Spy Shots of 2007 Focus . . . Ford still too dumb to bring the Euro

[2004SVTAutoXer]

these decisions are coming from a choice few idiots that pander to environmentalist groups.

[Mr-914]

The front will be well integrated by the time it is debuted. That's why Ford hires 500 designers.

However, I'm curious about this. At the very least, I've read that this make-over was supposed to be "major". A front end doesn't match my idea of major. Plus, the fact that they are testing a mule in real world conditions doesn't make sense for a cut and paste job. They could test the cooling system, the only thing really effected, in a lab or a test track. The fact this mule is out there seems to suggest greater changes than aesthetic. I hope!

Lastly, a Fusion front will clash with the surfacing on the sides of the car. They can't possibly do that. If they switch the front that much, they will change the sides to a flatter cleaner look. Again, I hope!

[Duffman355]

Originally posted by BFocusSVT
My dad and I are very big Ford fans and we'll continue to buy Fords, but c'mon! For every car maker that takes a step forward in technology, luxury, sportiness, etc... Ford decides to take 10 steps to the rear. If SVT is dead and ST is the next "thing" so be it, but give it some balls!! Stop being glad that it now has 151hp, and the Si has almost 200, SRT-4 has 230 (300hp later), or the Matrix with 180! It was the same with the Mustang "Now with a 260hp engine." Thats great! The Firebird/Camara have only had 305hp for like 3 years already. Wait.......the Mustang was ahead of GM....oh that's right, that's because they killed the F-Body.
Then the GTO was there and spanked the Mustang again. No one could afford the Cobra R because of some greedy dealers who put $20,000+ dealer mark-ups. Hey, why don't we keep using the good ol' 3.0l Duratec with the same 200hp rating the last 8 years and put it into the Five Hundred which probably weighs like a million pounds more than the Taurus. Who cares if the Altima, Accord, Sonata or every other car in your class drives right on by. You know what, I can go on forever but you all see where i'm going with this. LONG LIVE FORD!

I've been saying this for years. COuldn't had put it better myself. The new Shelby is gonna be something though.

[igor]

Originally posted by Mr-914
The front will be well integrated by the time it is debuted. That's why Ford hires 500 designers.

However, I'm curious about this. At the very least, I've read that this make-over was supposed to be "major". A front end doesn't match my idea of major. Plus, the fact that they are testing a mule in real world conditions doesn't make sense for a cut and paste job. They could test the cooling system, the only thing really effected, in a lab or a test track. The fact this mule is out there seems to suggest greater changes than aesthetic. I hope!

Lastly, a Fusion front will clash with the surfacing on the sides of the car. They can't possibly do that. If they switch the front that much, they will change the sides to a flatter cleaner look. Again, I hope!

a member at FJ said the following:

I was just thinking. With that photo, it could very well be a drivetrain mule for the redesign. Still built on the C170 platform, they could be checking the new front end for clearances, just bolt it onto the front of a current focus and drive it around town.

And you are correct. There were numerous posts about the redesign being quite major, changing the whole feel of the car.. that is why this picture is a dissapointment... actually even an existence of a myule for any shanges to the current platform scares me as my hopes are set on the rumor produced in january that we will siply get MkIII Focus in 2009-2010

Igor

[brawls43]

Since that pic is a 2007, its probably still an early enough prototype (AP3), that they only mock up the front end to fit everything for the engine bay. Look for prototypes late this year and early next year if you're hoping to see what it looks like. Don't get too down on the Focus design boys yet, despite the fact that its not going to be on the C1 platform. I still don't understand why you wouldn't engineer the platform to be global, as opposed to only partly global. Personally I hope Volvo brings out the C30 from the Detroit auto show. if it looks anything like that, bye bye Focus.

[igor]

I still don't understand why you wouldn't engineer the platform to be global, as opposed to only partly global.

it seems Ford is planning to return to fully global ptalform for the C-segment...
eventually again the B-segment..

the midsize is interesting, as it has 2 plafroms for ford ... a C1 based EUCD and mazda based CD3 ..
then full size D3

etc....

there seems to be some order.. or a progress to get to some.

Igor

[DrkKnight614]

Originally posted by brawls43
Since that pic is a 2007, its probably still an early enough prototype (AP3), that they only mock up the front end to fit everything for the engine bay. Look for prototypes late this year and early next year if you're hoping to see what it looks like. Don't get too down on the Focus design boys yet, despite the fact that its not going to be on the C1 platform. I still don't understand why you wouldn't engineer the platform to be global, as opposed to only partly global. Personally I hope Volvo brings out the C30 from the Detroit auto show. if it looks anything like that, bye bye Focus.

well we have ever right to be down on the design, b/c i know how its going to look and so do most people. I stated a while back after reading an article in the paper about Ford steering away from the european design, saying "No more European" and they want to make a clear american design for the Ford US, and this design is being represted by cars such as the fusion and the upcoming edge. And from the spy shots it looks like its got the same three bar chrome grill. WOOPPY......looks like i wont be buying a focus every again.

[HotRodWagon]

if it tuns out to be a front/rear exercise, then either toss in a V-6 and/or give us a coupe.

[Klondike]

thats really sad, u think they'd want to make the car more edgier to compete with other companines, why use the same platform, its gonna turn into the taurus.....same bloody platform for many years, and a brand new focus will cost 12k BRAND new and that will be with all options and biggest engine, prlly less, but god damn ford u make me die a lil insde everytime i see shitty designs, i think that engineers at ford just sit around all day and have gay s*x then the main ceo comes in and ask what they have done, and all standing their naked with their dic*s in eachothers bum bums go, oh lets just add the 3 bar to that focus and maybe add 5 hp to the engine, and bill ford goes, ok im retarded anyways.......

[rfinger]

Originally posted by BFocusSVT
My dad and I are very big Ford fans and we'll continue to buy Fords, but c'mon! For every car maker that takes a step forward in technology, luxury, sportiness, etc... Ford decides to take 10 steps to the rear. If SVT is dead and ST is the next "thing" so be it, but give it some balls!! Stop being glad that it now has 151hp, and the Si has almost 200, SRT-4 has 230 (300hp later), or the Matrix with 180! It was the same with the Mustang "Now with a 260hp engine." Thats great! The Firebird/Camara have only had 305hp for like 3 years already. Wait.......the Mustang was ahead of GM....oh that's right, that's because they killed the F-Body.
Then the GTO was there and spanked the Mustang again. No one could afford the Cobra R because of some greedy dealers who put $20,000+ dealer mark-ups. Hey, why don't we keep using the good ol' 3.0l Duratec with the same 200hp rating the last 8 years and put it into the Five Hundred which probably weighs like a million pounds more than the Taurus. Who cares if the Altima, Accord, Sonata or every other car in your class drives right on by. You know what, I can go on forever but you all see where i'm going with this. LONG LIVE FORD!

Agreed 1000000000000000%.........................my next will NOT be a FORD unless its a 04 Cobra