[Fordfreak3368]

So I went to a ford dealership sales rally today and found out a few cool things. We got a look at 07 vehicles, and a look at a few future cars. The Fairlane Concept is coming...it won't be called the fairlane...but we will have it...Possibly 08. We got to see the 08 2 door focus with the 2 bar grille. Not sure how I feel about it, a lot of the other salesman liked it though. The 08 500 is nice to. The gave it a slightly different hood and the 3 bar grille. Its a lot better than it was. The 08 Escape is pretty hot, and we got to actually get inside of the Edge. Its really nice. Then we had a Q&A session with some of the suit and tie types. This is what we got out of that. V6 Fusions will not get a manual trans...unless theres a performance version in the future. 2 door Fusions are currently being tested in Dearborn. We got a lot of "We can't comment on future products" answers but, They are working on a B-Car (Think Aveo, Yaris). Someone asked if the Reflex will ever hit the road and we got "We can't comment on future products" which tells me they're working on it. SVT has not been officially dropped, but is not working on anything. They can't come to a decision on it because Some people think it's a necessity and some people think the money is needed elsewhere. I asked if the fact that the 08 redesign was temporary until MKII comes over...like we've all read...and they said we can't beleive everything we read. exact response "You can't beleive everything you read. The European focus costs more and if it was brought over it would be in direct price and possible class competition with the Fusion" . So That is That i guess. Also they showed us the all new super-duties. You can now get a F-450 Pick-up directly from Ford, not just the Chassis. 6.5 litre deisel. 24000+ pounds of towing and 6,000+ pounds of payload. Its an absolute Monster.

 

[Domesticated Focus]

No manual V6 Fusions? damn... I just hope they hurry and make the performance verison soon...

About the two door Fusions... Did a "We can't comment on future products" response answer a question concerning the overall look of the car? I'm just as curious as to find out how it will look like.

About SVT... I just hope things can get worked out because that Shelby GT500 drive test on Motor Week last week was sweet, plus I heard something about SVT in the review, so I had to change my pants again.

You can now get a F-450 Pick-up directly from Ford, not just the Chassis. 6.5L diesel. 24k+ lbs. of towing and 6k+ lbs. of payload. It's an absolute monster.

“Monster” is an understatement. That's a helluva lot of weight for a pickup to tow. I can just imagine the fuel economy...

 

[SVT Robzor]

Well, there could be WORSE news. Until Bold Moves becomes more than a slogan, Ford's still working hard to alienate whatever demographic I assign myself to. Whatever letter/number/generation it is that thinks the death of lightweight hatchbacks and RWD signify crimes against humanity; that one's me.

Oh well.

 

[DrkKnight614]

so uhh, wanna draw us a picture of the focus you saw? lol

 

[SuperFocusMan]

^^^ Thats what Im saying.

 

[UnderEstimated]

so uhh, wanna draw us a picture of the focus you saw? lol

I saw a picture of one from my neighbor (a Ford Service Manager) and it reminds me of a Suzuki Forenza with a 2 bar grille. All in all, it's still the same Focus.

 

[Kneel]

For model year 2008, the American Focus will get another mild face-lift -- literally -- and will sport a new front end that borrows heavily from the design of the midsize Ford Fusion sedan.

The new grille on the '08 Focus will adapt the horizontal chrome bars from the Fusion -- a styling signature of the Ford brand. The car will also receive upgraded mechanicals and some interior updates, but otherwise will continue to ride on the same basic underpinnings through at least 2010.

 

[DrkKnight614]

does anyone else see a problem with a car basically having the same shit for 10 years

 

[SYZ]

For model year 2008, the American Focus will get another mild face-lift -- literally -- and will sport a new front end that borrows heavily from the design of the midsize Ford Fusion sedan.

The new grille on the '08 Focus will adapt the horizontal chrome bars from the Fusion -- a styling signature of the Ford brand. The car will also receive upgraded mechanicals and some interior updates, but otherwise will continue to ride on the same basic underpinnings through at least 2010.

I HATE it when companies feel they need to have a "signature" styling or feature that is seen across all their models. What is wrong with having each model unique in its own styling? Call me crazy, but I think having variety within a manufacturer is very important considering there are other makes to choose from.

 

[dubalicious]

Yeah, I do.
I said it before and I'll say it again, it sure seems like Ford hates America.
The Focus is turning into another Escort, and that is pathetic.

 

[Kneel]

What I don't understand is why they even need a test mule. Is it just to make sure the new front grill is glued on properly?

 

[Fordfreak3368]

I was going to try to grab a picture of the 2 door focus but it wasnt up long enough. The picture of the coupe actually looks nothing like the sedan. It looks kind of Saturn-ish to me. and personally, after seeing the 2 bar grille without the cover on the front end, I think its kind of ugly.

 

[dubalicious]

I HATE it when companies feel they need to have a "signature" styling or feature that is seen across all their models. What is wrong with having each model unique in its own styling? Call me crazy, but I think having variety within a manufacturer is very important considering there are other makes to choose from.

I agree. Unfoutunatly it is now the "in" thing with the car makers, hopefully they will grow out of it soon enough.

 

[SkaAddict]

They are working on a B-Car (Think Aveo, Yaris).

Yeah...it'll be the Fiesta (assuming they actually do bump the Focus up from its current B segment position.) I spotted a trailerload of Fiestas and EcoSports (SUV smaller than the Escape from South America) on I-80 headed west, probably to Detrot for testing. If they were to bring the current Euro Fiesta over in its current condition or close to it, I'd take it over anything else Ford is selling right now.

 

[dazada]

This isn't very helpful, but here's some more spy shots of a masked '08 Focus.

 

[dubalicious]

Re: Re: SVT, MKII, 08 Focus and more

Yeah...it'll be the Fiesta (assuming they actually do bump the Focus up from its current B segment position.) I spotted a trailerload of Fiestas and EcoSports (SUV smaller than the Escape from South America) on I-80 headed west, probably to Detrot for testing. If they were to bring the current Euro Fiesta over in its current condition or close to it, I'd take it over anything else Ford is selling right now.

I agree, especially if they bring the ST-150 over, that would make a great 2nd car.

 

[dazada]

I'd love to have a StreetKa though....

 

[therealjon]

does anyone else see a problem with a car basically having the same shit for 10 years

It's not uncommon. The fox body Mustangs were in production for longer than that, and the platform introduced in 1995 was just a modified fox body, and went until the current Mustang was introduced. The panther body is STILL in production, even if it's as a fleet vehicle only.

The Mazda Familia platform (Mazda 323, Protege, Ford Escort) went for a pretty long time before being replaced.

The Saab C900 lasted up until MY1995 before being redesigned for 1996.

GM's been running the W-body (Lumina, Monte Carlo, Impala, etc.) for forever at this point. The J-body lasted pretty long, as well.

I HATE it when companies feel they need to have a "signature" styling or feature that is seen across all their models. What is wrong with having each model unique in its own styling? Call me crazy, but I think having variety within a manufacturer is very important considering there are other makes to choose from.

The idea is that I can look at a Ford and say "Yep, that's a Ford," similar to how I can look at ANY BMW and KNOW it's a BMW without having to see any badges or model names. Chevy's moving there. Pontiac's been there for awhile, as have Buick and Cadillac. Most (non-exotic) European brands have been there for awhile now. With American companies there will likely always be some models that won't fit simply due to the other cars in the brand (nothing in Chevy's stable will ever look much like a Corvette), but for the most part it's a good thing, in my opinion, but only if the model was designed from the ground up with the look in mind. Putting the chrome grille on a Focus probably won't look too good since they're not touching anything behind the windshield, so we'll get some late-90s New Edge look combined with some mid-2000s Bold Moves and it just won't flow. And honestly, I think that about the current Focus, so this will probably just be even worse. When we finally get a new Focus, it will probably have unique sheetmetal for North America, and will be designed to fit the Bold Moves look (or whatever they have in 2010) and will look pretty good.

 

[EggYolkBill]

Those are all very old spy photos. There was a guy in MI on another site who caught an 08 out for testing. The entire car was reskinned. The front and rear were changed and the body line (belt line) on the sides was much higher than the current Focus(think Acura TSX). I'll wait for the final product before I jump to any conclusions.

 

[DrkKnight614]

It's not uncommon. The fox body Mustangs were in production for longer than that, and the platform introduced in 1995 was just a modified fox body, and went until the current Mustang was introduced. The panther body is STILL in production, even if it's as a fleet vehicle only.

very true, but IMO and i think mosts, the fox body mustang looked better as the years went on....not worse. Personally i think the fox body mustangs of 86 and before with those nasty headlights looked pretty bad, and too escort like....then they got better. The focus started of nice, then is going down hill, instead of improving, like most things should as the years go on.