Introducing the 2012 FOCUS
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I got one of those too. To be honest I was irrationally thinking about buying the fiesta and then waiting a couple of years (two... maybe three) and then trading up to the new focus hatchback.
I really like the MyFord Touch interface and the fancy digital dashboard. It's supposed to be a pretty fuel efficient car like the fiesta... that's really where I'm coming from. I know it sounds like you're more for the performance side of things.... so hopefully it ends up being as nice as the fiesta in that department.
In a moment of weakness when I found out about my broken fiesta I considered just not taking delivery of it and waiting to the "early 2011" for a new focus. The rational part of my brain tells me the new focus launch won't be any smoother than the fiesta one.
I really like the MyFord Touch interface and the fancy digital dashboard. It's supposed to be a pretty fuel efficient car like the fiesta... that's really where I'm coming from. I know it sounds like you're more for the performance side of things.... so hopefully it ends up being as nice as the fiesta in that department.
In a moment of weakness when I found out about my broken fiesta I considered just not taking delivery of it and waiting to the "early 2011" for a new focus. The rational part of my brain tells me the new focus launch won't be any smoother than the fiesta one.
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I highly doubt the Focus launch will be anything like the Fiesta. We have not seen a ''Focus Movement'' a giant ad campaign or anything like that. Ford is keeping it relevant and with the production plant in the US itself, we're not going to see any of the issues of what happend with the Fiesta.
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2012 Focus
If for some reason I don't get the Fiesta (I'm beginning to wonder if my order was placed at all), I'll definitely buy a new Focus. My last car was a ZX5 and I loved it. I was actually a little disappointed to find out they were bringing it back after I'd placed my order and did consider (for about two seconds) withdrawing my order and waiting for the Focus. I don't think there will be any problems with the Focus like we have had with the Fiesta because it's not a completely new vehicle for us.
If for some reason I don't get the Fiesta (I'm beginning to wonder if my order was placed at all), I'll definitely buy a new Focus. My last car was a ZX5 and I loved it. I was actually a little disappointed to find out they were bringing it back after I'd placed my order and did consider (for about two seconds) withdrawing my order and waiting for the Focus. I don't think there will be any problems with the Focus like we have had with the Fiesta because it's not a completely new vehicle for us.
The other thing Ford has to remember is not to have the same quality issues on the Focus as they did between 2000 and 2001. Sure, the Focus is an extremely important vehicle being introduced around the world. However, there's inherent North American pressure to NOT have the same issues creep up again.
Also too the Focus in North America won't be Ford's entry level into the market - compared to 2000 when you started off with the Focus and then jumped right into the Taurus.
As for launches, I'm hearing on other sites that the North American launch date has been put back slightly to match that of Europe and Asia. Although I'm a bit disappointed in such a delay, I wonder if that happened as a result of the Fiesta.
With all the progress Ford's made on quality, I'd be shocked if the 2012 Focus even approaches the level of issues seen with the 2000-2001. The only potential glitches are with the Powershift (and if there are any problems they should be ironed out by then thanks to Fiesta early adopters anyway) and the MyFord Touch interface, which will surely be optional.
At least the MyTouch interface will hit the 2011 Edge/MKX, so early Edge/MKX owners can work out the bugs
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Well as long as Ford says that the NA Focus will be actually 90% the same as the RoW as they have advertised in the little brochure I got in the mail, quality won't be a problem. More than likely the differences will be almost little to nothing. Headlights, tail lights (Unless they give us an actual rear fog lamp on the sedan and hatch) and most likely interior differences. Thats about it other wise the cars will be identical, we've seen this already with the Ford Transit Connect, the exact same as its Euro Version minus a cluster being the British Cluster but otherwise 100 percent identical to the EU version that is LHD. The Transit Connect right now is the purest Euro Ford on the NA Market.
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It's ironic that a "truck" product is the one.
A very strange "truck", assembled in Turkey as a passenger van, then converted to a truck after it clears customs in the United States. All this due to the "chicken tax".
To Outfox the Chicken Tax, Ford Strips Its Own Vans - WSJ.com
To Outfox the Chicken Tax, Ford Strips Its Own Vans - WSJ.com
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Which is why Subaru is forced to assemble in the state now most of their line up because of DOT classifications. If your wagon is a certain ride height its now classified as a small truck/suv which means the glorious chicken tax. But back on topic here, I don't see the Focus as a Fiesta Foe, its a Ford and therefore its a Focus Ally in bringing down other foes of Ford.
Back off topic. Subaru raised the height of their vehicles so that some of the looser rules of truck applied (for example tinted windows) verses cars. Don't get me wrong, I love Subarus, but sometimes people & companies have to do things to sell vehicles.
Subaru Outback Counts as a Truck - The Car Connection
Subaru Outback Counts as a Truck - The Car Connection
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Actually the law was made after the new model was designed and starting to sell forcing Subaru to begin production in Washington to avoid the chicken tax but the always had a high ride height. Its part of the theme, its supposed to be rugged and offroading, since its market is NA and Australia.
Build-and-price for the Focus is supposed to be up by this Thursday. People will be able to take delivery by early 2011 supposedly - Feb/March. Although it's not really a competitor (outside of Ford), I wonder if it will end up cannibalizing Fiesta sales as it's starting price for the base model is a little under $17,000? Fully loaded Titanium looks to be around $23,000 (rounded up estimates).
I don't think it looks as good as the Fiesta, but it does have some tempting extra goodies: MyFord Touch, SelectShift, more HP. And Ford claims the engine can get up to 40 MPG highway? Impressive for it's class if so, but I'm still skeptical for now
I don't think it looks as good as the Fiesta, but it does have some tempting extra goodies: MyFord Touch, SelectShift, more HP. And Ford claims the engine can get up to 40 MPG highway? Impressive for it's class if so, but I'm still skeptical for now
The Focus has direct injection (into each cylinder individually) where Fiesta has MFI (Manifold injection). Direct injection is more costly but also more efficient this is why the projection is for 40MPG on the Focus even though it is a larger vehicle & engine.And Ford claims the engine can get up to 40 MPG highway? Impressive for it's class if so, but I'm still skeptical for now
Subaru's are built in Lafayette Indiana & the chicken tax was on two door trucks.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive INC
Chicken tax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (interesting story on Ford's Transit Van)
If you read the specs for the 2012 Focus, even the base engine is interesting (before the performace models get here.) Similar 5- and 6-speed transaxels (more or less) as the Fiesta.
With intake, exhaust and some tuning, 175 HP at the crank should be easily possible. I wonder how long after the 2012 Focus is introduced before someone locates a crunched Focus and swaps a TiVCT D20 into a Fiesta ?
I wonder if Ford is going to eventually introduce a Ti-VCT GDI version of the D25 engine ?? Just speculating, but 195-200 HP at the crank before aftermarket tuning should be possible.
If you like to play with smaller FWD Ford cars, these might be the good old days.
Ti-VCT 2.0 liters, direct injection, 12.0 to 1 CR, 160 HP and 146 lb-ft torque.
With intake, exhaust and some tuning, 175 HP at the crank should be easily possible. I wonder how long after the 2012 Focus is introduced before someone locates a crunched Focus and swaps a TiVCT D20 into a Fiesta ?
I wonder if Ford is going to eventually introduce a Ti-VCT GDI version of the D25 engine ?? Just speculating, but 195-200 HP at the crank before aftermarket tuning should be possible.
If you like to play with smaller FWD Ford cars, these might be the good old days.
me too! I got a ride in a Focus RS and the grin is still on my faceFord Europe Focus RS
Turbocharged 305-horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine.
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This is one Focus I would LOVE to have!
I originally started shopping for a new Focus, but the lower price Fiesta won me over with her charms. The price jump from Fiesta to Focus isn't much, but I think the two will complement each other.
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