bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

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Where's a bag?

lexmenow

WTF kill the design team just kill them all

Big Andy

The new Mondeo is as big and heavy as a BMW 5 series so it's not really in the same market as the Focus. I have to say there are some hideous sedan versions of previously quite good looking hatchbacks (last Focus, Toyota Yaris etc) running round the roads in the US. It's almost as if the designers were finished and then at 4.55pm someone stuck their heads round the door and said " can you just quickly do a sedan version for the US market before you go home". The results look rushed and half-hearted.

LexFather

That is hot garbage. If I see a new car with one more stupid chrome fender vent I will scream.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

My thoughts exactly.

LexBob2

Add me to the list of screamers. Same goes for the side vent holes on the new Buicks (3 holes = V6, 4 holes = V8). Did they start this trend?

Gojirra99

2008 FORD FOCUS STARTS UNDER $15,000; DELIVERS NEW DESIGN, MORE SAFETY, BETTER FUEL ECONOMY AND SYNC

Value Leader – 2008 Ford Focus starts at $14,695 and offers the best value in its segment along with an all-new design, fuel economy in the mid-30s and such available class-exclusive features as Ford Sync™ and factory-installed ambient lighting.
Ford Sync™Debuts – as an industry-exclusive, hands-free way to use cell phones and portable music players using voice commands. Ford Sync™ comes standard on 2008 Focus SES models and is available on Focus SE models.
Fun to Drive – Acclaimed Focus driving dynamics are further improved with new suspension tuning and chassis refinements. Improved NVH levels provide a quieter ride.
New Features – Standard safety equipment now includes side air bags, side air curtains and tire pressure monitoring system. An audio input jack, tilt steering wheel and air conditioning are standard on all models. SIRIUS® Satellite Radio is now available.

SEATTLE, Sept. 17, 2007 – The new 2008 Ford Focus goes on sale this fall with a long list of improvements that make it better than ever, including 35 miles per gallon highway fuel economy and a starting price under $15,000.

The new Focus is redesigned from the inside out, is available as a sedan or new coupe body style, is 30 pounds lighter, 10 percent quieter, has 3 percent more horsepower, more safety features, exceptional driving dynamics and fuel economy better than many smaller vehicles. With a starting price of $14,695, Focus pricing is essentially unchanged from last year – even with the addition of new standard safety features like side-curtain air bags.

The Ford Focus also introduces two new factory-installed technologies: programmable LED-powered ambient lighting and Ford Sync. Sync is a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft that allows users to control most portable digital music players and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones using voice commands.

"The new Focus is arriving at exactly the right time, with consumer interest in both small cars and technology surging," said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Brand Marketing. "With new a new design, great handling, fuel economy in the mid-30s and now Sync, we have something truly unique to offer consumers."

Cutting-Edge Technology

The 2008 Focus is the first vehicle to offer the company's industry-exclusive Ford Sync technology this year. Sync – a voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system – fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity. It seamlessly integrates the Focus with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is updatable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.

Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Sync will be offered exclusively on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year. It will be standard on Lincoln vehicles and widely available on Ford and Mercury vehicles. In most cases, Sync will be included as standard equipment on high-series models from Ford and Mercury. On models where Sync is optional, it will be priced at $395.

Tapping the emerging trend of configurable lighting, Ford is making its ambient lighting system available to Focus customers as a factory-installed option. The feature lets customers set the mood inside the vehicle with subtle LED lighting in the cupholders and in the front and rear footwells. The driver or front-seat passenger can choose from seven different colors – red, blue, aqua, purple, white, green and yellow – by cycling through a dash-mounted switch.

Great Value

For the 2008 model year, an all-new Focus coupe complements the sedan model. Three trim series – Focus S, Focus SE and Focus SES – are available for both body styles. Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2008 Focus S coupe starts at $14,695, while the new Focus S sedan begins at $14,995. SE models are an additional $1,000. All prices include a $620 destination and delivery charge. The top-of-the-line Focus SES coupe and sedan, with Sync standard, begin at $16,695 and $16,995, respectively.

All-new features on the 2008 Focus include a standard audio input jack for MP3 players, Ice Blue instrument backlighting, new wheel designs, along with Ford Sync and SIRIUS™ satellite radio. Newly standard features include driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags, side curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and air conditioning.

Standard content on the 2008 Ford Focus includes:

2.0-liter Duratec 20 4-cylinder engine (140 hp and 136 lb.-ft torque)
In states that have adopted California emissions rules, every Focus qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV), meaning its tailpipe emissions are cleaner than some hybrids.
5-speed manual transmission
Front-wheel drive
European-inspired suspension
Dual-stage driver and passenger air bags
Driver and front passenger seat side impact air bags and side curtain air bags *
Tire pressure monitoring system *
Audio input jack for MP3 players **
AM/FM stereo with single CD player
Ice Blue backlighting for instrument cluster and control ***** **
Air conditioning *
Available options include:

4-speed automatic transmission
Ford Sync (standard on SES models and available on SE models) **
Ambient interior lighting system
SIRIUS™ satellite radio **
AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player with digital clock
AM/FM Stereo 6-disc CD/MP3 player Audiophile system
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Traction Control
Power moonroof
Fog lamps
Front row heated leather-trimmed seats
Speed Control
* Indicates newly standard features

** Indicates all-new features

A new Deluxe Package also is available for the Focus SE series. It includes: heated side mirrors with chrome skulls caps and door handles; 16-inch Euro flange wheels; fog lamps; an enhanced European-inspired suspension with rear stabilizer bar; metallic instrument panel appliqué; bright cluster rings and other interior accents; a performance instrument cluster; four-way adjustable driver's seat; and chrome tip exhaust.

The 2008 Ford Focus is built at Ford's Wayne ( Mich.) Assembly Plant. It goes on sale this fall.

Threxx

35 mpg highway is great mileage under the new 2008 EPA ratings. That matches the civic, actually.

Wonder what highway is rated at? I think it's 26 in the civic with the new ratings...

SLegacy99

I think this car is an improvement over the previous gen. And the interior is really sweet as well. Multi colored LEDs. Very nice.

You want ugly? This is ugly:

ecr527

I think this looks way better than those pictures of the Focus. I think I see a little bit of Saturn Ion from the side.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

It's definitely been made into a mainstream car but it grows on me. I can't wait to see an STI version.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

ford management wouldnt know a good car if it hit them and they have their head up their ***. Ford Europes designs just completely own US designs, why they dont share is beyond me

TRDFantasy

I find it funny that they call this car "extensively overhauled". The current Focus is uncompetitive, and this 2008 Focus still rides on the same platform as the dated 2007 Focus. Instead of actually doing a proper redesign with a new or updated platform, they just went for a big facelift.

The design is also a big mess. The class leaders have nothing to worry about. Ford on the other hand has a lot to worry about, because a new Corolla is just months away.

But that doesn't match the Corolla or the Civic. Manual Corolla gets 37 mpg on 08 EPA numbers, and auto Civic gets 36 mpg. City fuel economy likely will be lower than both the Civic and Corolla as well.

94lex83457

when the first focus came out it was edgy, modern, and was fun to drive (i know because on Hawaii I did) but this, this is trash. It would look better if it was a ball of fire falling from a C-130.

Such a disappointment.

Lexkost

The 4 x 4 stance is for when it breaks down it is easier to push it to the side of the road.