2011 Ford Focus preview

glimmerman

Member
Sep 4, 2006
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http://www.motorauthority.com/...ration-ford-focus.html

Can't wait to see this on sale. I'll probably want to wait until the electric version comes out though before buying.

As the second model developed under Ford?s new global design strategy (the first being the new Fiesta), the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured at Blue Oval plants at all corners of the globe. In addition to its regular haunts in Europe, the Focus will be manufactured in Australia and China and today Ford has confirmed that it will be produced in the U.S. by next year.

Ford will spend around $550 million to transform its former Michigan SUV plant to produce the car, and in 2011 the site will start churning out an all-electric version. The particular plant formerly was responsible for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and will support more than 3,200 jobs once Focus production ramps up.

Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be sold in the U.S., and there?s a strong chance that it may be joined by other small-car variants such as the C-Max crossover. This computer generated rendering gives us a possible new look for the car, showing that its styling will likely be influenced by the Fiesta compact.

Engines expected for the car will rely on turbocharging for a combination of power and efficiency, with a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder slated to crank out 180hp (134kW). Despite the potent output, engineers are targeting 20% better efficiency than a naturally aspirated engine of similar performance.
 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
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I wish they moved the Focus away from the 'boxy' design. I like the car, but styling could use a less ass-ish, early '90s look.
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
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looks like a curvier mazda protege....

back looks like a old civic from one angle and a hyundia from another.

 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
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Oh no! I just noticed they aren't using the newer, chrome Grill with the Ford logo. I love that thing.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Very interesting. I hope that Ford manages to keep the weight down compared to other C1/C1+ platform vehicles.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
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An all electric model??? As we already know, hybrid versions of regular cars don't sell that well so I'm going to go ahead and guess that an electric version of the same car won't sell well either/. People want their statement car to look different than other cars out there. If they make it look radically different than the regular Focus then I could see it selling well but if it's the same car, just with some badging, then I'm ganna say it won't sell well.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
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Hybrid versions haven't sold that well because of the initial cost factor. An all-electric Focus that had decent performance and adequate range could sell very well at ~$20k, but would run into a lot of trouble trying to sell for much more.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Hybrid versions haven't sold that well because of the initial cost factor. An all-electric Focus that had decent performance and adequate range could sell very well at ~$20k, but would run into a lot of trouble trying to sell for much more.

They should make it an different car and just base it on the Focus but don't make it a Focus. Like you said, nobody would pay more than that for a Focus. If they called it something else, it should be an easier sell since I really doubt they could come out with an all electric car for under $20k with mass appeal that you can drive more than 100 miles on a charge.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
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That sounds reasonable for the NA market. In other markets, the Focus is a higher-priced, higher-segment vehicle, but nobody in NA pays much for compacts (outside of hotrod STIs, 1-series, etc), as the bulk of the market is budget cars.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
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Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: JDub02
Bring the Focus RS to the US, please.

If they can do it for a reasonable price, I think they should.

what's reasonable for a 300 hp fwd hatch? a tick under 30?
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
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They went back to the previous model's tail light design... ugh. I really like the rear end on the current model. I like the new headlights / generally front end on these a lot better, though.
 

MBrown

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
5,726
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Much better than the crappy looking focus we have now. It hurts to look at the current US knowing that the Euro verion is miles ahead even if it costs more.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: JDub02
Bring the Focus RS to the US, please.

If they can do it for a reasonable price, I think they should.

what's reasonable for a 300 hp fwd hatch? a tick under 30?

Given the options of the Volvo C30, Speed3, and Cobalt SS (guess this is dying with the Cobalt in 2010 though), I'd think ~$25k should be a target price for a well-outfitted Focus RS. That could leave room for a ~220hp Focus ST at the $20k mark.