Big plans for tiny Focus

[DrkKnight614]

think if i bring my car in theyll retune it for better gas mileage. Oh yea im going to end up with an average of 16-17 miles per gallon on this last tank of gas, im at 150 and i have half a quarter of a tank left....WOOPY

[Chick]

I dunno about a coupe version and a Fusion-like front end? No thanks.

[faulkton]

Thats a sweet article.. I cant wait to hear some real world experience with getting a retune on 06's... im very interested...but hesitant to contact the local ford dealer..

[Endless Mike]

Originally posted by Lil PZEV
Good call...

Also I just thought, since the 06 is only through July, we still have 5 months to go. I'm sure car/Focus sales aren't linear throughout the year (not sure if summer is the peak months or what?) but assuming something Close to linearity, then 06 could be on target to end the downward spiral?

Traditionally, more car sales occur during the summer. Which is why the big rebates usually come in the winter and fall, and you can often get a better deal during the winter.

[Dayna2.3]

While the N.A. Focus sales trend is currently downward, keep in mind that the Focus was the eighth largest selling vehicle in the U.S. during calendar year 2005, over 180,000 units.

Interestingly enough, according to the Ford recommended dealer mix, 5% of those Focus's were the ST model. This would add up to be about 9,000 Focus STs sold during 2005.

[06ZXW]

I'm currently working with my local Ford dealer on the '06 to '07 programming. Of course they haven't heard of it yet. I emailed the Service Manager the link to the Detroit News article along with quotes from it.

I will post with updates.

[DrkKnight614]

i think ford should also offer factory installed eibach lowering kits like our friends over in europe do. Even honda has something where you can get a kit for the civic. Im guessing ford plans on usin the focus 2 door coupe to fight the civic coupe...but as said before, what will they call it the zx2, b/c that would just be wierd.

[igor]

Hey All... I was gone for a while ... but let me chime in as I have been debating this for the last couple of days all over the net

1) the 08 Focus is getting a 2 bar grille, but it a full reskin - it is not a simple nosejob.. if somoene want;s to argue, I have evidence. The characrter lined will be different, the greenhouse will be different, and the interior will be likely ALL NEW.

2) the is likelihood that after the 07 jump in mileage the 08 Focus will go even further, with another 3mpg jump.. let me jusst point ut the obvious - thwis would bring the torquey D20 to 30/40 what is the same figure as the wimpy little 1.8l in Corolla and Civic.

3) I know you are all excited about the addition of the Coupe, but I have reliable information it will be at the expense of most other bodystyles - the hatches and the wagon. Whilte there is some inclarity, with all likelihood some of the three will be no more for the 2 years of this new Focus (saves Ford a lot of $$$ not to have to develop 5 different bodystyles, but simply focus on just 2 or 3; especially since this model will have a very short run)

4) the 2010 will be all new on C2 platform and it IS coming. Ford and Fields as far as trying to pull the whole global platform forward to an earlier date, but that seems to have fallen though - ETA for the C2 Focus is spring 2009.
I know you are doubtful, but it is coming.

5) I am happy to be back.. I neglected you all FF > .

Igor

[igor]

EVIDENCE OF FULL RESKIN




If you notice, there is a crease on the 05 Focus running directly THROUGH the door handles ..

This crease is MOVED DOWN on the mule and now resides UNDER the door handles.. you might think this is minor, but a change in one character line usually means change is the whole look of the vehicle - and all of the character lines - they already have to retool the plants and build new doors....

That is besides that fact that the C-pillar is coverred, further empasizing that things changed in the visual of the vehicle - if there is no change, there is no need for camo.

It is also likely that the rear moount for the licence plate will move south - to the bumper a la Mazda3.

The 08 Redesign is a RESKIN .. not a NOSEJOB, like the 05 redesign was.


Igor

[MISVTfocus]

I have seen many euro design focus running around 94 during the morning hours. No camo or anything on them. They are definatly bringing the euro look here. Just drive near dearborn any time during the day on 94 and you'll see ford testing them.