Got an invitation in the mailbox today to come and take a look at the new focus at my local Ford dealership, December 16-18.
Looks like Ford has another winner.
The new focus looks really nice.
The 1.6 liter diesel comes with a cvt transmission but you can also shift manually, 7-speed tiptronic if you want.
That must be fun to drive.

Take a look here for pics, 360 views, introduction movie.
Just click everywhere.

When you have entered the site, click the flash "home" button. then the 5 th comfort button from the top, then the 3rd button (blik interieur) from the top.
Looks really nice, the interior.

http://www.ford-newfocus.nl/

Is it true, the new Focus won't be available in the US?

 

That is a sweet little car, so of course it won't be offered in the US. Deisel, CVT, 7speed, moving headlight, no key, nav, and a whole bunch of other stuff I couldn't understand. Damn thing has more technology that the Ford GT. I think the only thing that new focus shares with the US version is the name. Gotta say I am a little jealous.

 

nope. not available. We still get the old platform. When and if we get the new global Focus, it will not be with the kewl Euro engines. It will continue to contain an anemic lawnmower engine.

 

You know the focus really doesn't bother me that much since the US version really is still very good compared to the others in the compact segment. What DOES irk the crap out of me is why the hell the aussies get the Falcon and we are stuck with the lame-o Taurus/500...

http://www.ford.com.au/falcon/Austra...ilyCar2004.htm

 

Yeah, all we got on the 05 Focus (from the comercials anyway) is the new european style suspension. Maybe next year we can get the rest of the good stuff too. I agree with D, the Taurus sucks, I like the Falcon better too. Oh well, I'de never fit in a freakin Focus in the fisrt place.

 

Posted by Dzervit...

Quote .....

You know the focus really doesn't bother me that much since the US version really is still very good compared to the others in the compact segment. What DOES irk the crap out of me is why the hell the aussies get the Falcon and we are stuck with the lame-o Taurus/500...




Well Bruce.....they're always at the tinnies and need a fast ride to get away from plod...then when they hit the 'roos it needs to be a strong old ute !










Translation....

Tinnies.... Cans of beer

Ute ........ Utility (Vehicle)

(And they do have Falcon Utes, but not as you know them !)


PS

I think the Focus would have been a winner in Europe but from the reviews it's going to be hit hard by the new VW GTi !

 

frikkin europe peons always get the good stuff.
My buddy from Munich has a BMW X5 with the 3.0 diesel engine.
Try getting that engine in NA.

Anyone know why they can get the diesel in their grocery getters and we cant?

My buddys arguement is petro is so expensive there so they get the option, well ok, ya its expensive, but if they make it there, WTF?

Anyone have a theory?

 

Just a guess, but I think it comes down to emission standards are higher in the US, so the diesels lose out most of the time.

Here is some info I found.......
"In Europe, diesel power dominates the luxury vehicle market and is synonymous with the highest standards of performance and reliability. Recent research shows that 47% of all luxury cars purchased in Europe are powered by diesel engines.

Advanced European diesel passenger vehicles exceed today's U.S. gasoline-electric hybrid fuel efficiency by more than 60 percent. Combining the superior fuel efficiency of diesel engines with the efficiencies of hybrid electric vehicles can provide even greater fuel efficiency.

The European Union's pragmatic diesel engine emission regulations are designed to encourage the development of cleaner diesel engines and the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel while maintaining the technology's market viability. Europe's well-developed track record on the advantages of light-duty diesel power stands as an example for American policy makers amid current energy concerns. "

Also....."The popularity of diesels in some European countries is already even greater than the overall European diesel penetration. In 1999, diesels claimed 61% of the market in Austria, 54% in Belgium, and more than 50% in France."

 

The main reason that more diesel varieties are available in Europe is that historically speaking because our fuel prices (Regular gasoline) have always been higher than yours the demand for more fuel efficient diesels has always been there.

It is changing though and I certainly notice that in the last 25 years since I have been a regular visitor to your shores (and part time resident) that diesels are becoming more and more popular.

It still doesn't mean I would want one though.

The extra initial cost of a diesel vehicle over a regular one means that you would have to intend to keep the vehicle some considerable time and cover upwards of around 60 / 70 thousand miles to start to notice any savings.

And despite what anyone says about diesel engines in smaller cars being as quiet and smooth as regular I/C engines....they aren't.

Ask my neighbor who got a new BMW 330 diesel and could only bear it for 3 weeks before changing to the 330Ci !!!

(Mind you, he had been driving a Scooby Impreza and an Evo 7 up 'til that point.....though the hard ride eventually wore him down !)