Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Focus coupe and sedan
No, these aren't shots of Focus test mules running on the C1 platform that underpins the European Focus; we're still a long ways off from a true next-generation Focus. However, these shots do show the heavily refreshened Focus that will arrive for 2008 and guess what... there'll be a coupe version! While both the front and rear of the coupe and sedan are heavily covered, we know the front covering is hiding a Fusion-inspired three-bar grille. The side panels of each car, however, are clearly visible and reveal a pair of sharp character lines that originate behind the front wheels. Perhaps some sort of small vent is hiding under there, or else the lines come straight off those fender flares for which the Focus has become quite well known. The Car Connection is comparing the coupe to the late Escort ZX2 model, though it appears to be a much more substantial vehicle with an extended roofline that allows for a useable back seat.
Whether or not this substantially upgraded Focus can carry Ford's small car line on its own shoulder until a B-segment vehicle arrives remains to be seen, as consumers in the U.S. continue their growing fascination with small, efficient transportation.
Thanks to Jay for the tip!
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kowell 1:06PM (10/02/2006)
Please be an Euro Focus.......
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scooter 1:10PM (10/02/2006)
They MUST keep at least one hatchback variant or the Focus is dead to me! (Some may say it died a few years back, but I like my '06 ZX3 because it really was the most car for the least money at the time) Satellite radio and rear headrests are long over due on this car.
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Spencer 1:11PM (10/02/2006)
It's not. It's a C170 refresh.
...and I can't wait
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Jason_801 1:12PM (10/02/2006)
BOR-RING. Wake me up when the C1 Focus ST arrives here.
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B-NOIT 1:13PM (10/02/2006)
Do I dare hope for something even remotely decent?
I think I do... The Civic and Cobalt coupes need more competition. The under-24 demographic is still mourning the loss of the Prelude, Celica and (apparently) RSX and has turned to the likes of TC (not available in Canada), Golf, Civic, Cobalt SS, and even Mazda3 (which is what I drive myself). This demographic will surely appreciate this Focus Coupe if it has the right stuff - especially in the looks department.
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pb 1:14PM (10/02/2006)
Aw, they moved the antena to the back of the roof.
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Rakesh 5:21PM (2/28/2007)
The layers and layers of stupidity in FoMoCo must be unimaginable! Why does China get the C1?
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Leo 5:48PM (10/03/2006)
looks like an older Hyundai Elantra re-fresh
yikes, this is not looking good for Ford.
they need to step it up a notch now, not in a few years.
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Steve0 1:26PM (10/02/2006)
This is more change than I expected.
Good. The platform itself is not the problem, so if they can make the new body look good while keeping the sharp handling (and the hatchbacks), then they will have a winner here.
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Drewboy 1:30PM (10/02/2006)
I'm interested in what they're going to do to this car. I bought a 2003 model for my now-wife, and she loves the car. I don't particularly love driving it because it makes for a slow automatic and because the seat isn't comfortable for my 6'2" frame. I do like the design though, and they made it look Escort-like with the first refresh...
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BartMack 1:44PM (10/02/2006)
Hey Ford: Honda called and they want their last-gen Civic back.
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infinihertz 1:57PM (10/02/2006)
I'm pretty encouraged by the new design. Drewboy, I agree with your seat comment. I'm only 6'0", but it's a bit uncomfortable for me if I'm in it more than half an hour in my 2005 ZX4. More leg room and I'd have very little to complain about.
I'm not counting on it, but a pleasant surprise would be if they gave the option of the 160hp I-4 engine in the Fusion, instead of just the current 136hp. The highway mpg would drop from 37 to 31 though, so maybe they don't see that as a good trade-off for that demographic.
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christopher 2:00PM (10/02/2006)
Nope... it's some crappy version for the U.S. I really think that Ford of America is intentionally designing boring cars to appeal to the whitest of all white-bread American consumers. People who wear button-downs and khakis at home even when they aren't entertaining guests. Or who's idea of exotic cuisine is the Chinese buffet. It's the only way I can think of that explains the milquetoast design and the fact that they seem so out of touch with reality and where the rest of the industry is headed. I do like the Fusion, but the rest of their lineup is so awful that I would hesitate to buy one out of sheer guilt by association.
And, speaking of which, Ford's idea of Bold Moves is to introduce a crossover? Really? The CUV? Is that it?
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DC_1 2:18PM (10/02/2006)
Here comes the new Escort.
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Ryan 2:08PM (10/02/2006)
"10. Hey Ford: Honda called and they want their last-gen Civic back.
Posted at 1:44PM on Oct 2nd 2006 by BartMack 0 stars"
-LMAO, this guy is going to sound pretty strange when they actually SHOW the rear end and the CHROME 3 bar grille.
I never knew Honda Civics ever came with a factory "chrome" grille and door handles!
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Ryan 2:12PM (10/02/2006)
"I really think that Ford of America is intentionally designing boring cars to appeal to the whitest of all white-bread American consumers. People who wear button-downs and khakis at home even when they aren't entertaining guests."
And they're probably pleated khakis at that, those are the worst.
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Roy 2:29PM (10/02/2006)
The "thrill" of Corolla styling without the pesky Toyota reliabilty!!!
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iQuack 2:31PM (10/02/2006)
Looks like a yawner to me.
Current Civic and Mazda 3 are both better looking as far as I can tell from the photos.
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Ryan 2:30PM (10/02/2006)
"15. Here comes the new Escort."
-Awesome, the Escort was the pillar of domestic reliability for over 20 years and was always recommended with consumer reports and various other magazines. An array of bodystyles meant there was an Escort for everyone, if you look at the over 20 year run of the Escort on paper, it did quite well. Focus took this a step further becoming the consumer reports “top pick” (over Honda civic) for many years and has also been on the Car and Driver 10 best car list for many different years. I’m excited to see this new variation!!! Between Cobalt, Civic and now Focus an assault has been launched on hatchbacks by reviving a dying coupe segment. When was the last time you have seen a coupe with a blue oval on the back (a real couple with a real trunk, not a hatchback coupe)
This move for a coupe is bold a totally unexpected, just the thing to shake it up a bit. This platform has proved itself via the above-listed magazines and many others and continues to do so. In terms of driving dynamics the 2006 Civic is finally equal to the 2000 Ford Focus.
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Shawn 2:40PM (10/02/2006)
If Focus is for "whitest of all white-bread American consumers"...So Corolla & Aveo is for what? Transparent people? It's an entry level car!
It is sitting on a proven platform that's one of the best Rally cars of all time. The style is horrible but the platform is not the problem.
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