Official 2008 Ford Focus Pics and Information!

[Ataru]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

Also, for those interested in my personal thought, for what it's worth...

I like it.

Of course everyone has the right to love it or hate it. But, to be honest, I'm a bit disappointed in the negative reactions.

Don't be disappointed at those members who don't like it. Be disappointed at Ford for failing to redesign the Focus to appease most existing Focus owners.....

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by 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.

The reasons I gave are a big contributor as to why the car (MkII) isn't here, but not the only.

The factor of cars being "built to a cost" is a lot bigger than people imagine.

Many decision makers within car companies are NOT "car guys". They are are business men first and foremost. It doesn't matter if they are selling cars, computers or in some cases laundry soap (yes, I'm sure you can find former Proctor and Gamble execs in the ranks at domestic car companies).

So, these budgets are set and the process begins. The decisions are made YEARS in advance. I'm sure most are aware of this concept. Once the product cycle begins it's like steering an ocean-liner. That is to say, it's not very nimble. You can't make a 180 turn in the blink of an eye.

Ford has gone through some very public upper management changes over the past few years. So, the people in charge now... not only in management, but in design are dealing with legacy projects.

The current car is not a (from scratch) product planned and designed by the current crop of execs and designers. And, once a project is so far along it's very hard to alter the course dramatically... without major delays.

So, the 08 Focus is based on something that was started years ago.

The main problem ANY company would have is if the product cycles and major management shakeups are out of sync. This is basically were we are at if it were my guess.

That being said, I also bet that the new car actually is BETTER than originally planned. While the ship can't change course dramatically, many small things can be done to enhance the end product. I think things like the reduced NVH, chassis tuning, Sync and even some minor design detail tweaks may have all been done late in the game to enhance the final product.

The only real measure of what the current team is capable of is what comes after this car. Of course, if for some reason, there is another shake up between now and then we could be in the same turmoil.

Until that time comes (which by some rumors may be sooner rather then later) I think the new Focus is a solid contender in the segment.

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by Ataru

Don't be disappointed at those members who don't like it. Be disappointed at Ford for failing to redesign the Focus to appease most existing Focus owners.....

Well, I'm a two-time Focus owner and I like it... and plan on buying a Coupe (and I'm a hatchback guy).

I guess the proof, good or bad, will be in the sales figures.

[Ataru]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

Well, I'm a two-time Focus owner and I like it... and plan on buying a Coupe (and I'm a hatchback guy).

I guess the proof, good or bad, will be in the sales figures.

That's why I said "most existing Focus owners"..............not all. The general consensus on the board seems to agree with this however.

I too am a two-time Focus owner (wife owned an 03 SE before it was totaled) as well as a hatchback guy but I do not like the new design.

[focaljet-1]

IMHO, I think that people are way too resistant to change and also too nostalgic.

I don't see how you can put a 2000 Focus front end next to the 2008 and not think that the new car is not built around a more modern design language. That appeals to me personally.

The C170 chassis is perfectly fine as is. The Coupe should be structurally stiffer than a ZX3 hatch.

I won't be adding anything that I wouldn't be adding to any other similar car (including a '07 Focus):

Turbo
Rear disc conversion
LSD
Different springs/dampers

I predict I'll be pretty happy with my '08 Coupe.

[rejectZX3]

I saw a request for some different colors .. how about a lil sonic blue? Actually, it isn't, but isn't too far I don't think.



red:


my attempt at that new khaki/dark green color:


black:

orange/copper:

and finally white ... errr, guess it came out more like CD Silver, oh well:


There's a few ... I know some have some missed areas ... but didn't really take a whole lot of time with em.

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by Ataru

That's why I said "most existing Focus owners"..............not all. The general consensus on the board seems to agree with this however.

I too am a two-time Focus owner (wife owned an 03 SE before it was totaled) as well as a hatchback guy but I do not like the new design.

As I mentioned earlier, who's to say that there aren't a lot of people out there that don't like the current car but will like this new Coupe? It may bring a whole new group to FJ.

Also, I predict that once the car hits the street and people start modifying them that they will become more popular... and a lot of nay-sayers will be singing a different tune.

Unfortunately it's going to be about 9-12 months before we have the results of that prediction. So, put it in the time capsule I guess.

[LamarWH]

tiburon+saturn ion+touch of bmw 3series = the 08 focus.

i think it will be okay, front end looks fairly busy, compared to the family face of vehicles like the edge/fusion/f series. anyone else hoping for a boosted 2.0 duratec coupe with around 200hp? with any luck the curb weights arent ballooning above 2900lbs.

[focaljet-1]

Regarding weight, per the first post in this thread:

For 2008, the Focus’s curb weight is down by 60 pounds, even though the body structure is stiffer.

[ClintB1321]

i think the coupe looks pretty cool.

[Ataru]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

IMHO, I think that people are way too resistant to change and also too nostalgic.

I don't see how you can put a 2000 Focus front end next to the 2008 and not think that the new car is not built around a more modern design language. That appeals to me personally.

If people are too resistant to change, the same people who don't like this 08 redesign wouldn't be the ones asking for the Mk2 Euro design instead. Thing is, most of them are.

There's also nothing wrong with being nostalgic. Look what it's done for the current Mustang.....

Look at the GTi. MANY generations of the car since it first came out, but if you look at the design progression, you can see how the car has slowly evolved to what it is now. You can still look at it and go, "yeah, that's a GTi".

VW created a small car icon. Ford could have done the same thing over time if they approached the redesigns correctly.

As I mentioned earlier, who's to say that there aren't a lot of people out there that don't like the current car but will like this new Coupe? It may bring a whole new group to FJ.

Possible.......Ford seems to have designed this car to go after a whole new market. Not exactly sure which one, but it's new.

[focaljet-1]

It's been proven many times, through research, that what people SAY they want and what they ACTUALLY want are two entirely different things. Funny things, us humans.

If you don't like the new car that is entirely your right. People will vote with their wallets. Like I said, now is not the time to tally up the WIN/LOSS total. The car is many months from even going on sale.

My person theory is that a lot of people say they want an MKII ST simply because it ISN'T available here.

If those that want an ST REALLY want a turbocharged, more luxurious, Euro hatch they could go buy a GTI right now. It's every bit as good as the ST. But, excluding airforcefocus, I don't see a rush from the ranks of FJ to purchase those.

[rejectZX3]

I personally think that if the 2.3 had been offered in the 2dr ... I'd consider trading my 05 hatch in for one....

[focaljet-1]

Hmmm, Black may end up looking pretty good.

[ClintB1321]

i like my 05 turbo hatch, i wouldn't trade it for anything, ok...maybe i'd trade it for an FD RX7 with an LS-2...

[rejectZX3]

if i had my old setup and some decent shots of rims and kits .. i'd see what we could do witht he rest of the exterior ... i've never been good enough with the airbrush tool to do my own kits

[Ataru]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

It's been proven many times, through research, that what people SAY they want and what they ACTUALLY want are two entirely different things. Funny things, us humans.

For almost four years I said that I wanted a Focus.........4 years after first saying that I finally got one.

If those that want an ST REALLY want a turbocharged, more luxurious, Euro hatch they could go buy a GTI right now. It's every bit as good as the ST. But, excluding airforcefocus, I don't see a rush from the ranks of FJ to purchase those.

Thing is, some of us are "Ford guys" and would like to continue to support Ford, but it's hard when they make a design so radically different from the original design philosophy of the Focus.......a small, edgy, European themed, great handling car.

The original Focus was supposed to be a "rebirth" of the small car for Ford. A step away from the generic Escort that it had for way too many years. I honestly saw that the Focus could have went the direction that the GTi and Civic did and become a classic small car for the ages with a deep following. But with the resesigns Ford decided to make it into another generic compact people mover instead.

That will probably bring them some sales from people who want A-B transportation, but I don't see this redesign encouraging the enthusiasts or the Focus faithful.

[focaljet-1]

You obviously have a strong opinion about the situation. None of us can predict the future, it's something we'll have to reflect upon in retrospect at some point down the road.

[2focifamily]

My wife and I like it. She owns a 2000 Focus and I currently own a 2006 and previously owned a 2002. I really think the 2005+ models took a step forward in drivetrain refinement but really dropped the ball on interior refinement. This redesign seems to address those faults while continuing to improve the NVH, suspension, handling and overall value of the package while wrapping it in more modern sheetmetal. My wife was looking at purchasing a Honda Fit but now wants to check out the new Focus before making a decision on the Fit.

[guitarseth]

So you should be able to order a stripper Coupe without the leather seats, the sync, the fancy colored lights and stuff, right? Its interesting that they put a larger swaybar in the front to "improve" handling and ride. I'm a little bit concerned about that and all the electronic distractions that are being integrated into the car.

I think I kinda like the look of the car as a whole. I would definitely toss the front grille for a carbon fibre one or even painted semi-gloss black. Maybe do the SVT treatment to the headlights. Probably a similar treatment with the side vents as well. The front end definitely needs a splitter to finish off the bottom of it. Then its turbo and drop, for sure.

I think Ford did a good job overall with the car. There are a few things that I dislike as a personal preference that I realize are desired in the mainstream (primarily chrome and all the Connectivity crap).

Its definitely a car that I'm going to have to drive before I make a decision. We just bought a car for my wife and aren't necessarily in a position to get me a car, so we'll see...A coupe is something that I could see myself driving, even though I really wish it was a hatchback.

Edit: The one thing I'd really like to see is an HID option. Ever since I put my Mach's on my car, I've sworn I'm never going back to halogens...And yes, there's a good probability that that will make or break my next car buying decision.

[GapBoyPCS]

Now after looking at the pictures, I'm actually surprised about the redesign. There are some stuff that I can quibble with (such as the new Focus font, ABS being an "available option"), but overall, it looks okay.

I'm a bit surprised they didn't go fumbling for old parts like Advance Trac stability control that included the rear disk brakes. Given that stability control has been hyped by Ford in their newer models, this would have been a worthy cost for buyers to at least consider as a marketing advantage.

I'll reserve the final judgment at NAIAS. So the countdown begins