More 2012 Focus info!

[Demo24]

http://www.insideline.com/ford/focus/2012/2012-ford-focus-2010-paris-auto-show.html

6spd dual clutch + 160hp + potentially 40mpg = Win!

I'm not sure why I'm so excited by this car, but the more I hear about it the more I like it! Can't wait to see the ST model with 250hp too!

 

[PricklyPete]

Awesome. I love this car.

 

[exar333]

Thumbs up. Looks like a winner. Hopefully the suspension is good and up to par with everything else.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I hope it comes in a 2-door version (non-hatchback), and I hope it comes with four wheel disc brakes. That was one of the major turn-offs for me when I was comparing cars before I bought my Fusion.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I'm not sure why I'm so excited by this car, but the more I hear about it the more I like it! Can't wait to see the ST model with 250hp too!

You rang?

More

 

[ayabe]

Nice competition for the Mazda 3 and maybe the Golf. I'm not convinced the interior will be as nice when it finally hits the line.

 

[CraigRT]

Looks so much better than the current pile they have out right now....

That thing is terrible (08-11)

 

[thegimp03]

Nice looking...maybe my next commuter car.

 

[Ktulu]

Love the car but fuck i hate that front bumper.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Focus ST is confirmed for the US market, giggity.

Watch your back everyone else, the hot hatch market just got a lot more interesting

 

[Phobic9]

Nice competition for the Mazda 3 and maybe the Golf. I'm not convinced the interior will be as nice when it finally hits the line.

This is the only thing that I'm worried about this car. Everything else I've seen though has me strongly considering it as my next car (though I'd want the ST version).

 

[ayabe]

Supposedly the dual-clutch sucks:

"The “automatic” transmission for all Focuses is the company’s new PowerShift dual-clutch automated manual, which is available with paddle shifters. Given our experience with that transmission in the Fiesta, we’d recommend you stay with the five-speed stick. In the smaller car, the PowerShift tries too hard to act like a regular slushbox, ultimately failing at being a good example of either an automatic or dual-clutch unit. It’s of course possible that the PowerShift experience (didn’t we see them in Cleveland in ’83?) will improve in the Focus."

C&D

Time will tell I guess - I don't see the point in offering such a thing if it behaves like a slushbox.

 

[PricklyPete]

Supposedly the dual-clutch sucks:

"The “automatic” transmission for all Focuses is the company’s new PowerShift dual-clutch automated manual, which is available with paddle shifters. Given our experience with that transmission in the Fiesta, we’d recommend you stay with the five-speed stick. In the smaller car, the PowerShift tries too hard to act like a regular slushbox, ultimately failing at being a good example of either an automatic or dual-clutch unit. It’s of course possible that the PowerShift experience (didn’t we see them in Cleveland in ’83?) will improve in the Focus."

C&D

Time will tell I guess - I don't see the point in offering such a thing if it behaves like a slushbox.

It will be interesting to see how it comes together. Does anyone know who makes the Powershift for Ford? Is it there own design or is it from a supplier like Borg-Warner? From what I've read about the Fiesta...the biggest problem has just been that it doesn't have shift paddles to choose your own gears. As long as it lets me shift gears, runs all the way to redline and doesn't upshift (or allows me to toggle this behavior), and shifts quickly and responsively....I'm all for it. I have to say I was impressed with the DCT in the M3 and the DSG in the A3/GTI. Not my first choice...but I'd love to have this in my wife's car where she wants an automatic and I want a manual.

 

[Arkaign]

Looks so much better than the current pile they have out right now....

That thing is terrible (08-11)

I really don't know why you think so, it's an economy car, and it's not being replaced with the new Focus, it's being replaced with the new Fiesta. The new Focus pricing is going upmarket a bit as a 'premium' compact. The '08-'11 US Focus is based on a tuned MK1 platform that was widely hailed for great handling and efficiency. It's one of the only compacts out there that doesn't tip the scales at 3000lbs or higher, hovering near 2500-2600lbs (depending on model).

There are some glaring drawbacks, such as the antiquated 4-speed auto, rear drum brakes (why Ford, why?), and cheap door plastic and glove box plastics (hard, flimsy, very easy to scratch). The carpet is cheap as well, and there is no spare, only a flat repair kit (I bought my own used matched size OEM Focus rim for $20 with a good tire and a floor jack to toss in the trunk. The stock Hankook LRR tires are absolutely atrocious as well, poor on dry surfaces and a genuine death hazard on rainy/slick surfaces. The styling is absolutely debateable, my GF likes it a lot, but I think it's kind of homely. For me it's an appliance though, so I'd rather have a generic looking reliable good driving car than a pretty looking expensive to maintain average driving car.

As for the pluses, the number one thing an economy car should be is cheap to operate, and I can attest to that. I'm now over 50k miles with not a single issue, and I almost always get at least 320 miles per 10 gallons, the only thing I've changed is tires, oil and filters. The original brakes are still holding fine. On two considerable road trips from DFW (one to Knoxville, one to Laguna Beach) I've averaged above 40mpg with my GF, luggage, and AC usage. The seats are comfortable, and I'm 6'3" ~250. The handling is very responsive, the interior sound dampening is best in class, power to weight is better than any economy car without a turbo/FI, the console controls couldn't be more straightforward, the trunk is capacious, the motor is smooth (and apparently quite reliable, also no timing belt to deal with), insurance is virtually free, good crash test ratings (I've been hit by an Altima Sedan hard enough to make me think the car was totalled, but shortly afterwards I was back on the road with no problems). The suspension is even quite good, thankfully it doesn't have the rear torsion beam setup like several other economy cars have gone to. The stock stereo is decent and the unit plays every mp3 file I've thrown at it in excellent quality, easy to browse through using the controls and digital readout. The 5-speed MTX75 is a solid manual gearbox, and clutch action and shifting action are spot-on just fine.

I've certainly had much higher performing and higher status vehicles previously, but I'm a father of a young son and have tons of driving to grind through here in DFW, sometimes clients are literally over an hour to get to and from, and most days have me driving at least 80 miles total, so this car is perfect in terms of keeping it utilitarian. I do wish in the future to once again get a nicer car, G37, 335i, maybe another E39 M5, or what have you, but to be honest I'll probably keep this Focus for as long as I can for utility driving purposes, while saving the other car for taking the GF out, weekending/etc.

The new Focus looks much much much better imho, though I don't think it's the real successor to the current Focus. It's a more expensive, heavier, larger vehicle. The new Fiesta is probably closest, though it's somewhat of a step back power/weight wise.

 

[Pulsar]

This is the only thing that I'm worried about this car. Everything else I've seen though has me strongly considering it as my next car (though I'd want the ST version).

I have it on very good authority that the interior is of excellent quality. Most of the dashboard will be soft-touch. Ford is blowing big bucks on the feel and sound of the interior, much like they did the Fiesta.

 

[angry hampster]

One of the new Fords will likely be my first brand new car.

 

[yh125d]

Will probably trade my 06 Fusion for one here in a couple years

 

[DivideBYZero]

Nice competition for the Mazda 3 and maybe the Golf. I'm not convinced the interior will be as nice when it finally hits the line.

It'll look just like the photo if you option leather and nav. The Euro Focus has been a pretty nice place to sit for the last four or so years, this will just improve it further. The Focus is really taking the Golf and showing VW how to do it.

 

[child of wonder]

It's looking more and more like my next car will be the new Focus.

 

[NAC]

I'd love it if they imported the wagon version with a manual. But sadly, they will not.

 

[krunchykrome]

How much? It looks nice; but the trim shown in the picture is likely their high-end trim and probably costs over $22k. In that price range, we're talking Civic Si, and for a few grand more, a GTI.

 

[Phobic9]

More ST Pics (I want this car)

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-ford-focus-st-3/#3416937


Edit: Early pricing info? (non ST)

2012 Ford Focus sedan

S: $16,270

* 2.0-liter Ti-VCT GDI four-cylinder engine
* Five-speed manual transmission
* Front disc/rear drum brakes with antilock brakes
* 15-inch steel wheels with silver-painted covers
* Black exterior door handles and mirrors
* Integrated blind spot mirrors
* Rear bench seat with tip-fold-flat feature
* AM/FM stereo/single-CD player with four speakers
* Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
* Manual air conditioning
* Power front windows with driver one-touch down
* Optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

SE: $17,270

* Five-speed manual transmission
* 16-inch steel wheels with silver-painted wheel covers
* Body-colored exterior door handles and mirrors
* Fog lamps with chrome surrounds
* Automatic headlamps
* MyKey owner controls feature
* Front and rear floormats
* Steering wheel with secondary audio controls
* Power front and rear windows with driver one-touch down
* SE Convenience Package: cruise control, map lights, perimeter alarm ($345)
* MyFord and Sync Package: $735
* Optional Super Fuel Economy Package
* Optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

SEL: $20,270

* Six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
* Four-wheel-disc brakes
* 16-inch painted aluminum wheels
* Piano Black grille
* Chrome belt line
* Body-colored exterior mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators
* Six-speaker audio system
* MyFord driver connect technology
* Sync voice-activated communications and entertainment system
* Interior ambient lighting
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and secondary audio controls
* Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control
* 60/40-split rear seats with tip-fold-flat feature
* Power front and rear windows with one-touch up/down on all windows
* Universal garage door opener
* Perimeter alarm
* MyFord Touch and Sony package: $995
* SEL Premium Package: rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, 17-inch aluminum wheels, reverse sensing system, auto-dimming rearview mirror ($1,395)
* Optional Parking Technology Package

Titanium: $22,270

* 17-inch sport aluminum wheels
* Rear spoiler
* Piano Black fog lamp surrounds with chrome accents
* Black headlamp surrounds
* Sport-tuned suspension
* Intelligent Access with push-button start
* MyFord Touch with 8-inch touch-screen
* Sirius Satellite Radio
* Sony audio system with 10 speakers including subwoofer
* HD Radio with iTunes tagging feature
* Sport seats

2012 Ford Focus five-door hatchback

SE: $18,065

* Five-speed manual transmission
* 16-inch steel wheels with silver-painted wheel covers
* Body-colored exterior door handles and mirrors
* Fog lamps with chrome surrounds
* Automatic headlamps
* MyKey owner controls feature
* Front and rear floormats
* Steering wheel with secondary audio controls
* Power front and rear windows with driver one-touch down
* Body-colored rear spoiler
* Rear windshield wiper
* Removable cargo-area package tray
* 60/40-split rear seats with tip-fold-flat feature
* SE Convenience Package: cruise control, map lights, perimeter alarm ($345)
* MyFord & Sync Package: $735
* Optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

SEL: $21,065

* Six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
* Four-wheel-disc brakes
* 16-inch painted aluminum wheels
* Piano Black grille
* Chrome belt line
* Body-colored exterior mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators
* Six-speaker audio system
* MyFord driver connect technology
* Sync voice-activated communications and entertainment system
* Interior ambient lighting
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and secondary audio controls
* Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control • 60/40-split rear seats with tip-fold-flat feature
* Power front and rear windows with one-touch up/down on all windows
* Universal garage door opener
* Perimeter alarm
* MyFord Touch and Sony package: $995
* SEL Premium Package: rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, 17-inch aluminum wheels, reverse sensing system, auto-dimming rearview mirror ($1,395)
* Optional Parking Technology Package

Titanium: $22,765

* 17-inch sport aluminum wheels
* Piano Black fog lamp surrounds with chrome accents
* Black headlamp surrounds
* Sport-tuned suspension
* Intelligent Access with push-button start
* MyFord Touch with 8-inch touch-screen
* Sirius Satellite Radio
* Sony audio system with 10 speakers including subwoofer
* HD Radio with iTunes tagging feature
* Sport seats
* MyFord Touch and Sony package: $995
* Premium Package: rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, 17-inch aluminum wheels, reverse sensing system, auto-dimming rearview mirror ($1,395)
* Optional Parking Technology Package
* Optional Titanium Handling Package

Prices do not include a $725 destination fee.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/10/2012-ford-focus-priced-at-16270.html

Edit 2: This info looks to be pulled from Ford's own site (check the PDF links for each model):

http://www.fordvehicles.com/experience2012focus/

 

[ivan2]

im disappoint. it doesn't look that good

 

[jaydee]

I really don't know why you think so, it's an economy car, and it's not being replaced with the new Focus, it's being replaced with the new Fiesta. The new Focus pricing is going upmarket a bit as a 'premium' compact. The '08-'11 US Focus is based on a tuned MK1 platform that was widely hailed for great handling and efficiency. It's one of the only compacts out there that doesn't tip the scales at 3000lbs or higher, hovering near 2500-2600lbs (depending on model).

.
.
.

The new Focus looks much much much better imho, though I don't think it's the real successor to the current Focus. It's a more expensive, heavier, larger vehicle. The new Fiesta is probably closest, though it's somewhat of a step back power/weight wise.

The new Focus replaces the old Focus per its class size: compact. Ford did not previously have an entry for current Fiesta which is a subcompact.

 

[Demo24]

Honestly, for all you get I don't think it's too bad of a price. Should be fun to drive, has some optional cool technology features (my ford touch = awesome), and is reasonably sized.

And if that pricing is anything to base it on we might can expect the ST to show up at 25k or under, which should make it a good deal indeed!


I definitely think I'll be taking a look at one with my mom, probably for a Titanium model.