Spotted - New Focus!

[Smoke Pursuit]

Yes i think Focus Stock is deminishing.. I haven't seen much at one dealer, I guess it all comes down to how smart Ford were in stock control and making sure there werent 5000 of them left lying around in yards.

[Mick K.]

Originally Posted by ShockWaveXR6na

Yes i think Focus Stock is deminishing.. I haven't seen much at one dealer, I guess it all comes down to how smart Ford were in stock control and making sure there werent 5000 of them left lying around in yards.

April sales figures....

Holden Astra -- 2846
Mazda3 -- 2390
Toyota Corolla -- 3279
Pulsar -- 1354
Golf -- 811
Focus -- 559
Peugeot 307 -- 228

[zetec]

What differs is the way the power is used and the weight of the vehicle is transferred. It's a much lighter engine and it breathes INCREDIBLY well, it just refuses to ever feel out of breath, unlike the athsmatic MkI Zetec engine that needs a good zorst and intake. The new Duratec unit pulls like the Orient Express, it has massive amounts of torque from as little as 2,000rpm which makes the difference. The current unit is nothing below 3,000rpm. On the new one, it's screaming hard by 3,000 and guns ALL the way to redline in a blink. So not much better power to weightm, but a much broader, flatter torque curve means much stronger pulling power at broader rev ranges = quicker acceleration. Trust me, it's MUCH quicker. And I'm comparing to the top Zetec engine in the Mk I, not the 1.8/2.0 regular unleaded version which might as well get out and start pushing!!!!!

Old Zetec RRP was (for a 5 door manual) about $28,560 plus onroads so I imagine that's the price they'll be benchamrking against, I don't know. When you added bodykit and 17's to the old model it turned out to be $31,355 plus onroads. If this new model is cheaper than the old base price, on top of now including STD - bodykit, 17's, side airbags, cruise, trip computer, 107kw, bigger brakes, power windows all round then DAMN!!!!!!!!! Talk about value!! I have no idea about the pricing, but when it is released I'll be the first to let you all know hopefully!!

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Mick K.

April sales figures....

Holden Astra -- 2846
Mazda3 -- 2390
Toyota Corolla -- 3279
Pulsar -- 1354
Golf -- 811
Focus -- 559
Peugeot 307 -- 228

There aren't too many left.

[Mick K.]

Can you try it with the air con on - that is the biggest problem with the LR Focus Zetec 2.0 IMHO - pressing that little air con button absolutely kills it. Not good in a Brisvegas summer :(

[Teki04]

Hey matt... was that $31000ish for a ZetecR? sure i saw one on the road for cheaper then that....

[chevaps]

It looks like the pedals are spaced further apart than the current focus, but it could be just the angle. The styling of the front end isnt too much different from the current model, still looks the goods and agressive. I like i like!! :

Tom

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Mick K.

Can you try it with the air con on - that is the biggest problem with the LR Focus Zetec 2.0 IMHO - pressing that little air con button absolutely kills it. Not good in a Brisvegas summer :(

Makes no difference I never had any issues with my Aircon on 1 or 2 in killing performance. What do you expect? It's no V8! But I never noticed any real difference at 1 or 2 in performance.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Teki04

Hey matt... was that $31000ish for a ZetecR? sure i saw one on the road for cheaper then that....

I was comparing to the original RRP launch price of the vehicle which is still the RRP, however whatever price you can negotiate with your Dealer is up to you and the Dealer. The Zetec R is a Special Value Pack hence it is not a regular production model.

[Fast Eddie]

Zetec,

Thanks a lot for the effort you've put in to keep us informed! I really appreciate it. Good news too about the hand controls. It took a bit of getting used to compared to my previous controls but now there's no going back. The staff there have done a A1 job in the design!

[Mick K.]

Originally Posted by zetec

Makes no difference I never had any issues with my Aircon on 1 or 2 in killing performance. What do you expect? It's no V8! But I never noticed any real difference at 1 or 2 in performance.

Maybe there's something wrong with my car then - I'll ask about this my next service in a few weeks. I think the 2.0 Zetec is great, but I turn the aircon on and it all just dies. The great powerband around 3-4-5000 rpm is just gone.

Much more noticable than my previous car 1.8 20v Golf (92Kw) or my wife's car 2.5 24v Vectra (125Kw)

MK

[lincoln]

So any TDCi news?

[zetec]

No comment.

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by zetec

No comment.

hmmmmmm.... sounds like someone might be hiding something......

[b2tf]

Teki (and all others),

Matt sent a PM regarding this issue and his response. If you didnt get it, let me know and I will forward it to you, as it explains why he said what he did.

edit: His PM is now posted in the message after this one.

[zetec]

Hi guys,

I'd normally not reply here, but will just let you all know that the reason I wouldn't reply to such a question about future plans is due to me not being in a position to ever comment about anything in the future, either speculated or desired. I am only able to comment on current models and released specifications, so I'll have to say a "no comment" is all I'll ever offer on any future questions. Won't jeapordise my position with Ford or Ford's own plans, whether I know them or not, and will answer questions where I am allowed to if a public media release has been released and the information is freely and publicly available. Otherwise, count me out of such discussions/conversations! Sorry guys and gals.

My absence to respond to such a post does not in any way confirm anything, nor should it be insinuated so that me not replying is designed to answer a question. I will stay well away from all discussions about any potential/discussed/speculated Ford plans.

Thanks for all your understanding.
Cheers,
Matt

[Focus_RS]

My only question I have about the new model Focus is that in 1000km of driving, did you notice that brake dust was a problem like that exists on the current model???

[Teki04]

oh.... thats cool.... we wouldnt want you to lose your Job... i mean who else is going to get us Pics of future cars?!

[zetec]

That's a difficult question because it depends on the style of driving (city vs highway) and the condition of the brakes, the temperature (for brake performance) and the wheel design. I didn't notice much more than a light dusting, but I was mainly on the highway and not using the brakes heavily at all, I was running the car (and brakes) in so took it easy. 1000km of city driving in anything will dust your brakes so compared to my Mk I in the city, it was nothing.

[murcod]

For anyone who's worried about brake dust, simply change the pads to EBC Greenstuff. They give off virtually no dust and work a lot better than standard pads.

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by mondeost24

For anyone who's worried about brake dust, simply change the pads to EBC Greenstuff. They give off virtually no dust and work a lot better than standard pads.

Where do you source these from? Standard stores I have visited don't seem to stock them! My Focus is just a brake dust generator!

Tim

[murcod]

I bought them from the distributor in Melbourne www.ebcbrakes.com.au or something like that?? They express posted them to me in Adelaide. I think the local Autobarn sells them here in Adelaide now too?

They aren't cheap (around $220 for the fronts on my ST24) - but are a big improvement in stopping power and generate no noticeable dust.

[Timmeh]

Thanks ...

Tim

[KJGH]

Do they last longer too? (i.e. more than 30,000)

Edit: I found the answer on the website. Stupid me! :

[murcod]

Don't know about how long they last- I've only done 15700km in my ST24..... They've been in there since around 5000km.