2008 Ford-Five Hundred and 2008 Ford Focus

[jetsetter]

2008 Ford-Five Hundred

For 2008, Ford has addressed many of the major issues that were preventing the Ford Five Hundred from being the sales leader that they had hoped for. Horsepower and styling were the two major complaints, and both have been improved dramatically on the latest iteration of the full-size sedan.

In the horsepower department, the 2008 Five Hundred will gets a 30% increase in power over the Taurus-carryover, 200 HP 3.0 Duratec V6 with which it was previously laden. Motivation is now provided by the corporate 3.5-liter Duratec in its first PZEV application for Ford with a V6, sending a full 260 horsepower and 245 ft/lbs. of torque through a new six-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all four with the optional all-wheel drive system. The six-speed automatic also improves acceleration with shorter gearing and closer gear spacing, and the two extra cogs provide increases fuel economy by up to 7% over the previous four-speed automatic.

With the power issue put to bed, Ford turned to the styling. The previous model redefined the word boring, with very few styling elements that were even remotely interesting inside or out. The new model has several exterior and interior design elements that align the Five Hundred with the new Ford design direction that started with the Fusion and will carry through the entire line of vehicles.


The vehicle has been completely redesigned from the A-pillars forward, featuring a new chrome three-bar grille design and completely redesigned front fascia. One unique feature is the new hood, which is sculpted to give the front end a lower appearance. Wheels will be either 17- or 18-inches in diameter, with three designs available. Another interesting exterior feature are the chrome fender "vents" that you'll have to see for yourself. For us, the verdict is still out, but rest assured that this won't be the last set you'll see at the show, let alone the Ford stand. At the rear of the car, new taillights and a redesigned fascia with chrome dual-exhaust outlets complete the transformation.

The most spacious interior in a large sedan, according to Ford, has been updated with new materials and bolder styling. The dash and door panels have been redesigned with contrasting colors and more diversity in the various models. There a several different styles of wood trim and brushed inserts that are model dependant and the seat materials have been improved throughout the range. New interior touches include a two-tiered center console, redesigned instrument cluster, eight cup and bottle holders, and an HVAC system that has been completely redesigned to reduce noise by a full 50%.

We think that the redesigned elements along with the increase in horsepower should be enough to at least get customers back into the showrooms to look at the five Hundred again. Let's hope the changes convince the public that the Five Hundred has morphed from a boring, underpowered afterthought into a full-size sedan that is a little more interesting to look at with enough performance to make the driving experience something to enjoy.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/d...-five-hundred/

2008 Ford Focus

If you've been following our pre-Detroit show coverage, you'll have noticed that Ford likes to use its home turf to introduce new production cars and unveil concepts. Unfortunately, the facelifted 2008 Focus is the least impressive of the new offerings from Dearborn, particularly in contrast to exciting concepts like the Interceptor.

When the Focus was introduced in 1999, it was at the cutting edge, at least stylistically, debuting as one of the most striking small cars on the market. It got a minor facelift a few years later, more evolutionary than revolutionary. While the 2008 update looks substantially different, it's still not a complete overhaul, just another facelift.

For 2008 the Focus ditches the wagon and gains a two-door coupe in addition to the standard four-door sedan. The exterior is completely restyled, shedding over 60 pounds in weight, reducing the drag coefficient and noise inside the cabin. While it gets a new brake package, the rear brakes are still drums. Leather trim in the interior with contrasting stitching is a unique feature particularly in this segment, as is the new "ambient lighting" option that gives you the choice of seven colors to highlight the interior.

Unfortunately, Ford's missed the mark in the styling department. Part of the new design includes the corporate bar-grille (that's a styling element, not a restaurant), a higher beltline, flared wheel arches and a "character line" cutting from an air vent behind the front wheel to the rear and across the trunk lid. While there are certainly some striking design elements to the new Focus, we believe strongly in the notion that a car design is more than the sum of its parts, and that's where the 2008 Focus falls short.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/d...08-ford-focus/

[Momentum57]

I said god damn. I am so happy that detrot has shaken off the meth and crack and gotten back to basics, good old fashion coke and shrooms. I was just saying how when i was in a 500 i was suprised because i always thought it looked well like a passat when you have had shrooms. The inside of these cars are demishing the gap from euro and jap jobs. Think im a bit off look at the inside of an infinity, looks really cool outside but looks and feels like a cheep coffee maker. Jay Z is back and so is Ford.

[jetsetter]

Here are a few more photos of the Focus.

[FATMOUSE]

I don't like the razor blade grilles new Fords have.

[jetsetter]

More photos.







To be truthful I was never really into the last generation Focus. Sure the SVT was alright but I actually dig this coupe.

[Vitamin J]

oh sweet jesus

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by Vitamin J

oh sweet jesus

lol.

[BlaRo]

The 2008 Ford Focus: remember the Escort ZX2?


It looks like it's trying so damn hard to scream: "LOOK AT ME! I'M TRENDY AND CUTTING EDGE!" Those "character lines" are the tailfins of the 21st century, subdued when they first came out and finally growing to ridiculous proportions and becoming a trendy design cliche. If I hear "BOLD MOVES" one more time, I'm gonna vomit.

Sorry, jetsetter, I'm just not a fan...

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Sorry, jetsetter, I'm just not a fan...

That's alright. If everyone liked everything we would not have interesting and different designs from the various manufacturers. Though whatever your opinion I do have to say that they did improve the interior a bit.

Visit here for more photos and information: http://www.focaljet.com/

[jetsetter]

You can find around 35 high resolution photos of the vehicle here: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-focus/

[Vette Boss]

Ford is trying too hard with the new Focus. You don't buy a Ford to be trendy and stylish, that's what German and some Japanese cars are for. All a Ford should be is conservative and reliable transportation.

[fbc]

Would these freakin designers quit putting fender-vents on every god damn thing they style?

That Focus is trying waaay too hard to be funky - if it was a Citroen it could maybe get away with it, but I wouldn't like it any more than I currently do.

As for the Five Hundred - so that's the non-boring version???

[Wizegui]

Is this completely redesigned or is this just a major update? It looks nothing like the Euro Focus :S. This is pretty good looking but Im not sure about the Five Hundred. Its just too bland.

edit - DAMNIT FORD! How long does it take to get a car here?! Leave the old Focus already, its nearly ten years old now. Bring on the new Focus and Mondeo here and stop the minor changes!

[Momentum57]

thats the problem with good coke lets you go on and get that out of you head but then you fuck for hours to get every drop out of your head. Mean while back on the ranch everyone is waiting for a new focus while the ford guys are getting neopolotans, half and halfs, and whipped cream parties.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by Momentum57

thats the problem with good coke lets you go on and get that out of you head but then you fuck for hours to get every drop out of your head. Mean while back on the ranch everyone is waiting for a new focus while the ford guys are getting neopolotans, half and halfs, and whipped cream parties.

You high or what?

[scoops]

Originally Posted by FATMOUSE

I don't like the razor blade grilles new Fords have.

I agree, they already have it on a few cars and it's already a design that i feel has been worn out. I mean i like something new as much as the next person, but when every car in your line ( and ford has a few) has the same finishing touches, it gets boring.

that being said, the concept focus does look good, but it seems to be going the same design direction as as the new Saturns are. maybe i'm just seeing things while being tired though.

i like the focus here, nice design.

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

Ford is trying too hard with the new Focus. You don't buy a Ford to be trendy and stylish, that's what German and some Japanese cars are for. All a Ford should be is conservative and reliable transportation.

Yeah, because that has gotten them soooo far.

Ford has needed to revamp their entire line for years, it's about time someone woke up the design department and got them moving again. I just hope that they don't fuck it all up like they did with the Mustang by trying to save a few bucks on materials.

[Momentum57]

oh neopolotans are great, im a fan of all group sex and all drugs. Any one have any sextasy thats 30% percent viagara 70% MDMA, or just stick some tabasco up my ass that will keep me hard for hours, or get me a copy of that whitesnake video with the women dancing on the jaguar, or high res 599 shots thats pure porn