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11 January 2010 - 12:00
New Ford Focus: it’s ALIVE!
The third generation Ford Focus is here. At least, it is in Detroit, unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show.
See more pics of the new Focus
We won't see it on the road for a full year - the first new Focuses will arrive in Europe and North America in early 2011, says Ford - but hey, that just gives us plenty of time to get all excited about the car that Ford boss Alan Mullaly describes as his company's most important product in 25 years.
That's because the new Focus will be a properly global car: where previous versions have different significantly from market to market, Ford says the third-gen Focus will be virtually identical across the world.
It'll also provide the underpinnings for as many as 10 other C-segment Fords, including the new C-Max and Grand C-Max which arrive later this year.
The Focus has always been one of the best-handling cars in its class (perhaps the very best-handling, in fact) and Ford says the third generation will be even better: the multilink rear suspension and subframes have been redesigned, and there's a new variable power steering system which should provide more feedback at speed.
There'll be the usual huge array of engines, of course, the most interesting of which is a new 1.6-litre ‘EcoBoost' turbo petrol engine which, says Ford, will provide more power than the existing 2.0-litre petrol, but with hugely improved emissions and economy.
But all the talk, we suspect, will concern the styling of the new Focus. We've avoided talking about it so far because, well, you have eyes and you can decide for yourself. Do you reckon the Focus's global aspirations have dulled its styling to the point of anonymity, or are you a fan of its Fiesta-meets-Mondeo lines? Discuss...
Sam Philip
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ford cannot be serious. it looks like just a facelift or is that all its meant to be? in todays market you need serious wow factor and this doesnt have it
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I think Ford should thank KIA for designing the new Focus' entire front end when they designed the C'eed. And if the first thoughts on the new styling run towards KIA I'm afraid it's not going to be very "original"
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Its a bit flashy but still looks alrite I guess... I like the Fiesta but that styling suits the small size of the car. Not too sure if it has worked on the bigger focus. Still its not too bad. Though I think the old one looks better.
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I especially hate the interior, looks really ugly (korean or something like it). The outside isn't too bad because it looks a little like an RS. Old focusses (is it written like that?) looked better, sorry Ford.
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And by the way: look at where the gearstick is, you'll hit the dash while you changing gears!!!
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I rather like its new sporty looks, especially the five door version. I've been driving my US spec 5 speed 2001 Focus ZX3 since it was brand spanking new in May of 2001. Reliabilty has been very good and power and handling is still superb at 184k miles. With skinny 15 inch wheels fitted with B-stone Blizzaks, it bites through the winter snows just like my old '76 VW Rabbit. I'm hoping it lasts until the new global Focus arrives in 2011.
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What the hell happened to that Grille? Looks like they drew it with an echoskech! The rest of it looks good though. Should have kept a similar grille
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It looks like a Mazda.
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Is this a joke?... It looks like something Auto Express dreamed up by taking bits from existing car photos and slapping them together.
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I think it looks absolutely tremendous! Actually one of the best styled Focus's yet. Hopefully there will be an ST version :P
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As Da_Vincentius wrote the gear lever is too close to the dashboard (eventhough it's an automatic). It is as if the designers had finished the drawings, and then thought; "Hmm...It's like something is missing...Oh, the gear lever. That'll fit there."
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Looks like child of Golf and Renault. And Mazda :)
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Horrid. Fiesta-meets-Mazda 3. There's no "wow! i want one!" effect. There's just: "they wanted more money". Looks Korean-Japanese = no soul. And then, look at the interior - too flashy, like Fiesta. it's not for a family man. World car? Didn't they try that ages ago, before they realized they have to make separate cars for separate markets? Do they think it might be opponent to any Golf? Just stupid.
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i kinda like it . . think it looks better from behind with a boot though, on the hatchback version the rear lights are a tad too big . . and the grill could be better, still a nice car.
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sry ford but..... it looks like a hyundai
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I think that's a first. An established brand stealing the design from the Koreans. There are a few good ideas, but the overall design... I don't like.
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ITS HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I'd say it's a grower like most ugly cars (SLS, All BMWS in the last 10 years, McLaren MP124-11C or whatever its called).
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three words. WTF!!!!!!!
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Interior; ghastly. Exterior; ghastly. My advice? Buy one now, before Ford ruin it.
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Hmmm, OK front end. But it looks like a fiesta from the side profile and the rear: eugh! Still wouldnt go with the focus over a golf, leon etc. .
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you're never gonna get the "wow" factor with mass production cars like this one. as long as it looks good, drive good and running cost is kept low, it will sell! at the end of the day, the ugliest ferrari will still draw more attention than the fiesta, just because of its rarity.
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Ford are certainly challenging us in terms of design just like Bangle's BMWs did. I don't understand why the rear lights have that edge attached to the side of the car. It looks OK on the saloon, it rather suits the shape but on the hatch it looks like an extra splodge of paint! The front is certainly more aggressive than the cutesy Ka and Fiesta but I don\t really understand why the grill includes 2 triangles! Hopefully it is a grower, the first Focus was certainly way ahead of its time in terms of exterior design (the interior was hideous) so maybe this one will look good when we see it in showrooms in a year.
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Might be the Kuga association coming through but has anyone else seen a bit of the new Infiniti SUVsin the front? Definitely Ford and Mazda are sharing designs as well as technology too, that profile is pure Mazda 3. Pity the poor kids who sit in the back they'll never be able to see out the window the waistline is so high!
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i think its ok. its deffo a grower. it will age well a bit like some of bangles designs
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catalinuxg commented on this article
11 January 2010
It looks rather... flashy, but not like a Focus. It doesn't give you that "Hmm I'll buy one today" feeling and I suspect it won't turn a lot of heads. People that might look at it will think "What the ...???"... Let's hope it's cheaper :))
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