New EU based Ford Focus on the way

[jwight]

Following up the Fiesta, the 2011 Focus:

The U.S. version of the Focus will employ a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a computer-shifted, dual-clutch automated manual six-speed transmission.

In better times exhibitors at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show might steal the stage with a stunningly imaginative, if impractical, concept car, or by crashing a Jeep Grand Cherokee through Cobo Hall’s front windows.

But in today’s environment of tight budgets and struggling economies there is little time or patience for blue-sky concepts or zany stunts.

Against such a staid backdrop, Ford's new products stole the show. “They were really the only ones who had anything,” remarked John Casesa, managing partner for market researcher Casesa Shapiro Group, LLC.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34825133/ns/business-autos/

[Smartdavis]

That's a nice looking car and another reason why Ford will make money while Government Motors stays on taxpayer life support.

[rfernatt]

The new Focus looks like a winner! I've been saying for years that Ford needs to bring over their Euro stuff and they've finally done it with the Fiesta, Focus, and Transit Connect. Well done Ford!

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

The new Focus looks like a winner! I've been saying for years that Ford needs to bring over their Euro stuff and they've finally done it with the Fiesta, Focus, and Transit Connect. Well done Ford!

Transit Connect is still not a "real" Transit. If they brought over the full size Transit I bet the public would love it way more than the Connect.

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

That's a nice looking car and another reason why Ford will make money while Government Motors stays on taxpayer life support.

It seems to be a parallel of what is happening in France (IIRC). The French owned car company is not doing as well as the privately owned car company. IMO; GM is practically government owned.

[gurps]

I hope Ford's automated manual transmission provides impetus to smart to improve their transmission. I'll test drive a focus just to see how it's transmission does, if nothing else. Good job Ford!

[BigWarpGuy]

Automated manual transmission or semi-automatic transmissions seems to be a future trend.

Personally I think it would be neat to have a CVT trans like the one used in the Obvio 828 and 012.

[Neonspinnazz]

CVTs are annoying, I'd much rather have the smart's automated manual or just a manual.

Driving with a CVT is just weird, no shift lag or anything...

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

Transit Connect is still not a "real" Transit. If they brought over the full size Transit I bet the public would love it way more than the Connect.

These are all the Transit models: Ford Transit

Different wheelbases, heights, etc. but all the same truck. We get one with windows (option in the UK) and other add-ons but a Transit is a Transit.

[vwW12]

I've rented the Fiesta and the Focus in Europe and I highly recommend the European version of these vehicles. Value and sophistication for price.