Official 2008 Ford Focus Pics and Information!

[tallguy2.3]

^^oh I noticed. And they also softened the springs, oh boy. But hey thats what people want. I talked to a 38 or so year old guy today who just bought a charger R/T and he was ranting and raving about how soft and comfy the ride was on it, lol

[bbychvz]

Originally Posted by halftoned

figured since theres no way to change what ford plans to do for design, why not start concepting what we can do to it...

started to play around alittle... chopped the grille, tinted the windows, vented the hood, swapped out the headlights, adapted the bumper, and put svt wheels on it..

well thats better, i'll take one


Bobby

[Black331]

Originally Posted by zurno

is it seriously that hard for people to read something that is not perfectly parallel to the plane you reside on? does your brain seriosly lack the capacity to translate a shape 120 degrees? is the world doomed?

No, it just looks ridiculous, and people with bad eyesight might not be able to read them, they shouldn't be driving anywys, but that's another issue.

[Black331]

Originally Posted by CatMostFeared

You gotta have vision
2008 RS Look

Good job, now you just gotta do that to the Blue one...

[FoCAS'D]

I think Ford has a lot of factors that make them go for a design like this. #1 reason cost. I know it's already been said but it's true. #2 reason, getting new people to drive a Ford and build some brand loyalty. Yes, I know that's also been said. It's not to get current Focus drivers to buy another Focus and make you happy. If you are driving a Ford Focus, you may have built a little brand loyalty in Ford, or maybe you already had it from your dad, uncle, or grampa. Or maybe you just want out of one. So, now you don't like the new Focus, but maybe you like the Fusion, the Mustang, the Volvo C30, or Mazda 3 or 6 a little more. In your mind you know, those are all Ford or part Ford Mo Co, and since I liked my Focus, I'll move on and/or up, and buy one of these other models. So it's no surprise they got ya again, because they own all or part of all those companies, so now you're giving them money again for one of those and maybe this time a little more cash than last time. They don't lose unless you buy a Honda, Toyota, Subaru, or whatever. Just part of the multinational conglomerate corporate game of marketing. The only way you can win in the car game is to become thoroughly satisfied with what you have, pay it off, take care of it, modify it if you need to keep it interesting, and or by adding higher quality parts when old parts break, and then drive it till the wheels fall off. Cars aren't investments they always lose value, some faster than others. I'm sure this new one will depreciate as fast or faster than the current and/or past models. Ultimately I don't care about this new version, it has it's plusses and minuses. It could be modded to look a lot cooler, I do see some potential. But what are you gonna do if you don't like it, just don't buy it, and let Ford know you won't buy one. I think I'll keep my ZX3, sure it has 113K+ miles on it, but it's paid off, as long as it keeps running, the money goes in the bank. The aftermarket is out there to keep me happy and get the occasional goodie. Sure this new model is way different, but who cares, Ford doesn't, they just want to know who's not buying one, why, and how to attract them. If they did they's listen to us and we'd be driving MK2's. But you can't please everyone. I like the car I have, and I'm glad I got into a Focus when I did. The new model can be debated further but why? If you like it buy it, if you don't then keep what you got or get something else that appeals to you Ford or not. They don't have any allegence to us when it comes to service, why should we to them. Just one last thing about this new model... I just think it's funny that they put a big chrome "F" on the side. Where are the chrome OCUS to go with it?

[Black331]

Originally Posted by zurno

personally I think the cutout that a few people have complained about is helping the style and making it unique, if you make it flat it looks more like an ion than previously

And its exactly what makes it look like an Ion.

I wouldn't see why Focussport's current turbo kit wouldn't work, the engine bay is probably almost identical

This is why..

The 2008 Focus features a 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), inline four-cylinder engine delivering an estimated 136 hp. An all-new air intake system, cooling and exhaust system are designed to improve the powertrain’s smoothness, efficiency and response.

http://www.blueovalnews.com/index.ph..._articleid=448

[Giveen]

I've already decided I might buy it.

[deezntsz]

From what some people have said of the reason to not bring over the MKII because of cost effectiveness, I still don't totally understand. To make a whole new different design doesn't cost anything then. They must have put alot of money into doing this redesign from the begining to production right??? Especially when they already have the parts in production on another continent right. Now they have to manufacture all new parts for an all new design. I can't see that being that cheap, but I guess I don't know what the bottom line is on that cost. Just my .02. We see Mazda doing it and selling a ton of cars from here to Australia and back. I thought that was the whole point of that chassis was to have a global car and keep cost down to make a better car in the end. I only have one comment on the design I think the front will grow on people more but the rear is going to take a lot longer, if it ever does.

[DisrupTer911]

Originally Posted by Pak

Hideous. At least the interior looks a little more upscale, but otherwise, fugly.

Originally Posted by pitchblack23

Zuh? There's no such thing as a SOHC Duratec, and I've never personally heard of a SOHC 16-valve.

Personally, I'm starting to think that the Focus is just Ford's long-running marketing experiment to see how many of a model's desirable features they can strip away before people stop buying it.

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

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.

i was seriously hoping the new coupe was going to be a sexy lil car...unfortunetally it's an abomination of the Focus name exterior looks wise.

I don't care how much better this car performs and how great that duratec engine is...ppl don't see that kind of thing when they just notice your car on the street...they see something ugly.

and I don't want a GTI i want a Focus, I shouldn't be forced to go to another brand of car manufacturer just b/c they offer something that Ford does but won't sell us.

I may be resilient to change and being nostalgic as well, but call me crazy, I <3 the 00-04 style b/c it was edgy, it was away from the norm, it didn't have the same lines as every other car on teh market and it sure as hell didn't appear to be an old lady's saturn remake

I'm sorry but I'll be sticking to the 00-04 used cars and then dipping into the 05 redesign because even that body style has more flair and edgyness to it then this piece.

I'm seriously at a loss for words really tho about how much i'm dissappointed in the '08 body styling, performance might be up to par, and the interior is nice but i could do w/o the mood lighting LEDs or that fancy SYNC that I'd probably never even bother using if they offered something with more an eye catching body style that was completely stripped.

The way the aftermarket is for the 05 redesign front end I can only imagine how much more miniscule teh aftermarket will become for the 08 styling...I'm gonna feel bad for those ppl who will want to mod them..

anyway, I digress and I'll go my way being nostalgic in the Rigz gallery......

[bhw752k]

I don't like it. I think the front is interesting, but it doesn't seem to match the rest of the car so well. And the front really does look like the original Saturn Ion sedan (I liked the look of those too - too bad the Ion is an awful car, so looking like an Ion isn't good news). And the rectangular fog lamps are awful. Interior is kind of cool though. I like the features it has - aux in, USB port, two power points, etc.

Of course, I'm only interested in 5 door hatches, so Focus is now off my list. I think my next car might be a VW GTI.

[CheckMyVitals]

ok, man... honestly. stop.

this looks nothing like a saturn. I'm sure if you threw up a pic of an Aston Martin I could find some similar design cues... and I'll use it to compliment the incredible looks of this car and then start to tell you how the market is going to splurge at this 'mini Aston'

This:


looks nothing like this:

besides a tiny cut in the headlights.

so honestly, I value all of your opinions and all, but the fact that this thing is on it's 13th page, and I'm sure 3 of those at least could be attributed to "it looks like a Saturn". So we get it, you think it looks like a saturn because if a cut in the headlights, and possibly because of the side window or something.

We get that you think it looks like an Impala because the taillights have a similar shape

those headlights do have a similar shape to that Suzuki (that actually was a good post, those headlights reminded me of a car i just COULDN'T think of).

but to down the car based on these similaraities is downright ridic, and a complete waste of time for some people interested in intelligent conversation and trying to pickup somemore info on this great step forward for our brand.

longwinded? yes, sorry. But I hardly took up as much of your time trying to explain to you how your explanations are stupid, than you took of mine stupidly explaining things.

EDIT: of note as well, for all those critisizing the foglights, I'll agree they are oversized. I will be looking into smoking them to try and blend them a little bit. But it's the size of them that doesn't flow, not the shape. The square fogs are actually a perfect fit to this design, and circular fogs look terrible. I pictured it (and saw that chop) because I assumed it would make it look better, and it doesn't. With the bar grille, the rectangular headlight framing and the edgy side sculpting, rectangular fogs work perfectly. Plus, the lower grille area as an open barred off look gives it an agressive look that flows with the bar grille and headlights very well. I think the foglights are a good tradeoff though. With smaller lower openings, cars tend to look a tad cheaper (hell, just ref the ion vs. focus pic in this post. seeing as they're identical cars that's a GREAT comparison). The larger opening gives it more presence, and fogs flowing through that opening gives it a well designed feel.

[Angelus897]

Originally Posted by Cameroon

So I'm guessing nobody else noticed that not only is there no 2.3 litre, but they've "revised the final drive ratio for better fuel economy"

I'm guessing they'd go with the already produced 3.41's.

Now everyone can dowshift to 3rd to pass on the highway

I'm keeping my figers crossed for a TDCi option in '09, however knowing ford they'll wait until after VW, Audi, Honda, Daimler Chrysler, BMW, and GM have diesels on the market and then come in late to the party with a diesel that lags behind everyone else and then say "see diesels weren't wanted"

The final drive was revised for the automatic tranny.

[Croc_Tease!]

You can't keep the car looking the same forever. Some people aren't going to like the change, and others (like me) are going to think it's FANTASTIC.

[nilo]

And the "escortization" continues... That front end has got to go.. The hood line is hideous.. Those crappy headlights scream of cheap.. The size of that front bumper is suitable for a locomotive cow catcher. bleh

[2focusd]

I think my personal biggest gripe about the new front end is the license plate indentation Here in Pennsylvania I'd either have to A) leave it like it is (ugly to me), B) get one of those lame plate covers that are usually black plastic and stick out (also ugly to me), C) install my Euro plate which wouldn't flow since this car's not really European and the bulges seem more exaggerated than the MKI bumper

-Brian

[Cameroon]

Originally Posted by Angelus897

The final drive was revised for the automatic tranny.

The Duratec 20 and 20E are available with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. For 2008, the transmissions have revised final drive ratios, which let the engine turn at a lower rpm rate during highway driving and get better fuel economy. For instance, the automatic transmission final drive ratio decreased from 3.73 to 3.34, reducing engine speed at 65 mph from 2490 rpm to 2230 rpm.

Both trannys have new ratios, they just specify the auto as an example.

[Angelus897]

Originally Posted by Cameroon

The Duratec 20 and 20E are available with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. For 2008, the transmissions have revised final drive ratios, which let the engine turn at a lower rpm rate during highway driving and get better fuel economy. For instance, the automatic transmission final drive ratio decreased from 3.73 to 3.34, reducing engine speed at 65 mph from 2490 rpm to 2230 rpm.

Both trannys have new ratios, they just specify the auto as an example.

My bad. Hmm, a D20 with a low final drive? That's kinda weak.

[chaz493]

[CheckMyVitals]

freakin hot!

chaz... how good are you with PS? those fogs are exactly how I imagined (hellooooo stickercity.com)

can you say... throw EAP SVTs on there and repaint the car black??

[OmniFocus]

Originally Posted by Giveen

I've already decided I might buy it.

That sucks, I was really liking this new car too.

[Honorsystem]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

The first non-media shot of the sedan I have seen - I'm really liking it.



>8^)
ER

Am I the only one who thinks that from the mirrors back it resemebles a 3-series? Correct me if Im crazy, but the door lines and rear quarter reminds me of the new ones, especially in this picture. While the front end is distinctly american in style, its still heading the same direction that european sedans and coupes are going, where flowing lines are key design features.

This new one still has some distictive "Focus" too, you just need to look. The hood slope from back to front is almost identical to the original. Also, you cant see it well in the above pic, but look at line that runs parallel to the hood spacing, if you look at the base of the A-pillar at the bottom of the windshield, you can still see the crease that is present on all Foci (I dunno if I explained it right, but w/e). Also, which the wheel wells arent lined, they're still flared some, and like the MKII focus, they're flared, but dont necessarily have distinct creases to show it. Also, from the sideview, the line that runs from the front bumper to the rear is still present that was on the '00-'03 models.

This car still has some "Focus" in it, and I rather like it, I think its the next step to merging Euro and American Foci, because its moving up in design quality (even if the exterior is polarizing), and it shows that Ford is working to up the quality of the Focus without necessarily bringing the MKII.

-Honorsystem