Spy photographers have nabbed more revealing images of a prototype 2008 Ford Focus, giving us our first true look at the new car’s face. The Focus features an adaptation of the Fusion’s grille design, going with a chrome two-bar treatment which sits atop a thin, wide trapezoidal grille.
The headlights have an interesting kick-up which rises to meet the grille, and what appears to be a dramatic sweep up the fender not unlike the “eyebrow” treatment on the BMW 5-series. A large blocky lower intake and big rectangular fog lights add a chunky, aggressive chin to the new Focus’ face. Gallery after the jump…
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12/13, 11:28 AM
posted by:
alfa_Romeo
looks like a mini fusion…..
12/13, 11:29 AM
posted by:
The Stig
^^^^
Yes, exactly. Someone took the CAD for the Fusion and used the scale tool.
12/13, 11:32 AM
posted by:
acura_el2000
looks like something that dosen’t inspire sales
12/13, 11:34 AM
posted by:
Bush
Looks like a 1995 VW Jetta, talk about old.
12/13, 11:44 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Why don’t they do what they did with the Escape and make it look like an old Explorer?
.
Hell, I’m all for freshening up the outside of this thing, but they really should freshen up the underpinnings with the euro **** they designed 4 years ago.
12/13, 11:48 AM
posted by:
leviathan18
new civic new lancer i dont know the new corolla are far more nice looking than this what is in the mond of ford designers..??? come on bring the damn mondeo thats a nice looking car
12/13, 12:01 PM
posted by:
Brendino
I’m sorry but I don’t see the similarity to the Fusion. Two bars instead of three, chrome door handles, completely different profile look with that line, and the rest is camo’d.
12/13, 12:16 PM
posted by:
chevy490
yuk
12/13, 1:22 PM
posted by:
Me
it has to be an improvement…
12/13, 1:23 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
The new Sentra will look better than this.
12/13, 1:46 PM
posted by:
MyGodBeatsYourGod
Is it now underpinned by Euro Focus (Mazda3, Volvos galore) or just a nose job on the old maid????
Bleeding cash and they polish the pig…
12/13, 1:50 PM
posted by:
megator
man what the hell is up with the fog lights? they are increadibly square for this day and age and clash horibly with the rest.
12/13, 2:03 PM
posted by:
Fromes
eehh….are they serious? they can dress it up all they want but its still an outdated platform
12/13, 2:10 PM
posted by:
cknoff
What don’t you understand? Ford wants there to be a common design theme throughout all of their cars. In fact, giving the Focus 2 bars instead of 3 isn’t matching. Stupid Ford…
12/13, 2:17 PM
posted by:
Zanary
“Outdated platform”…heh…I’ve yet to see anyone back that up with anything of substance.
It still drives among the best of its class, and more than one European poster has commented that the C170 chassis was “nimbler and more fun”. Don’t misunderstand me, I think the Focus was is overdue for major reworking…but if the ‘05 restyle hadn’t been so bland inside and out, no one would be complaining.
The chassis is likely good enough that even evolutionary improvements like it’s apparently getting should keep it in good stead.
Ford screwed up in 2005, made the car too bland…but it’s been very well rated for quality and I’ve never seen a poor review of its driving experience.
12/13, 2:23 PM
posted by:
A4
looks like…
it still wont sell cause its a focus.
12/13, 2:26 PM
posted by:
mblommel
Wow, that is ugly with a capital “U”. I think they just raised Mazda 3 sales another 20 percent!
12/13, 3:43 PM
posted by:
RustedEmpire
…ford must be on something. I absolutely loath the American Ford designers grille design.
12/13, 3:48 PM
posted by:
Alex Dillon
Ford blows chode
12/13, 3:57 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Same here, RustedEmpire.
A honeycomb grille (like GMC’s Denali line) would look so much nicer, IMHO.
12/13, 5:47 PM
posted by:
S-60-driver
Why are u complaining about Focus on an old platform?? Look at the new 2007 Camry! Its on an old platform, too!! Nobody’s complaining. Stupid people!!!!
Its only two more years till all-new Focus…… I can wait. No biggie!
12/13, 8:16 PM
posted by:
erok247
It wont sell because its a focus? its too bad focus at one point was the best selling car in the world you moron!! Ford didnt update it fast enough to stay on par with its competitors…but its on a good platform and drives really well….this car WILL sell….It finally has the re-design it deserves to be very competitive in the small car market
12/13, 8:52 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
It will look right at home in Hertz parking lot.
12/13, 9:59 PM
posted by:
A4
do you not read anything S60?
50% of the people here complain about the camry and toyota in general when articles come up about them. Toyota sucks. Oh and erok, it was the best selling car in the world thanks to the Euro models, which are completely different. American focuses have never had the number 1 spot in the US market.
12/14, 1:41 AM
posted by:
04focus
A4: the US and Euro Focus were pretty much identical from 2000-2004. And the US focus might have had the #1 spot in the compact car segment for one year.
But you know, the more I think about it, the more ford seems to be making the right decision for not bringing the Euro cars. What happened the last few times they tried it in the last 20 years? Ford Sierra and Scorpio: Failed. Ford Mondeo / Contour / Mercury Mistake (err, Mystique): Failed. Ford / Mercury Capri: Failed. Ford / Mercury Cougar: Failed.
Honestly, how many of you will buy a stripped C1 Ford Focus at $22k with a 1.4L Duratec with 80hp? How many of you will buy a C1 Focus SVT at $34k? (check the prices at ford.co.uk and convert away). I might buy a $17k Fiesta ST150… But I’m in the minority. Hell, I wouldn’t have paid MSRP for my own Focus, and that was back when it WAS the Euro Focus.
12/14, 1:42 AM
posted by:
autonutt
Those tall, slab-sided door skins will look wonderful after a few weeks in mall parking lots.
12/14, 9:50 AM
posted by:
Saud
Am I glad I live in the GCC
12/14, 10:09 AM
posted by:
chevy490
it looks kinda cheep
12/16, 11:02 AM
posted by:
chevy490
s-60 ill make this as short as possable ur gay, ur mom evan sed ur gay how old are u? and do u have a myspace?
s-60 im srry for u ur life must suck so bad u have to lie about it, u give head and sence ur number one inployer has been cought “michel jackson” ur bisnees has been going to ****t!
its ok the grass is always greener on the other side!
12/17, 11:51 AM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
You guys are stupid, both of you shut up
12/21, 12:30 AM
posted by:
zxtuner
04focus, you hit the nail on the head.
the C1 focus chassis is not a bad setup – it delivers great ride and handling and with the larger front brakes added in 2005, it stops pretty darn well too.
my 2k5 ZX3 with sport springs and weight reduction is quite a well balanced machine. I can’t think of another car FOR ITS PRICE that can come close to it’s ride and NVH refinement.
i think the new coupe has a hint of 3 series in the appearance, and if they do keep the price competitive (after all that’s what this car is – an economy car) it will be on my new car buy list.