From the Milwaukee auto show.

After asking for some close-up pics of the 2008 Focus SEL they had up on a revolving stage they shut down the revolving and let me up on the stage and a very helpful Ford rep spent some time answering questions for me.

Now some of this stuff is probably already known by quite a few but some of the things new to me were:

- Two engines. A 2.0E that is a near zero emissions setup and a 2.3. I had originally heard only a 2.0. UPDATE: Oops, the wife says she said 2.0 and 2.0e, not 2.3 (hey it sounds close)

- A system called SYNC that was developed with Microsoft will be available. This handy dandy little thing will allow you to simply say what song you want your iPod to play and this will take care of the rest. It does many other things as well, I just have to read over it.

- Adjustable ambient lighting. Up to seven different colors.

- The dash gauges will be backlit blue with white gauges. I don't know if the ambient light changes will effect this.

A big thanks to that Ford rep and she said that she hopes this is all helpful to those out on FocusFanatics.com

Overall I liked it what I saw it, but it definitely needs bigger rims.

Anyway, here are the pics I was able to snap off.

http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/58.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/59.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/60.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/61.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/62.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/63.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/64.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/65.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/66.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/67.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/68.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/69.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/70.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/71.jpg

Alright, I'm so getting one, I should start kissing the ST goodbye.

Ill get 1..........for my grandma.

when i first saw the pics of this car, i thought they were pretty lame. turns out, i still do.

look at that ridiculous speedo.

uggh....ok...no 2.3...my opinions still stand, lol.

The assend looks too much of a Saturn to me but teh front and interior ARE GREAT!!!!

i actually think the back looks ok for the most part...but the tails nees to be a little bit bigger IMO.

It is definately starting to grow on me. The option of the 2.3 is definately a good thing. I really like the interior and the SYNC sounds cool. Those seats look really comfortable too. I say it has potential once some aftermarket items are added. 1st gen. foci are still the best by far.

While I like aspects of this, I think I like the new Astra more. From this side of my computer monitor at least, I'll go look at each in person when they hit showrooms.

look at that ridiculous speedo.

That speedo is actually pretty damn nice and follows the design lines of quite a few compacts. Once you see one in person, take the time to sit in the drivers seat and get a feel for the car, you WILL like this dash.

Here are links out to full size pics of the dash, media center and climate control

http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/60a.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/72a.jpg
http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/63a.jpg

A slightly diff shot of the dash

http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/72.jpg

The 2.3 is nice, but I just don't like the look of the car. I hate the interior too. I liked it at first, but seeing those pics...lets just say I'll stick with my EAP.

That speedo is actually pretty damn nice and follows the design lines of quite a few compacts.

call me old fashioned, but i like incremental lines on my instruments.

http://www.webtrendsguy.com/images/focus/2008/67.jpg

Is it just me or is that an intake snorkle similar to the one on the SVT? I hope so. Ford really, really needed to get rid of the elephant cock they call a cold air snorkle that is on current Duratecs.

And is the the MAF sensor right after the baffle piece before the air resonator?

Awsome pics Goatroaper. I am glad to hear about the 2.3. I bet the coupe with a 2.3 would be one fun ride.

I bet the coupe with a 2.3 would be one fun ride.

Hell ya, especially since it's supposed to be 60lbs lighter and have a stiffer suspension and body then the current focus.

meh... dashlines suck. as far as the guages, oh hell no, give me something at least useful, and quit trying to follow the design lines of other compacts. dash reminds me of the toyota tacoma, all flat and unappealing, the crappy built in radio, too utilitarian...just looks cheesy

i hate to say this but the focus seems like its going down hill on the looks department no offense to the 05+ drivers but i thought that they were kinda ugly too but at least they kept the hatch and now its not even a hatch...why even call it a focus it doesnt resemble one to me at all and i know cars change but cmon a primarly hatch crowd is gonna embrace a coupe???????

i'm kinda sad they are taking away our cool steering wheel, lol

yea, it really doesnt look like a driver's car anymore. The steering wheel looks exactly the same as the ones on the freestyle and the rest of fords line up. And that speedo, could be any smaller. Looks to me like the only speeds you'll actually know your going is 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120. I cant seem to see any other numbers and only other thing i see are notches, which is difficult to see anyway. The speedo is retarded, im sorry it looks like they focused more on style then functionality...as with many of the things on the focus....ie the fender grill...wtf. Ford, what have you done.

poor focus what have they done to you ::(:

gaot those are killer pictures! and you found out it comes with a 2.3 cuz thats pretty sweet, and overall its not bad, coupe looks way better then the sedan now!

I like the controls on the steering wheel and the instruments.

I don't like the radio/heater controls. What is that SYNC thing? Is that a display above the air vents? If so, the air vents and the display should trade places. Also, can you still upgrade put in an aftermarket stereo? It looks like the SYNC thing and the display are all tied together, hopefully it's still just a double DIN with a crappy cover.

I bought my first FoFo because it's a hatchback. Looks like I'll have to stick with the older models. Too bad for Ford.
Thanks for the nice pics Goat Roper.

they have made the focus go downhill. it looks like a granny car now. only thing i like is the sync system in it. other than, i think the 08 focus is complete poop. the svtf is still king of foci!!

Heh, so they did delete the 2.3L. It's funny, in one breath Mulally says he doesn't want to be associated with the rental car fleets as much to improve perceived value... and in the next they neuter even MORE performance out of the Focus.

GJ fellas, just delete the manual transmission while you're at it. The hardcores won't be shopping for the Focus anymore.

I still think the interior is ok, but aesthetically, it disgusts me (outside that is)

Same ugly gear shifter. Man would they take a clue from Europe and design a cohesive, solid interior on these cars.

Heh, so they did delete the 2.3L. It's funny, in one breath Mulally says he doesn't want to be associated with the rental car fleets as much to improve perceived value... and in the next they neuter even MORE performance out of the Focus.

GJ fellas, just delete the manual transmission while you're at it. The hardcores won't be shopping for the Focus anymore.

i think goat said they will have the 2.3 in it? ok now he edit and only a 2.0 ok your right NOS well that sucks!

oh well, the model change works for me. the last thing i want is a whole lot more of the same style focus as mine.

i guess it could grow on me but i still say it looks like an ion...

omg i was driving back from the cas and i was like, WTF A NEW FOCUS!! and when it passed it was saturn, thats when it hit me that the new front looks way to close to a saturns, i also cried....

haha i told you man! that makes me angry!

well i didnt think it was that bad, like im very good with knowing what kind of cars are coming at me, and i seriously thought it was a new focus, and thats when the realization hit me, so now i hate the front end, at first i thought it was really cool!

yea, that really sucks....just doesn't look like a focus anymore to me.

I too wonder what the little pod on the dash is for. I don't think it looks that bad though.

I love it, about the time this should be coming out I'll have my 02 SE paid off. I planned on not having a car payment for a while but not likely now, I will probably be one of the first people on the lot when this is released. Thanks for the pics Goat!!

You can tell a focus a long ways away (especially a hatch from the rear). Not just the grill or tail lights. The whole stance of the vehicle. This new focus, it just appears to be some forgettable, never look twice, look-alike coupe that you would not know from anything else on the road and you have seen it so many times before. It is old before it's even born (trust me. I know old! >wink<). BUT! Only thing I have seen is photo's (and thank you for those btw!). So maybe it's not photogenic? But that would be a bad thing to come to think of it.

the speedo only goes to 120...that sucks. lol, i mean, considering the current model pushes near that fully stock. i still like the interior, if it comes in black it'll be even better. still not a fan of the front end, though the pics help a little. with a decent aftermarket i think that could be fixed. i'll take one in black...black out the tails...and do something with that ridiculous looking nose and i'd be happy. oh, and the vents on the side...ugh.

^bingo, same crap, thats what made the focus a hit was how it loked like nothing else on the road!!!
now its like everyother car you see on the road, its not special, im glad i have one of the last HB that the focus came in!

the only thing about this Saturn i like is the interior, as far as it growing on me yeah like something that needs to be lanced off (shivers).... i'll keep my ST

I can see it now....

"Microsoft error 444: Your Focus just suffered an irreversable crash. Please reboot and try you request again."

The only drawback with this car is that Ford is partnered with Microsoft. [8]

I think I'll wait for the supposed "reboot" of the Focus for the 2010 MY and if it's anywhere close to what they're getting in Europe, the 2007 can go to my wife and I'll get a "hot hatch"... if we get one in N.A.

I'm sorry, I still hate it. :(

for all you folks who think this looks like a saturn.....here is what the fine folks at saturn are going to be selling soon. certainly looks alot better than the new focus, eh?
http://www.germancarfans.com/photos/3050715.001/1010.jpg

2008 has a touch of the "Luxurious" style.

or maybe not...

for all you folks who think this looks like a saturn.....here is what the fine folks at saturn are going to be selling soon. certainly looks alot better than the new focus, eh?
http://www.germancarfans.com/photos/3050715.001/1010.jpg

well...i don't know about that....i've been hearing about the new car saturn is coming up with to keep up with all the other dealers. still just a saturn to me. not saying it's ugly but it looks like they crossed the spyder & the protege...

haha, maybe that should be a new thread...."this car looks like:"

that is a very nice looking car

well...i don't know about that....i've been hearing about the new car saturn is coming up with to keep up with all the other dealers. still just a saturn to me. not saying it's ugly but it looks like they crossed the spyder & the protege...

haha, maybe that should be a new thread...."this car looks like:"

actually, its not really a saturn at all. it is going to be a rebadged opel.

I like the new wheels..Those square driving lights? Geez whose bad idea was that? The dash is nice, those instruments look crappy in person. After reading what Goat said I will take a look at them in person, maybe they will look better. I do like under the hood a bit better. Overall, not bad, better than version 2. I still think the 200-2004 car looked the best. Oh yeah, and the wagon is no more for what reason??? There ARE some of us who don't want suv's. Thats why we drive wagons that handle well... Ford was the last hold-out for wagon sales. They need to have at least one. I see alot of focus wagons around here.

Not bad, except those hideous fog lights. WOW they stick out like a sore thumb. I would really like to see that interior in person.

So is their a 2.3l in the new 2008 focus or not???, I see two different sayings ???

actually, its not really a saturn at all. it is going to be a rebadged opel.

ahhh, i see

ahhh, i see


yup, saturns line up now is just rebadge opels. But honestly, im not complaining b/c now we have a nice set of in expensive european cars which all look really good. The sky is sick, and this astra looks awesome, i cant wait too see the redline version.

So is their a 2.3l in the new 2008 focus or not???, I see two different sayings ???

Nope, no 2.3. i dunno what ford will do between now and it's release but im pretty sure of it. no 2.3.

oh well ill look for a cheap 2.3l ST version, 2006-7 or older with the 2.3 hatch

ash is selling her 05 st for 10k, should pic it up

yup, saturns line up now is just rebadge opels. But honestly, im not complaining b/c now we have a nice set of in expensive european cars which all look really good. The sky is sick, and this astra looks awesome, i cant wait too see the redline version.


you make a good point! european cars are hot![woot]

I too wonder what the little pod on the dash is for. I don't think it looks that bad though.

I think that's the display for the climate control and ICE. Its very reminiscent of the center gauge pod in the MkII ST (w/oil temperature and pressure and boost), but if you'll note there is no display on the stereo.

the speedo only goes to 120...that sucks. lol, i mean, considering the current model pushes near that fully stock.

Really now...speed limiter aside, I think you'd be really hard pressed to get a bone stock Duratec 2.0 up to 120, even going downhill with a tailwind and drafting a semi going the same speed as you. Plus Ford really pushed aftermarket support with the 2000-4, and to a lesser extent the '05-'07s, which would justify the 140 MPH speedo...they clearly won't be doing the same with the '08 reskin, this is obviously a car that's being marketed towards the middle-income bracket, for working professionals looking for a reliable ho-hum commuter, or towards parents who are looking to buy their kids their first car. Only a slim margin of 2000-2007 Focus owners modify their cars, even fewer modify them enough to overcome the drag limitations on top speed to push it up to the 130-140 MPH on a flat road. You can rest assured that an even smaller number of '08+ Focus owners will mod them, and I'd be really surprised if anyone pushes one to the point where you run out of gauge on the speedometer.

^ actually, i've gotten my D20 up to 114 before the governor kicked in, and i still had plenty of room to go faster. that was back when it was bone stock, one of these days i'll get a tune and find out what my top speed is

^
I think you'll find that the harder you try to hit 120, the more wind resistance is going to fight you. You might be able to get it to 120 on a flat road, but that's all...any higher and you're going to need some serious mods to overcome drag.

lol i never said it was easy, it took awhile to get up there for sure, and yes it was on a flat road

they do all that work and still leave the shitty little shift knob.

For what its worth, I don't think I'd want to be in a Focus that was going over 130 MPH. Its not designed for high top speed. Look at cars that are; they're low to the ground and very sleek. The Focus is pretty tall for a compact and not terribly sleek. It makes me wonder why Ford made the 2000-7 speedo top out at 140 (and 160 for the SVT) unless they just wanted to put the technical top speed -redline in 5th- on the speedometer.

i think i'll keep my 02 for a while over that.

What happened to the hatchback? And the european-ish feel???

The new car is a smaller version of the Fusion. Don't get me wrong, I like the Fusion, but the Focus should not be a copy of it. The Fusion is a midsize sedan. The Focus is a compact economy car (admit it or not). It should stay that way. Give us back our lightweight hatch and put the 2.3 back in.

All I ask for is the European version, even if that means the current Focus needs to stay in production for a little longer. I looked on Ford's UK website, and that car is about four thousand percent better of a car (IMO). Granted, the current platform is aging, but why try to give it a facelift (and a not so good one at that)? Just give us the Euro car instead of prolonging the inevitable. Especially when the facelift that was done is just that....styling only. The powertrain seems like it's the same....2.0 Duratec.

BLAH!!

/Rant

i saw this car when it came to the auto show in dc.
at first sight. i didn't like it.
now, i still don't like it.. but it is starting to grow on me.
i do like the sync and the dashboard set up.
but the front looks to much like saturn and the back.. just wow.. don't even get my started

I like the interior, and some parts of the exterior. There are some aspects of the exterior that still turn me off. But for once, the sedan is the best looking in the lineup.

hmmmmm....i wonder, just for shits and grins, could you put the 08 front end on a 02? lol

I'm sure its possible with enough time, effort, and money.

Holy crap. Now I'm happier with my 05 ST.

The 08 focus makes me appreciate the stylish, though aging, 00 zts i have. I was hoping ford would show me a product to convince me not to get a used impreza next. oh well.

I bought an '08 Focus S Coupe 5Spd, I really like it so far!

Btw, with only a K&N Filter (not the whole intake kit), '93 Gas, and some ebay Honda chip, I did 143mph in an '88 Prelude Si, on a closed highway in hill country. That was a ~140hp DOHC 16V 4-Cylinder. Of course the Prelude is a lower-profile car for sure than the Focus ever was. I also had a '97 Type SH that I got to 158 before I backed off, but that was with a Jackson Racing S/C and full ECU change.

I'm not making the $$$ I once was, so I'll just be happy with this Focus for now, I'm a happy newcomer to the forums and this is my first Ford, and only my second american car.