Ford Focus to debut at Detroit

[nickdrinkwater]

They are saying this is a 2012 model which means the earliest this can be available is in a year, right?

If so, way to early to unveil the car.

[FoMoJo]

This is commonplace in Europe.  I don't know how it works, but it does.

Is that for hybrids and Direct Injection only or do they apply it to other engine types as well?

[SVT666]

They are saying this is a 2012 model which means the earliest this can be available is in a year, right?

If so, way to early to unveil the car.

Yeah, you're right.  Though seeing this may force potential buyers to hold off and wait to buy this car instead of a Civic or Corolla.

[SVT_Power]

I like that steering wheel

[nickdrinkwater]

Is that for hybrids and Direct Injection only or do they apply it to other engine types as well?

It's definitely not hybrid or direct injection only, AFAIK.  It's standard across the BMW range here (including the MINI) and on cars like the Fiat 500.  Also standard on some Audi and Volvo models.

[FoMoJo]

It's, certainly, a step up in the interior.  Looks very impressive.  It'd be interesting to see where it redlines.

[FoMoJo]

It's definitely not hybrid or direct injection only, AFAIK.  It's standard across the BMW range here (including the MINI) and on cars like the Fiat 500.  Also standard on some Audi and Volvo models.

That, likely, means that they're using some type of Integrated Starter/Generator feature.  Are you still on a 12 volt system?

[nickdrinkwater]

Looks good I admit, but a bit fussy

[r0tor]

Big improvement on the 4-door.  The 5-door just looks gorgeous. 

I like this feature as well...Another feature that will be new to the Focus is automatic start-stop functionality that switches off the engine when the car comes to a halt. This will be one of the first such applications in the U.S. market in a non-hybrid vehicle....It would be interesting to see exactly how it works but, with direct-injection, they should just be able to squirt a bit of fuel in the appropriate combustion chamber and light it off.

I'd assume its the same as Mazda's i-stop technology http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/env/engine/siss2.html

[nickdrinkwater]

That, likely, means that they're using some type of Integrated Starter/Generator feature.  Are you still on a 12 volt system?

To be honest I don't know 

[SVT666]

I like that steering wheel

The wheel itself looks identical to that of my SVT.  Nicest wheel I've ever gripped.

[FoMoJo]

I'd assume its the same as Mazda's i-stop technology http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/env/engine/siss2.html

I remember that article from the topic of a year or so ago.  I was wondering if Mazda is using it as well.  I haven't heard.

[S204STi]

How does that work in the middle of winter?  I need the heat to keep blowing and I need that windscreen clear of fog.

I bet there is some logic which would prevent this from functioning at certain temperature extremes.

[SVT666]

It's, certainly, a step up in the interior.  Looks very impressive.  It'd be interesting to see where it redlines.

Judging from the other pictures, it looks like somewhere around 6800 rpm.

[r0tor]

I remember that article from the topic of a year or so ago.  I was wondering if Mazda is using it as well.  I haven't heard.

I believe the new Aexela (our 3) has an i-stop 2.0L in production this year

Mazda displayed a whole buch of "SKY" gasoline and diesel world engines at tokyo last fall with i-stop being part of the package... rumours are they start showing up for 2011 and have impressive mpg numbers

[FoMoJo]

I believe the new Aexela (our 3) has an i-stop 2.0L in production this year

Mazda displayed a whole buch of "SKY" gasoline and diesel world engines at tokyo last fall with i-stop being part of the package... rumours are they start showing up for 2011 and have impressive mpg numbers

I wonder if Ford gets to use some of them.  I think I read something about Ford using the 'Euro' design I4 for their EcoBoost engine.

[TBR]

Looks good I admit, but a bit fussy

Seems to be a trend with recent Ford interiors.

All in all, this looks great. Much better than the 2nd gen car, but not as crisp as the original. The drivetrain options sound fantastic. Not quite ready to crown this with COTY though, that's just absurd.

[Catman]

Wow that's a huge improvement.  Looks awesome!

[MX793]

How does that work in the middle of winter?  I need the heat to keep blowing and I need that windscreen clear of fog.

Fan motors for the HVAC will turn on in many cars when the key is in the "ON" position even if the engine isn't running.  You may lose the A/C compressor, unless they also run that off of an electric motor (like on some hybrids).

[CALL_911]

Ford FTW.

[SVT666]

Fan motors for the HVAC will turn on in many cars when the key is in the "ON" position even if the engine isn't running.  You may lose the A/C compressor, unless they also run that off of an electric motor (like on some hybrids).

It doesn't heat worth crap or cool worth a shit when the engine isn't running.

[3.0L V6]

It doesn't heat worth crap or cool worth a shit when the engine isn't running.

I wonder if this Focus uses an electric water pump. Likely not, but you could keep the car reasonably warm with the engine off if you had one to circulate the coolant through the heater core.

[MX793]

Ford FTW.

I just wish they'd figure out proper ergonomics with their steering wheel control placement.  Cruise control should be on the right side of the wheel, stereo controls on the left.  Everybody else seems to have figured that out (including Mazda, which Ford used to own a controlling share of) except Ford.

[the Teuton]

I don't like Ford's wiper/signal stalk. It's bad in the C170 Focus. It's worse in the Town Car.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I don't like Ford's wiper/signal stalk. It's bad in the C170 Focus. It's worse in the Town Car.

I love them. 

[Raza]

I just wish they'd figure out proper ergonomics with their steering wheel control placement.  Cruise control should be on the right side of the wheel, stereo controls on the left.  Everybody else seems to have figured that out (including Mazda, which Ford used to own a controlling share of) except Ford.

You're talking about a left hand drive car?  Cruise control should be on the left, stereo controls on the right...in the middle of the car, where the stereo is.  I think every car I've ever owned has had cruise control on the left.  The right is for wipers.   

[ifcar]

I repeat.  This will be COTY for 2012 (not 2011 as previously stated).

You don't have any idea what it would be competing against for that award. Name one other 2012-model car that's already been unveiled.

[MX793]

You're talking about a left hand drive car?  Cruise control should be on the left, stereo controls on the right...in the middle of the car, where the stereo is.  I think every car I've ever owned has had cruise control on the left.  The right is for wipers.  

Yes, on a left hand drive car.  Think of it this way:
What are you more likely to be fiddling with in stop and go traffic, the cruise or the radio?
Where is the shifter located in a LHD car?

By putting the radio controls on the left side of the wheel, it allows you to change stations/tracks or adjust the volume while having your right hand free to change gears in stop and go traffic.  Meanwhile, in driving situations were you'd be utilizing the cruise control, you should have next to no reason to need to be regularly shifting gears so your right hand is free to use the cruise control buttons anyway.  Not to mention you can have your left arm resting on the top of the door sill, elbow hanging out of the window, on a nice day and still be able to adjust your cruise.  If you're going to put the secondary radio controls in a place where you still need your right hand to use them, you might as well not bother putting them on the wheel at all.

[Raza]

Yes, on a left hand drive car.  Think of it this way:
What are you more likely to be fiddling with in stop and go traffic, the cruise or the radio?
Where is the shifter located in a LHD car?

By putting the radio controls on the left side of the wheel, it allows you to change stations/tracks or adjust the volume while having your right hand free to change gears in stop and go traffic.  Meanwhile, in driving situations were you'd be utilizing the cruise control, you should have next to no reason to need to be regularly shifting gears so your right hand is free to use the cruise control buttons anyway.  Not to mention you can have your left arm resting on the top of the door sill, elbow hanging out of the window, on a nice day and still be able to adjust your cruise.  If you're going to put the secondary radio controls in a place where you still need your right hand to use them, you might as well not bother putting them on the wheel at all.

That sounds ridiculous.

You're stopped, so if you need to fiddle with the stereo, put the car in gear and push in the clutch.  When driving, the hand most likely to be away from the wheel is the right hand, any control that may need to be adjusted on the fly should be on the left side.  You put your elbow up on the sill and then hold the wheel with that hand.  From that position, you should be able to control whatever you need to control if your right arm is on the center armrest.








Thinking about this more, it seems completely arbitrary and based on each person.  I like it on the left. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

I hate all buttons on steering wheels! Go away!