Introducing the 2012 FOCUS

[Norm201]

Why is a Focus thread lingering in the Fiesta forum? Just say'n.

[Tink75]

Originally Posted by Norm201

Why is a Focus thread lingering in the Fiesta forum? Just say'n.

To provide a comparison. Some people want to see how they stack up against each other.

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally Posted by Norm201

Why is a Focus thread lingering in the Fiesta forum? Just say'n.

Originally Posted by Tink75

To provide a comparison. Some people want to see how they stack up against each other.

Exactly.

Just because Fiesta Faction is for Fiesta enthusiasts doesn't mean we ban any talk of anything else BUT Fiestas. As with any other automotive forums, discussions about other vehicles is fair game. That's why we have the Fiesta Foes and Fiesta Watercooler sections. We just hope members keep the discussions clean, and they abide by our forum rules in doing so.

[tallguy2.3]

I think a big concern for enthusiasts when comparing Focus vs Fiesta will be the weight and handling of the new Focus. The Fiesta is so rewarding to drive that the Focus will have to do a nice job of handling the extra size.

I read yesterday that the standard Focus engine will be a 2.0L with direct injection and Ti-VCT making 160hp @ 6500rpm and 146ft-lbs @ 4450rpm. This will be more power than my 2005 Focus ST had when it was stock! And it was a performance model. I think it's only an intake and maybe exhaust away from being as powerful as the SVT Focus was.

All that to say that the Focus definitely has some potential as-is, so as long as it's not a fat pig.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by tallguy2.3

I think a big concern for enthusiasts when comparing Focus vs Fiesta will be the weight and handling of the new Focus. The Fiesta is so rewarding to drive that the Focus will have to do a nice job of handling the extra size.

I have full confidence the (European) team that tweaks the Focus will have a drivers car, just like the previous (European) Focus was. The (European) Fords have been benchmarks for front wheel driven cars for a decade now.

Reporting (from Europe), signing off

[tallguy2.3]

Originally Posted by Marc

I have full confidence the (European) team that tweaks the Focus will have a drivers car, just like the previous (European) Focus was. The (European) Fords have been benchmarks for front wheel driven cars for a decade now.

Reporting (from Europe), signing off

Ha!

I sure hope so. But the fact that 1. the (European) Focus has been so good and 2. This Focus is universal tells me that this one had better be equally as good or better or else Europe will be quite angry.

[golf strom]

Problem is that when the factor the US in mind it automatically creates some compromises (many of those can be adjusted with small changes and a few different parts) but some won't be as easy to make pleasing to ALL buyers....

I think the real problem is that Ford (at least until now) has been afraid to simply take the plunge and just give us these models just as the are in Europe.....The bottom line is if they just leave better than well enough alone the cars will sell just fine....those that aren't the target metric for these types of models will shop somewhere else, like down at the Toyota dealer where you will find the appliance of your dreams....

I think the biggest mistake with the Fiesta in the USA was that Dearborn got cold feet and started changing things that didn't NEED to be changed...in the end this took an outstanding car and made it good.

[FiestaFan]

Probably the Fiesta's biggest drawback, rear seat room, is unchanged from the EU-spec. Changes like adding Sync, minor styling mods and a slightly reshaped (but functionally identical) dashboard don't impact the Fiesta's appeal on the market.

The US Focus is almost completely identical to the Euro version; the only apparent changes are slightly different wing mirrors and the addition of DOT-mandatory amber reflectors in the headlamps. If you still have a problem and are now going to (baselessly) insist that both the US and Euro models were compromised by this market's "backward" needs, then it's safe to say that you will never ever be satisfied.

[tjl]

Originally Posted by golf strom

I think the biggest mistake with the Fiesta in the USA was that Dearborn got cold feet and started changing things that didn't NEED to be changed...in the end this took an outstanding car and made it good.

So what do you dislike about the changes?

* Regulatory stuff (e.g. 2.5mph bumpers).
* Only 1.6L engine available (the 1.25L and 1.4L gasoline engines are no loss with much less power and only marginally less fuel use, though the loss of the diesel options may bother some).
* PowerShift automatic instead of 4-speed torque converter automatic (better in general for automatic buyers).
* Engine tuning and gearing for fuel economy and regular fuel (better or worse depending on what you want).
* Standard and optional equipment.

Also, how is your Saturn Astra?

[Marc]

There was a preview in a dutch newspaper today. Here are some quotes:

First driving impression: brand new Ford Focus

There will be a five door hatchback, four door sedan and stationwagon (no three door anymore). A sporty design with many security features and even better driving properties makes the new Focus a true world car.

Much of the underpinnings have remained the same, because the superb McPherson front wheel suspension and the famed 'Control Blade' rear axle only had to be fine tuned.

The interior has been tastefully designed and has good sound proofing. There are lots of buttons on the center console, like on the Mondeo. It will take some getting used to. As a 'stranger', try to reset the trip counter ...

During the preview in the south of France, we drove the 1.6 Ecoboost and top spec diesel (163hp). It's questionable if you will need the standard Torque Vectoring Controle (which optimizes front wheel traction), but the dampened underpinnings will not disappoint. Understeer and bodyroll are unknown to the car; the new Focus drives as if on railroad tracks.

The 6 speed PowerShift transmission is standard on the EcoBoost petrol engines, and optional on the diesel engines. 0-62 MPH takes 7.9 seconds in the fastest petrol car, while the 2.0 TDCi diesel with PowerShift takes 8.9 seconds. With the manual transmission it takes only 8.6 seconds [don't know if this applies to the diesel and/or the petrol engine]. Top speed is 138 MPH.
The weakest petrol engine (1.6 Ti, 105 hp) still does 116 MPH, the slowest diesel (1.6 TDCi, 95 hp) does 112 MPH tops. Overall there will be 4 petrol engines and 5 diesels [in Europe].

All possible airbag and restraint systems will be available, along with high strength steel, on all trim levels. Additional options include road sign recognition, lane monitoring (where one can choose between a vibration steering wheel warning or automatic steering), blind spot detection and even automatic braking for objects, under 20 MPH, automatic parking and automatic high beam switching.

Prices for the sedan will be equal to the hatchback. In a few months the Econetic will follow, with an ST model in 2012.