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The 2011 Ford Focus!
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imitchellg5
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Jan 11, 2010, 01:26 PM
 
What a nice looking car this is. I'm so glad that the US Focus and rest of the world Focus are now one and the same. I find a turbodiesel estate version very nice.

Link.
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 01:29 PM
 
Ooo. I like the red hatchback. I'd get it green, but I like the look.

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imitchellg5  (op)
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Jan 11, 2010, 01:32 PM
 
Yes, it's quite a good looking car for sure. I wonder how much it'll cost.
     
Sealobo
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:16 PM
 
The Focus RS is the ONLY american car that i see from time to time on this side of the planet.
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:21 PM
 
Ford is the only American automobile manufacturer that I'm aware of that makes a car for the British & European markets. All the other companies rebrand cars from who-knows-where. Chrysler's cars are from China, the kind that can't be imported into the U.S. because they fail safety tests. Since Ford actually diversifies their portfolio, they were the only American car manufacturer that didn't need bailout money.

Ford is also the only modern American car company that ever gets good marks on Top Gear. The Mondeo and Focus in particular.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
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Sealobo
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:35 PM
 
About 10 years ago Cadillac tried to enter the Hongkong market. I got a brochure from the mail. But... nobody was really interested.
     
nonhuman
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:39 PM
 
I seem to recall Buicks being fairly popular in Beijing... Never really made much sense to me though.
     
Sealobo
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
I seem to recall Buicks being fairly popular in Beijing... Never really made much sense to me though.
it's a 50/50 JV with chinese capital.

apparently tiger woods could sell. but... maybe not anymore.
     
Laminar
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Jan 11, 2010, 02:59 PM
 
Close.

This week in Detroit, Ford is unwrapping an all-new Focus for the 2012 model year.
     
The Final Dakar
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:01 PM
 
God damn that convoluted shit.
     
Art Vandelay
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:10 PM
 
Vandelay Industries
     
analogue SPRINKLES
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:14 PM
 
Nice euo-style outside. Not sure I like the inside though, the dash is cluttered and glossy black. Seats are cool though.

Isn't the whole thing powered by MS technology though?

I like the clean inside of this new VW better:
( Last edited by analogue SPRINKLES; Jan 11, 2010 at 03:37 PM. )
     
nonhuman
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES View Post
Nice euo-style outside. Not sure I like the inside though, the dash is cluttered and glossy black. Seats are cool though.

Isn't the whole thing powered by MS technology though?
Microsoft has patented the internal combustion engine?!?
     
cjrivera
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:23 PM
 
Very nice.
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Doofy
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:37 PM
 
Utter poop. You should all go out and buy Corvettes before your wedding tackle shrivels up and drops off.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
The Final Dakar
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:50 PM
 
There's a comment we didn't see coming.
     
imitchellg5  (op)
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Jan 11, 2010, 03:59 PM
 
Originally Posted by Sealobo View Post
The Focus RS is the ONLY american car that i see from time to time on this side of the planet.
The Focus RS isn't really American at all... build in Germany. Wish we had it here.
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:08 PM
 
Crap. I forgot that it uses Microsoft Sync. Just what I need, a car that can get infected with a virus. Can I not get Sync?

Also, they're using an LCD panel for their dash. Not only will it be distracting at night, but it will hard to read in direct sunlight and completely, 100% useless when the backlight goes out.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
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cjrivera
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:17 PM
 
Actually, I have the MS Sync system in my car, and it works great. For all the jokes I make about MS and how terrible they are, this is one product they seemed to have got right.

Can't comment on the LCD for the main dash, but I haven't had any problems reading the Sync LCD screen, even in bright sunlight.
"It's weird the way 'finger puppets' sounds ok as a noun..."
     
downinflames68
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:23 PM
 
Read about this last night. Pretty exciting news, due to a few things:

1. All electric option.
2. 6 spd manual or 6spd manual that is automatically controlled, NO TORQUE CONVERTERS AVAILABLE. Yes.
3. 40mpg
4. Tons of engine choices.
5. A fantastic interior and exterior.

However, I am worried about one thing: I have not seen a euro ford that comes to America without the american version getting all ****ed up on the way over. It's like Ford designers are pressed to take something clean and slightly aggressive, and turn it into something bland and boring.
     
Art Vandelay
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by downinflames68 View Post
However, I am worried about one thing: I have not seen a euro ford that comes to America without the american version getting all ****ed up on the way over. It's like Ford designers are pressed to take something clean and slightly aggressive, and turn it into something bland and boring.
What was unveiled today is the American, European and Asian market Focus. They are no longer developing separate iterations for each market.
Vandelay Industries
     
downinflames68
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:50 PM
 
They said that about the Fiesta too. However, they still changed it.

Euro:


Domestic:
     
imitchellg5  (op)
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:51 PM
 
Well they said that they weren't doing that for the Fiesta. But their are differences, which is what Rob meant. But in the case of the Fiesta, changes had to be made for US pedestrian impact requirements, hence the different front end. I'd assume that since this Focus is being shown in the US that it's exactly what'll be on showroom floors.
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 04:58 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
But their there are differences, which is what Rob meant.
*twitch*
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
Face Ache
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Jan 11, 2010, 05:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
But in the case of the Fiesta, changes had to be made for US pedestrian impact requirements, hence the different front end.
Yeah, due to the size/weight of the average US pedestrian, they had reinforce the front end of the US Fiesta.
     
nonhuman
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Jan 11, 2010, 05:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by Face Ache View Post
Yeah, due to the size/weight of the average US pedestrian, they had reinforce the front end of the US Fiesta.
     
Art Vandelay
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Jan 11, 2010, 05:28 PM
 
They said there would only be minimal changes to the Fiesta for the NA version. The Fiesta wasn't designed originally for sale in NA because it wasn't intended to ever be sold here.

The Focus was designed from the beginning to be a truly world car.
Vandelay Industries
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 05:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by Face Ache View Post
Yeah, due to the size/weight of the average US pedestrian, they had reinforce the front end of the US Fiesta.
Gives new meaning to the phrase cowcatcher.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
Spheric Harlot
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Jan 11, 2010, 05:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
Ford is the only American automobile manufacturer that I'm aware of that makes a car for the British & European markets.
*cough* Opel *cough*
     
olePigeon
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:02 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
*cough* Opel *cough*
Oh, right. Forgot about Opel/Vauxhall. Probably so do most people.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
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paul w
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
*cough* Opel *cough*
I keep forgetting they're American owned. Are Opels even sold in the US??
     
downinflames68
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by Face Ache View Post
Yeah, due to the size/weight of the average US pedestrian, they had reinforce the front end of the US Fiesta.
WRONG.

That is the reason they stated, yes. But look at the pictures again:

Euro:


Domestic:


There is no change to the overall shape, or the materials. The lower bumper opening was changed from something dynamic and attractive, to something boring and generic looking. That has NOTHING to do with pedestrian safety. Same goes for the attractive foglights to the gaudy chrome crap. And the ugly 3 bar grille.

This was PURELY Detroit Ford trying to "leave their mark" on the car, because it justifies their own jobs. The car looked fine. Yes, they had to crash test it, but NONE of the differences result in a safer car for hitting pedestrians. You people repeating that phrase without actually thinking about it at all are kind of part of the problem. You blindly swallow whatever crap the PR department gives you, without questioning in even the slightest amount.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:51 PM
 
Originally Posted by paul w View Post
I keep forgetting they're American owned. Are Opels even sold in the US??
From what I gathered in the political cluster**** that was the attempted sale of Opel, Opel is pretty much the entire R&D department of GM.

Most of the patents on new technology come from here, and the product offerings that will be the last-ditch attempt at saving GM will pretty much be Opels.

Whyever the **** they even *considered* selling Opel is completely beyond me. That's like Leia shutting down R2 at the beginning of A New Hope and gutting him for parts to sell.
     
scottiB
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:54 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
I find a turbodiesel estate version very nice.
Me, too, but I doubt Ford'll bring a wagon back to the States. We'll have to make due with a Grand C-Max. My wife and I have a Focus wagon, and it's a good size for us.
     
pghmyn
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Jan 11, 2010, 06:58 PM
 
The focus is a nice looking car, but think about the Mazda3 series. That is what I am saving up for at the moment.
     
scottiB
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Jan 11, 2010, 07:01 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Most of the patents on new technology come from here, and the product offerings that will be the last-ditch attempt at saving GM will pretty much be Opels.
Yes: 2011 Buick Regal--Opel Insignia.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Jan 11, 2010, 07:03 PM
 
Mazda3 = huge smiley face
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Face Ache
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Jan 11, 2010, 07:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by downinflames68 View Post
You blindly swallow whatever crap the PR department gives you, without questioning in even the slightest amount.
Failed to notice the joke? Taken your meds today?
     
imitchellg5  (op)
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Jan 11, 2010, 07:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by downinflames68 View Post
WRONG.

That is the reason they stated, yes. But look at the pictures again:

Euro:


Domestic:


There is no change to the overall shape, or the materials. The lower bumper opening was changed from something dynamic and attractive, to something boring and generic looking. That has NOTHING to do with pedestrian safety. Same goes for the attractive foglights to the gaudy chrome crap. And the ugly 3 bar grille.

This was PURELY Detroit Ford trying to "leave their mark" on the car, because it justifies their own jobs. The car looked fine. Yes, they had to crash test it, but NONE of the differences result in a safer car for hitting pedestrians. You people repeating that phrase without actually thinking about it at all are kind of part of the problem. You blindly swallow whatever crap the PR department gives you, without questioning in even the slightest amount.
Actually, if you look at those pictures you'll notice a difference in the placement of the bumper. For pedestrian safety. If you think it's all PR department, Car & Driver mentioned the aesthetic changes that would occur for the American market due to safety standards for the Fiesta in their first drive (it's in an older issue).
     
Railroader
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Jan 11, 2010, 07:26 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
From what I gathered in the political cluster**** that was the attempted sale of Opel, Opel is pretty much the entire R&D department of GM.

Most of the patents on new technology come from here, and the product offerings that will be the last-ditch attempt at saving GM will pretty much be Opels.

Whyever the **** they even *considered* selling Opel is completely beyond me. That's like Leia shutting down R2 at the beginning of A New Hope and gutting him for parts to sell.
This is false. GM has a VERY large experimental research and development facility in Warren, MI. All of the engineering that was in Flint, MI was moved to Warren about 10 years. The volt was developed in at the Warren Powertrain facility.

Back in 1998 when I was asked to transfer to Warren I toured the facility. It was HUGE and very modern. I decided I didn't want to transfer because I didn't like the commute, and I liked living where I was. They were doing some pretty cool stuff, but I just didn't want the headache of moving. I ended up switching skilled trades to become a machine repair maintenance machinist.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Jan 11, 2010, 08:08 PM
 
Edit:

Nevermind. I was thinking of the EV1, not the Volt.

Brainfart.

Must. Go. Bed.
( Last edited by Spheric Harlot; Jan 11, 2010 at 08:36 PM. )
     
Railroader
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Jan 11, 2010, 09:35 PM
 
I am not hammer the point, but I did find this interesting. Google has censored the satellite map of the GM Tech. Center.
     
   
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