Rendered Speculation: Ford's next Euro Focus to spawn Scirocco-fighting coupe
Having driven the current European Focus in sporty ST trim and with the even hotter RS version rolling off the assembly line, we can tell you that our friends across the Atlantic have one fine-handling hatchback on their hands. And for the next generation, Ford is planning to give the Focus the styling and rakish profile its chassis deserves.The next Focus, which we hope will replace the American version as well, will spawn several body-styles. First up to bat will be the C-Max minivan, but while the standard five-door will continue as the mainstay model, a new coupe variant is also in the works. Following the lead of Volkswagen, whose Scirocco cuts a sleeker profile than the Golf/Rabbit on which it's based, and Renault, whose new Megane looks startlingly different in coupe and five-door guises, the Focus coupe will feature a sportier shape while retaining usability. You can bet the design for the new Focus range will follow the cues set down by the Fiesta (which we also drove in Europe), with the coupe adopting more pronounced wheel arches, a higher beltline, angled C-pillars, a sloping tail and sporty aero bits. Inside, the cabin will benefit from a complete redesign, with a central controller that we hope works better than BMW's iDrive. Bank on a lineup of gasoline and diesel engines ranging from 89 horsepower all the way up to 197 ponies. The next-generation ST and RS should up the ante even further. Expect to see the Focus coupe debut later next year, with other variants to follow. We hope and pray Dearborn follows the One Ford plan and brings its best hatchbacks home. Thanks for the tip, Colin!
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Franz 3:24PM (2/08/2009)
Did anyone else look at the photo and immediately think of the Impreza?
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zamafir 3:32PM (2/08/2009)
Yup.
I hope this thing's as fun to drive and polished as the scirocco. Coming from Ford of Europe it should be close, but the scirocco has been receiving tons of praise from the press over there.
P.V. 8:57PM (2/08/2009)
Yes. Even before I saw full-on pictures (as in, when I first saw the cropped picture on the main post (on Autoblog)), the Impreza came immediately to mind.
Looking at it full-on, I see a lot of Honda Accord Coupe in the side profile too. Yeech. It's a pretty bad combination behind the front. It certainly doesn't look as good as either the current Focus (European) or Scirocco.
Mike P. 11:08PM (2/08/2009)
Wait until you see a Scirocco in the flesh. It's quite striking... most hatches (even hot hatches) are more "vertical" than "horizontal", but the Scirocco is wide and squat. Especially at the rear. It really makes its sporting intentions clear.
Although... it does make parallel parking a bit more of a chore than usual in a compact hatch.
Cellien 10:37AM (2/09/2009)
Other than it's blue, no doesn't strike me as looking at all like an Impreza.
Randy 1:28PM (2/09/2009)
I have to agree with Cellien. I don't see any similarity other than the color blue that's on the Impreza!
It looks like a Mondeo-Focus to me!
I looked hard too! Things that didn't match!
Car shape
Roofline
Hoodline
Profile
Taillights
Grill
Lights (all)
Mirrors
Hood
Complete Facia
Rockers
Windows
I tried I just don't see it at all!
Nice Ford Focus though! WOW I wouldn't mind driving that!
Torrent 3:38PM (2/08/2009)
It's a frickin Fiesta with a nose job.
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Torrent 7:58PM (2/08/2009)
Not that it's a bad thing. It looks great, but with the Fiesta already coming out, this is irrelevant.
Yaroukh 8:01PM (2/08/2009)
WHAT?
http://images.google.com/images?q=new+ford+fiesta
Torrent 8:12PM (2/08/2009)
Wow. Like I needed to know what it looked like.
Compare 'em.
http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_601/car_photo_300959_25.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/01_new-fiesta.jpg
Ken Stamper 2:33AM (2/09/2009)
It's a size bigger. I think that sums up its relevance nicely
C.W. 8:32AM (2/09/2009)
yeah. it looks nothing like the Fiesta. i mean, clearly automakers have similar themes they carry across their vehicles. just look at VW, bmw, gm, ford, etc... so yes, you are supposed to see the vehicle and know it's a ford. But the fiesta and this clearly have their own style. I think this Focus will be stunning. (as will the fiesta).... in their OWN way...
xspeedy 3:52PM (2/08/2009)
If the real thing looks anything like that, bring it here to the US and I'll buy it.
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Sea Urchin 4:00PM (2/08/2009)
We don't need this in USA. Our is better in every way
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BigWill 10:17PM (2/08/2009)
ROTFLPIMP!
frozen canuck 10:24AM (2/09/2009)
DUH
Cellien 10:47AM (2/09/2009)
fail.
Fritz 4:06PM (2/08/2009)
That's not really much of a coupe. And it would be so nice if one day they could get the proper wheels driven on one of these things.
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Suzie 4:07PM (2/08/2009)
@Sea Urchin: You may be the first person I've ever seen who said that. It's a near universal consensus that the European Focus is superior.
That said, I thought it was already official that the next Euro Focus was replacing the American one? Then why does this article say that "they hope" Ford brings it here?
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Yaroukh 4:48PM (2/08/2009)
i'm pretty sure what SeaUrchin said was a sarcasm