But, I LIKE what they did to the 2005. Cleaned it up a little outside and (thankfully) put a whole new Dash inside the thing. I just couldn't handle those zig zag lines all over the dash in it. Didn't like the 96 Taurus interior either with the freakin' ovals. TOo old and conservative, I guess. What do you want from a refugee from Oldsmobile....huh?
nah, I don't like the new look of the Focus. I wish they had just kept the same style (inside and out) and just improved the quality of the materials used for the interior. I like the "new" duratech being used rather than the zetec.
The new interior, while being nicer made, looks sooo "rental car" bland to me.
True, but it's coined "Duratec" to give it a family to adhere to. In Europe, there's the 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.3 Duratec 4 cylinder's. Where as here in the US, we have grown accustomed to relating Duratec, to the 2.5, 3.0, 3.5L V6's.
Not to be confused with Dura-torq, which is their transmission family.
Just how the 4.6, 5.4, 6.8L V8/10 are, are grouped in the "Triton" modular engine family. And in DOHC Lincolnized form, "Intech".
Speaking of, new Focus concept released in China's Auto Show today....
ANT...you might think i'm crazy but that car doesn't look like a focus to me? it looks a little to big...now i'm going to take a crazy guess that china's "FOCUS CONCEPT" is actually a Futura with Focus printed on it...
is it possible that they can release the Futura in China under the name Focus?
am i crazy to think that the Focus has yet to be redesigned and they were just hoping people would think it was a focus not futura?
No actually that does make sense, I understand where your going with it, but unfortunately, no this isn't that case.
The picture you saw from the China Auto Show, IS that of the next generation Focus. If you notice, the hood has a crease on the edge, as that of the Volvo S40 actually. And the rear lights, and how they taper upwards on the corner side, are very much what you might find in the Futura. The Futura will also have headlights, in sort of the similar shape you are seeing on that picture. But that is the next Focus....
Here's a spy pic though, which they did a good job on hiding the hood crease, and some other aspects. But it's of the next generation (world) Focus.
The Focus almost was just going to be the next generation Escort. Ford dealers wanted to keep the name. Ford ended up keeping the Escort to appease them, but then the 4 doors were fleet only for 3 years, 2000-02.
The Ka would require some reinvesting for it to be certified for american roads. Mainly the bumper's need reinforcing, and ther frontal structure as well.
As for Fiesta, Ford is analyzing positioning a smaller vehicle under the Focus to compete with the cheap Korean entries, and the Toy Echo, etc. Honda has also announced introducing a vehicle under the Civic.
Now as to it being a Fusion or Fiesta, is still being worked out. Cross your finger's because Padilla is NOT a risk taker and has cancelled plans to introduce certain vehicles here.
why don't they take the new european focus and bring it to america? it is a better looking car and it matches the futura and five-hundred...it would seem more reasonable to have 3 cars that look similar to each other...the american focus is going to look like a step child next to the futura and five-hundred...
why not bring the fusion over here? or steal the sylin' ques' like the slanted lights and a strong edge below the window and throw them on the escape?
ANT...where do you get all your insider information?
The Euro Focus doesn't differ that much from the current NA Focus. I see so many articles of automotive journalist whining about wanting the Euro Focus, but ideally, why is it so ? They have really no idea what the differences are, and are just craving for it here in the US because it's "the next newest thing".
So let me tell you a secret... the only difference between Euro and NA Foci's are there's a few more structural elements implemented in the frontal sub-structure. More about reinforcement, than anything. And a stronger steel on a small part of the "B" Pillar, and That's it !!
Now, considering the bad launch of the Focus the first time around. The higher up's thought it would be better NOT to make the same mistake again. And considering how reliable (throughout the years), the Focus has become (specially by one automotive source I totally dislike and find to be biased and badly structured). So in other words, if it's not broken, don't fix it.
Although this year much has been done to improve the Focus, and further improve it over the added improvements made throughout the years. So at the risk of not messing up another launch, on a vehicle that doesn't gain Ford much profit, just better to leave it as it is, and spend any investment on improving the vehicle, than just introducing another.
Focus production will be consolidated to one assembly plant, Wayne. Then Hermosillo Mexico will get Futura (whatever it's finally named).
Now, on the Fusion... there were plans to bring it over from Brazil (Fusion, Ecosport, etc). BUT one of the higher ups killed that idea. I believe it was Padilla although I don't remember, it's best if I don't remember though... I'll probably do some Voodoo curse against the person who did...
Anyhow, too much going on at the time, and too many vehicles being introduced when that decision came. Plus the Brazil plant isn't know for the best of quality. AND sales there of the Ecosport have been rather good considering the economy.
Well that was a bit over a year ago... but "GASP", Honda has publically stated they are thinking of bringing smaller car under the Civic, since it has grown (so has the price). And it's really the same situation with the Focus.. GM introduced their nasty Aveo (Daewoo), and NOW Ford is rethinking the Fiesta.... My my, how times change...
If your not a leader, your a follower. So I personally believe this is something that should have been dealt with, when the idea first came up. The Fiesta itself is quite good overall for a "B" class car. The quality, materials, performance, drivability make it a good overall hit in Europe, and it's one of the top selling vehicles in it's segment.
So given this info, they are "thinking" about it. Let's hope that when the idea is executed, it doesn't arrive here 5 years from now.
Oh yes, and how does all this tie into the Futura, so it doesn't look like we went off topic... Well the look of the Focus this year, has the same Euro flavor that Fututa will have. Although this new Focus introduced in China, which the world market will get, looks MUCH more like the Futura sedan, and being the grill is similar to that of the new 500, it'll fit in perfectly.
Side note: Buyer's of regular brands don't really look for much of a family resemblance between vehicles. Whereas buyer's of luxury makes DO like to see a major family resemblance. It works great for MB and BMW (Before Chris Bangle Bastardized the designs)...Mainly the thinking is, if these people buy a C-class for example, they want a somewhat similar look to the S-class, while paying much less.
With regular brands, you might have somewhat familiar grills (Escape, Expy, Explorer), but that's pretty much about all they stick to. Entry brand buyer's are looking for more styling difference, therefore manufacturer's designer's can go pretty creative (Mustang/Tbird/Cougar)...but within reason (NOT Aztek).
Is it me, or has anyone noticed that a few of the new Fords have names that were used during the 1970's? I understand that there are some new offerings for 2005 with names like the Mercury Montego, Ford Futura, and Ford 500. I distinctively remember these names when I was a kid. The only exception is the "Galaxy 500." The cars can be seen at the edmunds.com site under Future Cars.
Anyone know of any other car badges that have been resurrected by Ford? by other car makers?
I'm also surprised Bill didn't buy the name back. I'm sure it has a "price".... I mean, it's a tire, but when it comes to tires, I don't there's a ton of equity in that brand. I don't know anybody who buys a car, and can't wait to get a set of "Futuras from Pep Boys" on it, do you?
The Focus still have very small outside mirrors. The Mazda3, and Europe Focus, both have larger mirrors.
While most people just doesn't care about that, for many people (me included) it's a big turn off. I rented so many times the Focus, and always hoped that on 2005, one of the major upgrades would be new enlarged mirrors. Especially that the Focus has a lot of wind noise, so redesigning the mirrors could probably help.
I just hope the new Futura (or whatever it's called) will be better. The 500 seems to have sufficient mirrors.
I do like the new outside of the Focus, it's much more cleaner than the previous gen; but the inside, although it's more clean, the boxy climate vents design is dated. that would be nice 15 years ago. Not for now. Why don't they copy the rounded vents from the F-150 or Expedition?
Styling reasons, all depends on the flavor of the designer's at this time. What's ironic, watch how that Freestyle has circular A/C register's.... that gives you a clue they were aiming it as a SUV's, moreso than a passenger car.
I just ran across something about Mr. Bangle and was thinking the same thing. While catching up on the Futura posts, blam,(ant14 you took the words right out of my mouth) yep not a good idea to loose that BMW image. Not sure if he had anything to do with that menu driven dashboard nightmare? I'm sure the Futura won't get that far off course, bang for the buck drivers car???? Paul
Why not just buy the name back? I don't know anybody that "can't wait to run down to Pep Boys and get a set of Futuras!!!" Some of them might say "I can't wait to order a set of Pirellis" but that's another case.
Buying it back can get pricey, and really... do you want to be associated with bargain basement tires? That's like naming a vehicle "The Ford Wal-mart !" So instead of all the hassle, there's other names to choose from, that start with "F".
Star... so it goes with the Aerostar, and Windstar tradition. Free... Well, Fire ? Form ? Firm ? Fig ? Had to go with a name that was "Windy, FREE flowing" Like Aero, and Wind... Hence, FREE.
Free? The sad thing is that Ford no doubt put a lot of time and money into Freestar, and that is the best they could come up with? What's it supposed to mean? That it is what the name cost Ford? I doubt it.
Dumb name. Just dumb....
And it all goes back to that silly F "rule" ...
It's time for it to go. Be bold! Name the VFKAF (vehicle formerly known as Futura) something that starts with one of the other 25 letters of the alphabet! It won't hurt. After all, the Model T was NOT the Model F!
I have to tell you I was actually impressed by the ford futura. My fathers been working on it for about a year now at the Dearborn Engineering center for ford. It looks like it IS going to have the 3.5L duratec engine in it. It was still in camoflauge so you couldn't fully tell what it was, but it has the same front end as the 427 and they shortened up the trunk considerably and pushed it into the 2nd row slightly. The interior didn't really impress me since its almost exactly the same as the 500's but a little more sport. I'll have the pictures I took up with a link in a day or two I just need to find a site that I can put them on. I think you'll enjoy these pictures. One other note I'll be posting some Mazda 6 pictures the engine inside the mazda 6 (it isnt the original mazda 6 engine ) is the Futuras 3.5L duratec.
No way would that happen. Target would sue to stop that in a heartbeat. And would almost certainly win. Somehow, I think Bill Ford has tired over lawsuits about names....
Besides, on today's highways, who wants to be in a Target???
That wouldn't be my first choice. I'd still go with Fairlane or Falcon. Even Fairmount sounds better than Fusion, although that one is handicapped by the generally bad memories that most people have regarding cars from the late 1970s.
How about instead of Fairlane, calling it Fastlane? I suppose that might attract to much attraction from the police, especially if the drivers tried to make the car live up to it's name.
Ever notice how the Civic coupe's rear brake lights, turn onto the corner and run diagonally downward on the rear quarter panel...just as Mercedes does ??
These headlights on the Fusion give me a certain Deja Vu that's just hard to place.
Comments
The new interior, while being nicer made, looks sooo "rental car" bland to me.
Not to be confused with Dura-torq, which is their transmission family.
Just how the 4.6, 5.4, 6.8L V8/10 are, are grouped in the "Triton" modular engine family. And in DOHC Lincolnized form, "Intech".
Speaking of, new Focus concept released in China's Auto Show today....
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=04571986
Source: Autoweek.com
is it possible that they can release the Futura in China under the name Focus?
am i crazy to think that the Focus has yet to be redesigned and they were just hoping people would think it was a focus not futura?
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/2003- /newyork/ford.futura.f34.500.jpg
PS: that is one beautiful focus i must say
The picture you saw from the China Auto Show, IS that of the next generation Focus. If you notice, the hood has a crease on the edge, as that of the Volvo S40 actually. And the rear lights, and how they taper upwards on the corner side, are very much what you might find in the Futura. The Futura will also have headlights, in sort of the similar shape you are seeing on that picture. But that is the next Focus....
Here's a spy pic though, which they did a good job on hiding the hood crease, and some other aspects. But it's of the next generation (world) Focus.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_24/car_portal_pi- c_12052.jpg?7106
Source: Autoexpress
Although the Futura will have a similar style to it, specially the rear light, front headlights, and slab siding.
The Focus almost was just going to be the next generation Escort. Ford dealers wanted to keep the name. Ford ended up keeping the Escort to appease them, but then the 4 doors were fleet only for 3 years, 2000-02.
I'd rather they sell the new Feista here than the Ka. Better car.
As for Fiesta, Ford is analyzing positioning a smaller vehicle under the Focus to compete with the cheap Korean entries, and the Toy Echo, etc. Honda has also announced introducing a vehicle under the Civic.
Now as to it being a Fusion or Fiesta, is still being worked out. Cross your finger's because Padilla is NOT a risk taker and has cancelled plans to introduce certain vehicles here.
why don't they take the new european focus and bring it to america? it is a better looking car and it matches the futura and five-hundred...it would seem more reasonable to have 3 cars that look similar to each other...the american focus is going to look like a step child next to the futura and five-hundred...
why not bring the fusion over here? or steal the sylin' ques' like the slanted lights and a strong edge below the window and throw them on the escape?
ANT...where do you get all your insider information?
No problem, ANT, anytime......
The Euro Focus doesn't differ that much from the current NA Focus. I see so many articles of automotive journalist whining about wanting the Euro Focus, but ideally, why is it so ? They have really no idea what the differences are, and are just craving for it here in the US because it's "the next newest thing".
So let me tell you a secret... the only difference between Euro and NA Foci's are there's a few more structural elements implemented in the frontal sub-structure. More about reinforcement, than anything. And a stronger steel on a small part of the "B" Pillar, and That's it !!
Now, considering the bad launch of the Focus the first time around. The higher up's thought it would be better NOT to make the same mistake again. And considering how reliable (throughout the years), the Focus has become (specially by one automotive source I totally dislike and find to be biased and badly structured). So in other words, if it's not broken, don't fix it.
Although this year much has been done to improve the Focus, and further improve it over the added improvements made throughout the years. So at the risk of not messing up another launch, on a vehicle that doesn't gain Ford much profit, just better to leave it as it is, and spend any investment on improving the vehicle, than just introducing another.
Focus production will be consolidated to one assembly plant, Wayne. Then Hermosillo Mexico will get Futura (whatever it's finally named).
Now, on the Fusion... there were plans to bring it over from Brazil (Fusion, Ecosport, etc). BUT one of the higher ups killed that idea. I believe it was Padilla although I don't remember, it's best if I don't remember though... I'll probably do some Voodoo curse against the person who did...
Anyhow, too much going on at the time, and too many vehicles being introduced when that decision came. Plus the Brazil plant isn't know for the best of quality. AND sales there of the Ecosport have been rather good considering the economy.
Well that was a bit over a year ago... but "GASP", Honda has publically stated they are thinking of bringing smaller car under the Civic, since it has grown (so has the price). And it's really the same situation with the Focus.. GM introduced their nasty Aveo (Daewoo), and NOW Ford is rethinking the Fiesta.... My my, how times change...
If your not a leader, your a follower. So I personally believe this is something that should have been dealt with, when the idea first came up. The Fiesta itself is quite good overall for a "B" class car. The quality, materials, performance, drivability make it a good overall hit in Europe, and it's one of the top selling vehicles in it's segment.
So given this info, they are "thinking" about it. Let's hope that when the idea is executed, it doesn't arrive here 5 years from now.
Oh yes, and how does all this tie into the Futura, so it doesn't look like we went off topic... Well the look of the Focus this year, has the same Euro flavor that Fututa will have. Although this new Focus introduced in China, which the world market will get, looks MUCH more like the Futura sedan, and being the grill is similar to that of the new 500, it'll fit in perfectly.
Side note: Buyer's of regular brands don't really look for much of a family resemblance between vehicles. Whereas buyer's of luxury makes DO like to see a major family resemblance. It works great for MB and BMW (Before Chris Bangle Bastardized the designs)...Mainly the thinking is, if these people buy a C-class for example, they want a somewhat similar look to the S-class, while paying much less.
With regular brands, you might have somewhat familiar grills (Escape, Expy, Explorer), but that's pretty much about all they stick to. Entry brand buyer's are looking for more styling difference, therefore manufacturer's designer's can go pretty creative (Mustang/Tbird/Cougar)...but within reason (NOT Aztek).
Mark
Anyone know of any other car badges that have been resurrected by Ford? by other car makers?
PathFindR
Hmmm. They could call the car formerly known as Futura the Corsair!
Then again, Ford probably lost the rights to that name, too; and it doesn't start with an F!
While most people just doesn't care about that, for many people (me included) it's a big turn off. I rented so many times the Focus, and always hoped that on 2005, one of the major upgrades would be new enlarged mirrors. Especially that the Focus has a lot of wind noise, so redesigning the mirrors could probably help.
I just hope the new Futura (or whatever it's called) will be better. The 500 seems to have sufficient mirrors.
I do like the new outside of the Focus, it's much more cleaner than the previous gen; but the inside, although it's more clean, the boxy climate vents design is dated. that would be nice 15 years ago. Not for now. Why don't they copy the rounded vents from the F-150 or Expedition?
Paul
Free? The sad thing is that Ford no doubt put a lot of time and money into Freestar, and that is the best they could come up with? What's it supposed to mean? That it is what the name cost Ford? I doubt it.
Dumb name. Just dumb....
And it all goes back to that silly F "rule" ...
It's time for it to go. Be bold! Name the VFKAF (vehicle formerly known as Futura) something that starts with one of the other 25 letters of the alphabet! It won't hurt. After all, the Model T was NOT the Model F!
.......
......
Ford Freehold 500.
Besides, on today's highways, who wants to be in a Target???
I could also accept Falcon, though I am old enough to remember the econobox Falcon of the 60's, which was an OK car but not particularly inspiring.
Fairmont just leaves me cold. It would be a big mistake to name it after a car that was innocuous, anonymous and pretty cheaply designed.
Fusion sounds good and is a bit more cutting edge sounding. I like it.
If only they would carry on the Taurus name, but I guess F is the only starting letter allowed unless it's a Mustang or a T-bird.
How about instead of Fairlane, calling it Fastlane? I suppose that might attract to much attraction from the police, especially if the drivers tried to make the car live up to it's name.
Ford could call it the Ferris...as in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Just imagine the ad campaign...escape for the day in your new Ford Ferris!
The obsession with alliteration is reaching the point of diminishing returns, IMO.
These headlights on the Fusion give me a certain Deja Vu that's just hard to place.
http://www.ford.co.uk/spg/images/SPG_3_28_0_319.jpg
The headlights look like a Mountaineer to me..