Ford Readies 2009 Focus Coupe for American Idol Reveal
Ford has released images of its new 2009 Focus coupe along with an announcement that it plans to show off the car to the wider American public during tomorrow’s episode of the hugely popular American Idol. The Ford brass should cross its fingers that Paula doesn’t accidentally call it a Chevy.
The new coupe version of the surprisingly popular Focus offers most prominently a restyle, inspired in part by Ford customer feedback. Thankfully the ungainly chrome fender vents from the standard Focus have been eighty-sixed, with the coupe offering a less cluttered, if slightly slab-sided profile. There’s also a new front fascia, a pair of fog lamps, and a set of really nice 17-inch “Dark Chrome
Comments
chris
I think it looks pretty good.
Redshark
me too! I liked the way my Mom's 2004 Focus drove and think this will be true with this version as well. I wish they still offered the station wagon version and the larger, Mazda-sourced engine, however.
Texas_Dude
Very nice looking. Wish they offered the hatchback.. Not having one would make me look elsewhere when it's time to upgrade from my current Focus.
ziggy
I think it looks like it was made about 10 years ago. Where's the aggressive, edgey styling that the RS sedan had.
ziggy
Here's a better of look of what it should be -
http://www.motorpasion.com/2006/09/09-ford-focus-3-la-evolucion-para-200...
94 Taurus owner
I like the sedan better than the Coupe.
I miss the Focus ZX3.
JHinton
They dropped the ZX3 and ZX5 for this thing? It looks like Ford's version of a Echo coupe.
Really if you are going to drop the most practical (and best looking IMHO) versions of a car for an impractical couple it should at least look good.
Garfield134
The emporer's new clothes. Come on Ford, you can do better than this. This thing is STILL recycled vintage 2000...
Where are the good goods? Oh yeah, Americans don't know the difference. Just tack on some cheap parts, throw in some cheap Microsoft (who can trust them?) electronics and you have instant sales.
When the Focus came out in 2000, it was a good car. Today, it is an also-ran.
Perhaps this is why I no longer buy Fords.
:-(
asdf
anyone else think it looks like the zx2 but taller?
BruceinCary
Like a neuted mutt, ugly and with no balls. I think we can all agree this is a PoS with zero performance credentials.
The Focus redux is a turd, this just happens to be a shiny turd.
Mena
It's an also-ran that's sales are up 35% in the first quarter this year over last year.
Mena
Ford is going to increase production to 245,000 units per year. That's almost double the Prius sales (which are down by 15% so far). Ford is doing a great job here guys. You asked for smaller cars, now you have one and it's selling VERY well.
BruceinCary
Yes and Walmart sells more stuff than anyone else in America doesn't mean the quality is good.
The US Focus redux is a cheap relatively fuel efficient car which at this time in history happens to be a good thing. Thing is that it's just "cheap" and if we had gotten the Euro version it would be a quality product too. Too bad Ford went "American" on us and dumbed down the product. If they keep this up they'll be where they were before, anyone remember the previous gen Mustang? It's bones were from the 70's!
Chris
ONce again, "sales are up over last year" doesn't mean crap. The 07 was a 7+ year old car at that point. I would hope the 08 sold better. as for the restule, being a proud owner of an 04 zx5 SVT I must say it is a step in the right direction, but way off of what it shoudl be. I think the US car market is going to start looking much like the euro market, meaning midsize-small cars (focus, civic, mazda3) are going to be a huge player now. In europe, most people dirve this size car. Accords and fusions and others don't sell as much as the smaller cars. With this market being created it's time for ford to start offering a more upscale focus and leave the fiesta to be a chaper b segment fighter.
BruceinCary
Great pun above "restule" not sure if it was intended? I'm sure you meant "restyle" but what I read was "re-stool", yes a turd! Lovely.
driving course
I'm not convinced that it's stylish enough to sell. I think the title should be 'rushed' not 'readied'; seriously, I think Ford should take some more time and create something that can compete with the VW Coupe...
Todd
Offering Microsoft Sync in the Focus was a stroke of genius on Ford's part.
For most people, their cellphone, iPod and gas mileage are far more important than the chassis dynamics or hp/liter of their car. Ford tapped into this and has a modest hit on its hands: A car for people who don't care about cars! After years of slavish devotion to the SUV, this is probably the only kind of car (besides Mustang) they can build... I hope they can get their mojo back.
I wonder if Honda/Nissan/Toyota/Hyundai/Kia have taken notice of the success of the Microsoft-equipped Focus?
mena
Rex
"That’s almost double the Prius sales (which are down by 15% so far)." by MENA
I'm not sure why your putting this and the Prius on the same level. It's Apples to Oranges. The Pruis is a Hybrid which this is not! A better comparison would be this to a Civic (which seem to be the real target for the new focus) or maybe Corolla sales. I have to agree that sales being up aren't much to speak of when you are speaking of a newer model packed with Techno that the previous model never had.
And this a new trim level or a early redesign. Where's the fake side vents?
Mark in Maine
Bruce hit it square on the nose; 'turd' was the first word that came to my mind as well. 'Tempo' was the second - does anyone else see a less-than-vague resemblance to the ancient Tempo coupe? Ford is building us a second-rate car on a second-rate platform, and hoping that everyone that buys it will be too busy playing with 'sync' to notice.
Sean
Its terrible aside from gimmicky.
Cicero
The Ford Focus is a great selling car for a crappy ancient car. We desperately need the European version, especially the convertible, high perfomance and diesel versions.
Ducati Minor
I liked the chrome accents. This rendition is just too plain and lifeless. I'll just have to consider a VW Rabbit or a Saturn Astra instead. The Focus has a better price, but I need something decent.
I with and against Mena. This Focus is not the flop that some on the Web are trying to make it to be. In fact, the Focus is a fine car for the value. According to Edmunds, the average Focus sells for $17,700 versus the Honda Civic, which sells for $20,200.
The Prius comparison is very unfair. The Prius is a higher-end compact HEV. Using the Edmunds stats, the Prius has an average price of $25,600. The Prius is not a massive-fleet economy sedan like the Honda Civic, crossing multiple markets.
Kipp
I really like the matte red paint, i wonder if it will be optional.
Cicero
The fender vents would have been great if an EcoBoost inline 4 was in the car and the vents works to cool the engine
Garfield134
I agree with Mark in Maine...still a turd. Unfortunately, Ford is trying to deflect attention from an out-dated car with a bunch of cheap costume jewelery.
As far as "sync" is concerned, just what we need...another driver distraction. How long will it take before someone cracks the system to reconfigure it to play DVD's while driving?
Idol Headlines for 5/14/08 | American Idol
[...] windingroad.com [...]
disomma
i think it looks like shit. i use to own an SVT Focus. compared to that, and the current european focus, this car pales in comparison, and thats being kind.
Stephen Swain
The images from (http://www.motorpasion.com/2006/09/09-ford-focus-3-la-evolucion-para-200...) are much better lit. Hence, they provide a much more dimensional sense of this car's true shape.
I thought the red car (image above) was boring, boring, boring. But the gray car (motorpasion.com) looks really interesting. Now the big question is going to be: Will Ford give us the performance goodies, or will they give us B-O-R-I-N-G? Honda's cars this size really perform. They are pretty rev-happy, but once you get them wound up they will go.
I wish Ford all the best. They need a hit!
SRS
turr520
I don't like it. Looks bad. Even my 2001 Focus ZTS looks better. Don't know why we keep getting stuck with these ugly looking, conservative...cars (and politicians)? The European Focus are even better, much better. Those are hot!
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