[Frost__2001]

2008 Focus Launched.

It's nothing new, what was not posted already, but apperently you can now order one in advance.

[Frost__2001]

Keep in mind, it's only in the US it's being launched this early, since that site is american.

[naz]

Quote:The top engine available on the '08 Focus is a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder that makes 140 horsepower.
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i guess ford missed the memo that the horsepower wars are still in full effect

[FocusGuy7476]

those seats are kinda nice, look like the Recaros out of an EAP

[mo_focus]

so there is no hacthback anymore?, instead there is the coupe?

[oldeguy]

okay, it looks different from what we have, it isn't from Europe, it has the same underpinnings as the 2007, I think. No hatch or wagon, 140 HP. I'm going to reserve judgement until I test one. Maybe we should arrange with a local friendly dealer to have a massive Focuscanada test drive day. See what we can "fix" on them.

[NOS2Go4Me]

Sad sad sad. They really SHOULD have renamed it the Escort and been done with it.

This is THE main reason I bought a 2007 - I love the car, but I can't respect the styling decision at all.

[NefCanuck]

I've already made my views known on the styling, subjective as comments are. I do want to see the interior to see if it looks as good as the pictures protray it (Only pictures I've seen to date are showing the interior in low lighting, I want to see some shots during the day :P)

NefCanuck

[Frost__2001]

I agree completly with NOS, I think they should have named it the New Escort, and then given us the European Focus as an upper class small car, that way Ford would not be bitching about having no entry level car priced under $20K

[oldeguy]

Fiesta? Renaming the 2008 Focus would be close to admitting the Focus was a failure. Somewhat like the 500

[NefCanuck]

Frost__2001,Jul 3 2007, 11:05 AM Wrote:I agree completly with NOS, I think they should have named it the New Escort, and then given us the European Focus as an upper class small car, that way Ford would not be bitching about having no entry level car priced under $20K
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...and watch it cannabalize the Fusion's low end (I4) sales? Not on your life friend...

Until the Fusion is moved upmarket (or the I4 version is deleted from the lineup) the chances of there being a Euro Focus here are zero :(

NefCanuck

[Frost__2001]

oldeguy,Jul 3 2007, 12:10 PM Wrote:Fiesta? Renaming the 2008 Focus would be close to admitting the Focus was a failure. Somewhat like the 500
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Not Quite a failure, after all the Fiesta is coming in 2009 as a sedan under the new Focus, and an up market entry like the Euro Focus would be good as then it would be a global car again, not to mention it could compete against the BMW 1 series, as it's coming here in 2009, not to mention it could also compete agains the likes of the Acura/Civic.

As For the Fusion I just read an artice on it saying sometime mid next year it's going to be offered in a Hybrid version. And the way things are looking the Mondeo will be here soon as well.

[oldeguy]

Mondeo first, then....................... :ph34r: We can only hope

[naz]

isn't that volvo hatch coming soon (uses euro focus chassis) and mazda3 uses that euro focus chassis too.. so you've got 3 options for turbo 'focus-chassis' hatchback

[NefCanuck]

Frost__2001,Jul 3 2007, 11:25 AM Wrote:As For the Fusion I just read an artice on it saying sometime mid next year it's going to be offered in a Hybrid version. And the way things are looking the Mondeo will be here soon as well.
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Hrm, would that be enough to push the Fusion upmarket enough to let a higher end Focus move into the gap? :huh:

Interesting strategy... how many hybrid Escape does Ford sell annually?

NefCanuck

[NOS2Go4Me]

Hey, if they bring the Fiesta here... I know what my first-ever track car will be.

[FocusGuy7476]

if they can time it right and have the Mondeo in North America by the time I'm finished university I'll buy one, you hear that FoMoCo, you have 5 years.

[naz]

edit: nevermind...

[euro_zx5]

I can't wait to see the "new" Festiva here in NA... but honestly, that 08 Focus coupe might grow on me... eventually. A drop and some nice 18's could make that car look sweet. The interior is already mint, i'm sure a sport model wouldn't look too pathetic. I'll just have to wait and see... I ended up growing on the 05 and here I am, so the same might happen in the future when I could consider a new ride.

[naz]

when i saw Nos post fiesta and track car in the same sentence i got all giddy and started reading about it...

supposedly 'RS' fiesta is going to make around 180ps and do 0-60 in around 7s ? and it will be fwd

EDIT: is that right? am i reading about the right car?