The announced the new 2008 Focus and the 2008 Five Hundred at The NAIAS. Five Hundred gets the 3.5l V6. 246HP.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...80.A11676.html

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...80.A11680.html

They also showed the Airstream Concept vehicle. Not sure about this one.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Car_...83.A11679.html

 

Too bad Ford is so damn slow on this. The Focus has been begging for a complete ground-up redesign for years, and the 500 has been an underpowered ugly pig since the '05 MY IMO. I saw the new Edge though, and THAT is a good looking vehicle. Ford is headed in the right direction.

EDIT: I see now that the Focus is just a re-skin. I'm disappointed. Same running gear since 1999!? Come on Ford!

 

At first glance I like the re-style of the Focus -- I've never been real fond of the front-end styling on the current model.

I'll have to say that I think the current 500 looks better than the re-styled '08 however -- does Ford really want to make every car look like the Fusion? The larger engine will be welcomed -- anyone who has driven the current model (I have numerous times as a rental vehicle) will tell you that it is woefully underpowered.

 

the new focus headlights remind me of a cross betwee suzuki XL7 headlights without the tear drop and the new chryler sebrings ( GROSS:O)

but i like the new 500s
looks like the zephyr.
and in my opinion,
that is a good thing.

 

Well, the Focus was definitely due for something.

I have mixed feelings on this. For one, I think that they may have made the right call economically (for now). A re-design that thorough is sure to attract new buyers...it has a VERY substantial cosmetic change inside, and out. And, they also re-turned the suspension etc which was already known for being great.

And by NOT doing a complete ground-up overhaul Ford can save a lot of money until they have more capital to do a full re-design. I don't think the market is ready to pay top dollar and trust Ford as the BEST choice for small cars, YET. So, by slowing turning people to Ford with quality products like the Fusion, 500, and new EDGE Ford can hold out a little longer before doing a full platform change- possibly to the European model Focus and then be able to command a higher price for a better car.

As for the 500, don't know a whole lot about those cars, but I think the styling change will do well. People like bold cars these days.

 

I don't think Ford will ever do enough with those vehicles to get me to buy one; but, they've got my attention with he Lincoln MKR concept vehicle.






Twin Turbo 3.5 making 415 hp and 400 ft/lbs. Me likes!

 

If they market that Lincoln, I'm buying stock in Windex

 

Wow. How can they afford NOT to make that car? Keep it as-is (Add some handles I guess...) and you have one HOT selling car.

 

Wow, that MKR is one sexy beast. They need to put that into prod. quick. It actually looks good, and looks like a car. Unlike most of the concepts out there today.

 

The "new" not just reskinned Focus has been available in Europe for a couple of years. Same chassis as the Mazda 3. Ford didnt think it would sell in the US. Its same price range as the Mazda 3.