Autoblog

Rendered Speculation: Ford's next Euro Focus to spawn Scirocco-fighting coupe

Noah Joseph — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hatchback, Ford, Rendered Speculation

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]

Rendered Speculation: Ford's next Euro Focus to spawn Scirocco-fighting coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe

John Neff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupe, Budget, Ford, New Car Reviews

2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been just over a year since we reviewed our last Focus, a 2008 SES Coupe, and we were willing to bet the farm back then that its new design wouldn't go over well with buyers. But $4/gallon gas and the unexpected popularity of Ford's SYNC system have contributed to Focus sales rising 15.7% year-over-year through November. So what the Hell do we know?

Apparently something, as Ford has tweaked the Focus Coupe for 2009 despite its sales success. While the Focus sedan remains largely the same except for a new, top-level SEL model and the availability of electronic stability control, the '09 Coupe both looks and drives different than its predecessor. Ford recently dropped off a 2009 Focus SES Coupe for us to play with, so follow the jump to see if this year's version is any better than the last.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe

Continue reading Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe

Review: 2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Wagon, Crossover, Ford, Celebrities

Click above for massive gallery of Fords from SEMA

What recession? Perhaps anticipating the euphoria that will follow the end to the seemingly decades-long Presidential race today, Ford decided to throw a huge tuner party at SEMA this year, and they invited ALL of their friends. The Ford booth always houses a bunch of tuned blue ovals, but they generally tend to be grouped around a central vehicle. Last year it was the Mustang. And the year before. And probably the year before that, too. But this year they gave the ol' spit shine to virtually every model in the lineup. Ford even threw in a Lincoln or two for good measure (above).

In the gallery below you'll see the Lincoln MKS and MKX, as well as Ford Focus Coupe, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Transit Connect, and Edge. Tuners include 3dCarbon, Custom Creations, RKSport, Stout Performance, Barber Driving Experience, FSWerks, Street Concepts, EcoTrek, HPA Motorsports, H&R, and Steeda. For more info on each one, check out the press release after the jump. There are actually quite a few interesting concepts in the bunch.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford Booth

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day

SEMA 2008: Ford stacks the ballot with concepts for election day originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More details on the 2009 Ford Focus

Michael Harley — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Ford

Click on image above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe

Following-up on our 2009 Ford Focus Coupe post yesterday, more details have emerged about the trim levels, pricing, and options on the latest two-door model. For the 2009 model year, Ford will offer just two trim levels: SE and SES.

As Ford dropped the base S trim level for 2009, the standard model is now the Focus SE. It will start at $15,920 (plus a destination fee of $695), representing a price increase of just under five percent when compared to last year's model. The Focus SES model, as sporty as it gets for now, starts at $17,340 (plus destination). It adds 17-inch alloy wheels with a dark chrome finish, and a rear spoiler. Included in the SES upgrade is an increase in horsepower. Fuel efficiency with the slightly more powerful motor is untouched, so consumers won't feel any hit at the pump. Ford's hot SYNC system is standard on the SES model. Buyers who choose anti-lock brakes, a $744 option, will find it bundled with stability control -- offered for the first time on Focus models.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus Coupe

[Source: Kicking Tires]

More details on the 2009 Ford Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tweaked 2009 Ford Focus Coupe debuts

John Neff — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of 2009 Ford Focus Coupe

We do not consider ourselves experts on the buying habits of small car shoppers anymore, not after watching the redesigned 2008 Ford Focus streak to extremely strong sales despite sporting what we considered to be deal breaker bad looks. You can credit the car's success to good marketing, exclusive availability of SYNC, a big car ride with small car fuel economy, whatever... regardless, the Focus is selling better than it has since the car first debuted in 2000.

Ford has heard all the criticism thrown at the 2008 Focus for its electric shaver looks, and in a very unusual move has solicited feedback from Focus fans and tweaked only the Coupe for 2009 and not the Sedan. The newish 2009 Focus Coupe features a front end with a larger lower air intake that's supposedly inspired by the new Fiesta, and those garish faux fender vents are now completely gone (hopefully the sedan gets stripped of these, too). The flanking foglamps are also now better integrated into the body and the two-bar grille and other accents feature a dark, almost bronzed look rather than bright chrome. There are also new Dark Chrome 17-inch aluminum wheels and a roof-mounted spoiler, both standard on the top-shelf SES Coupe in addition to electronic stability control and SYNC, that make the Focus look more sporty than before. The overall effect of these changes reminds us of the last-generation SVT Focus Euro package. You can make up your own minds and let us know in the comments.

Though the Focus SVT is surely not returning, Ford did give the new coupe a new freer-breathing exhaust on models equipped with the five-speed manual to free up some horsepower, and also added a new 4.2 final drive ratio to make off-the-line acceleration a bit quicker. The 2009 Ford Focus Coupe will have a base MSRP of $15,920 when it goes on sale in late Summer, and you can check it out later tonight when Ford officially debuts it in a video on American Idol. We want to hear what supercar collector has to say about the new look Focus Coupe. Is it a Clay Aiken or a William Hung?

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus Coupe

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Tweaked 2009 Ford Focus Coupe debuts

Tweaked 2009 Ford Focus Coupe debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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