Spy shots: 2008 Focus
by Damon Lavrinc on Jul 31st 2006 at 1:06PM 
Do you ever get the sensation that Ford doesn't like us? We've had, essentially, the same Focus since 1999. Save a few cosmetic enhancements, an engine swap and some dynamic tweaks, and it's the same product as 8 years ago. Well, it looks like more of the same in 2008.The new Focus will have limited changes overall, though the major change is the adoption of the family-wide 3-bar grille that is shared with the Fusion and some of Ford's newer truck offerings. Brenda Priddy and her minions snagged this shot and you can see the full, underwhelming redesign over at the Detroit News.
Thanks to Jay for the tipage.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PJ 1:12PM (7/31/2006)
Suzuki called. It wants its Forenza back.
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Bigel 1:15PM (7/31/2006)
Yet no one at the helm wonders why Ford of Europe is profitable, while operations at home are hemorrhaging. I want to be paid millions for being dense as a rock. How do I get the job? Oh wait, I'm over qualified.
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DC_1 1:15PM (7/31/2006)
I'm getting sleepy looking at this escort.
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solomonrex 1:18PM (7/31/2006)
How old is the Corolla? That's what I thought. It appears that new economy cars do not equal profitability, at least in the U.S.
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Sean C 1:21PM (7/31/2006)
Such an UGLY car. The Euro-only focus they displayed at various Euro car shows was a beautiful design, but of course, not planned for the US.
I don't understand Ford.
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JZeke 1:23PM (7/31/2006)
Ford heres a bold move for ya:
Certify the global (mk2) Focus!
What the hell is wrong with you?
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Sid 1:29PM (7/31/2006)
Why exactly are they running a test mule? To see if the new grille is glued on right? I mean...there can't be any other reason to road-test a 8yr old car.
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infinihertz 1:33PM (7/31/2006)
As a happy 2005 Focus SES ZX4 owner, I'm not sure why there's an obsession with claimed lack of changes Focus. It's rated at 26/32mpg, but I consistently average around 30-31, even with only about 60% highway driving and an automatic transmission. The 2007 model gets 27/37. It may only have 136hp, but that's fine for a lot of folks out there. The original 2000 model only had ~110hp as I recall, and most people liked it. If they tweak the '08 more, I think their actual target market will probably be quite pleased.
That said, to go after the market you seem to represent, they really need to make a newer, better SVT Focus.
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Pinkerton 1:37PM (7/31/2006)
From the DetNews article... "will continue to ride on the same basic underpinnings through at least 2010."
This is a case for the Justice League. Some evil force (Kirk Kerkorian?) has taken over the executives at Ford, possibly using mind control. The irrational behavior is epitomized by Ford abandoning the small car market during a period of high gas prices.
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Jason 1:38PM (7/31/2006)
Nice of Ford to poison the Fusion by making the old 2000 Focus look like it. This is GM-level stupidity.
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Aki 1:42PM (7/31/2006)
"It appears that new economy cars do not equal profitability, at least in the U.S."
Uh, Civic's been posting record sales, and guess what, that's after they launched the new model. Each month they've seen an increase. In June Hybrid Civic sales were up 40% compared to last year.
Corolla sells because of its reputation of phenomenal reliability. Focus shares no such reputation, and therefore does not have the luxury of staying staid and boring as Corolla does.
Let's see, spend money on an outdated-looking Corolla which won't break down or a out-dated Focus which still has nowhere near the reliability? Not to mention, the Corolla dates from 2001, whereas the Focus design is even older. A no-brainer for any consumer.
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Peter L. 1:44PM (7/31/2006)
"4. How old is the Corolla? That's what I thought. It appears that new economy cars do not equal profitability, at least in the U.S."
The current Corolla (and platform) only dates back to 2003 (or 2002 in some other countries) and the engine dates back in its original form to 1998, but its been updated twice (such as receiving VVT-i).
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Bill 1:45PM (7/31/2006)
I hope this is just a test mule of some sort.
It's a shame Ford has made so many mis-steps with the Focus in the US market.
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Nathan 1:47PM (7/31/2006)
In my mind, the current Focus looks pretty nice from the outside, with a bit of euro cues. The interior is nowhere near as nice.
Why are they plastering a 'Fusion' grill on the 2008 when they have an already handsome vehicle that they sell in Europe? I'm sure it will look ridiculously horrid. Really, if the current Focus had better interior design and quality, I would actually consider it.
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igor 2:03PM (7/31/2006)
Given the earlier photos of a much mroe disguised mule, this is obviosly not a full testing mule ... PERIOD ... this is probably a cooling mule for the new Front clip. The whole sheetmetal is supposed to have significant changes - and I have this from a reliable inside information. The interior will also be much improved.
Please stop panicking at sight of a single testmule - a mule right now means very little, unless it is a fully disguised model.
Igor
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BartMack 2:12PM (7/31/2006)
Igor, this thing's a mule even without the disguise..
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kwc 2:14PM (7/31/2006)
I think that it is extremely unfortunate Ford is letting the Focus die a slow, horrible death like the Taurus. I had a Focus for two years and I can tell you that it is an incredible driving small car- quiet, comfortable, super-duper handling, cheap to buy, cheap to maintain- and it gave me no problems whatsoever. The only issue is that it needs an updated structure as it didn't do well in side impact tests (structure rated "Poor" on IIHS), which is why I made sure mine had side airbags. I leased a new Ford Mustang convertible for 3 years and will need a commuter car after its up. However since it looks like Ford will not be giving us a new Focus at that point I will have to look elsewhere, probably at the new Elantra (NO Civic or Corolla for me please).....
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Chuck 2:45PM (7/31/2006)
infinihertz - I agree that the car is a very good, economical commuter vehicle with decent driving dynamics and probably good reliability too.
I think where it goes wrong is the styling where it might have been edgy and trendy 8 years ago has now become dated and commonplace. The interior is not repulsive, but it's cheap and clearly not up to Honda or Volkswagen standards.
Igor, you have a point about it possibly not being a representative model, but with "hard points" being what they are, I am very skeptical that something decent and fresh will come out of it
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CJ 2:48PM (7/31/2006)
What the? Why? Arg!
I thought Ford was going to get off the fugly-front-end-update kick. (Remember the Thunderbird?) Listen Ford, you don't need to make an ugly car uglier just to match the corporate look. You have that blue oval stuck on the front of all your cars, I think people can figure it out from there. Are you going to put the horizontal bars on the Mustang too? What about the GT while you're at it?
If you're gonna slap a new face on the Focus, make it a NEW Focus and bring the European one over here. Oh wait... that's not new either.
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Tim UF 2:54PM (7/31/2006)
In the posts about the enraged ford super duty driver chasing the spyshot photographer there was a mantion that the full 3-bar grille couldnt fit the focus, thus is woul be a 2-bar chrome grille.
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