If Martin Smith – the designer of the new Mondeo and S-Max – has his way, the next Ford Focus in Europe will be drawing heavily from the styling of its upmarket siblings. While we're stuck with the new Focus coupe that was unveiled earlier this year, European consumers will be getting a thoroughly reworked version of Ford's compact sedan. In addition to the Iosis-inspired sheetmetal, those lucky blokes across the pond will also benefit from a freshly styled interior, complete with a cabin control system inspired by the Human Machine Interface in the Mondeo.
If AutoExpress' crystal ball is to be believed, the new Focus may debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales likely to begin sometime in 2008. If this particular five-door does become available, the hue and cry from those of us in the States will be heard yet again, and summarily dismissed by FoMoCo execs.
[Source: AutoExpress]
2010 Chevrolet Camaro priced: LS $22,995, SS $30,995
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
adi @ Jun 21st 2007 11:37AM
That is a truly beautiful car. I wonder if Ford can import it to Canada as a testing ground for North America, just like Smart did.
Elliott @ Jun 21st 2007 11:38AM
Personally, I usually don't care for auto companies that slap the same front end on every vehicle and then make them different lengths and call it a different model.
That being said, the rendering is HOT HOT HOT!
geo.stewart @ Jun 21st 2007 11:40AM
I will boycott Ford for life if Europe gets that and we get the junk that Ford NA is churning out.
Enough already. If they cant give their home country their best effort, why should I pay them any attention whatsoever?
Dausman @ Jun 21st 2007 11:40AM
Like the future Focus design...description sounds really great. Doesn't Ford want to increase its own American market share?
Is the Iosis to be a reality?
Paul Y @ Jun 21st 2007 11:42AM
Ford: Why can't Americans buy enough cars to keep us afloat in NA?
Everyone: There are some really nice ones you sell in Europe and Australia.
Ford: That's crazy talk! Americans only want trucks!
Problem solved clarified.
Screw you, Ford, if you don't sell this here. It's actually APPEALING.
Paul Y @ Jun 21st 2007 11:43AM
"Solved" was supposed to have a strikethrough, but Autoblog doesn't like html, I suppose.
Mike @ Jun 21st 2007 11:46AM
Some one at ford must be like, "Hey here is a great idea, let's make some cars with edgy styling and decent performance and sell them in countries where our marketshare is low and make us hardly any money. While we are at it we will purposely keep these cars from the USA so that our business continues to suck and we piss off consumers."
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HELLLOOOOOO!?!??!?!?!?
WAKE UP FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tired @ Jun 21st 2007 11:48AM
That's one good looking car, and super practical as a 4 door hatch.
Why do we get such shite from Ford here in the states? I'd be all over that if they brought it over here.
Zacarious @ Jun 21st 2007 12:02PM
as Elliott already noted "HOT HOT HOT !!!"
Com'on FORD .. BRING the EURO Focus to America NOW!
Aprime1 @ Jun 21st 2007 12:11PM
It's not happening, get over it.
aSHIRTandTIEguy @ Jun 21st 2007 12:13PM
Dear Ford,
Why do you not sell this car here? Really why? A WRC ST Focus looking this good would cause Subaru to go bankrupt when all potential buyers of Subaru’s going to Ford dealerships instead! And also this Focus would be so well received that no one aged 16-30 years olds would buy a Honda/Nissan/Toyota or VW just because this would be better looking and sweet. Might steal some Mazda sales also (somewhat bad for Ford)! Texan's would still buy F-450's what else do would they drive? Nissan Titan? Don't think so! No one does.
Just imagine a world with no Toyota Appliances or Huge German coffee machines called Cars! Really forget the crappy 2008 Focus sold here and SELL this instead! Bump up the base Mustang to 250 HP and 330-350 HP for the GT, and sell a 150HP, 175 HP and 225 HP Focus Models and bump the Fusion up to 240 HP and this would create a very respectable line-up. And in the 150 HP range or less sell a 125 HP Fiesta! :)
When are we gonna get the Oz Falcon to replace the Crown Victoria???
Drewboy @ Jun 21st 2007 12:30PM
Ford: We want this here. And NOW. I have a Focus in my household right now, a 2003, and I'm going to want to replace it sooner or later. It'd be nice to be able to replace it with another 5-door hatch Focus like that one rendered!
stuck @ Jun 21st 2007 12:42PM
And yet Ford can't figure out why they are loosing market share.
Atomicbri @ Jun 21st 2007 12:55PM
Well here is another brilliant move by Ford.... I agree with everyone here about how Ford needs this car here....and yes they should! Ford Ford Ford.... I am tired of your bad business practices.....then your constant crying how you all are doing so bad...MAKE CARS PEOPLE WANT!! You are too busy going by some outdated method of clinic-ing cars to see who may buy them 4 years down the road. Then when the final product arrives... it is already behind. I mean look...you can afford to design, research and build these cars in Europe, Australia, Africa...and Asia...but when it comes to your home market.... you decide...well lets just facelift the same chassis and all 4 times!!!!! Ford, keep this up and you will fail...mark my words....
Robert @ Jun 21st 2007 1:19PM
Actually, we are supposed to be getting the new C2 Focus that this article talks about. It is expected in the U.S. in 2010 (possibly sooner depending on engineering demands, competitive pressure, cost and government regulations). The 2008 Focus is only set to be around for about 30 months.
david damn @ Jun 21st 2007 1:25PM
Ford, the Focus market is not just for college students anymore! It is for young, urban working proffesionals... and we don't want a dumpy worked over car from the 90's.
Get over the Countour mishap, you can sell the Euro Focus in America. There is a market at that price point. Look at the VW Rabbit, the Mazda 3.
Build it, they will come.
The Reptile @ Jun 21st 2007 1:30PM
While I don't see anything original or ground breaking on that car it is a very well done styling exercise. I agree with the masses on this one and say that it's time to do an XR4Ti with it and bring it to the states. If not as a Ford then a Mercour, excuse me, a Mercury.
geo.stewart @ Jun 21st 2007 1:51PM
actually, ford was trying the germanic Merkur instead of the french pansy mercour
8^>
Daniel @ Jun 21st 2007 2:01PM
It is a no-brianer to bring this great looking Focus, plus the new S-Max and Mondeo to the U.S. market under the Mercury brand. This would take Mercury up-scale where it belongs and end the outrageous "Badging" from Ford products.
With the Euro line-up under the "Winged Helmut" Mercury Marque - Mercury could successfully compete with the likes of BMW, Audi, Acura and Infinity.
If Ford does not bvring these kick-ass products to the homeland - then those pricks deserve to go under. Try showing a little respect to your countrymen and stop treating us like dirt bags!
geo.stewart @ Jun 21st 2007 7:14PM
good point.
Ford should use the Mercury division much like GM is using the Saturn, for a Euro-feel division. Other posts listing the Focus as a 30K car are overpricing it. Taking out taxes and such it would be higher than a Focus but probably on scale with an upmarket Mercury version. Same with the Mondeo...