2008 Ford Focus will start at $14,695
click above image to view gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus
Styling aside, the 2008 Ford Focus is a better car than the one it replaces, and Ford announced today that its pricing will begin under $15,000. For 2008, the Focus S Coupe will start at $14,695 and the Focus S sedan at $14,995. Up-level models like the Focus SE coupe and sedan will add $1,000 to those base prices, while the top shelf SES models that come with Ford's new SYNC technology standard (normally a $395 option), start at $16,695 and $16,995 for the coupe and sedan, respectively. All of these prices include a $620 destination charge, mind you.
Comparing those prices to the 2007 Focus lineup is difficult, since the less expensive hatchback, which had a base MSRP of $13,715 in 2007 (not including destination), has been replaced by the new coupe body style. The sedan's base price, however, has increased from $14,040 in 2007, or $14,660 including destination charges.
As we said earlier, anyone considering the new Focus will likely need to put its styling aside and focus (ahem) on the car's new strong points. Chief among them is the availability of Ford's new mobile connectivity setup developed with Microsoft called SYNC. The new Focus is also 30 pounds lighter accord to Ford, is 10% quieter and produces 3% more horsepower from its 2.0L Duratec four-cylinder. The interior is also much improved, at least design-wise, over the old car, and now comes available with ambient lighting. Is it all enough to overcome the new car's oddball design, fake fender vents and all? We're waiting to get one in the Autoblog Garage to answer just that.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus
PRESS RELEASE:
2008 FORD FOCUS STARTS UNDER $15,000; DELIVERS NEW DESIGN, MORE SAFETY, BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AND SYNC
Value Leader – 2008 Ford Focus starts at $14,695 and offers the best value in its segment along with an all-new design, fuel economy in the mid-30s and such available class-exclusive features as Ford Sync™ and factory-installed ambient lighting.
Ford Sync™Debuts – as an industry-exclusive, hands-free way to use cell phones and portable music players using voice commands. Ford Sync™ comes standard on 2008 Focus SES models and is available on Focus SE models.
Fun to Drive – Acclaimed Focus driving dynamics are further improved with new suspension tuning and chassis refinements. Improved NVH levels provide a quieter ride.
New Features – Standard safety equipment now includes side air bags, side air curtains and tire pressure monitoring system. An audio input jack, tilt steering wheel and air conditioning are standard on all models. SIRIUS® Satellite Radio is now available.
SEATTLE, Sept. 17, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Focus goes on sale this fall with a long list of improvements that make it better than ever, including 35 miles per gallon highway fuel economy and a starting price under $15,000.
The new Focus is redesigned from the inside out, is available as a sedan or new coupe body style, is 30 pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter, has 3 percent more horsepower, more safety features, exceptional driving dynamics and fuel economy better than many smaller vehicles. With a starting price of $14,695, Focus pricing is essentially unchanged from last year – even with the addition of new standard safety features like side-curtain air bags.
The Ford Focus also introduces two new factory-installed technologies: programmable LED-powered ambient lighting and Ford Sync. Sync is a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft that allows users to control most portable digital music players and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones using voice commands.
"The new Focus is arriving at exactly the right time, with consumer interest in both small cars and technology surging," said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Brand Marketing. "With new a new design, great handling, fuel economy in the mid-30s and now Sync, we have something truly unique to offer consumers."
Cutting-Edge Technology
The 2008 Focus is the first vehicle to offer the company's industry-exclusive Ford Sync technology this year. Sync – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system – fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity. It seamlessly integrates the Focus with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is updatable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Sync will be offered exclusively on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year. It will be standard on Lincoln vehicles and widely available on Ford and Mercury vehicles. In most cases, Sync will be included as standard equipment on high-series models from Ford and Mercury. On models where Sync is optional, it will be priced at $395.
Tapping the emerging trend of configurable lighting, Ford is making its ambient lighting system available to Focus customers as a factory-installed option. The feature lets customers set the mood inside the vehicle with subtle LED lighting in the cupholders and in the front and rear footwells. The driver or front-seat passenger can choose from seven different colors – red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow – by cycling through a dash-mounted switch.
Great Value
For the 2008 model year, an all-new Focus coupe complements the sedan model. Three trim series – Focus S, Focus SE and Focus SES – are available for both body styles. Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2008 Focus S coupe starts at $14,695, while the new Focus S sedan begins at $14,995. SE models are an additional $1,000. All prices include a $620 destination and delivery charge. The top-of-the-line Focus SES coupe and sedan, with Sync standard, begin at $16,695 and $16,995, respectively.
All-new features on the 2008 Focus include a standard audio input jack for MP3 players, Ice Blue instrument backlighting, new wheel designs, along with Ford Sync and SIRIUS™ satellite radio. Newly standard features include driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and air conditioning.
Standard content on the 2008 Ford Focus includes:
- 2.0-liter Duratec 20 4-cylinder engine (140 hp and 136 lb.-ft torque)
- In states that have adopted California emissions rules, every Focus qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV), meaning its tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrids.
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- European-inspired suspension
- Dual-stage driver and passenger air bags
- Driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags and side curtain air bags *
- Tire pressure monitoring system *
- Audio input jack for MP3 players **
- AM/FM stereo with single CD player
- Ice Blue backlighting for instrument cluster and control knobs **
- Air conditioning *
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- Ford Sync (standard on SES models and available on SE models) **
- Ambient interior lighting system
- SIRIUS™ satellite radio **
- AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player with digital clock
- AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player Audiophile system
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Traction Control
- Power moonroof
- Fog lamps
- Front row heated leather-trimmed seats
- Speed Control
** Indicates all-new features
A new Deluxe Package also is available for the Focus SE series. It includes: heated side mirrors with chrome skulls caps and door handles; 16-inch Euro flange wheels; fog lamps; an enhanced European-inspired suspension with rear stabilizer bar; metallic instrument panel appliqué; bright cluster rings and other interior accents; a performance instrument cluster; four-way adjustable driver's seat; and chrome tip exhaust.
The 2008 Ford Focus is built at Ford's Wayne ( Mich.) Assembly Plant. It goes on sale this fall.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
St.J 1:56PM (9/17/2007)
Good luck with that.
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James 1:45PM (9/17/2007)
Is it too much too hope that Ford is just treading water with both the 08 Focus and 08 Escape until it can unify its European product line with North America's, as Alan Mulally wants? I don't know where I read it online, but the sweet-looking Kuga is on its way here to replace the Escape. Hope it wasn't just idle speculation.
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Robert 2:48PM (9/17/2007)
2010 for the MkIII Focus. Just three model years for this vehicle. The Escape is set to be replaced about a year later if the timeline holds. The Escape will get new engines and transmissions next year, though, which should make it feel a bit more refined and boost economy a bit (although it's already pretty decent).
emailphil 4:42PM (9/17/2007)
A butt ugly Ford with an attached Microsoft tax.
Oh yea, sign me up for this one....
Toledo Guy 1:49PM (9/17/2007)
So are these prices before or after the rebates? If the car isn't launched wit a rebate, I'll be amazed. It's not a bad car, just a little tired. Throw in the rebates that the '07 had, and its a better choice than a Kia or Aveo, IMO....
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iamhoff 1:50PM (9/17/2007)
Now the Kuga here would be sweet, and I'd love to see Ford unify the Euro and NA lineups. I just see too much of an investment in the "Red, White, and Bold" styling (3 bar grill, yadda yadda) for them to abandon it anytime soon. That being said, the most interesting thing that I realized about the new Focus is, despite it being an actual 3 box coupe, from a rear 3/4 view (like the first pic of the silver car in the gallery preview) it reminds me of the original Escort 3 door.
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SPG 6:52PM (9/17/2007)
"That being said, the most interesting thing that I realized about the new Focus is, despite it being an actual 3 box coupe, from a rear 3/4 view (like the first pic of the silver car in the gallery preview) it reminds me of the original Escort 3 door."
Then it better come with a turbo!
jaden82 1:52PM (9/17/2007)
I own a 2002 Focus hatchback and I love its handling and it hasn't given me any problem at all. I was thinking about getting another Focus when I heard about the redesigned Euro Focus. Imagine my disgust when I saw this....this...thing unveiled. I used to love Ford, but I refuse to buy any more Ford vehicle while there are much better Euro models that Ford's denying us Americans. The new Fiesta's a nice little baby step in the right direction, but it's too small for my lifestyle. Until I see the Euro Focus here, you'll find me driving around in a Mazda3.
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naggs 1:52PM (9/17/2007)
weighs 30 lbs less...
is that the sedan compared to the sedan?
anyone else find it ironic that the new focus comes with "european inspired suspension"?
side curtain airbags standard is nice
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polar 2:37PM (9/17/2007)
They have for years.
My '05 ZX3 has a "European Suspension"
Infinihertz 2:54PM (9/17/2007)
I'm pretty sure that 30lbs is actually comparing new sedan to old sedan, because I heard it was ~50 pounds in some comparisons (which I would assume is the new coupe vs. the old sedan).
Tyk 1:53PM (9/17/2007)
And people complain about Honda and Toyota styling... at least their designs age well. This Focus is going to look old 3 months out.
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autohobby 7:20PM (9/17/2007)
Wrong. It already looks less modern than the 07. One step forward and two back. Ford will probably survive somehow.
TriShield 1:58PM (9/17/2007)
Meanwhile GM imports the Astra for Saturn to sell.
Thing is, the Focus will be much cheaper once Ford and dealerships mark it down thousands to get people to buy them.
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Kent 2:00PM (9/17/2007)
I'm not sure why everyonen seems to think this newer focus is some kind of dog, side fender vent excluded. I saw the coupe at the Toronto auto show last winter and I don't know how anyone can claim that this car is less aesthetically pleasing than the cars which currently dominate the segment, civic, 3, and maybe the cobalt and the sentra. I especially liked the frontend and the Fusion-esque c-pillar. The civic, from an engineering standpoint is much better, but yet isn't the old focus still selling nearly 15-20 thousand units a month? Not bad. This one should do at least as well until until Ford completes its lineup with a true subcompact thereby allowing the next focus to move somewhat upmarket on the newer global platform.
The deletion of the wagon and hatch is simply an economic decision I'm sure, saving much needed capital for other projects.
Additionally, I'm seeing the new Escape in droves here in Toronto. I don't see why the newer Focus can't acheive the same success.
Kent.
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djSyndrome 2:22PM (9/17/2007)
The Focus is riding on a platform that's approaching its 10th birthday. Dynamically, it's one to two generations behind all of its competitors.
There will always be people who buy a car based on looks any nothing else, and these are the kind of people Ford is hoping to lure (sucker?) with this Focus.
Robert 2:44PM (9/17/2007)
The Corolla is sitting on a platform that hasn't received a complete overhaul since 1993. It was upgraded well every refresh, and will be 16 when put out to pasture for the next gen Corolla.
It's the C170 platform, but Ford, like Toyota does, put a lot of effort into increasing the rigidity of the body and boosting the response in the suspension to keep it up to date or better with the current segment.
The initial driving impressions by Focus enthusiasts was that its handling, ride, NVH was all much better than the current Focus and on par with the Civic and 3. That means it wasn't just a rehash job.
Imagine this vehicle for what it is really: C170-2 (probably pretty close to C1 in dynamics). If you want to criticize the Focus stick to the 4-speed auto and disgusting side vents. The styling isn't that bad in person, the interior is light-years ahead of the old model if not on par with what's expected in the class. Everything seems well placed for the segment, and even the 4-speed auto is not yet taboo in the segment. It isn't the European Focus, but it's not the old C170 either. Give Ford a little credit where due. I think it will be an excellent driver and a good, reliable car - just not a great looker with those vents...
djSyndrome 4:05PM (9/17/2007)
You're kidding yourself if you think that publishing the opinions of 'Focus Enthusiasts' is an accurate indicator of the Focus' quality versus its rivals. That's like going to a Hyundai Fan Club and asking them what they think about the Accent versus the Honda Fit. When independent tests of the Focus versus its rivals show up in Car and Driver, Edmunds.com, and others, then you can claim that it's 'dynamically on par' with the Mazda3.
From the gallery, I count 38 buttons and five knobs on the center stack. In a Mercedes, that's fine. In a Focus, it's overkill and further proof that Ford's NA engineers are out of touch with what American drivers want. Or are you going to say that Focus Enthusiasts 'love' the new dash panel too?
Instead of spending millions of dollars polishing an aging turd, they should have brought over the European model, which would instantly put them on par with other small cars in its class. Ford had a good idea when the original Focus was created, and they need to recreate that magic again.
[Also, the Corolla moved to a new (Vista) platform in 2000 (2002 for North America). Comparing the "brand new" Focus to the six-year-old Corolla is kind of a cheap shot, as a new one is due early next year, but I guess Ford fans take what they can get, right?]
PhattyDre16 12:01AM (9/21/2007)
Syndrome, congratulations on your numerical skills. You counted the buttons but did you look at them? They are simple and easily comprehensible. Plus, they are a far cry from the "brick" that Ford used to use as a radio unit. I think they look good while bringing some sophistication to a small car.
fd 2:01PM (9/17/2007)
Seeing this, I feel like throwing up ...
What the heck?!
Here we are all hoping to get a more EU inspired model (which does well over there) ... this is really really sad.
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