New Focus - August Release

[TROYAS]

Hey all,
Kinda new here, so hi.
Was wondering if anyone knew if the Focus being release in August is the facelift model? or the new one people are talking about?
The link is here:

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Conte...1024&c=DFYPage

Cheers
Troy

[photn]

yes its the Facelift model.

[kocho]

Firstly, welcome to FF.

Im pretty sure its just a facelift rather than a new one. Subtle facelift at that aswell by the look of it.

[Bucket]

Yea, I actually prefer my Zetec to that one shown on the site.

[TROYAS]

Thanks guys

Looks like I'll be waiting another year for my new car then :(

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by TROYAS

Thanks guys

Looks like I'll be waiting another year for my new car then :(

Get an XR5...thats what im doing

[photn]

no lolz... buy an XR4.... greatest bang for buck car in the ford line up!

[TROYAS]

I'm really hoping that they get rid of the cream interior for the ghia :S They say it's because of European styling, but if you look on the UK site, they have black leather too....
Is it just because the Sth African plant is too cheap?

The more options for offer the more the price for even the base model rises.

The TDCi looks interesting

[TROYAS]

Oh yeah. Forgot about that :( Just do black instead of cream :P

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by BlackLS

The TDCi looks interesting

I hope its a bit cheaper than the diesel Mazda3 that they announced pricing of today, $31k. But the Focus TDCi will certainly appeal to the masses....

[Forest Bear]

Originally Posted by Bucket

Yea, I actually prefer my Zetec to that one shown on the site.

Same here. The grill treatment is pretty nice but the sweeping curve above the fog lights just don't fit in with the Focus' structural design lines. The alloys, no likey. Prefer current allows on my LS Zetec.

[raymon81]

I dont mind the new front bumper at all, not a big fan of the fog lights but the rest of it looks pretty nice. I really do hate the fact that my zetec doesnt have the front grille like the new upgraded one has. Thinking about upgrading to that front bumper when it's available. Upgraded alloys are ugly as well, my ones kick ***.

[kuans]

agreed. they got the design lines right with the XR5 and the current zetec, but unfortunately... with the new facelifted model, i feel its a step back in design. and 1 more thing... they removed the side body moulding strips on the doors! ... makes it look FAT!

makes me appreciate & treasure my current zetec more now! =)

[Danny]

Phht, thats what everyone says about the facelift model. Its just bitterness because you know you're not gonna have it (The latest Model). Take it from someone on the outside looking in. It looks good!

The wheels are a bit muck but ey, easily changed.

[Venomous1]

Similar to my Signature and Avatar except thats the Xr5 aka St. I hate Diesels.

Originally Posted by Danny

Phht, thats what everyone says about the facelift model. Its just bitterness because you know you're not gonna have it (The latest Model). Take it from someone on the outside looking in. It looks good!

The wheels are a bit muck but ey, easily changed.

I disagree, I really think the updated fog lights and surround look c***. On the current one the front somewhat has the geometric simplicity, the new one looks like someone put a veilside kit bar on it, spoiling the geometrics.

I also I prefer the Falcon BA mk2 front bar to the BF mk1, the EF nose to the EL, Fiesta WP to WQ - sometimes the original is the best.

Although what someone thinks is a good design is always going to be a subjective opinion, if the general public still go out buying it then Ford have nothing to lose. I've had my car for a year and a bit, driven it over 75,000kms and have my toe slightly dipped in the new car market. I wouldn't upgrade to the new model unless it was to go TDCi. Its first mod will be getting a neater aftermarket front bar.

[Deanodriver]

I don't get why they have to introduce a completely separate model for diesel? Why not offer it as an option on the whole range, from CL upwards? Even if it's $4000 more, it's still cheaper than the Golf TDI (which I believe is about $27K).

Don't quote me, but I think the whole car is sourced from Germany?

Holden also only have a seperate model for the diesel, CDTi.

[Rhubarb]

I don't mind the look of the new focus - lets face it, only a keen observer will pick the difference.

But I'm glad I bought my Zetec 3 weeks ago at approx $5 to $6k less than the new Zetec will go for in Aug.

As an aside, am I the only one who thinks the Ghia interior is absolutely awful??? Change to dark grey or black leather and loose that god awful fake wood grain stuff please.

[outback_ute]

I like the look of the facelift, the front bumper is a lot smoother and less "busy" than the existing one, and ties in with the XR5T better also.

[TROYAS]

That's what I was thinking Rhubarb! I was going to get one until I saw the cream interior and "woodgrain" :S

[Deanodriver]

Which I'd say would be Ghia only.

Just a question, do the post-facelift models have the curtain airbags that the Aussie market pre-facelift models missed out on?

[Rhubarb]

According to one of the press releases on the ford website:

"Safety will also improve with the new model, thanks to across the range availability of curtain airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and traction control with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
These reassuring safety features will be available as part of an optional safety pack on all Focus models."


http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Conte...=1163399758071

[Piotr]

Originally Posted by Danny

Phht, thats what everyone says about the facelift model. Its just bitterness because you know you're not gonna have it (The latest Model). Take it from someone on the outside looking in. It looks good!

The wheels are a bit muck but ey, easily changed.

Or people just have different tastes to you

[XR5-Boy]

Originally Posted by Piotr

Or people just have different tastes to you

nah, it's coz he drives a Renault now. Us Ford owners aren't good enough for him now :P.

I really haven't paid attention to the Focus but the new one looks fine. I can't wait for the one with the Mondeo styling to come out. Now THAT is something i'd consider

[zebby]

If you look closely, the first pic (Diesel) & 2nd pic (Zetec) are the same car. So me thinks that Ford have made a mistake. Wonder which model it really is ??

[Mikey B]

Another load of 'Sales & Marketing' cods wallop "engineered in Germany"

Some maybe, but most is in the UK!!!

Anyway, the car is assembled in South Africa. That'll be why the 2.0L Auto Focus i had as a loan car when my XR5 was being serviced had finger wide gaps in the doors and bumpers....absolutely shocking build quality.

[Tles]

Originally Posted by Martyvan

I hope its a bit cheaper than the diesel Mazda3 that they announced pricing of today, $31k. But the Focus TDCi will certainly appeal to the masses....

The TDCi (charcoal) I followed up the hwy today looked very nice. More a premium product like a Golf or the Honda CivicR hatch I viewed too. Seems to be more of an integrated package and will look good alongside the Orions and Mondeos when they arrive. Starting to develop a real family resemblence.
My wife wants one - the white XR4 STseats from MMS was up at Federation Square for the bledisloe launch and has me very tempted now the XR5 is going going go...find out next week. I read that the next FiestaST will have a specially made 1.6 Turbo hmmm.