2010 Production Focus, what do you want to see?

[airforcefocus]

So, if you had a direct ear to Ford, what would you want to see in a standard production based Focus? I'm not talking about a performance or statement edition, but a standard format. Oh, this is 2010 or 2011 Focus, whatever comes first...lol

Caveat:
It must be 2.0L displacement, unless you want diesel, then go ahead and mention that.

I'll start with:
Rear disc brakes standard.
Dimpled underbody panels.
Auto up and down windows for all 2 or 4 doors.
Key fob integrated into the key, all in one unit.
Direct injection.
Electro-mechanical steering.



Keep in mind that you can delete as well as add, and we would want the cost to stay similar to the current platform.

[Osiris]

I want the one they sell in Europe.

Or at least make it look like the one they sell there.

Upgraded interior trim.

Handling that got Focus noticed here in this country to begin with.

30 mpg 170-175 HP engine as an option, and no, I am not speaking of a performance model, that should offer more than 200 easy, I'd like to see Focus have class-leading power, and if Ford could do that with an epa highway rating of at least 30 and maybe 25 city I think it would be very well received.

Unless they can offer a diesel that gets above 40 mpg I don't know how popular it would be, especially when it costs over 60 cents more a gallon than regular gas. I certainly think any gas engine Ford does use should be E85 capable.

[GapBoyPCS]

I'd say start with the small stuff that was decontented:

• tilt/telescopic steering column
• rear headrests
• rear seatback release in trunk
• Advance Trac - moot point since stability control will be standard in the future)
• HID

...and go from there.

[freekwonder]

A better looking car.

[BOWERSdaAZIAN]

Hmm...

- I'd like to see a hatchback or even wagon return in 2010/11
- A diesel option would be nice, but not completely necessary

As for smaller items kinda piggy backing off AirForce

- 4 wheel disc w/ ABS standard
- Direct injection
- Projector style headlamps (maybe not HID, but not reflective headlights)
- LED taillights
- CVT automatic transmission option

[BRZX3R]

Options for HID headlights, Recaro seats, 6-speed gear box. Basically, make the SVT EAP Focus, with a more modern Kinetic style. The car would need to be a hatchback for me, and preferbably, a 2-door hatch. I could care less about Sync or iPod connections, but large brakes, a decent gearbox, and a hatch are a must.


Options:
HID Headlights
6-speed MANUAL (no paddles) transmission
Pedals that are placed for heel-toe downshifting
12"-13" front brakes with twin piston aluminum calipers
ABS
Handling on par with the SVT Focus/Mini Cooper S
2500-2700 lb curb weight
170-190hp, NA or Turbo with plenty of torque for driving around town. I don't need or want an 8k engine that doesn't produce anything below 5k.
4-wheel disk brakes
Hatchback
Nothing chrome anywhere on the car
35-38 mpg highway would be great as well
Hatchback
Oil temp and pressure gauge
Integrated shift light (GT500 style)
On board computer for mileage, distance to empty, ect. (same as the rest of the Ford line-up)
Radio volume control behind the steering wheel, just like the SVT Focus
Heated leather seats
Stability control that can be turned off for winter driving or autocrossing.
Top of the line pricing around $29,000

Lastly, I want to watch it race! Half the fun of owning a 00-04 Focus was watching it in WRC, Speed TC, and about a dozen other motorsport events across the world.

Sadly, everything I want in the new Focus, I have in my current one. Most of the options I listed would be for a higher end performance version, rather than a base model. I have no interest in a base model car, but I do want a top of the line small car that is fun to drive, able to be taken to the track, haul a ton of stuff, and gets good mileage.

What I don't want or need;
Chrome vents that do nothing
"Boy Racer" or childish add on parts that serve no purpose
A trunk that has an opening too small to fit a suitcase in (well, my wifes suitcase)
AWD would be nice, but it is heavy, expensive, and adds more complexity to the chassis.
Glass roof, or large sunroof that adds weight in the one spot that you don't want weight
Seats that offer no lateral support
A gauge cluster with small numbers, needles, or missing the tach. The current 08 Focus (along with the Fusion, Taurus, Escape) dials are too small for a quick glance at what is going on. I want to be able to see my RPM's and speed quickly.
Paddle shifters or an automatic with +/- type shifting on the side.
Over assistated power steering or brakes
lighted cup holders
single multi-funtion switch on the steering column for lighting, wipers, turn signals, ect. I love having a switch on each side of the steering wheel for quick use.

[wilko]

HID

LED turn signals (Standard on "SES")

6 speed manual (stick shift)
- Optional 6 speed paddle shift (I would be in line for it)
- 6 speed Automatic (for the mass market)

AWD - (Standard on "SES" and up)

18" alloy wheels (SES)

18" alloy wheels (SE Special pacage)

17" alloy wheels (SE)

16" alloy (base S)

9 speaker Boston Acoustic sound pacage

Reclining rear seats (Some degree of reclining)

[RyanDunn]

RS version

[Giveen]

AWD
at least 170hp or (220+ with turbo)
30+ mpg
Under $20k

[MichaelXi]

Some of you guys are posting really dumb stuff for "Standard Equipment" which is what this thread is about.
1. The Tilt/Telescoping Wheel is one of the BIGGEST things that WAS standard that really made the Focus Comfortable for a Wide Variety of drivers.
That is the sort of standard equipment that it was foolish to delete.
2. Another thing I'd like to see standard is a second dome light over the rear seating area. Especially with kids, the lighting only being up at the front of the roofline is Useless in the backseat, whether for reading or looking for a lost toy.
3. Better bolstering on the front seats. The Focus is Known for good handling. The car may do it, but if the driver is sliding around, they have to expend effort to hold themselves instead of the car.
4. Front seat tilt like the SVT Focus, where you grasp a handle and pull toward the front of the car instead of tilting a handle to the rear with one hand and tilt the seat forward with the other hand.
5. Steering that is Just Like the first gen Focus, except about 10-15% quicker. You shouldn't have to turn the wheel as far as you currently do when slaloming.
6. Bring back the standard rear swaybar. Good handling ALSO means more safety.
7. If there's a center console, make it like the first gen Focus, Except make the armrest height-adjustable. I always have mine tilted up because it gets in the way of my shifting. I'm Not "Tall", so it's right in my way.

In addition to the above standard things, I'd like to see 4 wheel disc brakes be an affordable, easily ordered option on any model Focus. Basically add the cost of the parts to the sticker without a "Luxury/Sport" Price penalty.
Manual Transmissions should also be more readily available. As my wife and I shopped for her Focus, it was nearly impossible to find a car equipped with a manual. I understand the need for auto-tragics, but please shift the percentage a bit so that manual-equipped Focuses aren't so hard to find. (I was shocked to see some of the Hot Mustang promos advertising an Automatic at no Extra Charge. It's a Performance Car... Learn to Drive Already.)
I have LOTS of "Reasonable Requests" for a "Performance Edition", but we'll save those for another thread if Ford would like to hear from the "Thoughtful, Average Focus Enthusiast with Realistic Expectations".

[hotrodkris]

No diesel, I'd rather have a direct-inject turbo or a more efficient, higher horsepower 2.0L.

Wagon.

Hatchback. oh, excuse me - a THREE DOOR hatchback. With the storage capacity in the back of the first gen Focus.

Option for a factory LSD.

No chrome, unless it's the bezel surrounding the Ford emblem.

Rear discs.

An option to delete 'SYNC' or whatever replaces it on the higher end models.

And then what MichaelXi said about the "Reasonable Requests for a Performance Edition".

[sleeperlove]

For the run of the mill focus
It needs to look like the euro version or better. Nothing similar to the current focus.

Direct injection
40MPG
4 wheel Discs an option and ABS standard
Tilt MUST be standard
Maybe a turbo diesel option?
Like Mr. Xi said, the rear sway bar needs to return as well.
Option for an awesome stereo
HID option
There definitely needs to be manuals available whether they be 5 or 6 speed. Maybe a 5 plus 6th for super highway mileage like 2000 rpm at 75mph
AERO! just some stuff to keep the CoD low

For an RS or SVT version of such a thing should arise,
Turbo Direct injected 275+ hp
30+ mpg capable
HID
Factory LSD It doesn't need to be AWD even if it would be really cool
Recaro or Sparco interior on par or better than EAP
Brembo front brakes with 12+ inch rotors
Manual with a dual clutch gearbox available option.

[Revo]

hatchback FTW

performance model with the new ecoboost engines

if u keep the c170 plz go back to its original styling cues.

[BRZX3R]

My post strayed far from the "standard" version of the car, but since I don't have any interest in the lowest level, I posted what I want to see in my version of 2010 Focus. What I don't want to see in the car would be the same for any version.

From talking to people who are intersted in the Focus, but are not enthusiasts, most ask for a 5-door hatchback. Besides that, I have no idea what the average consumer wants.

[MichaelXi]

You guys asking for 12" rotors need to remember that TIRES are the MOST Important. (I know you're talking "Performance Model" even though that isn't the topic. ) You don't NEED any more brakes than the tires will accommodate.
First off, the SVT's brakes are Great. Second, and Most Important, is that they are already developed. In other words, No Additional Cost to Engineer, etc.... SVT 4 wheel discs will be Fine, Thank You. We don't need brakes so big that the tires can't use them. The SVT brakes are more than Adequate, even with R-Compound tires.
They just need Proper Ventilation.

AirForceFocus, Why would we want Electro-Mechanical Steering?
I Want to Feel Each tire in my hands.
Please don't remove that by a "Drive By Wire" Interface.
If I have an air-pressure problem, or a poor balance, I want to be able to feel which tire it is IN MY HANDS, without a Video-Game Replication of force-feedback.
I want all of the REAL Feedback that I can get, without additional sensors to fail.

[Egz]

I like all of these:

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

1. The Tilt/Telescoping Wheel is one of the BIGGEST things that WAS standard that really made the Focus Comfortable for a Wide Variety of drivers.
That is the sort of standard equipment that it was foolish to delete.
2. Another thing I'd like to see standard is a second dome light over the rear seating area. Especially with kids, the lighting only being up at the front of the roofline is Useless in the backseat, whether for reading or looking for a lost toy.
3. Better bolstering on the front seats. The Focus is Known for good handling. The car may do it, but if the driver is sliding around, they have to expend effort to hold themselves instead of the car.
4. Front seat tilt like the SVT Focus, where you grasp a handle and pull toward the front of the car instead of tilting a handle to the rear with one hand and tilt the seat forward with the other hand.
5. Steering that is Just Like the first gen Focus, except about 10-15% quicker. You shouldn't have to turn the wheel as far as you currently do when slaloming.
6. Bring back the standard rear swaybar. Good handling ALSO means more safety.
7. If there's a center console, make it like the first gen Focus, Except make the armrest height-adjustable. I always have mine tilted up because it gets in the way of my shifting. I'm Not "Tall", so it's right in my way.

In addition to the above standard things, I'd like to see 4 wheel disc brakes be an affordable, easily ordered option on any model Focus.

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Wagon.

Hatchback. oh, excuse me - a THREE DOOR hatchback. With the storage capacity in the back of the first gen Focus.

Option for a factory LSD.

Originally Posted by BRZX3R

Options:
HID Headlights
Oil temp and pressure gauge
Integrated shift light (GT500 style)
On board computer for mileage, distance to empty, ect. (same as the rest of the Ford line-up)
Radio volume control behind the steering wheel, just like the SVT Focus

And to add: Bring back the trunk/hatch button. I love it in my Focus, and hate how my Buick doesn't have one (it was an option)

[sleeperlove]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

You guys asking for 12" rotors need to remember that TIRES are the MOST Important. (I know you're talking "Performance Model" even though that isn't the topic. ) You don't NEED any more brakes than the tires will accommodate.
First off, the SVT's brakes are Great. Second, and Most Important, is that they are already developed. In other words, No Additional Cost to Engineer, etc.... SVT 4 wheel discs will be Fine, Thank You. We don't need brakes so big that the tires can't use them. The SVT brakes are more than Adequate, even with R-Compound tires.
They just need Proper Ventilation.

AirForceFocus, Why would we want Electro-Mechanical Steering?
I Want to Feel Each tire in my hands.
Please don't remove that by a "Drive By Wire" Interface.
If I have an air-pressure problem, or a poor balance, I want to be able to feel which tire it is IN MY HANDS, without a Video-Game Replication of force-feedback.
I want all of the REAL Feedback that I can get, without additional sensors to fail.

I most definitely understand that tires are the most important.
But for a performance model that would have 275 or more hp would certainly need more than the current SVT sized brakes.

[MichaelXi]

Just a note to Ford...
Without taking away Anything anyone has said about Standard Equipment...
Options are King.
Think of the Mid '60's Mustang.
The Option list was a mile long.
You could order a Mustang Any way you wanted it.
One thing that makes the Focus "Cool" is that, despite being a High-Volume Production Car, we can have a Get Together with over 150 cars and no two will be identical. The Focus is VERY Easily Personalized.
If you move away from that, you will Lose in the Market.
The more you can do to a car to make it your own, even if the average IJAC doesn't bother to custom order, the better off the entire image of the line of cars will be.
You have the opportunity to breathe Excitement into the car.
Don't ruin it by making it a Vanilla "One-Size Fits All" car.
The first gen Focus, even though it was Mass Production, Still had many flavors across the first 4 years.
Don't Lose that, instead, EXPAND on it, and make it a Marketing Tool.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

I most definitely understand that tires are the most important.
But for a performance model that would have 275 or more hp would certainly need more than the current SVT sized brakes.

I don't think so.

Throw some good pads on it, and make sure they get air. They have Lots of Surface area. As long as the car doesn't get "Bloated", they are adequate.
There are lots of Track Guys pushing that sort of power and using SVT brakes with no problems.
Turbo Tom was running 150 MPH on the back straight at VIR in an otherwise stock SVT. Stock Suspension, Brakes and Tires, and he hauled it down just fine lap after lap.
The best I could muster on that straight Might have been 115.
Tom was Toasting GT3 Porsches and still slowing before the roller-coaster. He was CLOCKED at 150... Not just him saying so. I think those brakes would be Fine.

Additionally, going Bigger would add cost AND limit Rim options.

[Erica]

I'd like to see a sleeker rear end.

Honda did it, so did Toyota/Scion, even Chevy.

Dear Ford: Quit making the Focus look like it's got a pillow stuffed in it's butt!!!!!!!!!!!

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by Erica

Dear Ford: Quick making the Focus look like it's got a pillow stuffed in it's butt!!!!!!!!!!!

Quick... What?
Stuffed Where?

[sleeperlove]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

I don't think so.

Throw some good pads on it, and make sure they get air. They have Lots of Surface area. As long as the car doesn't get "Bloated", they are adequate.
There are lots of Track Guys pushing that sort of power and using SVT brakes with no problems.
Turbo Tom was running 150 MPH on the back straight at VIR in an otherwise stock SVT. Stock Suspension, Brakes and Tires, and he hauled it down just fine lap after lap.
The best I could muster on that straight Might have been 115.
Tom was Toasting GT3 Porsches and still slowing before the roller-coaster. He was CLOCKED at 150... Not just him saying so. I think those brakes would be Fine.

Additionally, going Bigger would add cost AND limit Rim options.

agree to disagree?

People also get their cars "hauled down" on stock brakes with big power. But where are they braking? an extra 300+ feet out?

If the cobalt SS can be under 25 and have big brembos I think the focus can, and for sheer competitiveness a performance model should. Then the brakes are bomb proof for anything. even if the car ends up weighing 3000 pounds, which I bet it would be close too.