Want to see the 2009 Focus? *Pics added!

[Focus_Is_Art]

Well it certainly looks better.
Though that's not saying too much.

Ford, stop spending all the energy on this stop gap C170 and get me the new fiesta for 09. And keep it under 2400lb.

[wilko]

^ September on the Fiesta...

[hotrodkris]

Originally Posted by slidemaster

I like it- car looks much more functional from a aero standpoint- form following function

Okay great so when can I order one?

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by eff

You are missing the fact that the Mustang did not and does not have a overseas relative to compare itself to, whereas the Focus in N.A. has drifted so far from any resemblance of its real self, real Focus fans are pissed.

Yes its very good for Ford N.A. that this new thing is selling very well, and most likely better then expected, but that in itself does not make it any less painful for Focus fans that want the real Focus that is still being sold everywhere but N.A.

And yes Ford N.A. has announced that in the future 2011 I understand N.A. will be offered the same Focus that the rest of the world gets, so that should at least give some hope.

But in the meantime this is what is being offered as your N.A Focus and I am sure the belly aching will continue, just to make sure Ford N.A. does not forget the fact that many are very disappointed with whats in the Ford showroom as a Focus at the moment.

For the consumers that like the new design, enjoy.

I'm not missing that fact. This is NA, not Europe. If you want a European Focus, go to Europe. This is nothing new. Before the Focus, the Escort was an econobox here in the states, and a kick ass car overseas. But let's not forget that it STARTED as an econobox, and not a performance car.

Different parts of the world, different needs for cars. Over here, we have 400hp V8s. That is why the econoboxes stay econoboxes. Overseas, big hulking V8s are rare due to fuel prices and emmision laws. So they hop up the econoboxes into performance cars. We complain we want a 400 hp Focus, they complain they want a 400 hp V8.

Same thing with Austrailia. You guys think we get the short end of the stick with the Focus? You ever see what Austrailia has from Ford? Mega hp modular V8s, 4 cam 5.4s years before us, beautiful shaped peformance cars instead of ugly, blah bodystyles. Yep, it sucks, but that's life.

[Egz]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

I'm not missing that fact. This is NA, not Europe. If you want a European Focus, go to Europe.

We'd rather fix things here than ignore the problem and move somewhere else.

[CaysE]

I don't understand this whole thread... that picture is a Photoshop.

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by CaysE

I don't understand this whole thread... that picture is a Photoshop.

What picture are you talking about? The pics are studio shots of the '09 Focus Coupe.

Pics and information here: www.focaljet.com

[OmniFocus]

Originally Posted by Focus_Is_Art

Ford, stop spending all the energy on this stop gap C170 and get me the new fiesta for 09. And keep it under 2400lb.

...What, so you think they have ONE set of engineers working on one product at a time?

Do you realize comparitively how little effort it takes to whip up a nosejob on a car versus releasing an entirely new model worldwide? Not to downplay the effort by the stylists/engineers who no doubt are reading this very thread, but the team on this job was no doubt microscopic compared to the new Fiesta team.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by Egz

We'd rather fix things here than ignore the problem and move somewhere else.

The problem is... it's not a problem. Guys like us who like performance, are just a hair on Ford's ass. The car serves it's intended purpose, and is selling like hotcakes.

We have the same conversations on the SHO forums. The 500/Taurus is basically a Volvo S80. They make the Volvo with a 400hp V8 and AWD. Why won't they do that for the Taurus? Cause they don't have it. Because the car sells well as it was intended to. A few thousand performance nuts aren't that big of a concern compared to the millions of other cars they'll sell as is.

I'd love to see a performance version of every car. But it's not going to happen here.

[v8FociDreams]

If that truly is the 09 Focus, that gives me right around a year or so to get my finances in order so my wife can buy it for me since I bought her a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan 3 months ago

[CaysE]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

What picture are you talking about? The pics are studio shots of the '09 Focus Coupe.

Pics and information here: www.focaljet.com

Sorry, I must've missed that... I only saw the pic with the SVT lip up front. The studio shots just look like drawings to me. I guess I don't understand what a "reveal" is, since pics of the car have already been released.

[Honkeytonk Monkey]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Also keep in mind that not everyone shares your view. Obviously there are enough people that LIKE the car, to send sales way over what they previously were.

And let's not forget the "body shock" effect. That's when a new body comes out after people are used to years of a previous body and immediately reject it. Then over time, people wind up liking the new body as they get used it, realizing that they just didn't like it because it was "different". Remember when the 94 Mustang came out? It was a freakin uproar. People said it looked like a Toyota. People hated it. And that body style stayed around till 05, (with a minor facelift in 99), with no complaints after a year or two. Let's not forget that people thought the "new Focus" in 2000 was ugly as hell. And yet here we are 8 years later loving that bastard little car from 2000.

Just food for thought.

I'm aware not everyone shares my opinions on several matters, but I can still express it can't I? I'm not forcing you to change yours.

Body shock effect is a hit and miss tactic with design. The 1999 Focus was outright different when it was released, but the more you looked at it from different angles, the more you realised every line led to another and they acheived a balance of different and calculated (this was slightly ruined with the big ass NA bumpers). I knew more people that liked it than hated it, but nobody thought it looked bland. This new car didn't shock me at all, other than I'm shocked that Ford gave the design the okay. Other than the out-of-place chrome bits and bumper creases, it's a very bland looking car. Removing those things has left the car simply a shapeless form (yes, in my opinion, I realise this).

People are buying it because it's cheap, has a warranty, and they think it'll get good mileage, not because it looks good.

[Chalz]

Originally Posted by v8FociDreams

If that truly is the 09 Focus, that gives me right around a year or so to get my finances in order so my wife can buy it for me since I bought her a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan 3 months ago

...uhhh....I think you missed a few pages.

[OmniFocus]

EDIT: Eh, nevermind... quote looks out of place here.

[Honkeytonk Monkey]

Originally Posted by v8FociDreams

If that truly is the 09 Focus, that gives me right around a year or so to get my finances in order so my wife can buy it for me since I bought her a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan 3 months ago

That's not the car we're getting, not even close.

[hotrodkris]

I'm just stoked that Ford is listening. I'm sure the Focus team WANTS to do much more, but they have to stay within reason - remember that the cars are made for Joe Q Public - not just FJ/Focus enthusiasts. Those few changes they made to the 09 'sold' me - because they're things I'd have done myself to an 08. And I'd rather save my pennies for good suspension, a rear bar, and some FocusSport tuning goodies. I think the only thing I'd do is paint the grille body color. I don't dig the 'black chrome' look.

I'm sure that the more attention in the US is shifted towards smaller & efficient cars, the better they'll become (especially from Ford & GM).

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by Honkeytonk Monkey

I'm aware not everyone shares my opinions on several matters, but I can still express it can't I? I'm not forcing you to change yours.

Body shock effect is a hit and miss tactic with design. The 1999 Focus was outright different when it was released, but the more you looked at it from different angles, the more you realised every line led to another and they acheived a balance of different and calculated (this was slightly ruined with the big ass NA bumpers). I knew more people that liked it than hated it, but nobody thought it looked bland. This new car didn't shock me at all, other than I'm shocked that Ford gave the design the okay. Other than the out-of-place chrome bits and bumper creases, it's a very bland looking car. Removing those things has left the car simply a shapeless form (yes, in my opinion, I realise this).

People are buying it because it's cheap, has a warranty, and they think it'll get good mileage, not because it looks good.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone. But when you make statements like "People are buying it because it's cheap, has a warranty, and they think it'll get good mileage, not because it looks good.", that's a pretty strong statement to make being one person and maybe a few people you know.

I took my wife to Ford to trade her 500 in on a Fusion for better gas mileage. The Focus was never in my mind. SHE liked the car. SHE chose the Focus over the Fusion, because she liked how it looked better. I personally, thought the Fusion was better looking. But I am not her, and she liked the Focus.

After getting the 08 and driving it, I was hooked on how fun it is. The interior is much better layed out than the earlier cars andI feel more comfortable in it. I still think it needs help in the styling department, but I'm not going to come on here and bitch to Ford about it.

Either you buy it and make it how you like, or you don't buy it. Not everyone is going to like every car. But that doesn't mean that nobody likes it.

[focaljet-1]

I agree that I think a lot of people are discounting the views of the population at large. Just because there has been a backlash toward the car on the internet doesn't mean that the average consumer doesn't in fact like the car.

The whole reason the "internet" doesn't like the car is that they are strictly comparing it to the European version. But the real truth is, that 99% of customers walking into a Ford showroom don't know that the European Focus exists and that it looks different.

So, they see the car, like it and buy it. That is why it's selling better than all the keyboard commandos predicted.

[SilverSVT]

Originally Posted by Honkeytonk Monkey

I'm aware not everyone shares my opinions on several matters, but I can still express it can't I? I'm not forcing you to change yours.

Body shock effect is a hit and miss tactic with design. The 1999 Focus was outright different when it was released, but the more you looked at it from different angles, the more you realised every line led to another and they acheived a balance of different and calculated (this was slightly ruined with the big ass NA bumpers). I knew more people that liked it than hated it, but nobody thought it looked bland. This new car didn't shock me at all, other than I'm shocked that Ford gave the design the okay. Other than the out-of-place chrome bits and bumper creases, it's a very bland looking car. Removing those things has left the car simply a shapeless form (yes, in my opinion, I realise this).

People are buying it because it's cheap, has a warranty, and they think it'll get good mileage, not because it looks good.

You know whats kinda funny? The same people I know (family memeberwise) never liked my 02 SVT Focus or other Focus models, like the new one better! Just goes to show you for every person who doesn't like something, there are one person who does...

[NCedillos]

Is there still hope for the Euro Focus? If so then I will just wait for a better looking car with a better engine.

[MattHarrell]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

No More Chrome Vents!!!!


Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

Here, here! Looks much better. The fake side vents and cheesy cheap fog lights ruined it for me. It's still nowhere near the looker my Mazda3 sedan is, but it's a huge improvement over the 2008.

[OmniFocus]

Originally Posted by NCedillos

Is there still hope for the Euro Focus? If so then I will just wait for a better looking car with a better engine.

Yes, the schedule is still in order.... we've discussed it at length.

We always knew there would be at least two-three model years of C170 Mk 1.75 before a refreshed C1 arrives.