Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Focus

[nadepalma]

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/21/s...08-ford-focus/
Source: http://forums.focaljet.com/team-pit-...edan-pics.html

Spy Shots: 2008 Ford Focus

This is a pretty bad shot of a heavily camo'd 2008 Ford Focus taken with a camera phone. It's damn near impossible to see any changes, but we'd bet our last gallon of gas that there's a shiny three-bar chrome grille hiding under that covering. The 2008 MY Focus will likely see the last tweak before we (FINALLY) get a Focus based on the company's C1 platform around 2010. Until then Ford will graft the Fusion's three-bar grin onto the Focus and apparently refresh the rear, as well.

Rumor on the Focaljet forum where this and more pics were posted is that the Focus three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and possibly wagon will be deleted from the lineup next year. As far as we know that's just speculation, although it wouldn't surprise us if Ford trims down the number of Focus models being offered in the last couple of years before it's replaced. Perhaps if we're lucky part of Ford's accelerated Way Forward plan will be to sell the C1-based Focus here ahead of schedule.





Earlier Focus Spy Shots from a previous post:

[nadepalma]

These spy shots aren't exactly the best, but they do point to a few interesting things.

First is that it seems Ford will start to speed up the adoption fo the three-bar grille to just about everything they have (per the previously posted pic from forever ago that was referenced last in the above post) -- which Ford really needs to do to spice up their model line up. As far as I'm concerned, the Five Hundred needed this yesterday and the Focus, while attractive in a plain-Jane kinda way, needs to have a major update prior to the next generation coming out to keep it relevant in the market.

Secondly, the update might appear to be more exenstive that previously thought if these spy-pictures are at all accurate. The pics show that the sides are covered up and that there seem to be some kind of reworking of the flanks -- even the "body line" running below the door handles seems different and indented compared to the current model. Plus, even the C-pillars are covered which they don't typically do if it's just an average refresh cause the C-pillars are usually set and that's it. If the article from AutoBlog is to be believed than the new model won't debut til '10 -- in which case the current car needs a shot in the arm and some extensive sheetmetal reshaping to just stay competitive in the segment.

Also, the idea of dropping the other variants might have some merit to keep costs and complexity down, but I'd argue that it would be best to keep at least the 3 door hatcback around to compliment the sedan. I dont' see many wagons around so who knows if that variant sells well. I also don't see many 5 door versions around, but I do see plenty of sedans and 3-doors in my neck of the woods -- it would be best to keep those versions around, IMHO (unless of course, they plan on offering a true ZX2 coupe finally, but that's doubtful).

One could argue that they've already lost competitiveness altogether, but the Focus is still a solid piece if a bit drab. It would seem that Ford squandered the opportunity to keep the car relevant in the market place by letting it whither on the vine instead of continually updating it -- the update for '05 should have come in '03, etc. But hopefully they can do it justice til an all new model appears. Don't get me wrong, this is great for the Cobalt and I'm a GM man through and through, but I'd like to see Ford remain competitive in light of the foreign onslaught.

[ChevroletRevived]

I like the updates, but man, we really need the Euro Focus! It could compete really well. But, instead we get...rehashes. Ford almost always does this with their successful products.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

I like the updates, but man, we really need the Euro Focus! It could compete really well. But, instead we get...rehashes. Ford almost always does this with their successful products.

I wouldn't disagree with you, we need the MkII Focus HERE AND NOW, but it won't happen. You're right that Ford does this (and so does GM to another extent) with products like the Ranger and Taurus --- both were powerhouses that they let slip. The Taurus at least is pretty much gone and the Fusion seems to be doing well, but the Ranger is just getting really long in the tooth.

I'm also liking what I'm hearing/seeing about these updates as well -- I just hope they do it justice. The Focus was red hot there for awhile -- the first domestic small car in ages that really stood up to the competition and they just let it falter. Really a shame. I hope it doesn't get so bad that they have to cancel the nameplate and start fresh like GM did with the Cavalier.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

I wouldn't disagree with you, we need the MkII Focus HERE AND NOW, but it won't happen. You're right that Ford does this (and so does GM to another extent) with products like the Ranger and Taurus --- both were powerhouses that they let slip. The Taurus at least is pretty much gone and the Fusion seems to be doing well, but the Ranger is just getting really long in the tooth.

I'm also liking what I'm hearing/seeing about these updates as well -- I just hope they do it justice. The Focus was red hot there for awhile -- the first domestic small car in ages that really stood up to the competition and they just let it falter. Really a shame. I hope it doesn't get so bad that they have to cancel the nameplate and start fresh like GM did with the Cavalier.

Yeah, me too. I don't think they will, Focus was a good name for small cars. Still is, but before long, it could be too late. I too would like Ford to remain competitive too. If they both do well, I'd be happy. The 2008 update for the Cobalt is going to be real nice though...I can't wait. For that, and the Malibu...and the CTS...and the Enclave...

[flashisflamable]

why does ford always only update the front half? sure there are parts of the back that look new, but same taillights, same shape, same thing with the explorer this year, and expedition next year, and the econoline vans

[Gm786]

From what I can make out from the pictures, it doesn't look all that different from the current one.

[asim]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

I like the updates, but man, we really need the Euro Focus! It could compete really well. But, instead we get...rehashes. Ford almost always does this with their successful products.

Yeah these rehashes sicken me. Even when they did it to the Focus that we have today still.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Yeah, me too. I don't think they will, Focus was a good name for small cars. Still is, but before long, it could be too late. I too would like Ford to remain competitive too. If they both do well, I'd be happy. The 2008 update for the Cobalt is going to be real nice though...I can't wait. For that, and the Malibu...and the CTS...and the Enclave...

I hope we're both right. Ford seems to want to keep things "unified" around the world in this segment -- just like the old Escort was sold around the world but in some cases shared very very little between markets. So keeping the Focus name alive and well in our market -- if only to have parity with Europe -- seems like the right move. But if the name becomes TOO tarnished? Who knows. Fact is that the Focus is still a good car and isn't shoddy AFAIK. Compare that with the Cavalier the last few years it was in production and I think that the Focus wins hands down. No wonder the Cavalier name was dropped.

Do you actually know what the Cobalt's update will look like? I can't wait to see that and the Malibu's update as well (I hope they offer it with a stick at least on the I4 cause I need a new car and right now the only thing out there that is American and with a stick is the Fusion and Milan)

I'm excited about what GM has coming out too...can't wait to see it all.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

I hope we're both right. Ford seems to want to keep things "unified" around the world in this segment -- just like the old Escort was sold around the world but in some cases shared very very little between markets. So keeping the Focus name alive and well in our market -- if only to have parity with Europe -- seems like the right move. But if the name becomes TOO tarnished? Who knows. Fact is that the Focus is still a good car and isn't shoddy AFAIK. Compare that with the Cavalier the last few years it was in production and I think that the Focus wins hands down. No wonder the Cavalier name was dropped.

Do you actually know what the Cobalt's update will look like? I can't wait to see that and the Malibu's update as well (I hope they offer it with a stick at least on the I4 cause I need a new car and right now the only thing out there that is American and with a stick is the Fusion and Milan)

I'm excited about what GM has coming out too...can't wait to see it all.

I see what you're saying, and I agree. It's a good car, and maybe these updates will help bring it more into contention. No, I haven't actually seen the car, but I've got a good idea of what it might look like. And, we've seen some spy shots of the 2008 Malibu. The media has saw all these cars and they seem to be pretty enthusiastic about them. GM's got alot in store...I really can't wait to see what's coming. Needless to say, everyone's going to be impresses.

P.S:
Oh wait take that back..there is some people that will never be impressed/pleased.

[Relik86]

I really hope Ford doesn't over-use the Fusion grill. I love the Fusion's styling, but I just can't picture that front on the Focus. And the Edge? Don't get me started on the look of that thing...

[VortexV8]

I've been stationed in Germany, and have been inside the new Focus. Lotsof leg room in the back. Shame it's not imported.

[Butz]

Are they going to update the interior?

[Ming]

It seems like the Focus, in its mildly refreshed forms, has been around forever. I guess its because I remember it from a conversation I had back in 1999 or so. If a "restyle" comes along in the 2008 model year and stays for 2-3 years like the Cavalier did, it will go for about 10 years with the same basic car. I won't say other automakers don't do this, but Ford U.S.A. has really dropped the ball with its philosophy of small car = cheap car, and passed up the opportunity to keep the Focus a top 5 selling vehicle. Detroit gray-beards in general have a hard time wrapping their brains around the fact that the people who buy these sorts of cars want something that is truly hot and new on a more frequent basis than their Mercury Grand Marquis and something-powered-by-a-3800+4-speed Buick buyers.

[JOHN1243]

What a radical change.(sarc)

The Yaris and Fit are each doubling this car in sales.

This is why they are laying off so many this week.

JOHN