Washington Auto Show

5819 Views 26 Replies 13 Participants Last post by mrbirdman330, Mar 15, 2010

PowerShift

Discussion Starter · Jan 29, 2010

3

Just got back from the Washington Autoshow, my hometown show. It's grown from a regional show to a tier two show just below Detroit/Chicago?LA/NY in significance.

Ford brought two Fiestas and one 2012 Focus. Doors were closed on the Fiestas. That was bad for evaluating the vehicle but good for photography. And it me all the more happy I also went to Detroit where the Fiestas were open. With more space around it and softer light the Fiesta Sedan looked so much better here. Of course the show stealer was still the Focus. Again, doors closed made for better photos.

Here's the entire set: http://www.michaeldwhite.info/photogal_was.php

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focusse

· #2 · Jan 29, 2010

Thanks for posting the link to the auto show pics.
The all new 2012 Focus sedan is just a stunning looking car! Ford of Europe did an outstanding job with this vehicle! It's without a doubt a HUGE homerun for Ford.

The Fiesta hatchback looks great, the Fiesta sedan still looks unattractive with that huge rear end. It just looks so disproportionate.

iamz

· #3 · Jan 30, 2010

I'll be annoyed if the doors are locked on the Fiestas at the Mpls. auto show.

FiestaFan

· #4 · Jan 30, 2010

Nice pics PowerShift, I'm surprised they already have the Aveo RS and VW Up Lite concepts there.

I'm going to see the Fiesta at the Houston Auto Show tomorrow; it'll be my first time seeing the Fiesta in person, I can't wait! (pics to follow)

PowerShift

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 30, 2010 (Edited)

I'm not sure how they're deciding whether to have the doors open or closed on the Auto Show Fiestas. I'm surprised they're doing it at all since these are early pre-production models. On the other hand, they are taking reservations on the show floor, so it's good to let the customer experience as much of the car as possible.

Strangewingz

· #6 · Jan 31, 2010

34

I just got back from the show. Here's some shots of the Fiesta sedan...

Here's the Hatchback...

Here's the Focus sedan...

There was a neat interactive Taurus display where the car split in two revealing the interior in which people could sit...

unfortunately I couldn't get too many clear shots because of all the people lined up to get inside.

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golf strom

· #7 · Jan 31, 2010 (Edited)

Nice pics Strange....

I really like the new Focus HB 5dr...except what is the deal with those seats in the sedan with the white piping...it looks terrible! I have a feeling that this style is a North America option only....as I haven't seen it on the EU cars at all. Of course the same FUGLY white piping is found on the US spec Fiesta as well, coincidence? Some witless styling ferret at Dearborn must have chosen this concept I'd bet.....

I can just hear it now..." Oh....if we just slap on this white piping on the leather option we can me it look ....umm. like.....I know......... we can make it look just like a JAGUAR!!!!!!" Sheesh!!!!!!!

FiestaFan

· #8 · Jan 31, 2010 (Edited)

golf strom said:
Nice pics Strange....

I really like the new Focus HB 5dr...except what is the deal with those seats in the sedan with the white piping...it looks terrible! I have a feeling that this style is a North America option only....as I haven't seen it on the EU cars at all. Of course the same FUGLY white piping is found on the US spec Fiesta as well, coincidence? Some witless styling ferret at Dearborn must have chosen this concept I'd bet..... I can just hear it now..." Oh....if we just slap on this white piping on the leather option we can me it look ....umm. like.....I know......... we can make it look just like a JAGUAR!!!!!!" Sheesh!!!!!!!

My God you just don't stop do you?

There haven't BEEN any pictures of a European Focus III interior, there have only been a few EXTERIOR pictures of what can be assumed (thanks to lack of orange reflectors) to be a Euro-spec Focus. You haven't seen a European Focus interior yet, though it doesn't matter because it will be 99.99% identical to the US model, seat piping likely included.

Just because something doesn't appeal to you doesn't automatically make it "American"...just watch, once we see the seat piping on a European Focus Titanium you'll be drooling over it.

Nice pics Strangewingz; the Focus and Fiesta both look gorgeous.

golf strom

· #9 · Jan 31, 2010

I respect your opinions FiestaFan so I don't want to seem unreasonable or disrespectful to you, but I have to say that the first time we have seen the "white piping" was on the US spec version of the Fiesta...ONLY..no other RoW Fiestas have this....Also it is a awfully big coincidence that it now appears on the sedan (US directed) new Focus ...as well ..Interestingly I do believe that the pattern design and overall seat styling IS originating from Europe so I'm guessing that the WP is something that Dearborn Design Studio threw in the ring....

I'll be waiting to see if it shows up on Europe bound Focuses.

PowerShift

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 1, 2010

Awesome work Strangewingz.

We went to the same auto show, but your pictures are so much better. I definitely need to work on my camera skills.

Strangewingz

· #11 · Feb 1, 2010 (Edited)

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

In regards to the white piping, it appears very high contrast in some of the pics because of my use of the camera flash. Without the flash and just looking at it with the naked eye, it is more subtle looking; it's just highly reflective

The Focus sedan is a good looking car- I'm pleasantly surprised compared to the current Focus. I drove one of the current body styles for a couple of weeks and it was a competent car but IMHO, NOT an exciting,fun car. The new Focus and Fiesta look like they'll be a lot of fun to drive. I really hope they exceed all our expectations.

I'm still hoping to test drive a Fiesta at an upcoming show to know for sure...

FiestaFan

· #12 · Feb 1, 2010

golf strom said:
I respect your opinions FiestaFan so I don't want to seem unreasonable or disrespectful to you, but I have to say that the first time we have seen the "white piping" was on the US spec version of the Fiesta...ONLY..no other RoW Fiestas have this....Also it is a awfully big coincidence that it now appears on the sedan (US directed) new Focus ...as well ..Interestingly I do believe that the pattern design and overall seat styling IS originating from Europe so I'm guessing that the WP is something that Dearborn Design Studio threw in the ring....

I'll be waiting to see if it shows up on Europe bound Focuses.

That's true, the piping is only on US Fiestas, but seeing how "global" the Focus is supposed to be I don't see how that seat pattern wouldn't be on Euro models; to me it looks kinda Euro and suggests a running shoe, which I could see FoE doing. The Euro Fiesta has some zany seat patters too, but anyway we won't know how American that feature is until we see some definitive Euro-spec Foci, I'm hoping at the Geneva show in March.

Sorry for snapping at you, but the "American=icky" line of thought gets on my nerves sometimes (though it can be true, especially with regard to cars)

Mark Kleis

· #13 · Feb 1, 2010

Lmao, leave it to golf to be hasty to jump to negative conclusions.

The piping is made of a safety-style REFLECTIVE material... like that found on running shoes. In photos it looks like it is glowing... not in person.

PS, the US Fiesta doesn't have "ugly white piping" either. Again, with the lack of knowledge and clear bias against "Dearborn" shining through...

focusse

· #14 · Feb 2, 2010

Great pics Strangewingz...thanks for posting! The all new Focus is really awesome looking. I really like the look of both Focus sedan and hatchback. Right now I'm gravitating torwards the sedan, though. The new Focus easily has the best interior of any C-segment car out their. Totally looks like an interior you'd see in an Audi.

I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I love the Focus! I REALLY love the Focus!

I am sooooooo Focused right now, you wouldn't believe it.

Marc

· #15 · Feb 2, 2010

.. hence your username!

GhiaFan

· #16 · Feb 3, 2010 (Edited)

golf strom said:
I respect your opinions FiestaFan so I don't want to seem unreasonable or disrespectful to you, but I have to say that the first time we have seen the "white piping" was on the US spec version of the Fiesta...ONLY..no other RoW Fiestas have this....Also it is a awfully big coincidence that it now appears on the sedan (US directed) new Focus ...as well ..Interestingly I do believe that the pattern design and overall seat styling IS originating from Europe so I'm guessing that the WP is something that Dearborn Design Studio threw in the ring....

I'll be waiting to see if it shows up on Europe bound Focuses.

Ford Europe is using some piping albeit in a slightly toned down execution,
have a look at Ford EU "Individual" media site ~~~ Ford Individual PressKit 2009 ~~~
I think the closest comparison to what you are seeing in the Focus showcar is what is offered in the Kuga interior "Individual" pack. http://individual.fordmedia.eu/photos/highRes/048-KUGA.jpg

Focus interior "Individual" piping is quite conservative http://individual.fordmedia.eu/photos/highRes/060-FOCUS.jpg

Ford N.A. has said that they are monitoring reaction to these interiors being shown in the US Fiesta and Focus showcars, so it is possible if Ford N.A. gets enough positive feedback these two cars could be offered with some more interesting interior choices, which IMO is a good thing. Man the past few years the choice of interior in Ford N.A. cars has been uninspiring.

BRGT350

· #17 · Feb 3, 2010

sounds promising that something like the individual interior is coming as an option for the Fiesta. No word on timing, but sounds like it will happen at some point.

FiestaFan

· #18 · Feb 4, 2010 (Edited)

11

FiestaFan said:
Nice pics PowerShift, I'm surprised they already have the Aveo RS and VW Up Lite concepts there.

I'm going to see the Fiesta at the Houston Auto Show tomorrow; it'll be my first time seeing the Fiesta in person, I can't wait! (pics to follow)

I'd feel silly posting a whole new thread for this, so I'll just post my pics from the Houston show here. They're alot crappier than the others (I was using a friend's camera and didn't have the settings figured out) but I figure they're still worth posting!

The Fiesta looks utterly GORGEOUS in person. Couldn't see much of the interior but it also looks good. It was somewhat difficult to judge because the car was sitting on a 3ft stand but I also got the impression that it was even smaller than I was expecting, and I expected it to be pretty small. Rear-seat room looks meager at best, but since I don't carry passengers very often that's not much of a concern.

As for the Mazda2...

...it looked nice, and it looks to have been a Euro-spec model (no amber reflectors, small rear bumper), but it just couldn't compare to the Fiesta. Then again Ford's presentation was rather better, too; they had a nice table with paint options and brochures, and people who answered questions, while Mazda basically just put the 2 on its stand and called it a day.

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Mattdoommaster

· #19 · Feb 5, 2010

Looks like the presentation at Houston was basically the same as the presentation in Portland.

What color is that? Hard to tell because of the lighting. Could be the Magenta or the Red.

FiestaFan

· #20 · Feb 5, 2010

That Fiesta was Magenta. I didn't like it much in Ford's press shots, but it looks much better in person - still, I think I'd go for Blue Flame Metallic.

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