Ford Focus to debut at Detroit

[565]

Aren't ALL buttons "touch sensitive"?  I mean, you touch a button and it activates (or, in some cases, deactivates) a certain function.  Unless I'm missing something, that's pretty much how all buttons work. 


Cheers,
Madman of the People

Maybe he means the type of button that doesn't actually move when you press them, but just registers your touch.

Actually those buttons piss the hell out of me, there is no tactile feedback that you pressed the button.  Plus any light touch sets them off.  My cell phone has them and I always end up accidentally pressing them.  The PS3 has them too.  They are just a gimick that will hopefully go away.

Ford always has these random gimicks on their cars.  Interior lights that change to a bunch of colors,  tail lamps that go off in sequence, touch buttons,  etc.

[Byteme]

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. 

I think you guys are over thinking this.  It doesn't matter which side they are on.

[Raza]

"Stop and go" doesn't always mean your in traffic light stop and go where you're stopped for 30+ seconds at a time.  If you spend any amount of time driving through suburbia, where you primarily have closely spaced stop signs (so you're doing a fair amount of 1-2-1 shifting and you're never stopped for more than a couple of seconds) rather than traffic lights, having radio controls on the left is much more convenient.

Dude, how slowly do your arms move?

[ChrisV]

Maybe he means the type of button that doesn't actually move when you press them, but just registers your touch. They are just a gimick that will hopefully go away.

They've been aorund since the '70s. I've had quite a bit of older stereo gear with those type buttons. The '70's Aston Martin Lagonda had them, as well. As far as a "gimmick" that might go away soon, i think the 30 year span that they've been in use would argue with that.

As for the heat working when the engine stops, even my 12 year old BMW has that kind of setup with a button that uses residual heat in the heater core and the fan to keep the interior warm after the key has been shut off (for use when you are filling the car at a gas station in the winter, for example). I don't see it being a problem to keep the heater working with the engine shut off for the duration of a stoplight.

[SVT666]

They've been aorund since the '70s. I've had quite a bit of older stereo gear with those type buttons. The '70's Aston Martin Lagonda had them, as well. As far as a "gimmick" that might go away soon, i think the 30 year span that they've been in use would argue with that.

All of our kitchen appliances have them too.  I like them personally.  No buttons ever get stuck because something got spilled on them and then dried.  That has happened in our car by the way.

[S204STi]

All of our kitchen appliances have them too.  I like them personally.  No buttons ever get stuck because something got spilled on them and then dried.  That has happened in our car by the way.

Oh, see you just convinced me with that.  I don't have kids or eat in my car but I could see that being an issue for the majority of motorists.

[MX793]

Dude, how slowly do your arms move?

I can certainly juggle between shifting and reaching for the radio controls, I had to do that with my last car which didn't have any steering wheel controls.  But my point is, steering wheel mounted radio controls are a convenience feature, or are at least supposed to be.  When driving in stop and go, I keep my right arm resting on the center arm rest with my hand near the shifter (if not resting on the shifter) because I have a very short 1st gear and typically short shift through 1st and 2nd.  From that position, it's about the same distance between the steering wheel and the primary radio controls on the center stack, so I'd have to move my arm the same distance to reach either set of controls if the radio controls were on the right side of the wheel.  So where's the convenience if I have to move my hand just as far from its preferred position to adjust the stereo as if I didn't have the steering wheel mounted controls at all?

[Atomic]

i have never been a fan of the ford escort until now. i love the lines. the car looks very upscale for what i think it will most, modestly, i am certain. the sedan and hatchback models for 2012 look great. they look like two totally different cars. nice!

[2o6]

i have never been a fan of the ford escort until now. i love the lines. the car looks very upscale for what i think it will most, modestly, i am certain. the sedan and hatchback models for 2012 look great. they look like two totally different cars. nice!

Escort?

[omicron]

Escort?

As you wish!

[Byteme]

I can certainly juggle between shifting and reaching for the radio controls, I had to do that with my last car which didn't have any steering wheel controls.  But my point is, steering wheel mounted radio controls are a convenience feature, or are at least supposed to be.  When driving in stop and go, I keep my right arm resting on the center arm rest with my hand near the shifter (if not resting on the shifter) because I have a very short 1st gear and typically short shift through 1st and 2nd.  From that position, it's about the same distance between the steering wheel and the primary radio controls on the center stack, so I'd have to move my arm the same distance to reach either set of controls if the radio controls were on the right side of the wheel.  So where's the convenience if I have to move my hand just as far from its preferred position to adjust the stereo as if I didn't have the steering wheel mounted controls at all?

So you are in stop and go traffic and are trying to drive and fiddle with the radio volume and tuning as well.  There's the problem.  Your hands should be at 9 and 3 on the wheel unless you are actually shifting.  Prioritize your chores.  Like I was taught when I learned to fly, job #1 is to fly the plane.

[the Teuton]

Escort.

[ChrisV]

So where's the convenience if I have to move my hand just as far from its preferred position to adjust the stereo as if I didn't have the steering wheel mounted controls at all?

I don't know about you, but I don't MOVE my hand to use steering wheel controls. Just shift my thumb a bit to hit the buttons.

On my BMW, the radio buttons that I use are on the left side of the steering wheel. On the Rangie, the radio buttons I use are on the right side of the wheel. And in neither case do I move my hands of the wheel to use them.

[MX793]

I don't know about you, but I don't MOVE my hand to use steering wheel controls. Just shift my thumb a bit to hit the buttons.

On my BMW, the radio buttons that I use are on the left side of the steering wheel. On the Rangie, the radio buttons I use are on the right side of the wheel. And in neither case do I move my hands of the wheel to use them.

You didn't read the rest of the post, did you?

[Byteme]

Ford Focus Named 'Most Significant' Vehicle at 2010 Detroit Auto Show By AutoWeek Magazine
         
Next-generation Ford Focus is named "Most Significant" vehicle of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by the writers of AutoWeek Magazine and autoweek.com

New Focus spearheads for Ford a new range of global C-cars based on a common platform underpinning up to 10 vehicles and 2 million units of annual production by 2012
Stylish new range offers class-leading technologies, features and craftsmanship. It targets exceptional fuel economy and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality

The AutoWeek editorial staff has named Ford's next-generation Focus the "Most Significant" vehicle of the 2010 North American International Auto Show. High praise indeed, considering the number of excellent cars and trucks at this month's annual gathering in Detroit. The popular auto show hosted nearly 40 new vehicle premieres.

"This was a unanimous vote, one of the few in the history of the AutoWeek award," said Wes Raynal, editor of AutoWeek and autoweek.com. "This car gives Ford and Focus fans their car back. By that we mean enthusiasts have been crying for the European Focus for years and we're finally getting our wish. We also think it's a perfect platform for an SVT version. The car goes on sale in 2011 powered by a sporty four-cylinder engine mated to a DSG transmission, and we can't wait to drive it."

The next-generation Ford Focus made its worldwide debut Monday, Jan. 11 at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale in both North America and Europe early in 2011, the new Focus will offer customers more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, noteworthy levels of craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

The prestigious AutoWeek award is being presented just three days after Ford received both the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively.

"We are delighted and humbled with the initial response to the next-generation Ford Focus," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president for Global Product Development. "The new Focus is a direct result of our new global product development system and perhaps the best example yet of what we believe a global Ford product should be ? great to look at, great to sit in and great to drive. This is truly ONE Ford in action."

Sleek, stylish and sporty, the new Focus will eventually be sold in 122 markets, with up to 80 percent parts commonality. The Focus will be built on Ford's new C-car platform, which will underpin up to 10 unique models and generate sales of 2 million units annually.

The next-generation Ford Focus will be on public display at NAIAS ? along with other award-winning Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles ? in Detroit's Cobo Hall through Jan. 24.

[Nethead]

ENGINEERING ?10 FOCUS
1/11/2010

Detroit ? Great driving quality will be at the heart of the next-generation Ford Focus making its debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Delivering a car that is responsive and rewarding to drive?and extends the Focus reputation for leadership in driving quality?has been a critical objective for Ford?s global brand DNA.

In developing the new Focus, Ford called upon the expertise of a vehicle dynamics team that uses a unique approach to create the optimum balance of steering, handling and ride. During a 15-year period, this team has been responsible for a series of products that are widely recognized as setting the standard for driving dynamics in their segments.

Led by Norbert Kessing, manager of vehicle dynamics at Ford?s technical center in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, and a dedicated team at the company?s Lommel (Belgium) Proving Ground, these experienced engineers use a combination of advanced design tools and meticulous fine-tuning to ensure that steering and suspension systems deliver precise, agile and controlled characteristics that add up to great driving quality.

?We set a clear objective to deliver products that are great fun to drive but also offer a relaxed, refined and comfortable driving experience,? said Kessing.

?This is a very easy thing to say but very difficult to achieve consistently, so our first step was to translate these high-level goals into specific performance targets so that our engineers knew exactly what they were aiming for,? he added.

CREATING A VEHICLE DYNAMICS DNA
The vehicle dynamics team in Europe was among the first groups within Ford to establish a brand DNA, which created a precise definition for the driving character they wanted to achieve in every new Ford vehicle.

This DNA was then expressed as a series of technical specifications, so that each characteristic could be measured and tested. For example, the precision and responsiveness of the steering is reflected by more than 20 different metrics that capture the efforts and responses felt by the driver during a range of conditions, from high-speed cornering to parking maneuvers.

These objective metrics allow Ford?s engineers to maximize the efficiency of their computer-aided engineering and testing work, so that the initial development stages consistently deliver vehicles that have the required dynamic character.

Engineers use state-of-the-art CAE design tools, which allow them to model and optimize dynamic behavior before physical prototypes are available, along with sophisticated steering and suspension test rigs that enable hardware to be analyzed in detail without tying up valuable test-track time. Technology like this is ideal for iterative testing and processes because it can provide the same inputs and forces on the system every time, unlike a human driver on a test track in potentially changing conditions.


FINE-TUNING BY EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS
While the use of objective targets provides significant benefits during the development process, meticulous fine-tuning by experienced vehicle dynamics engineers still plays a decisive role.

?There is still a lot about vehicle dynamics that we cannot measure,? said Kessing. ?Fine-tuning by dynamics specialists, together with an obsessive attention to detail, makes all the difference between a car that is good to drive and one that is great to drive.?

The Ford approach is centered on creating the maximum time for detailed tuning of the steering and suspension systems, to ensure that each part is fully optimized in the vehicle. The tuning specialists also work closely with CAE and testing engineers, so that their knowledge and experience can be shared throughout the process.

The impact of fine-tuning work is particularly valuable in areas of vehicle dynamics such as ride comfort and steering, where certain characteristics are difficult to judge using objective criteria. This is where the expertise of Ford?s dynamics experts pays dividends, with painstaking work on the test track translating into subtle?but tangible?improvements for the customer.


CONTINUOUS BUILD-UP OF KNOWLEDGE
The vehicle dynamics team in Europe, established in 1994, was instrumental in making driving quality a major priority for the company?s products.

Since the group started, the lessons learned from each new vehicle have been logged carefully and fed back into the next program, so that knowledge is continuously built up within the team. This expertise has now been developed through nearly 20 new vehicles, including the new Ford Fiesta.

In the same way, the team has built on the knowledge of vehicle tuning experts, sharing experience among engineers.

?Our team retains that same enthusiasm for developing vehicles that our customers find enjoyable to drive,? said Kessing. ?We are confident that the new Focus will raise standards within its class once more, combining agile handling with surprising levels of comfort and refinement.?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

You didn't read the rest of the post, did you?

Doesn't matter, he's chrisv, he's always right.

So just learn to keep your left hand on the wheel and stretch your thumb over to the other side. Better yet, go outside and tie a rope to your thumb and tie the other end to a car and stretch it.

[2o6]

Focus Wagon!


http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/01/2012-ford-focus-wagon-to-be-shown-in-geneva/

[ifcar]

Much more attractive than the sedan, much more useful than the hatch.

Yeah, we're not getting it.

[2o6]

I disagree, I think the sedan is the strong point of the Focus lineup.

[FoMoJo]

I love the way the taillights flow into the body lines.

[68_427]

I like the purple.

[AutobahnSHO]

Focus Wagon!

HAWT!!!!!!

Much more attractive than the sedan, much more useful than the hatch.

Yeah, we're not getting it.

Oh. Prob'ly not..   

[AutobahnSHO]

I love the way the taillights flow into the body lines.

I see that on a lot of newer vehicles, like the 2011 Sienna.

The weird part is that you'd think it would be functional, with the turn signals more visible, but nope.

[Colonel Cadillac]

On the note of steering wheel buttons, I love the scrolls in the Audi. You can scroll through the radio presets so quickly, or turn up the volume really fast. They just work so well, here's a picture for reference:

[SVT666]

On the note of steering wheel buttons, I love the scrolls in the Audi. You can scroll through the radio presets so quickly, or turn up the volume really fast. They just work so well, here's a picture for reference:

Is it faster then holding down a button?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea because you don't have to take your eyes off the road to know which button you're pushing, but I don't think they're faster.

[mzziaz]

Much more attractive than the sedan, much more useful than the hatch.

Yeah, we're not getting it.

I disagree, I think the sedan is the strong point of the Focus lineup.

It's kind of interesting that the situation is almost completely opposite in Norway. Sedans are almost completely unsellable, while wagons have maybe 70% of the market. Kind of weird that national preferences varies so much. Sedans generally have this "old man" stigma i Norway, especially when it comes to smaller cars.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Is it faster then holding down a button?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea because you don't have to take your eyes off the road to know which button you're pushing, but I don't think they're faster.

Considerably faster than a button for sure. I guess you'd have to try it to believe it.

[Madman]

Much more attractive than the sedan, much more useful than the hatch.

Yeah, we're not getting it.

Typical.  Thanks for nothing, Ford!


Madman of the People

[Raza]

Much more attractive than the sedan, much more useful than the hatch.

Yeah, we're not getting it.

It looks like a fucking SUV.