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2005 Ford Focus "UK"

2.3K views 57 replies 43 participants last post by  jinstall  
#1 ·
2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

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Ford Focus, which have not yet been released in the UK. Set for its public debut at the Paris Motor Show next month, the new Focus is more exciting inside than out. Softer and a little less controversially styled than the car which debuted in 1996, the new second-generation Focus shares its platform with the already-launched Focus C-Max, as well as Volvo's S40 and V50 and the Mazda 3.

The new Focus will first arrive in three- and five-door hatchback form, with an estate becoming available early in 2005. All cars are longer overall than the current model, with a longer-wheelbase of 2640mm, up 25mm on the current car. That'll help rear legroom, while the extra length (the hatchbacks are 4340mm long, up 170mm) will also go into crumple-zones to improve passive safety. The Focus is chasing the benchmark five-star safety rating in EuroNCAP's crash tests, with the current model on four stars. Luggage space is also improved. Hatchbacks have 385-litres, rising to 1245-litres with seats folded, 35 more than the current car. The estate has a 475-litre capacity, which rises to 1,525 with the seats folded.

According to Autoweek Netherlands, at launch, three petrol engines and two diesels will be available on Continental Europe, and we'd expect the same to be true for the UK. The base model is a 1.4-litre Duratec unit with 79bhp and 93lb.ft of torque, and there are 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Duratecs too. The 1.6 has 99bhp and 111lb.ft in manual form, but will also be available with a CVT continuously variable automatic transmission. In this form, it has 113bhp and 115lb.ft. The 2.0-litre petrol unit has 143bhp and 136lb.ft. A faster, ST version is likely to follow next year, while a 118bhp 1.8-litre car should also feature.

The diesel units are latest-generation common-rail units with particulate filters, which will meet Euro IV emissions regulations and therefore avoid the extra three-percent tax penalty levied on diesel cars which don't meet the new regulations. The engines are a 1.6-litre unit with 107bhp and 177lb.ft, and a 2.0-litre unit with 134bhp and a healthy 236lb.ft. The petrol engines and 1.6-litre diesel come with a five-speed manual transmission, that CVT is also available on the 1.6-diesel, while the 2.0-litre diesel has a six-speed manual gearbox.

Our UK-first pictures show that interior quality has taken a marked upward step over the existing car, as it tries to match the enhanced quality of the latest Golf and Vauxhall's higher quality new Astra. The dials and controls are again large and simple, and sound ergonomics - one feature of the current Focus - appear to remain. The steering wheel will again adjust for reach and rake, while as an option, adjustable pedals can be specified, too.

Although UK prices and options are a long way from being set, standard equipment is likely to include electric front windows, CD player, quite possibly air-conditioning, and six-airbags. Options will include keyless entry, AFS adaptive front-lights, Bluetooth telephone connection, and speech-control for the telephone, climate control and satellite-navigation systems. A DVD-supported games console for rear-seat passengers will also be available. There is no firm date for sales to start here, but it will be available from mid-November in major left-hand-drive markets such as Germany, and the UK shouldn't be too far behind.
 
#2 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

AWESOME. That interior makes me sick to the stomach though. Not because it's bad in any way (quite the opposite), but because it's YET another example of how Ford screws US buyers. Like I always say, the domestic manufacturers appear to have a marked contempt for American buyers, pushing mediocrity down our throats. They assume that US buyers won't know or care (if all the Big 3 are equally mediocre, theoretically the American buyer won't know any better), but the fact that the likes of Toyota, Honda, VW, etc DO give us the same quality enjoyed elsewhere in the world puts a wrench in the Big 3's scheme. In my line of work, I see how US auto executives think - so many of them honestly only see the world in terms of US domestic brands; they STILL, after all these years, don't think about the Japanese or Europeans.

And customers realize it, which is why the Big 3 keep losing market share. Americans aren't as stupid as they'd like to think.

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to the Euro Focus, and
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to Ford's US strategy.
 
#6 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

interior is nice

but that assend looks like it dont know if its a coupe or hatch lol

will take a while to get used to it though but.

Looks like the new Golf V will be flying out the door now!
 
#7 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

i am going to stop paying attention to what non-US customers get. that is so nice compared to us its rediculous. and i'm not talking about the fact that it's all gussied up with a nav system and whatnot, i'm talking about the actual vehicle.
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i guess i just have to suck it up and accept that fact that i'm driving a reborn Escort.

FOR CHRIST SAKE THEY EVEN GET BLUETOOTH PHONE SUPPORT!
 
#8 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Why oh why can't we get a Focus like that. I really like the interior treatment & the new exterior, (front end) looks great with those headlights. Wouldn't it make fiscal sense to have all the Foci world wide share the same platforms, engines & exterior & interior treatments?
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Just my own humble opinion.
 
#9 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Wouldn't it make fiscal sense to have all the Foci world wide share the same platforms, engines & exterior & interior treatments?
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Just my own humble opinion.
YEAH! Didn't the Focus plan to be Fords World car????
 
#10 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Wow, great first post FaLeX! Thanks for the pics!
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I have to echo Ed's comments, it's so disappointing that with the Mk1 Focus we were finally on par with Europe. But now, with the Mk2 we are once again behind. It's very sad.

Both the exterior and especially the interior are awesome. I've said it before, Ford has the potential to be the "domestic VW" yet they are convinced that the way to profit is to churn out the lowest common denominator. Ed's right we aren't as stupid as we're made out to be by the Big 3.
 
#11 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

still don't like the back lines, they're ghey. sorry. They got it right on the mazda 3, wy coudln't they have on the c1 focus?


GHEY GHEY GHEY GHEY

they took ALL the youth out of te car.
 
#12 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

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Someone want to photochop in a black pseudo-window between the rear most side window and the hatch? I think that may make it look less like an Asstek rear end.

I admit, the rear of the hatch has grown on me since I first saw it.
 
#13 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Both the exterior and especially the interior are awesome. I've said it before, Ford has the potential to be the "domestic VW" yet they are convinced that the way to profit is to churn out the lowest common denominator. Ed's right we aren't as stupid as we're made out to be by the Big 3.
Only thing is the vast majoratory of the big 2.5 buyers are. Just look at the crap GM puts out. And then they sell it at Walmart prices. We also forget the fact at times that the Focus fits in a more profitable market in europe. We would be better off compairing the inteior of a Fiesta or Ka to our US Focus since thats the market its most closely to in Europe when it comes to cost.

Anyway Car looks good, but they [censored] up the best styling feature on the Hatchback...the C pillar! I love the way the current C-pillar looks, with the way all the lines meet and blend together...its a work of art.
 
#14 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

the front looks good with the fender flares!
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#15 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

I would definately buy one. I like everything about that vehicle. And the tail lights actually look nice (that's the biggest problem most of the people have that say anything about the Focus, "Why do they have the lights up there? They are so ugly.")
 
#18 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Just to add my $0.02 on this, at the current exchange rate a 2004 Focus 3-door, 2.0L, m/t goes for 14,225 GB pounds. As of today, that's $25,462 US Dollars. Now, ask yourself: Is Ford really just screwing the US consumer?
 
#19 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Other people have mentioned this before, but one big reason is that the Focus is not the bottom end car of Fords line like it is in the US. They have cars like the Puma and Ka to slot below the Focus, so it can be more upscale, and of course be higher priced as well.

Until Ford comes out with an Aveo class car, the US Focus will have to cover a wide range, from the bargain basement stripper, to the loaded ZX4 ST. GM learned that the hard way with the Cavalier, and now Ford is in their position.
 
#20 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

Just some more to debate on. They also get taxed up the wah-zoo, especially in the UK. Of course, the $1.45 per liter of fuel kicks you in the backside too. As for the Puma and Ka, the former's gone and the latter's just plain silly. Fiesta is pretty cool though.
 
#21 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

quote:
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Just to add my $0.02 on this, at the current exchange rate a 2004 Focus 3-door, 2.0L, m/t goes for 14,225 GB pounds. As of today, that's $25,462 US Dollars.
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The dollar is weak (thanks to runaway deficit spending and a moronic White House) relative to the pound. Also, cars in the UK are among the most expensive in Europe due to excessive taxation. I've looked at Focuses in showrooms in Spain and found that the cars cost about the same as here, had more standard and optional features as well as higher quality materials and assembly than the US cars.

We would have access to far better cars here if not for the truck/SUV craze and the herd menatlity that drives it. The only way we're going to eventually get nice cars here is to elect John 'eats puppies for fun' Kerry elected AND put our truck driving friends behind the wheels of our Focuses on twisty roads so they can learns what driving is all about.
 
#26 ·
Re: 2005 Ford Focus \"UK\"

They got to keep the round HVAC vents in the dash. Very nice