New Ford Focus

wellsir

When will it be available here, and will pricing be similar?
Any info on it?

Henry Ford III

Soon enough. Model lineup nor pricing not announced yet.

RobAMerc

strangely I've not read too much about it. what's the consensus ?
does it move the game on ?
much the same as before ?

Stevie Dakota

From what I have read not a game changer, but much closer to Golf. Refinement by all accounts is much improved.

squod

April AFAIK. Longer than the previous model. Look s like a grande Punto if you ask me. Mk2 looks alot better

slave1

HJ review now out

Henry Ford III

Irish Times

The 1.6 Ecoboost petrol turbo sounds like an interesting option for keener drivers. Looks smart in estate form. No 3 door.

pburns

Consensus from what i've read seems to be - more refined, but not as much fun to drive, not a huge step forwards over the Golf. I do think it looks much better than the dreary MkII. Interior looks a bit angular though, not sure. Some very promising sounding engines.

Stevie Dakota

That the boot is smaller is really annoying, boring I know but these things are important in a family car.

R.O.R

Due April 2011 as stated above.

Not too much info released so far, but a quick summary of what I have:

New Focus is 95ps - current is 109ps (diesel, entry model)
New Focus Style (base model) loses the Bluetooth, Alloys, Fog Lights, sports seats and quickclear windscreen, but gains a Leather steering wheel, USB connection (aux port in current model) and body coloured spoiler (black on current model). Also goes up in price, but only by €65.

R.O.R

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Christ that really sucks, you are loosing lots of kit in the base model.

I think it's more a case that they threw a load of extra kit at the run out models - they just did it a lot earlier than most manufacturer's would on a run out. Over 2 years we've had the decent specification Style's, usually you'd expect a lot shorter time than that.

delly

The Driver Assistance Pack seems like a good bit of kit. I wonder what the price here will be for the option.

Berty

Who drives base model Focusssss anyway?

Rental Companies, old people and women whom don't care what extras it has. It is only a means to an end.

Take the new Mondeo as an example. I was passing a dealership today and saw the entry level where the LEDs are on the front with a black plastic insert on a Met Silver car. Shoddy and tacky looking.

Then again the roads will be awash with them. :rolleyes:

mickob16

There's a good review of it in this months Top Gear mag.

R.O.R

delly wrote: »

The Driver Assistance Pack seems like a good bit of kit. I wonder what the price here will be for the option.

If it's Blind Spot and Lane Assist, then it's only €800 on the Mondeo, so might not be too bad on the Focus. Strangely, it can't be ordered with the Adaptive Cruise Control on the Mondeo - it's one or the other.

Berty wrote: »

Who drives base model Focusssss anyway?

You
Until last month anyway

Muckie

Estate version looks nice.

Any one see the (brief)review it was given by the lads on

Top Gear on Sunday. Very funny.

squod

R.O.R wrote: »

If it's Blind Spot and Lane Assist, then it's only €800 on the Mondeo, so might not be too bad on the Focus. Strangely, it can't be ordered with the Adaptive Cruise Control on the Mondeo - it's one or the other.

I hear they're working on a 'roundabout assist' system and another system which tells you when you're not keeping left on motorways.

R.O.R

squod wrote: »

I hear they're working on a 'roundabout assist' system and another system which tells you when you're not keeping left on motorways.

Bit pointless really - it appears a lot of people don't take any notice of whether they are right or wrong anyway - why would they listen to the car if they can't make head nor tails of the ROTR?

Plus - if it's an extra, 99% of Irish cars would be without it :pac:

bazz26

Berty wrote: »

Who drives base model Focusssss anyway?

Rental Companies, old people and women whom don't care what extras it has. It is only a means to an end.

Take the new Mondeo as an example. I was passing a dealership today and saw the entry level where the LEDs are on the front with a black plastic insert on a Met Silver car. Shoddy and tacky looking.

Then again the roads will be awash with them. :rolleyes:

Since the current base Focus Style model gained extra toys about 2 years I'd say 90% of Focus sold here since have been base models. Zetec didn't really add anything extra except different alloy wheels and sport seats, Ghia was replaced by the Titanium and that was expensive and not good value.

Afaik only the Mondeo Titanium model gets the front LED daylight running lights. DRLs seem to be turning into a fashion accessory reserved for high spec models similar to front fog lights years ago.

Zubeneschamali

bazz26 wrote: »

DRLs seem to be turning into a fashion accessory reserved for high spec models similar to front fog lights years ago.

Yes, they're trying to make a few bob off them before the EU makes them compulsory.

RobAMerc

Berty wrote: »

Then again the roads will be awash with them. :rolleyes:

whats with the :rolleyes: ?
Do you look down on the Mondeo ?
Do you lament the fact they sell well when people could do better ? What's a better car in your opinion in that category ?


Rob

Berty

R.O.R wrote: »

You
Until last month anyway

It falls into the rental market though doesn't it. I didn't get a choice with the model.

bazz26 wrote: »

Since the current base Focus Style model gained extra toys about 2 years I'd say 90% of Focus sold here since have been base models. Zetec didn't really add anything extra except different alloy wheels and sport seats, Ghia was replaced by the Titanium and that was expensive and not good value.

Yes it did and the people who I mentioned earlier received the benefit although wouldn't have been bothered either way if they had alloys or not. I know many many people who have air con who turn it off and hate fords because they automatically come on when you switch on the car so they wouldnt miss A/C which is rare in the style model anyway.(only 9 months of build received them? )

RobAMerc wrote: »

whats with the :rolleyes: ?
Do you look down on the Mondeo ?
Do you lament the fact they sell well when people could do better ? What's a better car in your opinion in that category ?

Rob

Rolleyes = The fact that people will buy them irrespective of the spec as people DO go into dealerships asking for the Focus quite unaware different specs even exist = The road will be awash with Style models.

Do I look down on the Mondeo and do I lament..............? No.

Whats a better car in that category?

Focus = Zetec
Mondeo = Zetec

However, whats truly better in the category of each class of car.

Focus = Astra SC
Mondeo = Skoda Superb

Stevie Dakota

Berty wrote: »

I know many many people who have air con who turn it off and hate fords because they automatically come on when you switch on the car so they wouldnt miss A/C which is rare in the style model anyway.

What a load of rubbish. AC comes on automatically only you put the vent to demist, not when you turn the car on, and Ford is not alone in this.

Berty

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

What a load of rubbish. AC comes on automatically only you put the vent to demist, not when you turn the car on, and Ford is not alone in this.

Try driving a Ford Focus(current model) or Ford Mondeo Style.

Turn key(BOOM) AIR CON!

I had a Focus* and my brother and father have mondeos so I can be sure so NO its not a load of rubbish.


*Had a 2009 Focus without air con and a 2005 focus with air con. Father has Zetec with Climate Control so doesnt come on but brothers does.

alexmcred

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Irish Times

The 1.6 Ecoboost petrol turbo sounds like an interesting option for keener drivers. Looks smart in estate form. No 3 door.

The 182bhp one would certainly make me look at a Focus as the next car. A lot will depend on how they price it though.

dr.fuzzenstein

Berty wrote: »

Try driving a Ford Focus(current model) or Ford Mondeo Style.

Turn key(BOOM) AIR CON!

I had a Focus* and my brother and father have mondeos so I can be sure so NO its not a load of rubbish.


*Had a 2009 Focus without air con and a 2005 focus with air con. Father has Zetec with Climate Control so doesnt come on but brothers does.

I have an '06 CMax with Aircon and drove an '09 Transit Connect plus a whole heap of rental Focuseseses with Aircon and, without fail and exception, the Aircon only comes on when you turn the airflow fully onto the windscreen.
In that case, yes when you turn the key, Aircon automatically.
However, when you turn the airlfow partially or fully anywhere else (footwell or dashboard vents) it won't come on.
Turn the airflow selector about a half a quarter towards the left or right, your aircon problems should be solved. Otherwise there's something screwy with you car.

.Longshanks.

Why no 3 door? Surely not everybody wants/needs 4/5 doors?

copacetic

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

That the boot is smaller is really annoying, boring I know but these things are important in a family car.

+1, not to herald the arrival of the the dreaded 'boot size is the most important feature' brigade but

The rear boot alone is 93 litres smaller than an Astra’s and 73 litres less than a Golf’s. It’s only a 20 litres bigger than a Nissan Juke’s.

is pretty bad progress for a new version of a car with a smallish boot to begin with.

EPM

kev_Longshanks100 wrote: »

Why no 3 door? Surely not everybody wants/needs 4/5 doors?

There was a rumour of the Capri making a return - could be the reason.

squod

EPM wrote: »

There was a rumour of the Capri making a return - could be the reason.

EPM

God that's awful. Autoexpress at it again!

Berty

This is nice



The US Spec bogo Focus is pretty bad to be fair.

Mc Love

The rear light clusters on the new focus are like the current renault megane range - not very nice. I do like the interior but with rgards boot space they have gone backwards. Not sure it was a wise move making one global focus. Time will tell I guess.

Mk2.5 has been the nicest focus so far

billyboy01

The amount of 2011 reg current model Focus's on the road, There going to be a lot of annoyed people later this year. As the car has been totally redesigned, and it looks great! Plus the usually lower fuel comsumption and tax!:(

Mc Love

billyboy01 wrote: »

The amount of 2011 reg current model Focus's on the road, There going to be a lot of annoyed people later this year. As the car has been totally redesigned, and it looks great! Plus the usually lower fuel comsumption and tax!:(

Its their own fault imho and guess what? They are probably all style models :rolleyes:

oleras

If this is the same model that be released here it a vast improvement on the current saloon imo, never really liked the high up boot, just looked wrong. Now, if they could do a Skoda and make the boot double acting, thats a big winner.

Shane732

The current one isn't too bad.... Here

hellyeah

^ if darth vadar had a car i think it would look like this!!!!

Mc Love

Shane732 wrote: »

The current one isn't too bad.... Here

Why would someone put that up for sale??

EPM

Mc Love wrote: »

Why would someone put that up for sale??

At a rough guess? To sell it at a profit. Special edition model so will more than likely find a home.

Henry Ford III

No 3 door anywhere, and no saloon for Europe. That's my info. so far. No Capri either.

Tragedy

The new Focus in the HJ review is hideous. The front is as bland as a kia, and the rear is slab ugly. I actually liked the facelifted Focus

Mc Love

EPM wrote: »

At a rough guess? To sell it at a profit. Special edition model so will more than likely find a home.

Got a spare 60k I could borrow?

EPM

Mc Love wrote: »

Got a spare 60k I could borrow?

Sure, I always lend money to stangers on the interweb.

If anyone needs to borrow a car too just take it away:p;):D

alexmcred

EPM wrote: »

Sure, I always lend money to stangers on the interweb.

If anyone needs to borrow a car too just take it away:p;):D

Do I not need special training to drive your rocket ship:D:P

Leonard Hofstadter

Henry Ford III wrote: »

No 3 door anywhere, and no saloon for Europe. That's my info. so far. No Capri either.

Aren't we going to get a saloon? I can't see Ford giving up on that segment of the market too easily, especially with the success of the Corolla and Fluence - we still love our cars to have boots!

What do you think of the fact that the new car is reported to not be anywhere near as good as both the Mk1 and the Mk2 Focus to drive?

Zonda999

But if nowhere else RHD is going to be getting it, they wont put it in production just for us. Might be a good thing really, the irish could be done with a push away from saloons in that segment, although, i imagine those buyers will just migrate to fluences and the like

Leonard Hofstadter

Zonda999 wrote: »

But if nowhere else RHD is going to be getting it, they wont put it in production just for us. Might be a good thing really, the irish could be done with a push away from saloons in that segment, although, i imagine those buyers will just migrate to fluences and the like

Ford were the biggest manfacturer in Ireland last year and the year before, in no small part down to the success of the outgoing Focus.

Surely they're not going to be that dumb and lose market share by not bringing in a saloon version for Ireland?

Other RHD markets like Australia like their cars to have boots as well. I know they're LHD but in southern Europe they also like their cars to have boots.

Ford UK does not sell the current Mondeo in saloon format (hatchback and estate only) yet Ford Ireland does sell a Mondeo saloon.

Stevie Dakota

Knine wrote: »

All suggestions welcome. I did look at the Focus Estate but it was very basic for the price.

Best to start a new thread.

EPM

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Best to start a new thread.

Done:)

Knine

And theres me thinking I was gone mad and my post had vanished:D