2014 Ford Focus: Three Cylinders (US), Style Updates (US/EU/ETC)

  • Thread starter YSSMAN
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blaaah
From Autoexpress:
"...power comes from a 28kWh lithium-ion battery stack manufactured by LG, which also makes the cells for the Chevrolet Volt. This drives a 74bhp electric motor..."
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To quote Autoblog:
The Focus Electric is powered by 100-kilowatt electric motor with a 23-kWh battery, capable of producing 123 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque at its peak. Ford says its EV can reach a top speed of 84 miles per hour, and while the official range hasn't been disclosed just yet, we're told it should be able to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge (just like the Leaf).
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From Jalopnik:
Power for the stylish (oh, yes, it's absolutely better looking than its competitors — unless you've got a thing for eggs) Focus comes by way of a permanent magnetic electric traction motor that provides 123 HP and 181 lb/ft of torque that sucks its will to live from an LG Chem-supplied Lithium-ion battery cell pack. Although we've no idea what the fuel economy / drive range will look like as Ford's still awaiting EPA estimates, we're told the "Focus Electric will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles." So, basically, they're claiming it'll kick its ass.
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So, it's 123 BHP. I'll adjust that above.
 
-> On contrary to the new Focus Electric:

Jay_Leno_Electric_Focus_1.jpg


^ This Jay Leno Show last gen gen prototype is more appealing (paint job aside) compared to the bland "wannabe Aston" Focus Electric. And this Orange Foci is an ST model that was converted into an EV powered electro-hatch.

-> But I would take this than the over-glorified, over-hyped, overly-stupid, Chevy Volt. :indiff:

EDT-> It DOES look like an Aston!

4087e_2007-AstonMartin-DB9-001.jpg


:boggled:
 
Basing it on the same platform as the gas/diesel model saves money and will likely allow them to under-price the Leaf... maybe... possibly.

Performance probably will trail the Leaf because it's not a purpose-built electric, but they could surprise us.
 
Ya know, I think I saw a commercial for this today and mostly ignored it. It does have an Aston grille. No denying that much. :lol:
 
YSSMAN
62-2012-ford-focus-electric-opt.jpg
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Nice as it was for them to employ Daniel from Ugly Betty to come and plug it in, why have Ford presented it in such a dull colour? Do they not want people to buy the thing? Spray it lime green, throw on a set of alloys that weren't found lurking in the back of the stock cupboard, THEN take some pretty pictures.

And yes I'm sure it'll be lovely. That charging time in particular is a big bonus, though if it's only with Ford's own fancy charger it won't be quite so fun. And I'm not impressed that we don't get it until a year and a bit after the US. Boo.
 
Eric.
Ya know, I think I saw a commercial for this today and mostly ignored it. It does have an Aston grille. No denying that much. :lol:
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but the Aston grille makes it look like a catfish in this case.
 
I'm looking at the new FOCUS ad is AW and it's sort of irritating.
I know that listing optional features or making them the center of an ad is no new thing and everyone does it, however, ford seems to have forgotten what standard features are.
There's a picture of a FOCUS with a swoosh underneath it listing a few features. First is Torque Vectoring Control, then we have the 6spd auto trans, Control blade rear suspension and finally the last point stating all these are class exclusive standard performance features. Only problem is, that the 6SPD isn't standard and they even tell you so, in tiny text on the bottom of the page which you don't read til after the text telling you the 6spd is standard.
 
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I'd like to see what the US-spec car looks like without the license plate in the front grille. Aside from that, no major surprises here. It pretty much follows the concept as it were.
 
Oh the new one looks so much better, not to mention that interior:

car_photo_462589_25.jpg


The recaro couches appear to be thick and comfortable, but supportive and the stitching looks absolutely fantastic:
car_photo_462592_25.jpg


If it is as good to drive as it is to look at, then I'm sold. Better start saving.

EDIT: It's a shame not everyone will have the wagon, though.
 
I like the look of both the Wagon and the hatchback, I'm really liking the look of this car, hopefully by the time I'm out of school I'll have enough money to buy one of these things used.
 
That dashboard is a bloody mess! How the hell is the driver supposed to be able to do anything without taking his/her eyes off the road for a month?
 
peter_vod69
That dashboard is a bloody mess! How the hell is the driver supposed to be able to do anything without taking his/her eyes off the road for a month?
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Doesn't look bad to me, tach, speedo, fuel, oil temp. Looks like a good blend of form and function in my opinion.
 
It isn't bad to me either, pretty straightforward gauges with trip computer in the middle, the top stack of the center console hosts the infotainment system controls and the lower stack has the HVAC controls. You can operate most of these stuff without taking your eyes of the road for much long.

I could do without the ST badging on the steering rim, though.
 
Dan_
I could do without the ST badging on the steering rim, though.
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That's pretty much the only part of the styling I don't like. I really like the exterior, and I think the interior looks nice as well. The ST on the steering wheel is a tad cheesy.
 
R1600Turbo
Maybe we'll send our old car your way and see how you like it. :P
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What a horrible thing to say :(

But yeah, I think this generation of Focus is probably an improved car overall, it's just the transformation into the ST that I'm not liking very much. Call me a chav but I think the last, luminous orange ST was actually quite a pretty car. They essentially took a handsome but not particularly interesting looking car and gave it a kick up the backside, which I think worked rather well. For this one they've taken an interesting looking but not particularly handsome car and kicked its front teeth in.
 
It's sad that they canned the turbocharged Volvo inline-5. The sound more than makes up for the extra fuel consumption :cool:

But I like the radical new design of the "global" Focus. Much improved over the dull 2nd gen (Euro) model. The only thing I don't like is the ST badging on the steering wheel. Looks a bit too cheap for my taste.
 
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The Vanishing Boy
^ Talk about the Focus being totally Global... :indiff:

...we dont get the wagon/estate/kombi here in the US. :(
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It takes a ton of money to bring a new model to market, the wagon would have to go through a huge series of tests dealing with safety and emissions. Not to mention the Wayne Assembly plant would have to be retooled to accommodate the wagon, which is expensive. It's not worth the hassle to bring the wagon to the US market right now since we have the hatchback that is pretty close to the same size. You'd probably get more cargo room in the wagon, but wagons don't sell terribly well in the US.

===

As for the ST, I really wish I could have waited to get a car, I'd love an ST hatchback right about now. My Focus is an excellent car all around, but I'd still like something more sporty. I am confident thae torque steer will be well controlled on the car and the handling will be pretty good judging judging how good the Titanium is with the sport suspension.

I will test drive one when the finally do start showing up on dealer's lots. If my current Focus gives me a positive experience I would be more than willing to pick up an ST when I ready for something new.

Oh and I really hope they sell the car here with the HID with LED accent headlight here in the states because I would be all about retro fitting it.
 
Jondot
But yeah, I think this generation of Focus is probably an improved car overall
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I've recently become aware that they've been released and driving around for quite some time now. I became aware of this fact as I pointed to a Hyundai i30 and remarked "Well at least Hyundai haven't gone the Kia route of making their whole range ugly... what the 🤬 ? Why does that have a Ford badge on it?".

Turns out I've been looking right through them thinking they're a dreary Korean hatchback. I've seen a few since then and they've caught me out almost every time - we now play "Hyundai or Focus?" when doing long trips. Utterly, utterly foul-looking car - although the rear clusters look like someone smashed a stingray on the rear three-quarter panel, which is nice.
 
Famine
I've recently become aware that they've been released and driving around for quite some time now. I became aware of this fact as I pointed to a Hyundai i30 and remarked "Well at least Hyundai haven't gone the Kia route of making their whole range ugly... what the 🤬 ? Why does that have a Ford badge on it?".

Turns out I've been looking right through them thinking they're a dreary Korean hatchback. I've seen a few since then and they've caught me out almost every time - we now play "Hyundai or Focus?" when doing long trips. Utterly, utterly foul-looking car - although the rear clusters look like someone smashed a stingray on the rear three-quarter panel, which is nice.
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I think the interior's a real improvement.

And the, exterior, well, that's just... ...mmmmmm.

But then I don't really like the way the Fiesta looks either. Or the Mondeo. Or the C Max. I could go on.
 
So...what's the Brushless/LiPo conversion cost? Because I want to beat my buddy's VXL Slash at the local track and....

oh.
 
MSRP Pricing announced for the incoming Focus ST:

$24,495

Got to say, that is indeed lower than I thought it would be. Definitely makes the Dart R/T look over priced now...

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/ford-prices-2013-focus-st-from-24-495/

Well now, the inexpensive performance game just got considerably more interesting. Ford has officially dropped pricing on its upcoming 2013 Focus ST, and it starts at $24,495 (*including a $795 delivery charge).
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Edit: Forgot to mention the configurator is now live, and Ford is giving a Go Pro HD Hero2 camera to everyone that purchases an ST. 👍

2013-ford-focus-st-628.jpg
 
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I swear the ST gets uglier every time I see a picture of it. Are they secretly making the grille bigger each time?
 

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