Frankfurt Motor Show: Ford to reveal refreshed Focus
The Frankfurt Motor Show is turning into one hell of an event, with a metric ton of new vehicles set for an official unveiling. Ford intends to get in on the act, as we know the Blue Oval is unveiling the new Fiesta Verve Concept, and now it looks like a refreshed Focus is on the way as well. The Lehmann spy photo team caught a well disguised Focus in testing, but plenty of styling changes lie beneath. The refreshed Focus should carry more Mondeo-like Kinetic Design styling queues in the front fascia and headlights, and on the inside the center stack will be more C-Max-like. As we told you last week, Ford will also unveil their new ECOnetic diesel technology for the Focus. The oil-burning powerplant will achieve 65.7 MPG while curbing carbon pollution to a class-leading 115g/km CO2 reading.
We don't know too much about the updated Focus yet, but we're guessing it will look better than the US Focus that was redesigned for 2008. We do know, however, that Frankfurt is fast turning into one heck of a show.
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 8:36AM (8/30/2007)
Will it really cost a lot for Ford if they brought the Euro Focus to the US to replace the current model ? Or is it just an excuse?
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Nellydesign 8:47AM (8/30/2007)
Yes it REALLY would cost a lot. What would be the reason for not bringing it here if they could? Laziness? Stupidity? OK, those are pretty reasonable possibilities, but they aren't the case at this point.
When you combine unfavorable exchange rates, a more expensive car to build, and the multitude of adjustments that would have to be made to pass NA safety requirements, they would be selling each car at a substantial loss.
Yes, they were stupid for not thinking ahead and engineering a new NA focus on the C1 Chassis early on the way Volvo and Mazda did, but that doesn't change the situation as it stands now.
hube 3:03PM (8/30/2007)
I don´t think so. We have in México the euro focus at almost the same prices that the old american focus.
It´s because stupidity and laziness
Kowell 8:42AM (8/30/2007)
I like the choice of words.. "refreshed".....caus no way are we getting a "new" one.
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Nellydesign 8:48AM (8/30/2007)
This refreshed Focus is the European model thats still not coming here.
Kowell 9:41AM (8/30/2007)
I know but we ARE getting a refreshed focus here too next year. It's just not the awsome Euro Focus... It's also not new.. We're getting a refreshed 1999-2000 focus with the 2.0L.
Kendall Tawes 8:59AM (8/30/2007)
Ford is killing the Focus in the US. Death by a thousand pokes of the ugly stick. The US designers should not be allowed out of the full size truck division. Ok they didn't do bad by the Mustang but keep those three bars away. No one likes you three bars...No One!!!
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Drewboy 9:25AM (8/30/2007)
I like them.
Landy 9:07AM (8/30/2007)
This is only a midcycle facelift of the current EU-Focus.
The next generation Focus that will go on sale in 2010,
is the one that will also be sold in the US!
Expect something like this:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_440/car_photo_220355_5.jpg
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h8rain 9:19AM (8/30/2007)
That has a very Scion TC look to (except in sedan form), but I kinda like it.
Aetius 9:36AM (8/30/2007)
So basically the Mazda3 hatch with Mondeo styling. I prefer the current Euro Focus.
Ford cannot bring the Focus over because it would affect Mazda3 sales and that car is Mazda's money-maker. And no one is willing to pay much for a Focus to start with (in NA).
Kowell 9:43AM (8/30/2007)
Not quite. The next-gen euro-focus will be an improved Euro-Focus.... The next-gen US focus will be a redesign US focus. Basicaly it's a refreshed 1999-2000 US focus. Nothing new under the skin.
the marais 9:49AM (8/30/2007)
I thought that the 2009/10 Focus, S40, and Mazda3 would all be coming out on Ford's global C2 platform. Ford told everyone for the past few years that the C1 platform was too expensive to build here. (i.e. American consumers would not pay $23-30K for a Ford Focus, but would for a Volvo S40).
Crap, i tell you! If Ford can sell Euro Focuses in Mexico, it can sell them here. The C1/C2 could be perhaps profitably built in Central/South America. Build it next to the Fusion triplets!
The European Focus is a nice car. Really nice. Ford would have moved alot of them if they had come to the US four years ago. The argument that a Euro Focus would have cut into Mazda3 sales in ridiculous. The C1 designs were differentiated enough that overlap between Mazda, Ford, and Volvo (three different niche markets) would not be a threat. Ford sells all three in Europe, too, you know.
On another unrealted note, I wonder why VW Rabbits, that are built in Wolfsburg, can be so CHEAP with the exchange rate and high labor rates. The Jettas are built in Mexico at Puebla, so that makes sense.
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Jim in Tampa 10:19AM (8/30/2007)
I bet that if Ford brought the 5-door Ecotec type model to the US and kept this body style unique to the Ecotec model, they would sell very well. Afterall, the uniquness of the Prius is the body style!
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Just me 11:41AM (8/30/2007)
WOW, 60mpg with the Diesel.
Does the euro model get a great suspension like the NA model does?
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Cortez 12:15PM (8/30/2007)
JUST ME!!
What a Stupid question.
All european cars have the best suspension
Americans
You will the focus like we in Europe have,but you wont get same spec as we have that means that it will have softer suspension,diferent steering adjustiment etc......
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Level 2:14PM (8/30/2007)
I'm beginning to think that theres an internal feud between Ford of Euro and Ford of US....hence why we dont get the better focus, or better Fords of Euro for that matter. I think the US designers are just plain pissy that their counterparts overseas do a better job.....And about costing too much to bring here its bogus....If Mazda can do it, sure can
Ford aswell....The Ford Focus of US is following the same path the Taurus did...and it will eventualy be lost in translation....
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JUAN PABLO 3:12PM (8/30/2007)
Do yoy know that ford will build the new focus in argentina next year and a new ranger in 2009?
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alexer 5:57PM (8/30/2007)
i went to mexico and i have the opportunity to drive this euro focus there. and wow that was fun and grat to drive. ford is makin stupid movements. mexico is next to us. is mexicans can buy them why no americans? are we really that poor lol? mexican can build them really good( like the fusion) and with no much cost to ford.
hey ford!!! do it and you can have my money!!!
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