameth]

According to this photo its cold as hell outside (-10deg) the people inside are warm as hell (80deg). And it also looks to have a 5-6 disc in dash CD changer which would be pretty slick together with the SYNC, it better play MP3 off the CD's.



SYNC looks to be pretty damned sweet, only three things missing to make it just incredibly perfect. Wifi, Internal Hard Drive, and Navigation.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by orionlion82

hmmm, looks like traction control and anti skid are available. hmmm... are those buttons or just lights?
ive been giving that issue alot of thought lately...

and whats with the "fold" button on there
is stanford really that slick?

Where do you see a "Fold" button???? I see a "Load" button....

[zurno]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Uhhhh no they're not.....

the ones that were on there when I linked that weren't too bad

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

Lower center stack detail shot that shows the dual power adapters as well as the USB port. You can also make out the three Sync buttons on the left.

Whats the little foot button? Is that to turn on footwell lighting maybe?? Strange place for it, and its a big ass button.

Also why don't manufactures start putting out more 110v plugs!!!

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by zurno

the ones that were on there when I linked that weren't too bad

There's only one good praise post.....

[orionlion82]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Where do you see a "Fold" button???? I see a "Load" button....

below "shuffle"
it says "CAT/FOLD" whatever that means.
if pande pulled that off, i would be very impressed. with MS, FORD and stanford. i dunno. it cant possibly say fold. ill believe that one when i see it. maybe it means something different?

[focaljet-1]

Trunk detail w/new FOCUS badging.

[zurno]

Originally Posted by orionlion82

below "shuffle"
it says "CAT/FOLD" whatever that means.
if pande pulled that off, i would be very impressed. with MS, FORD and stanford. i dunno. it cant possibly say fold. ill believe that one when i see it. maybe it means something different?

fold = folder???

cat = category




either that or it will fold cats for ya, such a luxury feature

[zurno]

Originally Posted by Thameth

There's only one good praise post.....

I see original post
somewhat positive post
information post
somewhat positive post

everythign after that wasn't there when I made the comment


btw, that pic shows a nice and small key hole for the trunk (small hole and no huge rubber piece), but that may change by production

[focaljet-1]

[halftoned]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

i'm starting to like the curvature to the hood but it contrasts too much with the squareness of the bumper, imo.

[orionlion82]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Whats the little foot button? Is that to turn on footwell lighting maybe?? Strange place for it, and its a big ass button.

Also why don't manufactures start putting out more 110v plugs!!!

but think of it this way: we now have a factory lighting control button, prewired and all, and we are gonna have alot of fun with LED's in the future. think of the possibilities.

110 requires an inverter - not that its THAT hard or THAT expensive, but it tricky to get right in this context, and probably weighs too much for the focus on a diet. i have a $20 100W cig lighter one i bought and never have used it.

[focaljet-1]

In the Focus, the instruments and switches are lit in a new color called “Ice Blue.” Customers can also order an ambient lighting package that places tiny LEDs inside the front and rear cupholders and footwells. The LEDs can highlight the cabin in any of seven different colors (red, orange, blue, indigo, violet, green and yellow) and are controlled by a simple dash-mounted switch.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by orionlion82

but think of it this way: we now have a factory lighting control button, prewired and all, and we are gonna have alot of fun with LED's in the future. think of the possibilities.

110 requires an inverter - not that its THAT hard or THAT expensive, but it tricky to get right in this context, and probably weighs too much for the focus on a diet. i have a $20 100W cig lighter one i bought and never have used it.

There are already a few cars on the market that come with 110v plugs, like the Matrix/Vibe. Shame its not catching on....

[Random Select]

*moves to Mexico and looks for a Focus ST*

Looks like Ford America spat out all of the Euro-ness of the Focus back into the Atlantic Ocean just so Ford Europe can pick up the remains.

[Thameth]

fold = folder???

cat = category




either that or it will fold cats for ya, such a luxury feature

Well if he would have said CAT/FOLD in the original post i would have instantly known what he was talking about.

Yes our Murano has this same button too, it does stand for Category/Folder. Its to change folders on your MP3 CD's, which i guess that answers my earlier question.

[focaljet-1]

While it's not apparent from any of the pics, I have it on good authority that Ford spent a LOT of time, money and effort to dramatically reduce NVH*.

This will make the car feel quite a bit more upscale in everyday driving.

*Noise, Vibration and Harshness

[Thameth]

Not to open a can of worms, but it seems like they're trying to really push it upscale but too upscale is the same reason we get for not having the MK2????

[focaljet-1]

In Europe the Focus competes directly with the Golf. In the U.S., not so much.

They are looking to market this car as an alternative to the (non-Si) Civic Sedan and Coupe, as well as the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla Sedans.

Now, imagine a shoot-out between those candidates and new Focus. IMHO, the Focus stacks up pretty well. And, what do the other domestics have? Chevy... the Cobalt, Dodge... nothing (they've put all their eggs in the Caliber basket).

Taken in context, the new Focus stands its ground in the segment.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

In Europe the Focus competes directly with the Golf. In the U.S., not so much.

They are looking to market this car as an alternative to the (non-Si) Civic Sedan and Coupe, as well as the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla Sedans.

Now, imagine a shoot-out between those candidates and new Focus. IMHO, the Focus stacks up pretty well. And, what do the other domestics have? Chevy... the Cobalt, Dodge... nothing (they've put all their eggs in the Caliber basket).

Taken in context, the new Focus stands its ground in the segment.

The Civic, Sentra, and Corolla i would think are also Golf competitors, and if the Focus falls into that group.....

As we've always said Ford keeps proving us right that the Euro Fiesta/Focus combo could be kicking some good arse right now if they would have made the bold move 2 years ago......

Then of course we have Mexico latest xmas present....

Also would you say that this "new" focus won't have to go through crash testing, epa certification, and all the other expensive crap that Ford says keeps the MKII away? Its going to be considered a new model, which would then make them go through all those steps. Meanwhile they've dumped a ton of money into a huge redesign when they didn't have to....

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by Thameth

The Civic, Sentra, and Corolla i would think are also Golf competitors, and if the Focus falls into that group.....

As we've always said Ford keeps proving us right that the Euro Fiesta/Focus combo could be kicking some good arse right now if they would have made the bold move 2 years ago......

Then of course we have Mexico latest xmas present....

You've three different thought there.

Do you mean the Civic, Sentra, Corolla in Europe or the U.S.? Because in the U.S. I agree that the new Rabbit fits the price point, etc. But I think people either buy VWs or they don't. Otherwise all the Focus MkII whiners would just go buy a GTI. It's really just as good as the ST, maybe better. I think there are only one or two MkV GTI owners here on FJ.

It comes down to this, the enthusiasts WANT the MkII. Unfortunately the enthusiasts are such a small percentage of the actual market for cars like the Civic, Sentra, et. al.

And, the ST's availability in Mexico has been discussed dozens of times. What don't people GET about it? Ford can import the ST to Mexico AS IS, meaning NO (costly) changes to the car. If you can expand your market with out needing to pour more money into a car why wouldn't you?

Why is the ST not available in Canada? For the same reason it's not available in the U.S. ...it would be cost prohibitive to retool the car to meet crash testing and certify the emissions.

This is VERY costly. And, no before someone says, the ST's engine is already certified in the U.S. (in the Volvo S40/V50)... it doesn't matter. Each make and MODEL require a complete testing and certification.

There are other factors I'm sure that led to the decision to NOT bring the car to the U.S. but these are very real reasons.

[j20000]

Originally Posted by MrPotatoes

it's just you. if anything it reminds me a little of the saturn. all i can say is that it's definatly lost all touch with the cool agressive and euro styling of what a focus should be and americanized it. now it doesn't even look fun to drive.

still better than the nissans though

Thats what I was thinking...that it kind of looks like a Saturn and a Contour mixed together. Im not sure if I like the exterior yet, but I love the interior. I just wish they left more powertrain options. If they arn't going to offer the 2.3L at least leave it an option to keep the 3.73 gears.

[Thameth]

Sorry Ron, i made an edit i guess while you were writing up your post that came up with alot of counter points that you addressed.