New Focus at Melbourne Motor Show 2005

Sorry Fireman, I'm not going to assume anything. I'd rather see some concrete info, as opposed to wild speculation. For a start, new powertrain, new induction system, new hardware. Either way, I'm glad I didn't wait a year when I bought my ST. I like blue over orange, I like the current aesthetics and I am impatient. Heh.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by Ferris

Sorry Fireman, I'm not going to assume anything. I'd rather see some concrete info, as opposed to wild speculation. For a start, new powertrain, new induction system, new hardware. Either way, I'm glad I didn't wait a year when I bought my ST. I like blue over orange, I like the current aesthetics and I am impatient. Heh.

: I didn't tell you to assume anything, I was just basing my theory on the weights of the already released models + the projected kW rating, this makes me think that the new ST will have a better power to weight ratio than the current model, opinions are like a__seholes, eveyone's got one & thats just mine. There's no need to justify your purchase of the current model, I think they are great & look better than the new version anyway

[Suth]

I spose that it depends what sort importance you place on a cars power. My motivation for buying the zetec was handling, not grunt. 96kw is not that much to brag about, but I will happily tell my mates how fast I can go round corners. So hopefully with an even better chasis, and a bit more power, the new model will be more of a complete car. But, the weight could still be an issue that affects handling and power.

[SSbaby]

New Focus isn't bad but I don't think it smacks you in the face and cries out, "Look at me!". Not nearly as handsome as the new Astra, IMHO.

But what really impressed me was the Vignale convertable... now that does look better in the metal than in the photos. Of course, most concepts tend to look good with 20" wheels and lots of glitter...

[Timmeh]

The new Astra might look good, but got slammed in the Car of the Year awards.

"...the Astra's drivetrain is uninspiring at best."

The engine "feels underwhelming, sounds dull, and doesn't like to rev."

"It uses slightly more fuel than before, is much slower, and feels like it has lost some of the old cars eagerness."

^^^^ These are comments I am wondering if we will hear about the new Focus. It looks to be heading that way, the Astra piled on weight, not much extra power, looks nice though. Now the Focus has done the same thing, will it turn out the same?

Tim

That's the thing thats got me stumped. They get a tiny chassis, CRAM it full of safety and features, and leave you with an underpowered, overweight lump, that could by all rights have been a gem. Whatever happened to the hot hatch? I mean, sure, the run-of-the-mill focus/astra/puegeot should be jam-packed with "teh cool", but the sports going version? pah-leeze.... Give me a steering wheel, 1 seat, 4 wheels bolted to kick *** suspension, 3 doors and an engine that has a stratospheric rev limiter. Weight is not your friend when it comes to "performance" cars.

[zetec]

If you want a performance car don't buy a Focus. We have to stop kidding ourselves here guys... no joke. The only performance models are the ST models and even the they're more sport tourers than rampaging hatches. Even the ST should be a seriously polished quick blaster but no ball tearer. You want the old "This car isn't very fa...aaaaarkin hell this things flies oh my god holy crap it's still going when will i hit the rev limiter crikey moses i am going to die smack" then go buy an FPV, a Porsche, whatever. I think the new Focus has some serious hidden potential, the new engine sounds pretty damn good. I say we all just stop speculating, wait for Wheels to drive the new car and fully review/compare it and then drive it ourselves.

The days of the MkI vs MkII Escort rivalry are back! Never thought I'd say this but MkI is old skool now, and my baby's going to stay old skool. MkII will be better where MkI is not up to it, but just like any old vs new, each car has it's strengths and charms. What remains to be seen is the overall car. I'm pretty sure I'll run rings around the MkII boys, but that's because I am slightly modded on sticky tyres. Either way, I doubt any manufacturer would take a backward step so we can all rest assured that this Focus is better in many many ways. Better than the current Focus? Must be pretty bloody good already then!!!!!!!

[Timmeh]

I think this topic is straying a bit from what we were just talking about - the potential success of the new Focus in Australia.

I am not sure exactly what 'zetec' is going on about, but I am looking at the criticisms of the current car, and looking at the new car, plus what its rivals will be, how they perform and compare, and considering how the marketplace is going to react to the vehicle. These are what is going to decide if the Focus sells or not.

Noone here is pretending the Focus is a performance car, so the aforementioned argument seems a little redundant.

Tim

Originally Posted by zetec

You want the old "This car isn't very fa...aaaaarkin hell this things flies oh my god holy crap it's still going when will i hit the rev limiter crikey moses i am going to die smack"

You're a funny bastard, zetec, hahaha, best thing I've heard all day!

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Timmeh

I think this topic is straying a bit from what we were just talking about - the potential success of the new Focus in Australia.

I am not sure exactly what 'zetec' is going on about, but I am looking at the criticisms of the current car, and looking at the new car, plus what its rivals will be, how they perform and compare, and considering how the marketplace is going to react to the vehicle. These are what is going to decide if the Focus sells or not.

Noone here is pretending the Focus is a performance car, so the aforementioned argument seems a little redundant.

Tim

So am I tim, so am I. It's just to early to tell, because we don't have the official Australian weights published, so let's wait until they are and then we're giving it a fair shot. I highly doubt it'll be a dog given what happened last time so I'm hoping I'm right. I'll hopefully get a drive and let you all know in due course how it is and how it compares. I've done 50,000km in my car and I should be able to compare to the Zetec which being the strongest of the lesser Foci, should be a good comparison base. 107kw probably would beat the current 1.8, even if it was 100kg heavier. I don't know.

All I know is I want an ST...

[Timmeh]

Originally Posted by zetec

107kw probably would beat the current 1.8, even if it was 100kg heavier.

You're still not listening to what I am saying.

How the Focus compares to the old one is irrelevant, it's how the Focus compares to it's competitors that matters - and when we went car shopping to replace our Laser, it's immediately apparent there are alot more powerful and attractive cars out there like the Mazda 3 - and that is what the new Focus needs to compare to, not the old Focus.

Tim

[Teki04]

I agree with Tim... the Focus is up with some very good competitors. Just look, the Mazda 3 last month sold more cars then even the Corolla, and came 3rd in the sales (with 2781), just behind the holden commodore (4225) and ford falcon (3514). Thats a big thing, for a small car to be selling more then even the Camry. The focus has some serious competitors which arent going to give up. Even the Citroen C4 is coming out (dont knock it... it looks like the old CRX), and given the Mazda3's strengths, the Focus is going to have to try hard.

I think one of the main factors, is pricing, and the key that the old focus suffered from, Marketing. Customers really dont care if the car won European awards... they want a car that handles well, drives well, and is safe on the Australian Roads.

Looks like Ford got the marketing right the second time with the Fiesta, as the new adds about the car being Small Car of the Year with NRMA is much better then some weirdo german engineering commercial with guys in white suits. Hence the fiesta sold a record 484 fiestas last month. So, lets hope the Focus gets good reviews here, and good marketing. Key is quality as well, and hopefully Ford Aust hasnt made a mistake with sourcing cars from South Africa... as the interior pics look like top quality... lets just hope it doesnt fall to pieces. The 1.6L golf's (4th gen) had the same problem...

[whippet_zetec]

Originally Posted by Teki04

I think one of the main factors, is pricing, and the key that the old focus suffered from, Marketing. Customers really dont care if the car won European awards... they want a car that handles well, drives well, and is safe on the Australian Roads.

...

I bought a Focus based on its reputation from Europe, the Focus handles like a dream, drives spectacularly, is safer than most other cars out there its size....the Focus' drawback was the power output, people want more power to play with simple as that, and thats why Focus sufferred (not discounting the unfavourable reviews it got because of its power sufferance)

[zetec]

I'm about to drive one next Monday. There'll be the proof, will be quite interesting.

[MAGPIE]

Performance/Fuel Economy stats from New Focus Brochure

[MAGPIE]

The 2.0L TDCi looks like the pick of the bunch to me.

[zetec]

340nm... shame that's the European brochure mate :(

HOLY CRAP a 1.4 litre engine in a Focus.... have they no shame?!! God help us when fuel gets that expensive....

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by zetec

340nm... shame that's the European brochure mate :(

As opposed to what ? :

Why is it a shame ? :

[Timmeh]

As opposed to the petrol engines which we will likely only get here, I hope they bring the turbo diesel which pumps out 340NM torque (just less than a BA XR6 with alot less weight).

I'd buy one! Maybe

Tim

[Mick K.]

Well VW estimated 7% of Aussie Golf customers would go for the diesel, and so far it has been 30%! Holden are considering (have locally tested I think) the new Astra 1.9CDTi.

Last time I was at Sunshine Ford on the Gold Coast (Dec/Jan) I saw a Fiesta with a "TDCi" badge. I said "Whoa - can I have a drive of this" and the dealer said "We're closed and they put the wrong badge put on the car, rather than actually being a diesel."

So, with a few small diesels on the market, there is probably a slim chance of a TDCi Focus being sold here - better than previously anyway IMHO. With diesel for some reason currently priced higher than 98RON, and diesel cars typically a grand or two higher than their petrol equivalents, you'd buy a diesel for the way it drives rather than the cost savings - which don't pan out for about 6 years.

MK

just saw the new focus in the flesh as they are on display at the clipsal 500 v8 meet in adelaide this weekend. gotta say im not a huge fan of the styling now ive seen it in the flesh. they look like a nice car but doesn't suit me at all. i wouldve taken pics but didn't have a camera.